Hunting groups, gun rights organizations and fishing tackle manufacturers have their shorts all in knots over a proposed ban on the use of lead for hunting and angling in the National Park Service units where such activities are allowed.
Why is this such a big deal? Lead is bad for the environment. It can kill endangered species such as condors as well as many types of birds and mammals. And the groups opposing this deal, who couch it in terms that the Obama Administration that is proposing the ban is somehow anti-hunting or anti-fishing, offer the same tired arguments used many years ago when the use of lead shot was banned when hunting migratory birds. That regulation didn't kill duck hunting and this regulation won't kill fishing or hunting in national park managed areas.
What's the problem with using steel sinkers at Lake Powell instead of lead ones other than slightly increased expense? There are good alternatives to lead shot and bullets available.
I say get the lead out, the faster the better.
– Tom Wharton