Firefighting vs. Environmental Protection: Montana Lawsuit Seeks to Limit Aerial Fire Retardant Use

A lawsuit in Montana seeks to limit the use of aerial fire retardant to combat wildfires over concerns that it is polluting streams & rivers.

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The lawsuit was filed by the Forest Service Employees for Environment Ethics, arguing that dropping retardant in waterways without a permit violates the Clean Water Act & does more environmental harm than good in fighting fires.

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According to the Forest Service, aerial retardant is a critical firefighting tool, & a coalition of opponents argue that limits on its use could put more homes & forests at risk.

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As the 2023 fire season gets underway following years of larger & more devastating wildfires, the case could impact how US wildfires are fought.

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Arguments in the case will be heard by a federal judge on Monday in Missoula, Montana, & a ruling is expected soon.

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Until they get a permit to discharge pollution as required by the Clean Water Act, the lawsuit asks that officials be blocked from using aerial retardants in waterways.

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According to a Department of Agriculture report, more than 100 million gallons of retardant were used during the past decade.

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In a Department of Agriculture report, retardant was found to be likely to adversely affect 32 aquatic species.

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According to a 2021 risk assessment commissioned by the Forest Service, health risks to firefighters or other people who come into contact with fire retardant are considered low.

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