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Case Background:
Similarly, a group of citizens called Amigos Bravos formed in 1988 as "the only non-profit river advocacy group in New
Mexico dedicated to preserving both the ecological and cultural richness of the Rio Grande watershed."
(www.amigosbravos.org/index). Amigos Bravos brought action against Molycorp, Inc., a company that mines molybdeneum and makes
synthetic elements used in cell phones, televisions, computers, and transportation systems. Amigos Bravos alleged that
Molycorp was illegally dumping acidic metal solution waste into the Red River near the town of Questa, New Mexico, killing
aquatic plants and animals and damaging agriculture, also claiming that the corporation was in violation of the Clean Air and
Water Act (www.amigosbravos.org/molycorpwatch/background.html).
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Ruling:
When the case came to trial, the EPA issued Molycorp, Inc. a permit allowing them to discharge their waste at these "point
sources," rendering the suit ineffectual, and was dismissed as moot. The amusing part is that the Molycorp plant is on the
EPA's Superfund List, yet the suit was dismissed anyway (www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nar1599.htm)
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