Teck Cominco & Lake Roosevelt

Much of the contaminants dumped by Teck Cominco Metals have settled around the bed and banks of Lake Roosevelt in northern Washington. The pollution poses a threat to tribal members who use the reservoir to fish and for cultural and spiritual reasons, as well as the thousands of people who recreate in the area.

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Case Overview

Teck Cominco Metals operates a smelter ten miles north of the U.S.-Canada border.

This smelter has contaminated Lake Roosevelt, in Washington State, and parts of the Upper Columbia River with toxic heavy metals. Earthjustice filed a “friend-of-the-court” brief in support of the Colville Tribe to enforce an order issued to Teck Cominco to study and assess the pollution.

Case Updates

August 11, 2006 document

Teck Cominco case: Amicus Brief

"Friend of the Court" brief in support of Joseph A. Pakootas and Donald R. Michel, and the State of Washington, urging the Ninth Circuit Court to affirm the decision of the district court in the matter of Pakootas et al and State of Washington v. Teck Com

June 1, 2006 Press Release

U.S. Agreement Raises Concern About Corporate Polluter Doing Analysis of Lake Roosevelt

Teck Cominco denies liability in new agreement

July 29, 2005 Press Release

Canadian Mining Company Polluted U.S. Waters

Lawsuit demands accountability to clean up Lake Roosevelt (Grand Coulee Dam)