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angler · 04-19-2004, 05:04 PM

Like most of my angling friends, I am a conservationalist at heart. I support a lead sinker ban because it's not good public policy to put a toxic metal in our waters. I have been using non-lead alternatives for the last 5 years and find them just as effective if not more effective than lead fishing tackle. It should be noted that the Loon Preservation Committee has published a study in cooperation with Tufts University that shows that 1/2 of all the loons that die in NH, die from lead poisoning. At some point we need to move away from lead and keep it out of our children's tackle boxes. We must balance our lake experience with lake ecology. Furthermore, New Hampshire Lakes Association (who did not offer this legislation, it was offered by the Audubon Society of NH) is a wonderful organization. They have represented lake interests with a balanced and fair approach - by improving public access to our lakes, ensuring long term water quality, securing funding to combat invasive aquatic species (that threaten our fish populations). They are deeply concerned with the interests of the angling community. The bottom line is that it is time to do away with lead. This bill would only ban lead sinkers less than one ounce and lead jigs less than one inch long on all inland fresh waters.....we've all lived with it since the bill first passed in 1999.....my fishing experience has not been effected at all. Thank you.

04-19-2004, 05:04 PM	#6
angler Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Support Bill Like most of my angling friends, I am a conservationalist at heart. I support a lead sinker ban because it's not good public policy to put a toxic metal in our waters. I have been using non-lead alternatives for the last 5 years and find them just as effective if not more effective than lead fishing tackle. It should be noted that the Loon Preservation Committee has published a study in cooperation with Tufts University that shows that 1/2 of all the loons that die in NH, die from lead poisoning. At some point we need to move away from lead and keep it out of our children's tackle boxes. We must balance our lake experience with lake ecology. Furthermore, New Hampshire Lakes Association (who did not offer this legislation, it was offered by the Audubon Society of NH) is a wonderful organization. They have represented lake interests with a balanced and fair approach - by improving public access to our lakes, ensuring long term water quality, securing funding to combat invasive aquatic species (that threaten our fish populations). They are deeply concerned with the interests of the angling community. The bottom line is that it is time to do away with lead. This bill would only ban lead sinkers less than one ounce and lead jigs less than one inch long on all inland fresh waters.....we've all lived with it since the bill first passed in 1999.....my fishing experience has not been effected at all. Thank you.