A federal judge on Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit the Colville Confederated Tribes' lawsuit against a Canadian mining company accused of polluting the Columbia River.

But the judge said Teck Cominco could immediately appeal the ruling. The company says its mining operation, located across the border in British Columbia, doesn't have to comply with U.S. law.

The tribes want the company to comply with an Environmental Protection Agency order to clean up the river. The state of Washington has joined the case as a plaintiff with the tribes.

Get the Story:
U.S. judge rejects motion to dismiss Teck Cominco polluting lawsuit (AP 11/9)

Relevant Links:
Colville Confederated Tribes - http://www.colvilletribes.com
Teck Cominco - http://www.teckcominco.com

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Mining company not worried about tribal-state lawsuit (09/02)
State joins tribal lawsuit against mining company (9/1)
Company seeks to dismiss tribal Superfund lawsuit (8/27)
Colville Tribes sue Canadian company over pollution (07/22)