The California Fish and Game Commission today not only voted to take make no change in the state's regulations regarding the use of lead shot on state wildlife areas, but refused to review any research on the subject or review why 25 other states have such restrictions. As you know, Audubon California was unsuccessful in overcoming the influence of the pro-lead lobby earlier this year in the State Legislature, which left the commission as the only remaining option to get these protections in place this year. Audubon California has been pursuing the restriction against lead shot on state wildlife areas because the use of shot presents a real danger to birds and wildlife. We'll be back to fight for these regulations again in future. More about today's commission action below the fold.

The Fish and Game Commission was not expected to vote on the lead shot issue today, but opponents of any restriction at all took advantage of the absense of one of its members to suppress any further discussion of the matter. The commission was only asked today to determine a preferred alternative for staff to investigate prior to a later, final vote on new regulations. With one member absent and another abstaining, two members were able to force a 2-1 vote in favor of the no change option, which killed any potential action from the commission. So, no staff investigation, no public testimony, no analysis of the available research, no review of other state's laws.