Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
This bill prevents the federal government from creating broad bans or limits on lead ammunition and fishing tackle on public lands and waters managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish and Wildlife Service. Existing federal rules that ban lead shot for waterfowl hunting would remain in effect. A federal agency could only restrict lead gear in a specific area if field data proves lead is the primary cause of a local wildlife decline and state wildlife authorities approve or have consistent policies.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Hunters and anglers on federal lands and watersSec. 2(a) protects the ability of hunters and anglers to use lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters by prohibiting broad federal bans or lead-level regulations.
- State fish and wildlife agenciesSec. 2(b)(2) ensures that site-specific federal lead restrictions cannot be imposed unless they are consistent with state law, match state agency policy, or receive direct state agency approval.
Who it burdens
- Federal land and wildlife management agenciesSec. 2(a)-(c) restricts the regulatory authority of the Department of the Interior (FWS, BLM) and Forest Service, preventing broad lead bans and requiring unit-specific field data, state alignment or approval, and Federal Register notices for any localized restrictions.
The provisions, in plain language.
Bars the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service from banning lead ammunition or fishing tackle, or regulating lead levels in gear, on federal lands and waters open to hunting or fishing, maintaining existing federal waterfowl hunting restrictions.
Allows lead ammunition or tackle restrictions on a specific unit of federal land or water only if local field data shows lead is the primary cause of wildlife population decline and the rule aligns with or is approved by the relevant state wildlife agency.
Requires federal officials to publish an explanation in the Federal Register demonstrating how any site-specific lead restriction meets the required scientific evidence and state approval standards.