September 3, 2010

EPA Update

Today, Cabela's is sending a message to all its customers, saying "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."

The message goes on to explain that the retailer has joined the American Sportfshing Association and Keep America Fishing to oppose a petition filed on August 23, 2010 by the Center for Biological Diversity and others. Originally, petition would 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 the the petition to ban lead in fishing tackle remain, opening a short public comment period.

According to Cabela's, the ASA and Keep America Fishing, the ban would cause the prices of fishing products to skyrocket. Alternative metals can cost from 6 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.

The message goes on to ask that anglers join Cabela's and Keep America Fishing in opposing this ban by submitting your comments to the EPA by no later than September 15, 2010. You can easily do so by clicking here

You can also make your own comment to the EPA regarding the CBD petition directly from this website: http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480b3f0cd

The EPA will be accepting public comments until September 15.