Understanding audiences to eliminate lead in NPS environments: Literature synthesis report (Updated May 2011)

Ross-Winslow, Danielle; Teel, Tara

Across the U.S., the topic of lead use in recreational hunting and fishing has increasingly attracted the attention of a wide array of audiences. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 6 to 10 thousand tons of lead are released into the environment by hunters and anglers each year, and documentation of the toxic effects on wildlife has accumulated over time. Over 500 peer reviewed articles, for example, have examined the impacts of lead ammunition on wildlife. An estimated 134 species, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, have been poisoned by ingesting lead from spent ammunition and fishing tackle in the environment, and similar pathways exist for humans. Despite concerns about these detrimental impacts, the use of lead ammunition and tackle has been minimally regulated by state and federal agencies.The National Park Service (NPS) has recently stepped up efforts to reduce lead in national park environments, starting with its current policies to eliminate lead from internal NPS operations. Future efforts include exploring approaches to reduce impacts of lead from public hunting and fishing activities in NPS units. The recent policies banning the use of lead ammunition in internal NPS operations reveal that this issue has the potential to be highly visible and controversial if applied to public hunting and fishing in parks. In an effort to assist the NPS with future decisions on this issue, the primary purpose of our report was to synthesize the relevant literature regarding the use of lead in recreational hunting and fishing. Specific objectives were to overview: 1) trends in lead use in the U.S. and the emerging awareness of the hazards of lead to human health and the natural environment; 2) impacts of lead from hunting and fishing and specific measures, including regulatory action and voluntary mechanisms, that have been introduced by agencies and organizations in the U.S. to reduce these impacts; and 3) results of recent human dimensions investigations aimed at addressing this issue. Our report concludes with overall recommendations for future outreach initiatives and research to reduce the impacts of lead from hunting and fishing.

Understanding audiences to eliminate lead in NPS environments: Literature synthesis report (Updated May 2011)

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