Enviros Sue EPA Over Lead

Three environmental conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 11/23, alleging the federal agency has failed to adequately protect wildlife from the dangers of lead in ammunition and fishing gear, which the groups say sicken and kill millions of animals nationwide every year. The EPA had denied a petition filed in August asking it to regulate ammo and gear made with the toxic alloy, saying it lacked the authority to do so. Conservation groups contend it does and that EPA officials have been wrongfully swayed by powerful lobbying groups like the National Rifle Association. Santa Barbara’s Anthony Prieto of Project Gutpile—a group of hunters that spreads the gospel of lead-free hunting and angling—said, “Having hunted in California for 20 years, I have seen firsthand lead poisoning impacts to wildlife … Although many more sportsmen are now getting the lead out, the EPA must take action to ensure we have a truly lead-free environment.”