The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes on the Fort Belknap Reservation in Montana filed a new complaint in federal court on Wednesday, alleging the state has failed to address contamination from two abandoned gold mines.

The tribes were joined by environmental groups in seeking to improve the state's cleanup at the old Zortman-Landusky gold mines. The tribes want the state to enforce water quality standards on two streams flowing into the reservation.

The mines were built on land taken from the tribes. The Little Rocky Mountains, a sacred area, were destroyed by the mines, whose latest owner declared bankruptcy, leaving a mess for the state and the federal government.

Get the Story:
Tribes renew suit over mine cleanup (The Great Falls Tribune 10/7)
Suit over Zortman pollution amended (AP 10/7)

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

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

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Mont. tribes fight to clean up old gold mines (11/18)
Mont. tribes sue over cleanup of mines near reservation (10/29)
Mont. mine cleanup bill killed for losing teeth (03/28)
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Mont. tribal members want mines cleaned up (03/19)
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