Some Unhappy With EPA Payment Plans For Gold King Mine Spill

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.