Consistent with the steadfast commitment to access to our National Wildlife Refuges and continued efforts to provide hunting and fishing opportunities, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open, for the first time, two National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) that are currently closed to hunting and sport fishing.
In addition, we propose to open or expand hunting or sport fishing at 17 other NWRs and add pertinent station-specific regulations for other NWRs that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, or sport fishing for the 2022-2023 season.
We also propose to make changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden on the public, increase access for hunters and anglers on Service lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain language standards.
Finally, the best available science, analyzed as part of this proposed rulemaking, indicates that lead ammunition and tackle may have negative impacts on both wildlife and human health, and that those impacts are more acute for some species. Therefore, while the Service continues to evaluate the future of lead use in hunting and fishing on Service lands and waters, this rulemaking provides a measured approach in not adding to the use of lead on refuge lands. The Service will seek input from partners in methods to address the use of lead and commits to a transparent process in doing so.
Regulations.gov
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-NWRS-2022-0055-0001
Some points to consider:
- Hunting and fishing is proposed to be expanded
- None of the proposed changes apply to AZ refuges
- Lead prohibitions on ammo/tackle apply only to units newly opened for hunting/fishing
- Credible science documents lead impacts to some avian species
- Is the lead impact to all “wildlife” overstated
- Subsequent analyses of broader restrictions could include AZ refuges
Commentary…
Outdoor Life https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/usfws-nwr-lead-ban/
