An American tradition may be in peril, as the La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation (LJCFF) seeks donations for its 25th annual Fourth of July display at La Jolla Cove despite a letter from an environmental group warning that the show could result in a lawsuit. The Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) threatened to sue LJCFF in addition to organizers of the Big Bay Boom Show and the Del Mar display, arguing that the La Jolla show, specifically, violates the California Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California, the Coastal Act and the Clean Water Act. The group also claimed that discharging any foreign materials into ocean water near shores is against the law. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is examining the results of a four-year study conducted by SeaWorld on how fireworks affect water quality, in order to draft permit language that would regulate all coastal fireworks displays in the region. The draft should be available in early 2011. Meanwhile, the board has indicated it will not seek enforcement against producers of fireworks shows, provided the displays are conducted safely and with responsible management and trash control. Deborah Marengo of LJCFF said that the group does not believe the litigation is likely to proceed. “From our understanding, we will be issued the same permits by the city of San Diego and we meet the guidelines in the same way that we have for the last 25 years,” Marengo said. “As long as we have community support and people continue to donate, the show will go on.” Marengo said that final details for the event are still pending. However, she said that the evening’s entertainment will kick off at 7:30 p.m. with Bones Apart, an internationally renowned trombone quartet that will perform “Stars and Stripes Forever,” in addition to other pieces. “Bones Apart is here as a part of their 10th anniversary and we are very excited to have them with us,” Marengo said. The Marine Aircraft Wing’s 40-piece band will also perform and the evening will culminate with a 20-minute fireworks finale provided by Fireworks America. The pyrotechnics cost approximately $1,000 per minute, Marengo said. Other expenses include obtaining city permits and other requirements necessary to accommodate a crowd that traditionally includes about 20,000 spectators. While George Hauer of George’s at the Cove funded the show for many years, economic conditions and increasing permit fees forced the community to seek its own funding from private donors. Marengo initiated LJCFF along with Adam Harris in 2009, after the community expressed a desire for a fundraising effort that would benefit the fireworks show specifically. “This is a completely grassroots effort and we felt that it’s important to preserve this patriotic tradition that people attend from all over,” Marengo said. “We are all volunteers, so there are no administrative or staffing costs. All the money goes toward the show.” To date, the group has raised approximately $16,000 of its $30,000 goal — including $9,000 remaining from last year’s event. Marengo emphasized that donations are still needed to pull off the display. For more information, visit lajollafireworks.org.