November 5, 2010

EPA Denies Petition Seeking Ban on Lead-Based Fishing Products

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture and use of lead-based fishing gear.

The decision comes two months after the agency denied another portion of the petition calling for a ban on traditional lead ammunition.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veteranarians, Project Gutpile and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility filed the petition on August 3 to ban the production and sale of lead based ammunition and fishing tackle under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1976.

EPA sent a letter to the petitioners yesterday stating that they failed to demonstrate that the rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment. The letter also states that the increasing number of limitations on the use of lead fishing gear on some federal and state lands, as well as various education and outreach activities, call into question whether a national ban on lead in fishing gear would be the least burdensome, adequately protective approach to address the concern, as called for under TSCA. EPA’s letter also notes that there are non-lead alternatives currently in the marketplace.

Read more from the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

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