Deep in the heart of Butte: Special report – EPA resists calls to remove mine waste in the center of Butte

Below the center of Butte flows water tainted with poisons drawn from a mass of mining and smelting waste that has been a pollution problem for more than a century.

The deadly bright-blue plume "is the most contaminated mine water in the state of Montana," hydrogeologist Joe Griffin says.

No one argues that point. But a raging dispute centers on what to do about it — and about the tailings from the Parrot mine and smelter that are feeding the deadly brew of metals-laced water.

Susan Dunlap [email protected]

Full Story: http://mtstandard.com/special_reports/parrot/deep-in-the-heart-of-butte-special-report/article_67965281-9fc9-5917-970c-b3034df4c63d.html