Lead Ban In All National Waterways Even Missouri 2010

[bigredbirdfan]

Here is the "Change" we were promised. All waterways in the Mark Twain National Park in Missouri will be lead free next year. At least the long beaked, short legged, orange tufted looney bird will now be safe.

For Immediate Release:

March 10, 2009

Contact(s): David Barna, 202-208-6843

Bert Frost, 202-208-3884

National Park Service Gets the Lead Out!

WASHINGTON – National Park Service visitors and wildlife have something to cheer about today with the agency’s stepped-up efforts to reduce lead in national park environments.

“Our goal is to eliminate the use of lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle in parks by the end of 2010,” said Acting National Park Service Director Dan Wenk. “We want to take a leadership role in removing lead from the environment.”

The new lead reduction efforts also include changes in NPS activities, such as culling operations or the dispatching of wounded or sick animals. Rangers and resource managers will use non-lead ammunition to prevent environmental contamination as well as lead poisoning of scavenger species who may eventually feed upon the carcass. Non-toxic substitutes for lead made in the United States are now widely available including tungsten, copper, and steel.

The NPS will also develop educational materials to increase awareness about the consequences of lead exposure and the benefits of using lead-free ammunition and fishing tackle.

Lead is an environmental contaminant affecting many areas of the world, including our national parks. Lead is banned in gasoline, children’s toys, and paint because of its effects on human health. In the United States, there is an accelerating trend to expand efforts to reduce lead contamination associated with firearms and hunting. California and Arizona have recently implemented mandatory and voluntary bans, respectively, on lead ammunition to facilitate California condor recovery. And Yellowstone National Park has had restrictions on lead fishing tackle for years to protect native species and their habitats.

Resource managers recognize that hunting and fishing play an important historical role in the complicated and intensive management of wildlife populations. Because of this history, these activities continue in some parks and, in some cases, even enhance the park’s primary purpose to preserve natural environments and native species. The new restrictions on lead will ensure environmentally safe practices are implemented to protect park visitors and lands.

Wenk adds, “The reduction and eventual removal of lead on park service lands will benefit humans, wildlife, and ecosystems inside and outside park boundaries and continue our legacy of resource stewardship.”

[grizwilson]

Guess I am not familiar with the Mark Twain National PARK, the Mark Twain National FOREST covers much of the Ozarks. The only National PARKs listed in Missouri are : Harry Truman, Wilson's Creek, George Washington Carver, Ozark National Waterways, Ulysses S. Grant, and Jefferson National Expansion. So I guess the ban would affect fishing on the Ozark National Waterways..... guess I will have to use tungsten beads on my flys. Maybe they will see that it makes little difference, I doubt if a split shot has killed many animals. How do the Otters do so well in Missouri with all the lead?

[bigredbirdfan]

Sorry the ban will cover the Ozarks National Waterway.

However, it will be in effect on Jacks Fork and Current.

The PETA and Enviro Nazis goals are no lead period. Just wait and see.

[ozark trout fisher]

Sorry the ban will cover the Ozarks National Waterway.

However, it will be in effect on Jacks Fork and Current.

The PETA and Enviro Nazis goals are no lead period. Just wait and see.

This sucks. I guess this means I can't use a lead split shot in the Current River. Wow, how ridiculous? Sounds like we're following in the footsteps of California. That's always a good thing. Oh wait, no its not.

[Al Agnew]

I do think that lead is probably not a big deal in some waterways, including those like Current River. However, it can be a big problem in some places. Any type of waterfowl that feeds upon bottom material, like ducks and loons, are going to ingest lead, and it takes a surprisingly small amount of lead in the body of these birds to affect them.

The ban on lead in Yellowstone has been in effect for quite a while, and seems to cause the anglers there little hardship. However, I'm not sure how it is enforced. I've fished in Yellowstone quite a bit, and always use non-lead split shot...but I know I've used nymphs and streamers there that were weighted with lead wire. If I was ever checked, would the ranger tear up my flies to see if they were weighted with lead?

I think it's a lot more problematical for the non-flyfisher. While bans on lead in some flyfishing areas have forced the development and availability of substitutes for flyfishing, the bass angler or catfisherman doesn't have as many options. Non-lead sinkers are slowly becoming available (and they are more expensive), but non-lead jig heads and similar tackle is still almost non-existent. A sudden ban on lead in places like middle Current River and Jacks Fork is going to result in a LOT of infractions. I've got to think that this ban is not going to be strictly enforced until a few years have passed and there are a lot of available non-lead products on the market.

All in all, I can see the reasoning behind the ban. Heck, not only is lead a proven environmental hazard, but we're continually trying to keep the lead mining companies from messing up Ozark rivers (especially including the Current and Jacks Fork, ironically) with new mines. But it will be interesting to see how this issue plays out in the typical non-trout waters of the various parks.

[Whack'emGood]

I'll bet we would be surprised how many tackle companies are currently engineering alternatives to lead tackle. You can be sure that they knew about these regulations long before we did, and are working on workable and affordable alternatives and have been for quite awhile.

It sucks... but I agree with Al in that I can kind of see where they are coming from. I like birds, and there is nothing wrong with helping the outdoors in which we all love to spend our time. We will soon have the tools we need to comply... it will be okay.

Whack'em

[drew03cmc]

I use lead head jigs on my fly rod in smaller sizes. Give me a link to non-lead jigheads in 1/80 and 1/124 please.

[bigredbirdfan]

Buffalo river too.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Here is the "Change" we were promised.

This is nothing new kiddo. It has been happening in small increments since the '80's.

This might help some here to understand what Al was saying.

February 2007

Nontoxic shot requirement expands to new areas

Friday, February 23, 2007

Regulation changes on 21 conservation areas will require hunters to use steel or other nontoxic shot for all shotgun hunting, starting this year. The change is designed to reduce wildlife exposure to lead shot.

(Missouri Dept. of Conservation photo)

Hunters will need to use steel or other nontoxic shot for hunting on 21 more conservation areas this fall.

JEFFERSON CITY-Concern for the health of waterfowl and other wildlife is the basis for new regulations that will require the use nontoxic shot for all shotgun hunting on 21 new areas this year.

In August, the Conservation Commission approved a ban on lead shot for all hunting with a shotgun on 21 conservation areas (CAs). All 21 areas attract large numbers of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. The requirement to use steel or other federally approved nontoxic shot on these areas applies to all hunting with shotguns.

CAs affected by the regulation change include B. K. Leach Memorial, Black Island, Bob Brown, Columbia Bottom, Cooley Lake, Coon Island, Duck Creek, Eagle Bluffs, Fountain Grove, Four Rivers, Grand Pass, Little Bean Marsh, Little River, Marais Temps Clair, Montrose, Nodaway Valley, Otter Slough, Schell-Osage, Settle's Ford and Ten Mile Pond.

Conservation Department Assistant Director John Smith, who chairs the agency's Regulations Committee, said the changes are based on research conducted in cooperation with the University of Missouri's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and Veterinary School and other agencies.

Research findings indicate that lead shot is being deposited in quantities sufficient to cause birds to pick it up when foraging for food. They further show that ingesting lead shot causes many birds to die. Species found to suffer from lead poisoning include mourning doves, eagles, hawks, owls, quail, wild turkeys and shorebirds.

"This is not something we are rushing into," said Smith. "Exhaustive research has documented the fact that high concentrations of lead shot deposited on some areas are causing birds to die. Determining exactly how many birds are affected is more difficult, but there is no question that lead poisoning is occurring. Knowing that, the responsible thing to do is to address the problem where it is most serious."

Smith said the regulation changes focus on areas of concentrated hunting activity. This includes areas managed for waterfowl and dove hunting.

Up to 6.5 percent of doves eat lead pellets. However, even at this low rate of exposure, nearly as many doves die of lead poisoning each year as the number of doves shot by hunters.

Similar findings led federal officials to ban the use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting 20 years ago. The new state regulations expand the requirement for nontoxic shot to areas where birds are at similar risk.

The Conservation Department will hold 25 to 30 seminars at locations around the state starting this summer to help hunters learn to use steel shot effectively. Information about these seminars will be posted on the agency's Web site as soon as details are set.

Smith emphasized that this year's regulation changes only affect hunting on the 21 areas listed above.

"Change is never easy," said Smith, "and hunters are right to question why they should have to change the kind of ammunition they use. But I have faith in hunters. The conservation movement started with hunters, who recognized that some restrictions were necessary to preserve their heritage. Hunters have always supported science-based conservation. They know it is the only way to ensure the future of their sport. When they know the facts about lead shot and doves, hunters will be glad to do what's right."

-Jim Low-

[Buzz]

I use lead head jigs on my fly rod in smaller sizes. Give me a link to non-lead jigheads in 1/80 and 1/124 please.

I too use a lot of lead jigs, from 1/100 up to 3/8. One thing I'm sure of is that the manufacturer's of non lead jigs will start offering an alternative soon (I hope). Not to mention spinner baits and buzz baits which I lose on occasion. There are and have been alternatives for cat fishermen and bass fishermen for quite a while. I do hope they can offer something in the smaller sizes. Locally there is nothing that I have found,yet.