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Wednesday, October 29, 2003

The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes of Montana said on Tuesday they would sue to force cleanup of abandoned mines next to the Fort Belknap Reservation.

The tribes say the old Zortman and Landusky gold mines have polluted their water supply in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. They want to ensure there is enough money to cleanup the mine sites, which destroyed sacred sites in the Little Rocky Mountains.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality have announced a reclamation for the mines but the tribes say it is inadequate.

Get the Story:
Fort Belknap tribes sues over pollution (AP 10/29)

Relevant BLM Documents:
Record of Decision | Final Environmental Impact Statement

Relevant Links:
Fort Belknap Community Council - http://tlc.wtp.net/fort.htm

Related Stories:
Mont. mine cleanup bill killed for losing teeth (03/28)
Mont. mine cleanup bill clears one hurdle (3/27)
Mont. tribal members want mines cleaned up (03/19)
Mont. tribes offer mine tours (05/30)
Tribes plan to challenge mine plan (5/6)
Mont. tribes want mine cleanup (5/3)
Cleanup of mine near reservation costly (1/9)
Fort Belknap tribes push mine cleanup (10/1)
Mont. tribes lose mining auction (9/5)

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