Proposed Fishing Ban

[Jim Sprague]

To all,

Below is a response that I received from representative Ehlers regarding the proposed ban on lead in fishing tackle and my reply to him.  I am disappointed that Rep. Ehlers shows no support for our state's fishermen, and took the typical "we'll study the issue" political stand.  I take this to mean "I'll wait to see which way the wind blows on this issue".  Since the deadline for this issue is September 15th, I'm not sure what he is waiting for.

As I stated in my letter, this ban on lead is simply a cover for special interest groups to ban what they consider "blood sports".  I'm sure like many of you, I have stood on the sidelines on these types of issues, thinking "they'll never get away with this".  I am done thinking that.  The fishing community is very small in the big scheme of things and  because of that, the anglers need to be even more vocal to get heard.

This is not a Democrat vs. Republican issue.  I don't think either side really gives a crap about us sportsmen.  You need to be heard on this issue and make them aware of your point of view.  There is a direct link below for the EPA.  I would appreciate if you post here any correspondence that you have on this issue with the government.  If you frequent outdoor chat rooms, please start a discussion.  Do whatever you can do to be heard and to get the attention of our elected officials.

Thank you,

Jim Sprague

[Jim Sprague]

This is my response back to Congressman Ehlers regarding his response below:

Dear Mr. Ehlers,

Thank you for your response regarding the proposed ban on lead fishing products.  I will pass on my opinions directly to the EPA as you suggested.  I do hope that our industry and my family's business can count on you to help prevent this radical move.  While I am all for studies and safety, my feelings are that this administration is trying to use unsubstantiated science to draw conclusions about the safety of products for which they have no understanding.

More to the point, I can't understand the logic of destroying an entire industry based on a "just in case" mentality.  If studies find a reasonable level of risk can be proven, then by all means any industry needs to make adjustments.  The fishing industry has been around for over 150 years.  I can find no studies backing any of the EPA actions up.  Let's face it, this legislation has nothing to do with lead poisoning and everything to do with special interest groups targeting so-called "blood sports" .

Fortunately, the hunting sports being a larger industry has very effective lobbying  and were able to block the ammunition portion.  The fishing industry doesn't have the power of an NRA behind it, but fishing is no less important to the millions of us who enjoy the sport and the millions whose livelihoods depend on it.  Fisherman understand more than anyone the importance of protecting the outdoors and no group has done more to protect our natural resources than the fishing industry.  Please take this issue seriously and help to protect our fishing heritage.

Sincerely,
Jim Sprague

[Jim Sprague]

From: Rep. Ehlers [mailto:mi03ima.pub@mail.house.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 12:01 PM
To: Jim Sprague
Subject: Reply from Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers

Dear Mr. Sprague:

Thank you for contacting me about a petition to ban lead ammunition and fishing tackle.  I appreciate knowing your views.

On August 3, the Center for Biological Diversity and other environmental groups petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers under the authority of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  While these groups contend that lead poisoning represents a serious threat to wildlife, others have questioned the EPA's jurisdiction in this matter and have noted the high escalation in cost for hunters and sport-shooters if required to use non-lead ammunition.

On August 27, the EPA denied the proposal against lead ammunition, but decided to proceed with the petition against lead tackle.  It is available for public comment, and I would suggest you submit your comments directly to the EPA by visiting http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#docketDetail?R=EPA-HQ-OPPT-2010-0681 and clicking on "comment due."  All comments are due by September 15.

As a scientist, I want to make sure that we have valid research that both the government and consumers can rely and act upon.  We should not assume everything synthetic is dangerous, but we do need to have a better understanding of how materials are absorbed by our bodies and what levels pose health risks.  We also must be particularly vigilant and knowledgeable about chemical exposure in children, since their growing bodies have less natural protection from even small doses of toxic substances.  To this end, I have always supported strong research budgets at our federal science agencies.

The TSCA is designed to monitor chemicals and keep the public and environment safe.  The regulations have not been amended since they were established in 1976, and many people feel reform is overdue.  With many new materials on the market, it is increasingly difficult to track how they impact human health and the environment.  Comprehensive TSCA reform may be a preferred alternative to legislation addressing individual chemicals or substances.  However, changes to the regulations must be done very carefully and based on peer-reviewed science.   If Congress considers TSCA reform, I will carefully examine the changes and their impacts on my constituents and wildlife.

Thank you very much for contacting me about this important issue.  I am

Sincerely,

Vernon J. Ehlers
Member of Congress

[Dan]

Very nicely done Jim. I hope he hears from many more of us. Time is running out.

[Fishmael]

They would never be able to enforce it even if they pass it...They can't even enforce the snagging laws that have been in effect in MI since who knows when.  Now multiply that by pretty much every angler out there...Yeah, good luck with that one!  That would be like them reducing the speed limit back to 60 mph and thinking everyone would fully comply.  No one complies now and the limit is 70 mph.  I think this is just another Government overstep that they cannot possibly expect to be reasonably supported (except by PETA and any tree hugger that never wet a fishing line).

[LGMOUTH]

They would never be able to enforce it even if they pass it...They can't even enforce the snagging laws that have been in effect in MI since who knows when.  Now multiply that by pretty much every angler out there...Yeah, good luck with that one!  That would be like them reducing the speed limit back to 60 mph and thinking everyone would fully comply.  No one complies now and the limit is 70 mph.  I think this is just another Government overstep that they cannot possibly expect to be reasonably supported (except by PETA and any tree hugger that never wet a fishing line).

Even if they cant enforce it to the general public, they sure can enforce it in the manufactures aspect. If they did that then the price of every lure that used to be lead and now would have to be tungsten or some other substance would sky rocket beyond belief. I dont believe that any one of us would want that to happen.

[Cy]

Even if they cant enforce it to the general public, they sure can enforce it in the manufactures aspect. If they did that then the price of every lure that used to be lead and now would have to be tungsten or some other substance would sky rocket beyond belief. I dont believe that any one of us would want that to happen.

Don is right.  The issue is the cost of all other materials.  Nothing is as cheap to buy and as cheap and easy to work with as lead.  I don't know what the impact will be on hard core fisherman like most of the folks on GLB.  But it really concerns me what it will do for the average fisherman or the beginner.  It might keep fishing out of reach of way too many people!  The sport we love could be adversely affect in ways that we can't even think of.

Cy

[Durand Dan]

One thing to keep in mind about lead is it is one of the largest sources of industrial illness. When your pouring it consider that inhalation is the most direct avenue to the body and can cause long term and short term health complications. As a former Environmental, Health and Safety Manager I can tell you it was a major concern in the workplace

[Fishmael]

I didn't consider the new manufacturing.  However, I wonder if this would lead to the development of a new replacement product or the reduction in the price of the tungsten items?  Someone always comes up with a new good idea if forced to it.  Seems like it would have a very negative impact in the short term.  However, I wouldn't stop fishing.  I would just start killing every legal pike I caught so I didn't lose as many lures!! 

[djkimmel]

I didn't consider the new manufacturing.  However, I wonder if this would lead to the development of a new replacement product or the reduction in the price of the tungsten items?  Someone always comes up with a new good idea if forced to it.  Seems like it would have a very negative impact in the short term.  However, I wouldn't stop fishing.  I would just start killing every legal pike I caught so I didn't lose as many lures!! 

I can see a tale between Fishmael and a great white pike somewhere in the future...

[Fishmael]

Yeah, right!  Think I should catch them on Nemesis lures?   

[djkimmel]

Fishmael and Nemesis vs Moby Pike... I like the sounds of that! Do they have pike in Japan?