Some Are Unhappy With EPA Payment Plans For Mine Waste Spill

DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — Southwestern Colorado officials are unhappy the Environmental Protection Agency won't pay their county for future water monitoring and other expected expenses related to a mine waste spill the EPA accidentally triggered.

But the EPA said Thursday it has already reimbursed La Plata County more than $200,000 in expenses and has agreed to pay the state for long-term monitoring.

The Durango Herald reports the agency told county officials Wednesday it wouldn't pay $2.4 million the county is seeking for expected future costs including monitoring water and developing response plans.

The EPA said it doesn't cover future expenses under a cooperative agreement the county is proposing. County officials said that contradicts what the EPA said earlier.

An EPA-led cleanup crew triggered a 3-million-gallon spill from the Gold King Mine in August.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)