Lead ban counfounds industry 3/16/2009
A recent action by the Obama administration has left anglers and the fishing industry scratching their heads. Last week, the National Park Service (NPS) suddenly announced it would ban lead fishing tackle in national parks by 2010.
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) weighed on in the controversy with a widely distributed statement. "The sportfishing industry is surprised and dismayed by the March 10 announcement made by the National Park Service," said ASA VP Gordon Robertson. "Their intention to eliminate the use of lead in fishing tackle in national parks was made without prior consultation of the sportfishing industry or the millions of recreational anglers who fish within the national park system."
Robertson added: "In his Jan. 21, 2009 Executive Memo to federal agency and department heads, President Obama made it very clear that he expects the federal government to be transparent, participatory and collaborative and that 'executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information.' We expect the National Park Service to follow the President's order."
In the normal course of events, the sportfishing and shooting-sports industries (lead component ammunition is also included in the ban) would have been notified by the NPS about this change in policy and would have been invited to discuss this decision with NPS staff, the ASA noted.
Robertson also said: "The NPS policy announcement, issued by a press release, does not explain how this decision was reached, why it may be necessary or how this rule will be implemented. To our knowledge, there has been no proposed rule, nor any opportunity for public comment. We request that the NPS withdraw this proposal and discuss the rationale for it with the appropriate stakeholders before taking further action."
in national parks isn't such a big deal, but if they make this a universal rule it will put more than a few US based companies out of business. Not what our economy needs right now. Plus the average guy isn't gonna fork out the $$ to buy tungsten, steel, brass weights - if there were an affordable alternative that was also a suitable replacement for lead that was widely available, i guess it might be a different story.
I think there is huge number of even avid anglers that still use a number of lead based products. Look at jigs for example. All mine are lead. There is only a couple of companies that even make jigs out of something other then lead. If lead does become banned everywhere we will see a shortage of available tackle pretty darn quick too. Companies like Tru Tungsten would stand to make a fortune on legislation like that.
Buy stock in Tungsten.... ;D I believe a ban on lead for fishing will happen someday....
You think that is bad take a look at this article on Mini bikes...No one uses common sense any more...
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090316/NEWS02/303169969 (http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090316/NEWS02/303169969)
I continue to be amazed at what Obama has been able to "accomplish" in less than 2 months in office. It is going to be a long 3yrs 10months 2 days 20hrs 42 mins & 26 sec. :'(
You really don't believe that all of this was generated over the last 2 months do you???? Check out the latest editorial in the BASS times on Bush's regulations of fishing coastal waters..The BASS editor believes that peice of legislation that Bush signed on his way out the door will do a unrepairable damage to fisherman's rights....Don't believe the Kool-aid that the Repubs are any more friendly to hunters and fisherman than any other party...C'mon they are all politicians and will bow to whatever the way the wind is blowing...If you haven't read it yet you really should pick up a copy..
I won't even get into the previous administration's record on water quality issues.....
(What ever happened to the conservitive middle.???..Everyone has to be either way out left or way out right, to many people listening to Rush and Nancy I guess...)
As in all other environmental efforts the U.S. has went slow in the banning of lead in fishing tackle. Several states have some sort of prohibition in place. Great Britan in 1987 banned all lead sinkers under 1oz.
I don't see how this can be blamed on the current administration. But then it seems like the last 8 years are ;D