New Mexico to sue EPA after massive mining spill filled rivers with toxic waste

State officials argue the EPA is responsible for a Colorado mining spill in August 2015 that deposited 3m gallons of toxins into riverbeds and lands in four states

New Mexico announced on Thursday that it plans to sue the US Environmental Protection Agency over the toxic Colorado mining spill that sent 3m gallons of waste into the Animas and San Juan rivers.

New Mexico officials have filed a notice of intent to sue, the first step in filing a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the EPA is responsible for the massive spill on 5 August that deposited toxins into the riverbeds and agricultural lands of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.