Navajo Nation To Sue EPA Over Toxic River Spill

The Navajo Nation is suing the Environmental Protection Agency over a major mining spill in 2015. The spill, known as the Gold King Mine spill, sent three million gallons of toxic acid and metals into the Animas and San Juan rivers. “One of the Navajo people’s most important sources of water for life and livelihood was poisoned with some of the worst contaminants known to man, including lead and arsenic,” federal court filings by the Navajo claimed, reports Reuters.

The leaders of the Navajo Nation are joined by the state of New Mexico in suing both the EPA and the state of Colorado for the negligence. According to a federal report, the EPA had been drilling holes around the mine to install drainage pipes for small amounts of pollutants draining into the Animas River. A blowout occurred during the drilling, causing nearly 1 million pounds of toxic metals to spill into the river system.

According to the Washington Examiner, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said the decision to file the suit was based on the report, “especially [after] I got a report that they knew about it. That they knew this was about to happen, [but] they did nothing.” “Efforts to be made whole over the past year have been met with resistance, delays, and second-guessing,” the case filing states, notes Reuters. The Navajo Nation contends that the EPA “ignored warning signs for years” and “failed to prepare for known risks of a mine blowout.”

According to The Atlantic, attorneys with New Mexico believe the direct damage of the spill is $7 million, with an additional $140 million in economic damages. The Navajo Nation has yet to estimate the damages incurred; however, in April tribe leaders testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. Begaye described the San Juan as a vital water source for the tribe and explained that the spill killed crops and cost farming jobs. Sources: Washington Examiner, Reuters, The Atlantic / Photo credit: Denver Post