Recently, a number of environmental groups petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency in order to ban all lead-based ammunition. Such a ban would include all regular lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle. A previous attempt by environmental groups caused a ban of lead ammunition for hunting waterfowl, but not other types of hunting.
The groups, which included the Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Association of Avian Veterinarians, pointed to the vast number of deaths they believe are caused each year due to lead-based ammunition. According to these groups, between 10 and 20 million birds and other animals perish each year due to the ammunition (aside from hunting itself).
According to the groups, lead-based ammunition is leading to lead-poisoned lakes, ponds and forests across the nation. Statistics point to at least 3,000 tons of lead making it into grounds where hunting is allowed each year. 4,000 tons end up at the bottom of lakes and streams due to fishing. An incredible amount of lead, an estimated 80,000 tons, are exposed to the environment in shooting ranges.
The EPA has subsequently reviewed the petition by the environmental groups and has declared that they are unable to take action on the petition. According to the EPA, the EPA cannot control certain chemical substances due to a exclusion by the government under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Under this act, the EPA is unable to regulate pistols, revolvers, shells, cartridges and any firearms.
The EPA stated: “EPA was not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife.” Adam Keats, from the Center for Biological Diversity, responded: “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.”
Michael Fry, from the American Bird Conservancy, also commented on the petition to the EPA. Fry stated: “Ammunition itself cannot be regulated, but the components itself can be regulated. In other words, you cannot ban ammunition, but you can require nontoxic ammunition. […] This is strictly a toxicity issue, with lead poisoning wildlife.”
It is not yet known what actions the environmental groups will now take in order to pursue banning lead-based ammunition further.
