Sports

NPS TOLD TO GET THE LEAD BAN OUT

SINCE the National Park Service an nounced the ban on lead in fishing tackle and ammunition through its system, there has been a storm of protest from hunting and fishing groups.

Even some states are asking the NPS to reconsider the rule. Here in New York, saltwater anglers are worried they will be prevented from using lead sinkers in Jamaica Bay, parts of which fall under Gateway National Park.

The American Sportfishing Association and a number of fish and wildlife management conservation groups are asking the NPS to reconsider its ban in national parks by 2010.

“The sportfishing industry is surprised and dismayed by the March 10 announcement made by the National Park Service,” said Gordon Robertson, ASA vice president. “Their intention to eliminate the use of lead in fishing tackle in national parks was made without prior consultation of the sportfishing industry or the millions of recreational anglers who fish within the national park system.”

Robertson adds that the ban goes against what the president had in mind when he asked for a transparent government.

“In his Jan. 21 executive memo to federal agency and department heads, President Obama made it very clear that he expects the federal government to be transparent, participatory and collaborative and that executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. We expect the National Park Service to follow the president’s order.”

The National Shooting Sports Foundation is equally upset.

“[The decision] is arbitrary, over-reactive and not based on science,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.

ken.moran@nypost.com