New York Bans Small Lead Sinkers

[theangler]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]ALBANY, NY—The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding state tackle retailers that, effective May 7, 2004, the sale of lead sinkers weighing ½ ounce or less is prohibited. [/size][/#000000][/font]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]The DEC claims the ban will protect loons and other waterfowl from harmful lead contamination, although angler groups dispute that tackle causes any significant losses of these birds.[/size][/#000000][/font]

[font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][#000000][size 2]New York's lead sinker ban includes all sales, including catalog and Internet orders between out-of-state tackle companies and consumers in New York. The ban doesn't apply to larger lead sinkers, jig heads, weighted flies, weighted line or artificial lures.[/size][/#000000][/font]
[signature]