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We are...Saving Our Avian Resources, SOAR is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1999 dedicated to saving our avian resources through raptor rehabilitation, education, and research. SOAR maintains all necessary US Fish & Wildlife Service and Iowa DNR permits to provide the rehabilitation and education.Our Goals
Annual fundraiser and bird release
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In the news...Petition to EPA denied August 27, 2010 - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has denied the petition submitted by several groups to utilize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to ban the manufacture, processing and distribution in commerce of lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers. In a brief letter to American Bird Conservancy, one of the groups that filed the petition, EPA Assistant Administrator Stephen Owens said that after a review, EPA determined they do not have authority under TSCA to "address lead shot and bullets," noting the exemption for those products under the TSCA. "Consquently, we are denying that portion of your petition," Owens said. However, EPA's Owen said they were still reviewing the portion of the petition that relates to lead fishing sinkers and would respond when they had made a decision. Click here for the EPA press release. Petition Presented to EPA August 3, 2010 - The Center for Biological Diversity, the American Bird Conservancy, the Association of Avian Veterinarians, Project Gutpile and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility have submitted a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency asking the agency to revise rules governing toxic substances to ban the manufacture, processing and distribution in commerce of lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers. The request is because of language that is in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that gives EPA the broad authority to regulate chemical substances that “present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.” The petition goes on to say, "The EPA is specifically prohibited from regulating ammunition or firearms under TSCA, but toxic components of ammunition can be regulated if nontoxic alternatives are commercially available. The petitioners have waited until nontoxic alternatives have become available to submit this petition in an effort to clearly indicate that this petition is not an attempt to regulate ammunition or firearms." TSCA requires that within 90 days after filing of a petition, the EPA shall either grant or deny the petition. SOAR's take on this...This is a great angle on how to get lead out of ammunition and fishing tackle. However, EPA has, in the past, used all the allowable days when considering petitions. When presented with the request to increase the amount of ethanol in the nation's fuel supply, EPA used the allowed 270 days, only to come back and say they needed more time to study the issue and make their decision. That decision may come yet this fall. The other wrench in the system is the mid-term election in November. While EPA is not a political agency, one can't help but wonder if they may "get" to drag their heels on this issue. Remember, this is just one avenue that is being explored to remove lead from ammunition and fishing tackle. SOAR will continue to educate folks about the impacts of lead on animals and would encourage you to do the same. See related articles reporting about groups opposing the petition:
Voice your support of the removal of lead from ammunition and fishing tackle by contacting the EPA Administrator: Lisa P. Jackson Section 21 Petitions Filed with EPA Since September 2007 This page at the EPA websites lists all petitions filed since September 2007 including this latest petition filed on August 3.
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