Secretary Zinke Reverses Obama Administration Lead Ban Order

[STWA]

On March 2, newly appointed Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued two Secretarial orders to expand access and recognize the impact that sportsmen and women have on the nation’s economy.

Interior Secretary Zinke returned science and reason to federal decision-making about ammunition use. The first order reversed Director’s Order 219, a ban on lead fishing tackle and ammunition former Fish and Wildlife Service Director issued on January 19, the last day of the previous Administration.

The second order advances conservation stewardship by directing Interior agencies such as the USFWS and the National Park Service to identify areas where recreation and fishing can be expanded. Zinke will request input from the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, of which the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is a key member, in this process.

Also, twenty pro-hunting organizations were invited to meet with Secretary Ryan Zinke on his first day at work as Secretary of the Interior. Former FWS Director Ashe issued Director’s Order 219 on the last day of the Obama Administration, imposing severe ammunition restrictions without input from the states, the public, and ammunition and tackle manufacturers.

Ashe’s Director’s Order failed to take into account the harm that eliminating lead-based ammunition could cause to wildlife conservation and habitat management programs supported by the sales of firearms and ammunition. It ignored the question of whether adequate alternate ammunition types would be available to substitute for lead-based ammunition. The former Director’s measures would have seriously undermined hunting and the important role it plays in wildlife conservation. In issuing Director’s Order 219, Ashe sought to impose Obama Administration prejudices into FWS management of lands for the next five years and beyond.

Secretary Zinke was joined by representatives from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Congressional Sportsmen's Founda-tion, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Boone and Crockett Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Rifle Association, Safari Club, National Wild Turkey Foundation, Archery Trade Association, American Recreation Council, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and National Marine Manufacturers Association.

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