Comment from Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological DiversityOpposeAdvocacy
Summary: The Center for Biological Diversity opposes the proposed rule because it reverses previous decisions to phase out lead ammunition and fishing tackle on several national wildlife refuges. The organization argues that lead remains highly toxic to wildlife and that the Service has failed to provide a reasoned scientific explanation for allowing its continued use.
June 26, 2026
Re: Center for Biological Diversity’s comments on the National Wildlife Refuge System: 2026-2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations.
Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-1223
OMB Control Number: 1018-0140
Enclosed are the Center for Biological Diversity's comments on the National Wildlife Refuge System: 2026–2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations.
With the permission of Julie Henning, Chief, Branch of Conservation Planning and Policy, National Wildlife Refuge System, the Center is providing a publicly accessible Box.com link containing the scientific studies and other supporting materials cited in its comment letter for the Service's convenience.
Box.com Link 1 – Scientific Studies and Supporting Materials Cited in the June 26, 2026 Comment Letter: https://diversity.box.com/s/uktnko9e489b9lztstj7v6geuatfzqsk
The Center has also submitted, as a separate docket entry, its June 8, 2022 Petition to Phase Out Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle on National Wildlife Refuges. That submission includes a separate Box.com link containing the 203 scientific studies and supporting materials referenced in the petition that should be considered as part of the Center’s comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Box.com Link 2 – Scientific Studies Supporting the June 8, 2022 Petition: https://diversity.box.com/s/7a2jl0hkx1i6x81fnwaqraw5fve8tncx
Please contact me if you have any issues accessing the studies.
Darrell Geist
Staff Paralegal, Environmental Health Program
Center for Biological Diversity
(520) 867-6646 ext. 346
dgeist@biologicaldiversity.org