Will EPA ban lead sinkers?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) says the EPA will soon
decide whether to proceed in a formal rulemaking process to ban
lead from tackle and sinkers used by the nation's 60 million
recreational anglers.
The EPA must review, as required by law, a petition filed by
environmental groups that seeks to ban lead in ammunition, fishing
tackle and sinkers. The EPA earlier announced it has no
jurisdiction over ammunition, and will soon decide whether to move
toward issuing new regulations that would greatly impact
recreational fishing, which contributes $125 billion annually to
the economy.
The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus will send a letter to the
EPA later this week urging the EPA to dismiss the petition, thus
stopping the issue from moving toward a regulation or rulemaking
process. LaTourette, a caucus member, will sign the letter.
The environmental groups are seeking a ban on the manufacturing,
processing and distribution of lead in lead sinkers and tackle.
"We've got historic unemployment, soaring deficits and are
dealing with a massive oil spill in the Gulf and the EPA is worried
about lead fishing tackle," LaTourette said. "If this doesn't
tell you our priorities are out of whack, I don't know what
will."
LaTourette said the EPA was petitioned on August 23 by the
Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations.
They want the EPA to ban all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic
Substances Control Act because they believe birds die needlessly
after ingesting lead sinkers. The ban could include sinkers,
jigs, weighted fly line, and many lures and spinners that contain
some lead.
LaTourette said the original deadline for comments was Oct. 31,
but the EPA slashed the comment period and it ends tomorrow --
Sept. 15. To submit a comment, go to:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480b3f0cd
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which represents
50 state fish and wildlife agencies, told the EPA last week that a
"national ban on lead fishing sinkers is…neither necessary nor
appropriate." Some fishing groups say fishing tackle and
sinkers made without lead can be six to 15 percent more
expensive.
"How much would this ban cost, how many manufacturers will go
out of business and how would such a ridiculous ban be
enforced?" LaTourette said. "Are we going to hire
millions of tackle box inspectors? Will the administration add a
fishing tackle czar?"
LaTourette said the Ohio's Department of Natural Resources cited
the economic impact of fishing in Ohio in a July 2010 press
release, noting that "Ohio's 1.1 million anglers spend an estimated
$1.1 billion on fishing-related expenditures annually….and their
expenditures spur a $480 million sport fishing industry along Lake
Erie and create nearly 10,000 jobs." LaTourette's district
includes more Lake Erie shoreline than any other in Ohio.
To view the lead tackle petition:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480b37fc2.
Additional information, including a link to share comments with the
EPA, is available at http://keepamericafishing.org/.