Fishing for Change

Recently a new bill was introduced in the Senate that many avid fishermen are applauding. The Sportsmen’s Heritage Act, part of the Farm Bill, is designed to enlarge hunters’ and fishermen’s access to public lands and to prevent legislation regulating the use of lead in ammunition and equipment. It also seeks to recognize the National Fish Habitat Partnership, which describes its mission as “to reverse declines in fish habitat across the United States.”

National fishing organizations, including KeepAmericaFishing, a group that some credit with getting the bill introduced, are thrilled with the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act. But politics wouldn’t be politics without controversy, and while some conservation groups support the measures drawn by the legislation, others are booing the bill’s protection of lead in bullets and tackle. The Sportsmen’s Heritage Act would prevent the EPA from restricting the use of lead in sportsmen’s equipment; otherwise, lead is on the list of toxic substances over which the EPA has regulatory jurisdiction. Some are unhappy with this measure, citing the possible environmental impact of lead, which may include negative effects on wildlife and on hunters and fishermen themselves. Critics are also leery of the attempt to grant greater access to public lands, claiming that hunters already enjoy plenty of hunting space.

Despite the controversy, there are certainly elements in the bill that have a conservationist bent, including a strengthening of the Idle Iron policy, which requires unused drilling platforms to be removed, and other fish-habitat protection measures.  What do you think? Are you an avid fisherman, and do you think this bill will make your sporting lifestyle easier?