11-03-2007, 12:56 AM
LANSING, MI--A bill introduced in the Michigan Legislature proposes a multi-step phase-out of most lead tackle, including sinkers weighing 1 ounce or less, jigs and other tackle items containing lead. Michigan Democratic Rep. Chris Kolb is sponsoring the bill and says its passage would protect water birds from ingesting lead jigs and sinkers.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural Heritage Unit Supervisor Ray Rustem says the ban's potential impact on the wildlife population would be insignificant considering the economic costs to anglers.
"For the benefit to be derived from this ... it's not worth the economic impact on the angler," he says.
Rustem also says far more loons are killed by commercial fish nets than by lead sinkers.
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural Heritage Unit Supervisor Ray Rustem says the ban's potential impact on the wildlife population would be insignificant considering the economic costs to anglers.
"For the benefit to be derived from this ... it's not worth the economic impact on the angler," he says.
Rustem also says far more loons are killed by commercial fish nets than by lead sinkers.
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