Bird safety trumps Gualala fireworks

<p>A Gualala committee announced today it’s canceled its controversial July 4 fireworks display after a Mendocino County judge refused to immediately intervene in the group’s permit flap with the state Coastal Commission.</p><p>The controversy flared anew last week when the California Coastal Commission meeting in Santa Rosa issued a “cease and desist” order to organizers, fearing the display would disturb birds on nearby Gualala Point Island. </p><p>Superior Court Judge John Behnke declined Wednesday afternoon to issue an “emergency” stay of the state order.</p><p>Complaints about the fireworks and the effects on coastal wildlife surfaced after the first event two years ago. The issue has divided residents of the coastal region, which straddles the Sonoma-Mendocino county line and includes the Sea Ranch development to the south.</p><p>The conservative Pacific Legal Foundation in Sacramento, which is aiding local fireworks proponents, vowed today to press its fight with the coastal commission despite the cancellation.</p><p>“Although the fireworks won’t happen this year, the lawsuit will go forward,” said attorney Graham Owen.</p><p>The bird refuge is protected under federal law, and is part of the state’s Coastal National Monument Program. A federal study last year concluded that nesting birds were disrupted, likely as a result of the explosive display of fireworks.</p>