He clearly articulated how this legislation would protect sportsmen and wildlife management by requiring the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture , as well as refuge managers , in cooperation with state agencies to provide site-specific , peer-reviewed science to show traditional lead ammunition or fishing tackle was a detriment to wildlife populations on the refuge before prohibiting its use . In fact , he pointed to specific evidence from a U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service ( FWS ) Environmental Assessment at Patoka River NWR in Indiana , where lead will be prohibited under the settlement ’ s new rules starting in 2026 , proving it wasn ’ t necessary nor was causing an impact to wildlife populations , including :
“ No documented wildlife or aquatic species deaths have been associated with lead poisoning on the refuge over the last 20 years , so it is unlikely that the impacts of lead entering the environment from fishing and hunting activities are causing direct mortality of wildlife and aquatic species .”
“… there have been no reports of wildlife that have been impacted by lead poisoning on the refuge for at least the last 20 years or longer , based on staff experience and records .”
And when discussing the four-year gap between the final rule and 2026 , when the lead ban will take effect :
“ Until such time that the restrictions take place , added lead to the environment from the fishing and hunting activities is not expected to cause more than negligible impact to wildlife and aquatic species .”
“ Given the hunting practices and amount of take estimated using lead ammunition , the amount of lead entering the environment is expected to be insignificant .”
“… impacts to migratory birds and eagles from the use of lead and hunting activities … are likely negligible .”
His testimony included a history of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation , how sportsmen fund the model and the important impacts the model has had on restoring wildlife nationwide . He pointed out how animalrights activists have identified the use of lead to limit access and participation in hunting and fishing by closing areas or making it cost prohibitive , and how that loss in participation would have a negative impact on the North American Model , public lands and conservation .
“ We know this from our own experiences , not just for hunting and fishing , but all human activities and behavior . When you make something more expensive , people will do it less . Price sensitivity is real , and hunters and anglers aren ’ t unique in this respect ; they are just like everyone else ,” he testified . “ The difference , of course , is that when hunters and anglers decide to give up going afield , the cost to conservation can be substantial . This is why our community insists on rigorous science and data supporting any policy decision that will drive hunters and anglers from the fold .”
At press , the House Natural Resources Committee had passed the resolution with bipartisan support , but just as FWS published the 2023-24 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations .
EXPANDING THE BAN ON PUBLIC LANDS The 2023-24 Station-Specific Regulations proposal would ban the use of traditional lead ammunition on 48 new distinct hunting opportunities across 3,000 acres , while also phasing out lead ammo and fishing tackle at an additional eight wildlife refuges .
The ban on lead ammunition would apply to the newly expanded hunting opportunities on three wildlife refuges : Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama , Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota .
The proposed rule would prohibit the use of lead ammo on existing hunting opportunities on eight refuges , including : Blackwater , Chincoteague , Eastern Neck , Erie , Great Thicket , Patuxent Research Refuge , Rachel Carson and Wallops Island . All eight refuges would require the use of non-lead ammunition by fall 2026 , and seven of the eight , excepting Chincoteague , would require the use of non-lead tackle by fall 2026 .
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