Public Comment Being Accepted until September 15, 2010
From the American Sportfishing Association:
On August 23, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This includes sinkers, jigs, weighted fly line, and components that contain lead such as brass and ballast in a wide variety of lures, including spinners, stick baits and more.
It is important that industry members send comments now! Let your voice be heard!
On August 27, 2010, the EPA denied the petition for ammunition but maintained the petition to ban lead fishing tackle. Supporters of hunting and the shooting sports have been successful in having ammunition excluded from this ban.
The petition was presented with the aim of reducing bird deaths caused by the ingestion of lead sinkers and jigheads; however, a study conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that less than one percent of all waterfowl and other birds such as eagles are killed by lead sinker ingestion.
Please visit the ASA Policy Alert page for instructions on how you can help stop this attempt to upset our fishing industry and favorite pastime, especially during already trying times.
They’ve provided a sample comment you can use or edit to create your own version. Also information on where to comment, options to comment and suggestions to contact your federal representatives too. Very important that you act to counter the misguided persons who want to disrupt so much for questionable results at best.