ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE MCGRATH
STATE OF MONTANA

FOR RELEASE: July 24, 2007

CONTACT: Lynn Solomon, 444-0582 or Judy Beck, 444-5774

McGrath Issues Statement on Mike Horse Dam Decision

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Forest Service decision (PDF) on the removal of the Mike Horse Dam on the Blackfoot River in the Helena National Forest.

We're pleased that the USFS elected to work with the State of Montana and listen to our concerns.

Complete removal is compatible with our efforts to clean up the Clark Fork and Blackfoot River drainages.

We're very happy with the USFS decision.

In a decision released Tuesday, the USFS said the dam must be removed and the contaminated waste behind it must be taken to Asarco property in the upper Blackfoot River drainage.