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TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2001

Arguing that they should not pay for clean up alone, two mining companies say the federal government should share the blame for polluting the Coeur d'Alene Basin in Idaho.

Attorneys for Asarco Inc. and Hecla Mining say the federal government basically took over their operations during World War II. They say the federal government urged them to mine the area and should be held liable for any contamination.

The federal government, however, says there were no orders issued to increase production and that the mines operated independently of US control.

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho and the United States are suing the companies to force clean up of the basin. The companies are countersuing to force the government into footing part of the bill.

Get the Story:
Companies accuse feds (The Spokesman Review 7/10)

Relevant Links:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe - http://www.cdatribe.com

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