Assembly Wildlife Committee Kills Condor Protection Bill

(4/15/2006) - SACRAMENTO -- In a narrow 6-8 vote, the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee killed an important bill that would have protected California condors from lead poisoning by requiring the use of lead-free ammunition within a critical portion of condor habitat in southern California. Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) was the author of AB 2123, the Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act.

“Once again, the anti-wildlife majority on the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee killed a good wildlife conservation bill,” stated Pamela Flick, Defenders of Wildlife. “This bill was based on sound science and would have given condors a real chance at recovery.”

Scientific experts and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have concluded that lead ammunition is having a devastating effect on the highly endangered condor and efforts to recover this population. Since condor reintroduction began in 1992, at least nine condors have died of lead poisoning and condor biologists have had to bring more than two dozen condors into captivity due to high lead levels in their blood.

“Protections for condors from lead poisoning are long overdue. Lead has already been eliminated from products like gasoline and paint, even shot for hunting waterfowl – so why not from ammunition,” stated Ms. Flick. 

Assembly Member Nava had carefully crafted AB 2123 to eliminate lead ammunition in those areas most critical for condors and for those species that represented the largest percentage of condor diet. The ban would have encompassed Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Deer Hunting Zones D11, D13, and USDA Forest Service lands in Zone A South within Santa Barbara County. 

AB 2123 would have also provided an opportunity for DFG to give free non-lead ammunition to big game hunters when they receive their hunting licenses. Both RifleShooter Magazine and the Safari Club International magazine have enthusiastically reviewed the non-lead ammunition available to hunters.

Assembly Members who voted in favor of AB 2123: Wolk (D), Pavley (D), Berg (D), Bass (D), Lieu (D), Bermudez (D), and Saldana (D).

Assembly Members who voted against AB 2123: Villines (R), Baca (D) Daucher (R), Emmerson (R), Matthews (D), Maze (R), Parra (D) S. Runner (R).

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Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 490,000 members and supporter nationwide, 100,000 of which are in California, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.

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Contact(s):

Pamela Flick, (916) 203-6927
Kim Delfino, (916) 313-5800 ex. 109