Environmental Requirements

Big Bay Boom will Comply with the Port of San Diego, Regional Water Control Board and California Coastal Commission Fireworks Display Ordinance and Environmental Requirements

Port of San Diego Fireworks Ordinance 

February 2022
Pyrotechnic Provider Responsibilities
Whomever is contracted to provide the pyrotechnic show must keep the weight of the total four (4) barge at 5,342 lbs. or less. This translates to no more than 1,335.5 lbs. for each barge. The maximum shell can be 10”. Provider of pyrotechnics must meet the Port Fireworks Ordinance (see page 5) regarding content of copper and other restrictions.

The San Diego Fire Marshall needs to note to the Port that the barge fencing around the barge referred to in the Port Fireworks Ordinance is dangerous and would not approve of the show if fencing is required on the barges.

Big Bay Boom Confirmation of Sensitive Areas and Endangered Species
Prior to July 4th each year, Big Bay Boom will confirm the arrangement at the airport lease tern site by a qualified person to observe the nesting area and report activity before and during the Big Bay Boom to Port Environmental, US Fish & Wildlife, California Fish & Game and Big Bay Boom.

Big Bay Boom will also respond to any concerns of the California Fish & Game Department and the US Fish & Wildlife Department regarding the impacts of the Big Bay Boom event.

Big Bay Boom will publish for the public on the Big Bay Boom website the chart/map showing the sensitive areas where the public should avoid disturbing.

Location of the fireworks barges will be at least one (1) mile from any endangered species nesting or sensitive area.

Barge Clean-up (10-11:30pm, July 4) – Sam Bruggamma, Pyro Team & Steve Frailey, Pacific Tugboat Service Team
Clean-up on the barge shall begin as soon as the Fire Marshal declares the required safety observation period has ended (approximately 20 minutes after the show ends) and that it is safe to proceed.

Clean-up of the barge takes place while the barge is returning to its boatyard and continues upon the barges return to the dock. The perimeters of the barges are first cleared of loose debris. Brooms are used to gather all debris on the
barges, shovels are used to place debris in plastic bags, and the bags are sealed and transported to the Pyro facility for weighing.

The time of the cleanup varies but usually takes approximately 20-40 minutes on each barge. All debris is categorized, photographed and weighed. The photos, weight and report will be sent to Sandy Purdon, Big Bay Boom, and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Mr. Purdon will also include this information in a report to the Port Environmental Department, the Water Quality Control Board and the California Coastal Commission.

Patrol Picket Boats Post Show In-water cleanup (9:50-10:30pm, July 4)
– Bill Edwards
Big Bay Boom is responsible for providing two boats for each of the four barge locations (eight boats total) dedicated to in-water debris clean-up after the show. Start of debris search will begin 20 minutes after end of the show (fire marshal’s cool down period) and will continue until 10:30pm. Each boat is to have 3-6 crew members looking for debris. Each boat is to have one pool skimmer and one trash bag (see below).

The in-water clean-up begins approximately 20 minutes’ after the show ends because the San Diego Fire Marshal requires a “cool down” safety observation period before clean-up boats are allowed in the barge locations. The clean-up continues until the skippers determine they have covered the area sufficiently. The crews on the patrol boats cover the area around where the barges are located during the show and follow the wind direction to attempt to find other debris.

Port of San Diego Fireworks Ordinance

The clean-up patrol boats return to their yacht club or marina and deliver the debris trash bags to the volunteer patrol boat leader, who delivers them to Mr. Purdon for weighing and photographing of the fireworks-related debris. Mr. Purdon shall write a report of the debris from all sources and provide that report to the Port District, RWQCB and California Coastal Commission.

Parks Cleanup (Midnight – 4am, July 5) – Port Operations
Port District personnel will pick up all debris at Port District parks.

Shoreline Cleanup (8-11am, July 5)-Cliff Elledge and Trash Clean Up Teams
Big Bay Boom is responsible for assembling and supervising teams to perform a clean-up of the shoreline. A minimum of 5 individuals/volunteers from non-profit organizations at each barge location are required to walk the shoreline of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero and South Embarcadero on July 5 to collect fireworks debris.

Each individual/volunteer will have a trash bag and equipment to collect fireworks debris. The use of paddle boards and surf boards can be used. The fireworks debris will be collected and delivered to a common location where it will be weighed and photographed.

• Shelter Island shoreline
• Harbor Island shoreline
• North Embarcadero, including Tuna Harbor shoreline
• South Embarcadero, including Embarcadero Marina Parks North and South

Volunteers Provided to Operation Clean Sweep
Big Bay Boom will provide eight (8) people to help with the annual Operation Clean Sweep event.

Report by Big Bay Boom to Port, Regional Water Quality Control Board & California Coastal Commission
A report of all the debris weighed and photographed will be provided to the various oversight government agencies.