Federal Judge Rules Poultry Waste Continues Polluting Oklahoma Watersheds

A Tulsa federal judge has reaffirmed that poultry waste runoff continues to significantly pollute the Illinois River Watershed, Lake Tenkiller, and connected waterways, ruling that phosphorus levels remain alarmingly high despite claims of improvement by poultry companies. The nearly 20-year-old lawsuit, initiated in 2005 and pursued by Oklahoma's current Attorney General Gentner Drummond, targets major poultry producers such as Tyson Foods and Cargill for environmental damage caused by excess nutrients in poultry litter. The judge found that conditions in the watershed have not materially changed since the original trial, rejecting arguments that the data on pollution was outdated. While a final ruling has yet to be issued, the court could order poultry companies to cease spreading waste in the affected area, though negotiations for a settlement that balances environmental protection with poultry industry interests are ongoing. Attorney General Drummond emphasized the goal of preserving both the watershed and the poultry industry's economic presence in Oklahoma, asserting that clean water and a robust industry can coexist. The case has encountered political tensions, including opposition from Governor Kevin Stitt, but remains a critical effort to address long-standing environmental concerns in the region.