The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has refused a Canadian company's request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by members of the Confederated Colville Tribes of Washington.

In July, the court said tribal members could sue Teck Cominco under the federal Superfund law. The company is accused of dumping millions of tons of mine waste into the river.

Teck Cominco asked the 9th Circuit for a rehearing but the request was denied on October 30. The company has 90 days to consider an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Get the Story:
U.S. court declines Teck Cominco pollution appeal (AP 11/8)

Court Decision:
Pakootas v. Teck Cominco (July 3, 2006)

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

Related Stories:
9th Circuit allows tribal suit against mine company (07/05)
Report backs tribe in Columbia River pollution claim (03/08)
Diplomats discuss tribal spat with Canadian company (12/01)
Judge won't dismiss tribe's pollution lawsuit (11/09)
Canadian company fights tribe's lawsuit (11/5)
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)