Groups sue Montana over discharge permits

BOZEMAN (AP) — Two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Montana contending the state is failing to enforce the Clean Water Act by allowing at least 30 discharge permits to lapse for at least a year.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/10FKlVm) that Bozeman-based Cottonwood Environmental Law Center and Montana River Action filed the lawsuit Wednesday against the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in Gallatin County District Court.

The groups said letting the permits lapse allows companies to potentially pollute state waters, and that Montana officials are il...