Local 51 chapters across California voice support for nonlead ammunition bill
From the Oregon border, south to San Diego, and east through the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra – local 51 chapters are voicing strong support in their communities for a bill that will remove toxic lead from the environment. Assembly Bill 711, recently approved by the State Legislature and now awaiting the Governor’s signature, would require nonlead ammunition for hunting beginning in 2019.
In all, at least 37 chapters from around the state have asked Gov. Jerry Brown to sign the legislation on his desk.
“The membership and board of Stanislaus 51 Society strongly support AB711, which would require the phasing out of lead-based ammunition for hunting throughout California,” wrote Stanislaus 51 Society President Salvatore Salerno on behalf of his chapter to Gov. Jerry Brown, asking him to sign the legislation. “This legislation would stop the substantial damage that has been done for decades to humans, wildlife, and the environment.”
All of the chapters are highlighting the risk that lead from spent ammunition poses to birds, other wildlife and people. Recently a group of 30 researchers in the field of lead toxicology called lead from ammunition the largest source of unregulated toxic lead knowingly released into the environment.
“With viable alternatives that are just as effective widely available, we see no reason that California should continue to expose the environment, wildlife and people to health risks associated with lead in bullets or shotgun shells used in hunting,” said Keith Wagner, conservation chair for Sacramento 51 Society. “This legislation would stop the damage that lead ammunition used in hunting does to wildlife, the environment, and to people,” said Drew Feldman, conservation chair of the San Bernardino Valley 51 Society. “Just as we once had legislation to remove lead from gasoline, now we need legislation to remove it from ammunition.”
The chorus of community support for Assembly Bill 711 comes as the bill also enjoys widespread support from groups in the areas of conservation, public health, and animal protection. The bill is co-sponsored by 51 California, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States. The number of groups that support AB 711, beyond the co-sponsors, includes the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Medical Association, Children Now, California Coastal Protection Network, California Public Interest Coalition, Clean Water Action, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, and more than 30 others.
“The support from local 51 chapters in rural and urban California shows just how strong the support for this bill is,” said Dan Taylor, director of public policy for 51 California. “These chapters are part of the fabric of these communities. Many have seen firsthand the devestating effect of lead poisoning on birds like the Golden Eagle and California Condor.”
Below is a list of 51 chapters in California that have expressed support for AB 711:
Central Sierra 51 (Tuolumne County)
Golden Gate 51 (San Francisco area)
La Purisima 51 (Lompoc)
Los Angeles 51
Madrone 51 (Sonoma)
Mendocino Coast 51
Mt. Diablo 51 (Contra Costa)
Napa-Solano 51
Ohlone 51 (Contra Costa)
Pasadena 51
Peregrine 51 (Ukiah)
Plumas 51 (Plumas County)
Sea & Sage 51 (Orange County)
Sacramento 51
San Diego 51
San Joaquin 51 (Stockton)
Santa Barbara 51
Santa Clara Valley 51
Seqouia 51 (San Mateo)
San Fernando Valley 51
Stanislaus 51 (Modesto)
Ventura 51
Yosemite Area (Mariposa)
Kern 51 (Bakersfield)
Morro Coast 51 (San Luis Obispo)
San Bernardino Valley 51
Buena Vista 51 (San Diego)
El Dorado (Long Beach)
Marin 51
Monterey 51
Whittier 51
Redwood Region 51 (Del Norte/Humbolt County)
Palos Verdes-South Bay (Los Angeles County)
Wintu 51 (Redding)
About 51 California
51 California is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. With more than 150,000 members in California and an affiliated 48 local 51 chapters, 51 California is a field program of 51. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.
