Recently, (the) EPA’s proposed lead fishing sinker ban was dropped. That’s because Iowa’s Tom Harkin introduced the “Common Sense in Fishing Regulations Acts.” His amendment passed the Senate and prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from banning lead fishing sinkers. We might ask, “Why was the ban on lead fishing sinkers ever considered in the first place?”

To explain, in England, lead sinkers have been prohibited and British manufacturers are making fishing sinkers from zinc and also making high profits.

American fishermen reject these sinkers as costly and ineffective. If lead sinkers were banned in the USA, Americans would have to buy costly non-lead sinkers. Large American sinker manufacturers saw EPA’s proposal as a tool to wipe out unwanted competition. The smaller companies, who have limited capital, wouldn’t be able to afford the re-tooling cost to make non-lead fishing sinkers.

As a result, if there were fewer suppliers and fishing sinkers made of costly substitute materials, then American fishermen would have to dig deep in their pockets to pay for inferior products.

My company, DO-IT CORPORATION, manufactures and sells hand molds to make lead fishing sinkers. Without Senator Harkin’s help, our company would have been forced out of business. In Washington, I gave oral testimony before the EPA and contacted our Senators and Congressmen. Senator Harkin picked up the ball, rolled it through the Senate and down the alley to the EPA, who decided to call it “quits.”

Presently, fishermen need not worry about a lead fishing sinker ban, but we need to keep Senator Harkin in office to make sure the EPAkeeps their commitment.

When we cast our lead fishing sinkers, we should also give serious thought to casting our votes for Senator Tom Harkin.

Melvin Bond

Denver, Iowa