BNSF Railway asbestos trial begins
Montana Public Radio | By Aaron Bolton
A trial over whether BNSF Railway is liable for contaminating the Libby area with asbestos began Monday.
Families are suing in U.S. District Court on the behalf of Joyce Walder and Thomas Wells. The lawsuit says both died from mesothelioma, which was caused by asbestos. They argue that BNSF knowingly transported vermiculite contaminated with asbestos from a now defunct local mine and didn’t properly warn the public.
BNSF has denied liability.
In a separate case, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that BNSF can be held liable for its role in spreading asbestos. BNSF had argued that the mine owner, W.R. Grace, should be held liable and that it was only transporting goods for a paying customer.
This latest case is the first of many related to BNSF’s role in exposing Libby residents to asbestos
Conservation groups sue U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over denying gray wolves endangered species protections
Montana Public Radio | By John Hooks
Conservation groups sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday over the agency's decision to deny endangered species protections for gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded in February that wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains are no longer distinct from wolves in other western states, and the population at large is not at risk of extinction, even under a “substantial increase” of hunting in the northern Rockies.
Gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountain population were delisted in 2011. Wolves in the rest of the contiguous 48 maintain protected status.
In their lawsuit, conservation groups argue the service relied on faulty population models that over-estimated the number of wolves in Idaho and Montana. The suit asks the court to order the government to re-evaluate its decision.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declined to comment on active litigation.
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Some residents in northwestern Montana remain under a boil water advisory following severe weather impacts from December storms -
Libby residents may not have access to drinkable tap water for some time. Lincoln County health officials issued a boil water notice last week. President Trump has approved an emergency declaration that allows up to $5 million in federal funding to support the health and safety of Montanans living in the affected areas.
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Emergency managers are releasing water from a dam south of Libby they say is at risk of failing. It comes after a storm last week that brought flooding and high winds to the area. More rain and high winds are expected this week. -
An atmospheric river flooded Libby and Troy this week. Several bridges washed away and some homes were damaged. The water is receding and county officials are still assessing the damage. -
For decades, Libby residents have lived with the deadly aftermath of asbestos exposure from a closed vermiculite mine. It contaminated the local baseball fields where kids played, it was in gardens, and it insulated homes. Hundreds have died from asbestos-related diseases. Two families were awarded damages from BNSF Railway in 2024. Now the railway is appealing that decision, saying it's not liable for those deaths.
