Encinitas could become the county's first city to ban balloons with helium and other gases that make them float away. On Wednesday, the City Council will consider an ordinance to make it illegal to use, sell or distribute balloons with gases that are lighter than air. The city referenced a NOAA report that says "every balloon released during well-meaning celebrations returns to earth as trash, with grave potential to injure or kill wildlife." NOAA included a picture of a sea turtle with its neck caught in balloon ribbons, which were tied to a stick.