A federal judge held a hearing in the Fort Belknap Tribes suit against the Bureau of Land Management over two abandoned gold mines near the reservation.

The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes say the BLM never consulted them in regard to the management of the Zortman-Landusky gold mines. The tribes say the BLM failed to protect their natural resources and sacred lands.

The mines are located on sacred land that was taken from the tribes. The mine operators destroyed the Little Rocky Mountains and contaminated the site with cyanide.

The tribes filed another lawsuit earlier this year against the BLM, the state of Montana and the current owners of the mines. The suit alleges violations of the Clean Water Act.

Get the Story:
Tribes attack BLM for broken trust over mines (The Great Falls Tribune 5/4)

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

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

Related Stories:
Fort Belknap Tribes sue over abandoned gold mines (01/30)
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)
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)