The Adirondack Council

News Release

Released, Tuesday, April 23, 2002

ALBANY -- Four of New York's leading environmental organizations praised the Legislature today for passing a bill that would ban the sale of small lead fishing sinkers in an effort to prevent the poisoning deaths of loons and other water birds.

The action by the Legislature drew praise from the Adirondack Council, Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Audubon New York and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. The four New York-based groups represent more than 150,000 members. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Carl Marcellino, R-Oyster Bay, and Assemblyman Steven Englebright, D-Setauket. It was also co-sponsored in the Assembly by Environmental Conservation Chairman Thomas DiNapoli, D-Great Neck.

"We are all very grateful to Senator Marcellino, Assemblyman Englebright and the leaders of both houses for coming together to present this Earth Day gift to New Yorkers," said Bernard C. Melewski, Adirondack Council Acting Executive Director. "The bi-partisan cooperation on this bill was outstanding. We especially appreciate the support of the NYS Conservation Council, which represents hunting and fishing clubs, in relation to urging the Legislature to act on banning the sale of small lead sinkers at the point of sale and supporting efforts to inform the fishing public."

"This legislation is one of the most effective tools at New York's disposal for protecting the state's waterfowl populations from accidental poisoning," said William Cooke, Director of government relations for Audubon New York. "Loons, swans, herons and a couple of dozen other birds eat the sinkers, thinking they are small stones. They regularly eat stones to aid their digestion."

"Even the smallest lead sinkers on the market contain enough lead to kill an adult loon," said David Gibson, Executive Director of the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks. "Less than a fifteenth of an ounce is a fatal dose. But any sinker less than a half an ounce is a danger because sinkers of that size so closely resemble pebbles."

The groups are strongly encouraging the Governor to sign the bill (S.4786-D/ A. 8683-C) as soon as it reaches his desk. When it is signed into law, it would be illegal to sell lead sinkers of one half ounce or less. It would take effect in two years to give retailers time to change their stock.

"In the meantime, anglers can make a real, personal impact on the survival rate of our local nesting bird populations by making a voluntary switch to non-lead alternatives," said Robert Foster, Legislative Director for Citizens Campaign for the Environment. "There are a lot of options out there and none of them is very expensive. You can still get a year's supply for less than the cost of one decent artificial lure."

"Major retailers and sporting goods catalogs have already made alternatives, such as steel and tin, available to their customers," said Melewski. "Many local tackle shops and general stores are also selling the alternatives. But others have not yet heard about the lead poisoning problem. The two-year lag would also give us time to get the word out about the need to switch. We have yet to encounter anyone who was unwilling to switch after learning what lead does to birds."

"This summer season, the Adirondack Council and Audubon New York will offer a free lead sinker exchange program at Elk Lake Lodge," said Cooke. "Anglers who stay at the lodge will be able to drop off their old lead sinkers and receive free alternatives made of tin or steel. The Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program will be working with retailers throughout the Adirondack Park to offer similar exchanges. Visit the local tackle retailer before you venture into the Adirondacks and you might just get a sample pack for free."

"The Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program, a consortium of environmental and wildlife conservation organizations will be placing approximately 50 free lead sinker exchange boxes at tackle shops throughout the Adirondacks," said Fredrick Realbuto on behalf of the Adirondack Cooperative Loon Program. "This effort will allow fishermen an opportunity to make the switch from lead to non-lead sinkers prior to the full implementation of this worthwhile legislation."