Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

The Latest: EPA reviews New Mexico’s plans to sue over spill

CP36014956
FILE - In this Aug. 14, 2015 file photo, water flows through a series of sediment retention ponds built to reduce heavy metal and chemical contaminants from the Gold King Mine wastewater accident, in the spillway about a quarter mile downstream from the mine outside Silverton, Colo. New Mexico officials said Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 that they plan to sue the federal government and the owners of two Colorado mines that were the source of a massive spill last year that contaminated rivers in three Western states. An EPA cleanup crew accidentally triggered the spill in August at the inactive Gold King mine near Silverton, Colo.(AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The latest on New Mexico’s plans to sue the EPA over a toxic mine spill (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it’s reviewing New Mexico’s plan to sue the federal government over a massive spill last year that contaminated rivers in three Western states.

The agency declined to comment on New Mexico’s notice to sue but said federal officials are working closely with the states to develop a long-term monitoring plan to evaluate potential environmental effects.

The lawsuit would be a first and also would target the state of Colorado and the owners of the Gold King and Sunnyside Mines.

An EPA cleanup crew accidentally unleashed millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater in August at the inactive Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. It fouled rivers in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico with contaminants including arsenic and lead.

___

11:30 a.m.

New Mexico officials say they plan to sue the federal government and the owners of two Colorado mines that were the source of a massive spill that contaminated rivers in three Western states.

The New Mexico Environment Department says it filed a notice Thursday of its intention to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over last year’s spill. The lawsuit would be a first and would also target the state of Colorado and the owners of the Gold King and Sunnyside Mines.

An EPA cleanup crew accidentally unleashed millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater in August at the inactive Gold King mine near Silverton, Colorado. It fouled rivers in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico with contaminants including arsenic and lead.

A spokeswoman for the EPA didn’t immediately return an email from The Associated Press.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles