Number: 1979-32
WHEREAS, migratory waterfowl cross state and national boundaries and are important to the people of all states and our neighboring nations; and
WHEREAS, lead shot poisoning of migratory waterfowl is a serious problem which warrants solution; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of the Interior has the responsibility under international treaty and federal law to conserve migratory waterfowl; and
WHEREAS, the Department has begun a program to reduce lead poisoning losses by designating, in cooperation with state wildlife agencies, limited, non-toxic shot zones in portions of all flyways; and
WHEREAS, experience is showing that non-toxic shot is safe and efficient, and that lead shot ingestion is now being reduced; and
WHEREAS, a few states with identified lead shot problem areas are opposing any of non-toxic shot in their states; and
WHEREAS, it is unfair to the majority of states which are acting to reduce the problem for other states to ignore it;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that that National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 22-25, 1979, in Toronto, Ontario, supports the U.S. Department of the Interior program for gradual conversion to the use of non-toxic shot for migratory waterfowl hunting in designated non-lead zones; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department continue its coordination with state agencies in the identification of these zones, and where a demonstrable lead poisoning problem exists provide an opportunity for the state wildlife agency to demonstrate that an alternative method for reducing waterfowl losses would be feasible