Environmentalists warn EPA of lawsuit over salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Environmentalists are warning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency they will sue to force the agency to protect endangered salmon from toxic chemicals that regularly wash into Oregon rivers.

Northwest Environmental Advocates filed a 60-day lawsuit notice Wednesday.

The group wants the agency to make sure Oregon has limits on four chemicals: copper, cadmium, aluminum and ammonia.

Copper, for example, is in automobile brake pads and agricultural chemicals. In the water, it harms a salmon's sense of smell, which is key to finding its way home to spawn.

Executive director Nina Bell says state and federal agencies "move at a glacial pace" and have to be sued to enforce clean water standards.

The EPA said it wouldn't comment on pending litigation.