About the ban on lead

[snake River]

My senator from the state of Oregon has contacted the about the band on lead he wanted to know all the particulars. I fielded him in so he seemed to be very interested in what I had to say. We And heard any reply back cents. I replied to his message. I will inform you if I hear anything.

[fish_4_all]

Sounds good Snake, I haven't had any luck with elected officials here but have had a lot of luck with fisheries. They are agreeing that eventualy lead will be banned and possibly needs to be but not until there is a replacement that is not 10X as expensive. There is also talk of some state metal refineries working on a substitute that is going to run aout $2.50 a pound until demand is high enough. I don't know if I believe it because I can not find anything about it but if it is true at least someone is trying to help us out and keep fishing industries going for a long time to come.

[brushnjigs]

Snake, I would like to hear what they have to say, IF you ever get a reply back from them. This hole thing is nothing but political. These groups backed Obama to get in office and now it payback time to them. This is why this administration had given the EPA full authority over the waters.

[Fatman]

If the one reply I got back is any indication from one of my senators we might be in trouble!!!!!!!! Here's what he sent me back after a week and a half:

Thank you for contacting me about the use of fishing tackle that contains lead. I appreciate hearing from you.

On August 3, 2010 several organizations petitioned the EPA "to adopt regulations prohibiting the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead shot, lead bullets, lead fishing sinkers, and other lead-containing fishing gear pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)." The EPA recently determined that the TSCA does not provide the Agency with authority to address lead shot and bullets and denied that portion of the petition. However, the Agency will continue the evaluation of the petition as it relates to lead fishing sinkers.

I am concerned about the harm inflicted on the Common Loon and other wildlife by this toxic piece of fishing equipment. Loons and other waterfowl often swallow lost or discarded lead sinkers or become ill after eating a fish with a hook and sinker already attached to it. Some studies have shown that poisoning by lead sinkers can account for the death of anywhere between 10 and 50 percent of adult loons found in the northeastern United States and Canada. It is vitally important that anglers recognize the toxic potency of lead and begin to rely on other non-lead fishing tackle when fishing. Just as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's nationwide ban on the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting in 1991 had a remarkable success in preventing the premature deaths of millions of waterfowl from lead poisoning, I hope that similar action by anglers will help to further protect waterfowl and wildlife.

I was very pleased when the state legislature passed H. 516, an Act Relating to the Prohibition Against the Use and Sale of Lead Sinkers. As of January, 2007, it became illegal for Vermont tackle shops to sell lead fishing sinkers which weigh one-half ounce or less and for anglers to use lead sinkers when fishing. Removing lead sinkers from tackle boxes and fishing shops across the state has helped safeguard both Vermont's waterfowl and its citizens. Similar laws restrict the use of lead sinkers in New Hampshire, New York, and Maine in efforts to protect the Loon population. Additionally, Yellowstone National Park, Red Rock Lake National Wildlife Refuge of Montana, and the Rachel Carson National Wild Life Refuge of Maine also prohibit the use of lead sinkers.

I understand the concerns that some anglers have with this possible ban, but I trust that we will be able to balance the needs of our hunters and anglers while also protecting our natural resources based on sound science. EPA is still considering the TSCA petition and is expected to respond in the next two months.

Again, thank you for contacting me. Please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

PATRICK LEAHY
United States Senator

[skiptomylu]

Figures he would be on that side of the parties and just pray and hope that the Dem's loose their control or we are in way more trouble that with just fishing tackle.

Get him out of there! You can bet if he was in my voting part of the woods, he would never get my vote and I don't vote the party line, I just vote for what I think is best and since the Liberal Left has taken control of that party it's hard to fine even one guy or gal you could vote for and know your voting right for the best future!

We must as free thinking people take our rights to control our government and get the give away people out. It's the same jerks that want to take what you work for and give it to someone that doesn't work that is doing all this junk!

I will stop now as I am not a good one to talk politics since I am set in my ways and thinking. Primary I don't want our country to become a Marxist government. Same with communism, don't want it and don't need that at all!

Skip

[azslabber]

I'm seeing a very hard way out.WE let these people get out of of hand.Now,it might be too,too late.

[hunter7711]

I don't vote party lines either, but I can't see giving it back to the Republicans. That's what started it all. Good luck tee party.

[brushnjigs]

Lets only hope that Leahy and others are voted OUT this November.