The regulations will take effect during the 1995-96 season, with the exception of the nontoxic shot regulations, which will be delayed until the 1996-97 hunting season. This delay will provide additional time for coordination with affected states, hunting organizations, and the general public. Hunters are asked, however, to voluntarily use nontoxic shot on these same refuges prior to the 1996-97 hunting season.
The changes are designed to protect waterfowl and other migratory birds from potential lead poisoning. The Service successfully implemented the use of nontoxic shot for upland game hunting on West Coast refuges in 1991 and on Southwest refuges during the 1992 hunting season. A number of other refuges also have required nontoxic shot for hunting upland game during past hunting seasons.
The Service began a nationwide phase-in of nontoxic shot for waterfowl hunting in 1986 because widespread scientific data indicated that waterfowl and other migratory bird species, including bald eagles, were consuming spent lead pellets and dying either directly or indirectly of lead poisoning. The conversion to nontoxic shot for upland game hunting in and around refuge wetlands or seasonally flooded areas will eliminate this additional source of toxic lead.
Information concerning hunting and fishing programs on refuges, including permits, special conditions, the requirement for nontoxic shot, and maps of the respective areas, can be obtained
from individual refuges or the regional offices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the addresses listed below:
Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Eastside Federal Complex, Suite 1692
911 NE. 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97232-4181; Phone: 503-231-6214Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Box 1306
Albuquerque, NM 87103; Phone: 505-248-6802Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Building, Fort Snelling
Twin Cities, MN 55111; Phone: 612-725-3507Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1875 Century Boulevard, Room 324
Atlanta, GA 30345; Phone: 404-679-7152Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, MA 01035; Phone: 413-253-8550Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Box 25486
Denver, CO 80225; Phone: 303-236-8145Assistant Regional Director - Refuges and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1011 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503; Phone: 907-786-3545
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
