Well, as most of us pretty much guessed, the Center for Biological Diversity isn’t done with the lead ban issue yet. Despite the EPA’s rejection of their petition to ban lead bullets (a ban on lead fishing tackle is under consideration), the CBD is moving forward.
This time, they’re challenging the EPA’s argument that they don’t have the authority to pass regulations that restrict ammunition. According to their September 9 press release, the EPA is ducking their dutyby refusing to consider a ban on ammunition components. What’s more, according to the release, the denial is politically motivated and had nothing to do with the law or scope of EPA responsibilities.
“The Environmental Protection Agency’s denial was based on false assumptions and an inexplicable misreading of so-called exemptions in the Act,” said Adam Keats, senior counsel for the Center for Biological Diversity. “Given the EPA’s clear authority and duty under the Toxic Substances Control Act to regulate toxic lead in ammunition to end unnecessary lead poisoning of wildlife and reduce human health risk, it appears that their decision to dodge the issue was politically motivated.”
…
“We are going to get to the bottom of the politics behind the EPA decision – we are not going to let the agency simply walk away from the preventable poisoning of birds and other wildlife,” said Jeff Miller, conservation advocate with the Center. “We remain committed to making sure toxic lead is removed from the environment, and we’re continuing our campaign to see that through.”
This is far from over.
Oh, that’s rich. The Obama administration is conspiring with gun owners against CBD? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaa.
OK, maybe not so far from fetch. I’m guessing that the U.S. government – between various types of law enforcement and the armed forces – is a huge consumer of lead ammo, so there’s a real practical issue here.
But, it still makes me giggle to think that Obama is on our side on this.