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Environmental Protection Agency Rejects Lead Ban Petition

August 30, 2010.

On Friday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied a bold petition calling for a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA sent a letter to the petitioners explaining the rejection – that letter can be found here: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/pubs/sect21.html

Steve Owens, EPA assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, issued the following statement on the agency’s decision:

“EPA today denied a petition submitted by several outside groups for the agency to implement a ban on the production and distribution of lead hunting ammunition. EPA reached this decision because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) – nor is the agency seeking such authority."

The lawsuit had been brought by non-consumptive wildlife groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity. Said Adam Keats, senior counsel for the Center for Biological Diversity:

“We strongly believe that the EPA has the clear authority and duty to regulate this very harmful and toxic substance as used in bullets and shot, despite the so-called exemption for lead ammunition that is written into TSCA. We had hoped they would take that responsibility seriously but we remain committed to making sure toxic lead is removed from the environment and we’ll redouble our efforts to see that through."

Note that the portion of the petition related to lead fishing sinkers will be considered, however.

The EPA's decision gives hunters some breathing room until the issue of ammunition made from lead — undeniably a toxic substance — next comes up.

So will we go back to business as usual, or continue an orderly, voluntarily move away from lead with hunter-conservationists providing the leadership needed to do so?

More info on lead ammo....

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