EPA Denies Petition to Initiate Rulemaking on Lead Fishing Tackle

February 22, 2012 by Brian Feito|FDA and EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has denied a petition to initiate a rulemaking applicable to fishing tackle containing lead. In its explanation for the denial, EPA stated that the petition, filed on November 17, 2011, and denied in a letter from EPA dated February 14, 2012, failed to demonstrate that federal action is necessary, considering that: (1) wildlife exposure to lead fishing tackle has a regional context and the states where risk of injury is greatest are largely the states that have taken action to address the risks; (2) the market for fishing tackle continues to change and the prevalence of non-lead alternatives in the marketplace continues to increase; and (3) the petitioners did not provide evidence that the risk from lead fishing tackle outweighs the burden to society of potential regulations.

(See ITT Online Archives 10110458 for summary of previous EPA denial of petition for ban on lead fishing gear for similar reasons.)

EPA Contact - Thomas Groeneveld (202) 566-1188 email: groeneveld.thomas@epa.gov