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Greetings!
Thank you to all of those who contacted their Senators to urge them to protect New Hampshire's loons by passing Senate Bill 89! The New Hampshire Senate passed the bill by a unanimous vote, and it will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Loon Preservation Committee (LPC) and NH Lakes Association (NH LAKES) are working together in support of this bill, which would protect our state's loon population by increasing existing restrictions on the use and sale of toxic lead fishing tackle to ban sinkers and jigs weighing one ounce or less--still the largest known cause of New Hampshire adult loon mortality. A downloadable summary of why this legislation is needed to protect loons is available from this link.
Please call or write the Members of the House Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee today to ask for their support of Senate Bill 89.
In the House of Representatives, SB 89 will have a hearing before the Fish and Game and Marine Resources Committee before going to the House floor for a vote. The Committee's strong support will help ensure passage of this important bill by the full House. So, although the Committee will probably not hold its hearing for several weeks, it is important to begin contacting Committee members now. You can find Committee members' contact information and send them an email message from LPC's "Contact your Legislators" page by clicking here.
Loons do not reproduce until their sixth year of life or later, and loon pairs have an average of only one surviving chick every two years in New Hampshire. Therefore, survival of adult loons is the most important factor in assuring the continued viability of our state's loon population. Unfortunately, New Hampshire lost 124 adult loons to ingested lead sinkers and jigs between 1989 and 2011. These deaths have had a large negative impact on our state's small loon population.
Thank you to Senator Jeanie Forrester for sponsoring SB 89 and seeing the bill through the Senate, and thank you to all of you who contacted your Senators. Your efforts ensured that the Senate's support for the bill was as strong as yours! Your continued involvement will be crucial as the bill moves through the House. If you have any questions about our legislative efforts, please contact LPC's legislative coordinator, Sheridan Brown, at 603-230-2473 or email by clicking here.
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Senator Bob Odell (standing) speaks in support of SB 89 before the Senate's unanimous vote passing the bill. Senator Odell was instrumental in shepherding SB 89 through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and full Senate.
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Together, we can protect our loons from toxic lead fishing tackle. Thank you for your past and continued support!
Sincerely,
Harry Vogel
LPC Executive Director
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