Groups sue over alleged water contamination in Big Sky [View all]

An environmental law firm is suing the Big Sky Water and Sewer District for allegedly discharging chemicals into the West Fork of the Gallatin River without a permit.

The lawsuit, filed by Cottonwood Environmental Law Center, claims a holding pond in the district’s Water Resources Recovery Facility has been releasing harmful chemicals directly into the West Fork of the Gallatin River. Cottonwood and two conservation groups — the Gallatin Wildlife Association and Montana Rivers — sued the water and sewer district in federal court in Butte on July 10.

“Clean water and healthy rivers are more important than golf and vacation houses,” said John Meyer, attorney for the Cottonwood Environmental Law Center.

Meyer said he heard from an acquaintance that algae mats were growing along the West Fork near wastewater holding ponds on Little Coyote Road. He hired an independent lab to test for contamination in the water near the ponds, he said.

Read more: https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/groups-sue-over-alleged-water-contamination-in-big-sky/article_c65f5e83-e709-5caf-b738-768ec734c4e6.html