Fifty years ago, a familiar conflict was playing out south of Silver City.

State and federal regulators were trying to implement stricter controls on sulfur dioxide pollution from a Hurley smelter. Besides being associated with several human health risks, sulfur dioxide can contribute to acid rain.

But some area residents protested stricter limits, concerned that further regulations on the smelter — which the company claimed could force closure — would result in economic hardship in the region.

In the 50 years since, the balance between economic development and the protection of the environment and human health continues to spark conflict.

Tuesday, a New Mexico appeals court dismissed a lawsuit arguing the state had failed to adequately protect the environment from pollution from the

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