URGENT...Take Action Now! Protect your right to fish.

[Rick]

I received the following message titled just like this post via e-mail and decided to share with you so you can give your input and take any action you feel you should.

-----Original Message-----

From: Cabelas <[email protected]>

Sent: Thu, Sep 2, 2010 2:19 pm

Subject: Take Action Now! Protect your right to fish.

September 2, 2010

Dear Cabela's Customer:

Occasionally, an issue of such importance arises we feel it necessary to contact our loyal customers. With our fishing rights at stake, this is such an issue.

On August 23, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was petitioned by the Center for Biological Diversity and others to ban lead from ammunition and fishing tackle, including sinkers, jigs, weighted fly lines and components containing lead, such as brass and ballast in lures, spinners, stick baits and other fishing products.

On August 27, the EPA denied the petition regarding ammunition, but let stand the petition to ban lead in fishing tackle and has opened a short period for taking public comment.

Such a ban would cause prices of fishing products to skyrocket. Alternative metals can cost from six to 15 times more than lead, and most do not perform as well. For many, fishing would no longer be the affordable sport it is now.

Please join Cabela's and Keep America Fishing in opposing this ban by submitting your comments to the EPA no later than September 15, 2010.

You can easily do so by Clicking Here.

It is a fast and easy way to assure your opinion is heard.

Cabela's is working in conjunction with the American Sportfishing Association and Keep America Fishing to protect our tradition and heritage of fishing.

Thank you for your help.

Sincerel

[RebelSS]

I would suggest everyone take part in this...at least read it...and hopefully take action and send your state legislators an E-mail. It takes about 2 minutes...it's an easy 1-2-3 process. There is also an area to send it to six (6) of your friends, automatically. Let's keep this great sport alive and well.

[g_anoka]

Done.

[Ryan_V]

DONE!!! I also stated in my letter, that I'd estimate well over 99% of lead used in fishing is recovered...i.e, brought home at the end of the day. While lead from ammunition is never recovered. That's why it bothered me that they dismissed petition for the ban on lead ammunition, but kept the one on fishing alive.

[mnbuckhunter]

DONE!!! I also stated in my letter, that I'd estimate well over 99% of lead used in fishing is recovered...i.e, brought home at the end of the day. While lead from ammunition is never recovered. That's why it bothered me that they dismissed petition for the ban on lead ammunition, but kept the one on fishing alive.

This is a great point Ryan_V

[RebelSS]

Being the research is probably being done by a cubicle rat with a PhD, (pretty hokey data),has probably never waded an ice cold trout stream or drilled through 28" of ice in search of a water wolf, is maybe under the impression we THROW lead sinkers at the fish to stun them, then scoop them up in those nets we all have. Did'nt know they were retrieved on a line...Whew! Got that off my chest!! (PS...no offense to PhD's...)

[PartyWhine]

Such a ban would cause prices of fishing products to skyrocket.

I got this too and I had to laugh.

First ... because it has NOTHING to do with my right to fish.

Second ... it was just a month ago I needed 3/16th oz bullett sinkers and got them from Cabellas.

The price difference between lead and steel was 1 cent / sinker.

I really don't know alot about the issue.

But I know weak arguements when I see 'em.

By the way .... I bought lead.

[Surface Tension]

Even though you might think this couldn't happen, take the time to make sure it doesn't happen.

Takes You Less Then A Minute, Click Here

Thank You.

[jeffreyd]

epa already ruled on it and will not hear the petition. cabelas is a tad late.

[RebelSS]

Not yet. This report issued today, Sept 3, 2010: go to www.jsonline.com /blogs/sports/10194173.html to read full report. Epa has not acted yet and is required to submit a formal decision within 90 days of filing.......this is my understanding, anyway.

[PiedmontAngler]

Done! Only takes a minute.

[goblueM]

DONE!!! I also stated in my letter, that I'd estimate well over 99% of lead used in fishing is recovered...i.e, brought home at the end of the day. While lead from ammunition is never recovered. That's why it bothered me that they dismissed petition for the ban on lead ammunition, but kept the one on fishing alive.

over 99%? laughable. cmon... i don't want to ban lead sinkers, but FAR more sinkers are lost than 1%. heck on any given day fishing a river like the Mississippi you're lucky if you don't lose a half dozen snagged jigs

[SmilinBob]

So, we know lead is bad, right? It keeps getting brought up that it is going to be banned and almost instantly the conversation turns to the price of things skyrocketing, but it would seem to me that the companies that make lead products are probably so regulated and have so much EPA overhead that maybe changing to a different element might not be so bad after the initial switch. I still have and use it, but I'm starting to think this arguement is getting old, just like lead and steel shot, lead isn't coming back, so learn to use the alternative and lets move on to other issues like getting youth interested in the outdoors again, or just being able to go fish and hunt with friends and family. I don't like change either, but its going to happen and in this instance I'm afraid the writing is on the wall for lead during our lifetime.

[BD110]

Done!!

[Ryan_V]

over 99%? laughable. cmon... i don't want to ban lead sinkers, but FAR more sinkers are lost than 1%. heck on any given day fishing a river like the Mississippi you're lucky if you don't lose a half dozen snagged jigs

Maybe that's you, but in my fishing, which is not river fishing, I can't remember the last time I lost a lead sinker. All I'm saying is that most of the lead is retreived, not slung into the environment. I don't doubt some loose more sinkers than others, but taking ALL FISHERMEN into account, I still stand by my opinion that most is recovered.

[live4chrome]

I would not have a problem with loosing lead sinkers, less than say 1 oz.

however banning lead balast (found in almost all lures) is a bit far)

[Chode2235]

So, we know lead is bad, right? It keeps getting brought up that it is going to be banned and almost instantly the conversation turns to the price of things skyrocketing, but it would seem to me that the companies that make lead products are probably so regulated and have so much EPA overhead that maybe changing to a different element might not be so bad after the initial switch. I still have and use it, but I'm starting to think this arguement is getting old, just like lead and steel shot, lead isn't coming back, so learn to use the alternative and lets move on to other issues like getting youth interested in the outdoors again, or just being able to go fish and hunt with friends and family. I don't like change either, but its going to happen and in this instance I'm afraid the writing is on the wall for lead during our lifetime.

Thank you!! Although I dont want to have to re-buy everything in my jig box, but we all know lead is bad.

It is amazing to see the group think around here and the opposition to any change, even when necessary.

[Northlander]

Done. Even though I dont see a lead ban in my life time. If so whats out there will be grandfathered in and I have enough to last 100 people a lifetime. The only way they get my lead jigs is when I do die.

[Chode2235]

Done. Even though I dont see a lead ban in my life time. If so whats out there will be grandfathered in and I have enough to last 100 people a lifetime. The only way they get my lead jigs is when I do die.

"From my cold dead hands!"

if only I could find a picture of Heston holding some split shot over his head...

[swamptiger]

Done...

[Dylan33]

This is pretty cool..I did it on Sept 3rd, and got the canned automatic response from Bachmann and Franken. Today I got an email from Bachmann (still an automatic response most likely) but it was cool nontheless to get an email from her saying that she is also in opposition to the ban...here is her response...

September 13, 2010

Dear Dylan,

Thank you for informing me of your opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banning fishing tackle containing lead. Your thoughts on this important matter are most welcome and appreciated.

I agree with you.

As you know, on August 3, 2010, five environmentalist groups issued a petition to the EPA requesting the agency use authority provided by the Toxic Substances Control Act to ban all fishing tackle that contains lead. Presently, the EPA is considering the petition's request to formulate federal rules which ban all fishing tackle containing lead. The EPA announced they will accept public comments on this issue until September 15, 2010.

If the EPA issues a blanket, national ban on fishing tackle such as lead sinkers, jigs, crankbaits (containing lead ballasts), and spinners, this would amount to a national tax on American anglers. To continue fishing, Minnesotans would have to purchase new tackle comprised of metals such as tungsten, bismuth, and copper alloys that some estimate would cost anywhere from six to fifteen times more than current comparable fishing equipment and lures.

In Minnesota , recreational fishing is critical to our state's tourism industry, but more importantly, fishing is a part of our culture and our heritage. It's what we do; it's what we teach our kids to do. Therefore, I remain opposed to attempts by federal bureaucrats in Washington, DC (or elsewhere) to mandate how we can fish our lakes and rivers. Our right to fish does not come from the federal government. I believe local communities working in conjunction with Minnesota state officials are best equipped to care for our lakes, rivers, streams, fish stocks, and waterfowl.

Rest assured, your opposition to the EPA banning fishing tackle containing lead will be well remembered during the 111th Congress. Again, thank you for contacting me and for all you do for our community and country. I care about you and if I or my staff can be of assistance to you regarding this issue or any other, please contact us at the Woodbury or St. Cloud/Waite Park district office or the Washington, DC office

[Palerider77]

Done

[Adam Wolf]

Not giving an opinion about being for or against the proposal, but how would this limit one's right to fish? I enjoy fishing as much as the next guy, but think it unwise to confuse it with a right. Government limits fishing methods and harvest numbers through many laws, restrictions, and allowances, most of which I assume people on this board support. We are privileged to have authorities that care about the ecological, and economical balance of our fishery, whereas many places can't say this and have forever harmed the habitats and biological systems that support aquatic life.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on new tackle either, but in no way do we have a right to use lead tackle. Much like we don't have the right to harvest fish in any other number of ways.

[Getanet]

You're right Adam, this proposal doesn't limit your right to fish. It's just rhetoric.

Unfortunately this type of rhetoric has grown so common these days there is barely any room for real discussion.

[Eelpout08]

i, also, am sick of the spin both sides put on any given issue just to make their point. i am convinced that anyone can make the 'facts' look good to support their percicular veiws. it all depends on what you leave out. that being said, i wonder just how many birds die from eating lead related fishing tackle. seems like a longshot to me, but what do i know, im no senator. i just dont like the federal gov. taking more away from me. you give them an inch...