Fwd: [External] pending federal pro-lead use legislation

[sherry abts]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Pokras, Mark <Mark....@tufts.edu>
Date: Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 8:42 AM
Subject: Fwd: [External] pending federal pro-lead use legislation
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Martha Jordan (fr WA state) is alerting us to two bills now in Congress

S.537  and  H.R. 556  that relate to Hunting and Fishing access AND to stopping all enforcement of lead ammo and fishing gear use.

Wondering what we could all do together to oppose these retrogressive and foolish pieces of legislation! 

All ideas welcomed!

Mark

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Hi Mark,

    As the new "administration" digs claws into every corner, this has re-emerged and I will appreciate any comments, insights or networking regarding the two bills now in Congress

S.537  and  H.R. 556  that relate to Hunting and Fishing access AND to stopping all enforcement of lead ammo and fishing gear use.

     I think we need to get more of the word out and write to as many congressional folks as possible. A group of likely unrelated people have written "Critiques" of the Sentate version. I have attached this.

    Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

Martha Jordan

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Martha 

Great to hear from you and of course it’s crazy that this sort of legislation has been introduced.  As you say, there are a number of groups & individuals around the country working to oppose the bills and I’m wondering if you’d be OK with my sharing your email with them — seems to me that the more we can demonstrate a united front, the better our chances are for defeating this sort of thing.

Of course with the current federal administration stripping away SO many environmental & health protections, one wonders if anything we say will make a difference…perhaps we should make a pile of dead swans, loons, and eagles on the steps of the capital — and have it staffed by families of children with lead poisoning.  So much for Trump’s promises to protect the health of Americans and to make sure that we have the cleanest water and air...

🤯

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Mark,

    Yes, please share my email with anyone who is working to "Get the Lead Out".  Attached is a photo I think our Congress folk who support this legislation need to see:  from the lead poisoning die-off of swans in the early 2000's in western WA.  I ran the necropsies for 4 years and picked up sick and dead.  As I used to say:  Ban lead shot: 4,000 pounds of dead swans make a point.  And I have a lot more than that to tug at our humanity (well for most of those that have even a bit).  It only takes 3 lead shot pellets to kill a 35 pound Trumpeter Swan.

    Most of my life seems to be spent standing on the bridge over the chasm between hunters and non-hunters.  I had hoped for more progress in the non-lead advocacy, but knew in reality it would be a really long haul with some die-hards not willing to give up, no matter what the cost.

Another reminder is:  the swan deaths cost all of us a lot of money.  What could be done for wetland and waterfowl conservation if these same funds were able to be used for that instead of managing the sick, dying and dead (birds of all kinds) from lead ammo (of all kinds).

     The email to share is:   mj.c...@gmail.com

Take care.

Martha