A federal judge ordered a Canadian company to pay legal fees to the plaintiffs in a Superfund lawsuit on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation of Washington.

Teck Cominco Metals was ordered to pay two tribal members who filed the suit, along with the tribe itself. More than $1 million in legal fees is at issue.

The Colville plaintiffs sued Teck Cominco of British Columbia for allegedly polluting the Columbia River. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the company could held liable under U.S. law.

The company asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the ruling but the justices rejected a petition to review the case.

Get the Story:
Teck Cominco must pay Colvilles' costs (AP 3/16)
Wash. state court orders Teck Cominco to pay legal fees in pollution case (CP 3/17)

Attorney Fees Decision:
Pakootas v. Teck Cominco (March 9, 2009)

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Supreme Court seeks DOJ views on Colville case (7/18)
9th Circuit won't rehear Colville pollution lawsuit (11/8)
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)
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