OKLAHOMA CITY — Politicians, anglers and environmentalists are taking sides over a petition to ban potentially toxic lead in fishing tackle.
On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ruled against considering a petition from the Center of Biological Diversity and other environmental groups to ban the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. Although many conservatives and 2nd Amendment advocates hailed the move as a victory, the EPA is still waiting to determine if it will take up the second part of the proposal that would outlaw lead in popular fishing sinkers.
Jeff Miller, a spokesman for the center, which is one of the five groups that filed the petition with the EPA, said lead-weighted lures that are left behind often are mistaken for food by many species of birds, and it can have deadly effects if consumed. The group estimates 10 million to 20 million birds and other animals die each year from lead poisoning in the United States.
“It is of special concern for birds with low population numbers or those that reproduce slowly,” he said. “In New England and portions of the Midwest, lead poisoning is the No.1 cause of deaths for loons.”
Scott Pruitt, the state Republican attorney general candidate, criticized the environmental groups for pushing for the lead restrictions through the EPA in both proposals. He said if he were elected he would seek legal action to prevent federal agencies from enacting the bans.
I do believe it would be an overreach of the federal government,” he said Monday while adding it should be up to states and elected officials, instead of the federal agency, to make the decision. “It is an example of how we need to be very vigilant and mindful of what is going on in Washington.”
Jed Green, campaign manager for Democratic attorney general candidate Jim Priest, said the campaign has not looked deeply into the issue. But Green said he does not see the EPA seriously considering the lead fishing tackle ban. He also said the next attorney general should make sure he spends his time on the most pertinent issues.
“The priority of the attorney general is to protect the most vulnerable with the limited resources of the office,” Green said.
Gary Stanton, owner of the Tackle Shack in Stillwater, said a ban on lead tackle would dramatically affect his business. He said the lead lures are his most popular, mainly because they are much cheaper than other types of materials. While acknowledging there might have to be a compromise to balance fishing and business interests with the concerns of the environmentalists, Stanton said he would like to see the issue decided on not just a national level.
“You need to have local people involved too,” he said. “But once a decision has been made, it's up to the (federal) government to oversee it.”Kara Rowe, with Nabatak Outdoors, a bait and tackle store in Claremore, said she sees a mix of positive and negative outcomes if lead fishing equipment were to be banned.
“In our industry, many of our customers use the same products over and over again, and may not have an enthusiastic reception regarding their favorite sinker or lure being altered in any way,” she said. “However, we are also parents and grandparents and are very concerned with the conservation of what we are leaving for our children and grandchildren.”
A statement from the EPA said the agency would continue receiving public comments on the lead fishing tackle proposal until Sept. 15. Miller said he expects the agency to then decide whether it will consider the ban by Nov. 1.
Those wishing to comment specifically on the fishing tackle issue can do so by visiting www.regulations.gov.
Trevor Brown covers the Oklahoma statehouse for CNHI. He can be reached at tbrown@cnhi.com.
