Utah's $1.9 billion claim from mine spill reveals no details

Utah's $1.9 billion claim against the Environmental Protection Agency for a multi-state mine waste spill says Utah's water, soil and wildlife were damaged, but it offers no specifics. State officials provided a copy of the claim to The Associated Press Wednesday. The claim stems from the August 2015 release of 3 million gallons (11 million liters) of wastewater from an inactive gold mine in southwestern Colorado. An EPA-led contractor crew inadvertently triggered the spill. Rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah were polluted and Indian lands were affected. Farmers, ranchers and utilities temporarily stopped drawing river water. Rafting companies suspended operations. Utah's claim from the spill is believed to be the largest of 144 filed under a U.S. law that allows people to seek government compensation without a lawsuit.