WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) led 51 House Republicans in sending a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams expressing concern over a proposed rule that would ban cost-effective lead ammunition and fishing tackle across eight national wildlife refuges.
In part, the members wrote:
“While we appreciate the effort to promote public access for hunting and fishing on select national wildlife refuges (NWR), we are disappointed that these expansions provide for the use of non-lead hunting equipment only.
"In addition, we are further disappointed by the effort to phase out lead ammunition and tackle at eight other NWRs. Furthermore, we are concerned that USFWS has not provided any substantiated scientific evidence that clearly demonstrates lead ammunition and tackle has caused environmental harm within the identified refuges.
“We believe strongly that banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle would result in a decrease in participation in hunting and angling due to increased costs on sportsmen and women.”
The letter is cosigned by the following members: Reps. Matt Rosendale (MT-02), Mike Bost (IL-12), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), John Curtis (UT-03), Randy Weber (TX-14), August Pfluger (TX-11), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Mike Collins (GA-10), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Paul Gosar (AZ-09), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), John Carter (TX-31), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Austin Scott (GA-08), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Bob Latta (OH-05), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), Kelly Armstrong (ND-AL), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Andy Harris (MD-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), John Rutherford (FL-05), John Duarte (CA-13), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Russ Fulcher (ID-01), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Larry Buchson (IN-08), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Roger Williams (TX-25), Robert Aderholt (AL-01), Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Michael Guest (MS-03), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), and Del. James Moylan (GU-AL).
Background:
On June 22nd, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a new rule to ban the use of lead ammunition and tackle by 2026 in eight national wildlife refuge areas. Hunters and fishermen are stewards of the environment, and this rule could result in a substantial decrease in hunting and fishing participation and conservation funding.
Click here to read Congressman Bruce Westerman’s statement following the announcement of the rule on June 22nd.
Click here to read the full letter.