HR556-119

What This Bill Does

This bill limits federal restrictions on lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle on federal land and water open to hunting or fishing. Interior, acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or Bureau of Land Management, and Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, may not prohibit lead ammunition or tackle on covered federal lands or waters and may not issue regulations on the level of lead in ammunition or tackle for those lands or waters.

The bill preserves a specific-unit exception. A federal prohibition or regulation can apply to a particular unit of federal land or water if the applicable Secretary determines, based on field data from that unit, that a wildlife population decline at that unit is primarily caused by lead ammunition or tackle. The restriction must also be consistent with state law, consistent with state fish and wildlife department policy, or approved by the state fish and wildlife department. The Secretary must include the supporting field data in a Federal Register notice.

Who Benefits and How

Recreational hunters using federal lands benefit because broad federal lead-ammunition bans are blocked. Recreational anglers using federal waters benefit because broad federal lead-tackle bans are blocked. Lead ammunition manufacturers, lead fishing tackle manufacturers, and sporting goods retailers benefit from preserved market access. State fish and wildlife departments benefit from a required role in approving or aligning specific-unit restrictions. Hunters' and anglers' advocacy groups benefit from a federal standard that makes nationwide or broad lead restrictions harder.

Who Bears the Burden and How

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, BLM staff, and Forest Service staff must meet a specific-unit field-data standard before adopting lead restrictions. Environmental conservation organizations bear a burden because broad federal lead bans become harder to impose. Wildlife populations affected by lead poisoning may face higher risk where unit-specific data is not available. Federal land managers must prepare Federal Register notices with field data for any permitted restriction. State fish and wildlife departments must evaluate whether restrictions are consistent with state law or policy or should be approved.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits broad federal bans on lead ammunition or lead tackle on federal hunting and fishing lands and waters.
• Bars federal regulations on lead levels in ammunition or tackle for covered federal lands and waters.
• Provides a specific-unit exception when local field data shows lead primarily caused wildlife population decline.
• Requires the restriction to be consistent with or approved by state fish and wildlife law or policy.
• Requires Federal Register notice with supporting field data for any allowed specific-unit restriction.