Leaders of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance are leading efforts to help revamp language in a proposed bill designed to reduce toxic lead  in Illinois’ streams.

Last Friday Mike Clifford, the group’s conservation director, and ISA president Don Rego met with State Sen. Heather Steans at Wilmington to discuss problems with her proposed legislation designed to prohibit the sale or distribution of lead sinkers or jigs in Illinois.

Details of that plan appeared in The Outdoor Journal on Feb. 13.

In a email to The Daily Journal, Clifford reported that “many of the original components are being reconsidered and/or rescinded in order to focus on a strong educational approach as to the dangers of lead.”

As presented, Senate Bill 1269  would prohibit the use of lead jigs or sinkers on any lake, pond, river or stream under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has jurisdiction. Lead jigs are defined as “any lead weighted hook measuring 1.5 inches …that contains one ounce of lead or less.” Sinkers are similarly defined as “any device designed to be attached to fishing line” containing one ounce of lead or less.

Most people I know acknowledge that lead is a toxic substance, but when faced with issues such as global warming and climate change, attacking a quarter-ounce jig seems somewhat extreme. The bill also threatens to suspend a person’s fishing license for up to six months if they are caught using an ounce or less jig or sinker.

ISA is rightfully trying to focus the proposed bill on educating the public on the danger of lead and alternative metals.

Such alternatives — steel, bismuth and tin — exist but are considerably much more costly. Another question would be how to dispose of literally hundreds of thousands of lead jigs and sinkers in Illinois if the bill becomes law.

Clifford said following the meeting with Sen. Steans that That IDNR will be working on revised language for the bill.

Stay tuned to the Outdoor Journal for updates on this legislation.

ISA BRONZEBACK BLOWOUT

In the meantime you can thank ISA but attending their annual banquet on March 7 at the American Legion Hall in Elmhurst.

Tickets are $25 per person. Famed wildlife artist Al Agnew is the featured speaker. Agnew is also an avid stream smallmouth angler and is considered one of the foremost authorities on smallmouth fishing in his native Missouri.

Click HERE  for more information on the Bronzeback Blowout.