E-M:/ getting the lead out

[Jeff Gearhart <jeffg@ecocenter.org>]

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Enviro-Mich message from Jeff Gearhart <jeffg@ecocenter.org>
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I have also wondered for years why we continue to allow the 
significant  quantities of lead to be put into our waters when they 
fall off fishing lines(sinker and other tackle).  Is anyone working 
on this in Michigan?

I've seen the lead free weights & tackle sold at Cabela's in Dundee, 
but I am not aware of any efforts to get their use adopted, either 
legislatively or otherwise.  And it is unclear what percentage of 
tackle shops actually carry the alternatives anyway.  Most of the 
shops I been at don't.

Other state programs appear to be successful and some are noted below:

New York
http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/year02/may8_2_02.htm

New Hamshire
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/get_the_lead_out.htm

Maine
http://www.maineaudubon.org/conservation/wildlife/leadout.html

And Minnesota has an active voluntary program:
http://www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/sinkers.cfm

I also understand that the UK banned lead in sinkers sometime in the 80's.


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