Underscoring a trend of less tolerance for “legacy” wastewater practices, various environmental groups successfully argued that a permit for the Montanore copper and silver mine in Montana should not have been re-issued as it violates both the state’s and the country’s water protection laws. The court ruling sets an important precedent in a state economy that depends heavily on mining, and which has generally been considered to be among the most mining-friendly states. (full story)