FYI...I received this information today... Judge Denies Petition to Ban Toxic Lead in Ammunition
Environmental groups have been temporarily thwarted in an attempt to ban the use of toxic lead in ammunition and fishing tackle. On 30 September 2011 Judge Emmett Sullivan issued a ruling <http://www.eenews.net/assets/2011/09/30/document_gw_02.pdf> dismissing the petition filed in August 2010 <http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/get_the_lead_out/pdfs/Final_TS CA_lead_ban_petition_8-3-10.pdf> by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, and Project Gutpile asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use its authority under the Toxic Substances Control Act to regulate the use of lead in ammunition. The ruling stated that the groups had waited too long to appeal the EPA's refusal to regulate lead in ammunition, but that their appeal concerning the use of lead in fishing tackle was still viable. The petition originally included both ammunition and tackle, but the EPA effectively split the petition into two parts by denying the lead ammunition portion in August 2010, and then separately denying the fishing gear request in November 2010. Following Judge Sullivan's September 2011 decision, CBD conservation director Peter Galvin said in a press release <http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2011/lead-09-30-2011 .html> that this was not a ruling on the merits of the petition to ban lead hunting ammunition. The lawsuit related to lead in fishing gear will continue. A partial federal ban on the use of lead in ammunition currently exists, but extends only to lead shot used for hunting waterfowl. There is currently no federal regulation on lead in fishing tackle. CBD finds that long-established science on the dangers of lead poisoning in the wild suggests the use of toxic lead hunting ammunition and fishing gear frequently poisons and kills millions of birds each year across the country. Furthermore, lead ingested by game species also poses a threat to human health as it contaminates meat and can be transferred to the human body when consumed. There are many nontoxic ammunition and tackle alternatives that can be used in lieu of traditional toxic lead shot and gear. Some states have created additional bans on lead ammunition to supplement the partial federal ban, but very few have any regulations for lead fishing gear. The petition was signed by over 120 organizations in 30 states representing birders, conservationists, hunters, scientists, and veterinarians. Sources: E&E Publishing LLC (Greenwire), Center for Biological Diversity <http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2011/lead-09-30-2011 .html> . Ty Smedes [email protected] Ty Smedes Nature Photography 4732 72nd Street Urbandale Iowa 50322-1148 phone: 515-270-9086 --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/membership.asp. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
