Document g2nGKQvEXp5wpMxZga85dnbBe

L IA14879 jn>nMii *! Lead Industries Association, Inc. KIMWiltaw Hmm Yarn. M. Y. 10017 impMwt (tin 070 tom March 14, 1973 SUBJECT! UPDATE ON EFFORTS TO RE STRICT USE OF T.rxq ypoj TOi 7HS MEMBERS OF LEAD INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION, INC. An apparent ear* fully coordinated program to ban lead shot for waterfowl hunting has been proposed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of Interior. The sched ule calls fon 1. Enactment of a regulation by Maryland DHR (does not require legislative action) banning use of lead shot by the 1973-74 hunting season. 2. After this BSFi* would enact the same ban for one of the Eastern flyways, effective with 1974-75 season. 3. One year later, effective with 1975-76 season, BSFfiW would ban lead in all Federal areas, nationwide. However, some hitches have developed. At the official public hearing in Annapolis on February 14, the speakers, including LIA, were overwhelm ingly against enactment. Of major interest were protests by prominent members of the Maryland legislature. At the same time a bill was introduced by the Maryland Speaker of The House which would forbid enactment of the ban by the Department of Natural Resources. All of this opposition centered around three themes* 1. insufficient evidence of waterfowl deaths due to lead shot. 2. Steel shot daa^ age to guns and supply question. 3. Maryland should not be the guinea-pig. In spite of this significant opposition. Maryland en acted the regulation March 9. However, effective date of ban was postponed to 1974-75 season ('due to uncertainty of steel shot supply*). The House bill aimed at rescinding the regulation has been reported favorably out of Committee in Maryland, and now awaits floor action. Our Cosmittee on Lead Shot remains on active statue, and will continue vigilance and pertinent action. CAB ip CONNEL A. BAXER, JR. '-WWi1"1* I. ! ey 'U wp I0.1JJH1W?" apwas voicapnmap N 3923