New Mexico to sue EPA over mine spill

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.

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.