Lead Bullets Find a Champion in Senator Tester

by: Matthew Koehler

Tue May 24, 2011 at 06:31:13 AM MST

Here are some snips from the article:

"Last January, three endangered California condors were found dead in Arizona.  The cause of death: lead poisoning.  After eating carrion riddled with spent lead ammunition, the birds' digestive systems likely shut down, starving them to death.  Since condor reintroduction began in Arizona in 1996, 15 have died of lead poisoning; in California, 18 condors have bit the bullet. After 25 years spent trying to recover the condor from near-extinction, the birds remain imperiled by lead in their scavenged prey.

Despite growing concerns about health effects on both humans and wildlife, however, lead ammunition still flies widely unregulated across the West. Sen. Jon Tester, D-MT, wants to keep it that way.

With a bill introduced last month, Tester hopes to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to permanently exempt lead bullets, shot and fishing tackle from regulation....

Just a few weeks ago, Sen. Tester successfully de-listed the Northern Rockies wolf with a budget rider, and it seems likely this is another move aimed at shoring up his conservative cred in a red-leaning state. We'll have to wait until 2012 to see whether that strategy works."