Earlier this afternoon, the EPA announced that they had no legal authority to ban lead bullets, despite the arguments of the Center for Biological Diversity and other petitioners (see the press release here). The rejection was not particularly extensive or involved, but centered on the fact that ammunition is excluded from the tenets of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
However, lead fishing sinkers are not excluded, and are still on the table for a potential ban. Not sure how that’s going to play out, but the animal welfare folks have been after it for a while.
Anyway, below is the letter from the EPA in response to the petition.
So, will the CBD be following this up with a lawsuit? Anyone taking bets?
Bet? Geez, I’d have a better chance of winning the lottery. But that’s good to hear for now anyway.