The state of Washington is joining a lawsuit filed by the Colville Confederated Tribes against a Canadian mining company accused of polluting the Columbia River.

The tribes and the state want the Teck Cominco to comply with a federal cleanup order. Under the Superfund law, the Environmental Protection Agency told the company to clean up toxic metals released into the river over a 100-year period.

Teck Cominco has sought to dismiss the case. The company says the EPA has no authority over a foreign entity.

Get the Story:
Locke and Gregoire join tribal lawsuit against B.C. firm (The Seattle Times 9/1)
State joins tribes' Lake Roosevelt suit (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 9/1)

Related Stories:
Company seeks to dismiss tribal Superfund lawsuit (8/27)
Colville Tribes sue Canadian company over pollution (07/22)