BP's ARCO to pay $187 million for cleanup

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - BP Plc'ss Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) unit has agreed to pay $187 million to finance a cleanup of the Clark Fork River, a well-known Montana trout stream, under a settlement announced by the Justice Department and Environmental Protection agency on Thursday.

It said the settlement ends prolonged litigation over the site. "The environmental benefits will go directly to local landowners with improved soil, and extend to all Montanans through cleaner water and improved fisheries," said Robbie Roberts, EPA's Regional Administrator.