Alright anglers, which lures in your tackle box have lead in them?
Not sure?
Well you might need to know in the future if you fish in any National Park in the country, including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
A concerned viewer sent me an email which announced changes in the National Park Services' lead policy.
The viewer wondered if it was true and what it could include. The answers I found are the subject of this fact finder.
The National Park Service calls it something to "cheer about". Many hunters and anglers have expressed less enthusiasm about it.
At the heart of it all, a weighty issue, lead.
According to acting National Park Service director Dan Wenk, "Our goal is to eliminate the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle in parks by the end of 2010."
The motivation according to the NPS is by eliminating lead tackle and ammo, the risk of exposure to wildlife will be reduced. They say this year; they will eliminate lead use by park rangers and employees. After that, they will look at expanding it to the general public.
I called the NPS in Washington D.C and they admit the announcement has created a lot of confusion and some resistance.
Confusion over what would be involved and resistance to change.
Heading the charge, The National Rifle Association provided me with this reaction.
""The NPS announcement demonstrates either complete ignorance or complete arrogance as to the effect that this policy will have on hunters," according to Chris W. Cox, NRA chief lobbyist.
The NRA and other opponents to the plan claim there is no science to prove lead contamination from hunters and fisherman, and that this "needlessly pushes hunters to use more costly ammo."
While these two sides couldn't be further apart, there is one thing they both agree on. Compliance and enforcement will be difficult. The first challenge, hunters and anglers will need to know what of their gear has lead in it. Not an easy task, especially with older gear.
Which lures might have lead paint of parts? I have no idea, but if the ban expands to the public, I would need to. And how would a park ranger know for sure if I was violating the ban?
The park service admits, that will be a challenge when or if the time comes.
But for now, they will not have to worry about that. For this year the NPS tells me, the ban will be limited to employees and rangers. The park service tells me before it could be expanded they would need to hold public hearings and try to figure out some sort of enforcement policy.
So is this a good idea? Is it enforceable? I want to know what you think.
