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"When anglers lose lead fishing tackle, it accumulates on the lake bottom and in the surrounding environment, where it endangers the aquatic community, including loons, eagles and swans. Loons are especially susceptible because they mistake lead sinkers for pebbles, which they swallow to aid digestion or when they catch and eat a fish with broken line and lead tackle attached. Once lead is ingested, it breaks down and is absorbed into the blood stream, poisoning and killing the loon. 

To protect loons and other vulnerable wildlife, I am pleased to announce the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Buy Back Program. The centrepiece of this initiative is to create awareness within the angling community on the harmful impacts of fishing with lead tackle versus the environmentally supportive benefits of switching to non-toxic alternatives. 

I am happy to endorse the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program — and together, let’s “Get the Lead Out” of our tackle boxes and out of our lakes.

Visit fishleadfree.ca to learn more about the Wolfe Lake Association Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program, including the Westport Lions lead collection location.”

On behalf of the Township of South Frontenac, Council is pleased to endorse the “Lead Tackle  Buy Back Program” that is being implemented by the Wolfe Lake Association this year.  The "Lead Fishing Tackle Buy Back Program," is a voluntary initiative that aims to reduce the  accumulation and effects of toxic lead fishing tackle in the environment, as it is responsible for the  deaths of millions of birds and other wildlife annually. While loons, eagles, swans and waterfowl are  especially vulnerable, lead can be harmful to all living things and threatens the quality of our waterbodies. This program looks to reduce the amount of lead tackle that is being deposited into  local lakes and waterbodies. 

Initiatives such as this are exactly what Council was hoping for when they decided to establish the  Lake Ecosystem Grant Program in 2021. Intended to support and encourage the preservation,  restoration, monitoring and analysis of lake ecosystems within South Frontenac, the Wolfe Lake  Association’s lead buy back program embodies these goals by taking action to protect our wildlife  and water bodies, while also providing a program that has the potential to positively impact a large  portion of the community. As one of the first ever recipients of the Lake Ecosystem Grant Program,  Council felt this project would be a great way to invest in our lakes, wildlife, and community. 

I encourage residents to visit http://www.fishleadfree.ca/ to learn more about the program and find participating retailers where existing toxic lead fishing tackle can be exchanged for a $10 voucher to be used on the purchase of non-toxic lead tackle products. 

Thank you to the members of the Wolfe Lake Association and their partner supporting this initiative, your help is protecting and pressing the Township’s beautiful water bodies for years to come is greatly appreciated.  

Yours truly, 

Mayor Ron Vandewal 

Let me congratulate the Wolfe Lake Association on its initiative to buy back lead tackle

in order to save more of our loons and other birds. Rideau Lakes Township with its 37

lakes and over 800km of shoreline is home to great fishing and incredible wildlife. We

can all contribute to preserving this by going through our tackle boxes and "Getting the

Lead Out". I have done this and encourage you to join the cause!

- Mayor Arie Hoogenboom