AP reported that environmentalists have sued coal mining interests in federal court in Knoxville seeking to enforce pollution limits.

The Sierra Club, the Tennessee Clean Water Network and Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment claim National Coal LLC is violating legal limits on its selenium, iron and manganese discharges into local waterways.

Environmentalists in a news release said that three suits were filed this week citing provisions of the Clean Water Act.

The Sierra Club said the suits are the latest in a series of actions brought by environmentalists in an effort to protect Appalachian streams.

(Sourced from Associated Press)