Oklahoma Settles with Poultry Company to Address Litter Pollution Issues

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has announced a significant settlement agreement with George’s, Inc., aimed at addressing claims related to poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. This agreement marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to protect Oklahoma’s water resources while balancing the needs of the agricultural community.

“This settlement demonstrates that fair, good-faith negotiations can produce outcomes that serve everyone’s interests—protecting Oklahoma’s water resources while respecting the economic realities facing our agricultural partners,” Drummond stated, highlighting the collaborative nature of the negotiations.

The key details of the settlement are as follows:

• George’s will pay $5 million to the State, which will be allocated for remediation and conservation projects, as well as attorney fees;
• The company commits to a seven-year plan to remove poultry litter from the Illinois River Watershed, with a goal of reducing the litter levels from no more than 40% to no more than 20%;
• George’s will also pay $250,000 for a Special Master to oversee compliance with the settlement terms;
• Importantly, any litter removed from the Illinois River Watershed will not be applied to land in other nutrient-sensitive watersheds within Oklahoma.

It is important to note that this settlement with George’s does not impact ongoing legal proceedings involving other defendants, including Tyson, Cobb Vantress, Cargill, Simmons, Peterson Farms, and Cal-Maine. The resolution with George’s serves as a significant milestone, but the broader issues surrounding poultry litter pollution in the region remain under scrutiny.

Topics
Pollution
Oklahoma

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has announced a significant settlement agreement with George’s, Inc., aimed at addressing claims related to poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. This agreement marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to protect Oklahoma’s water resources while balancing the needs of the agricultural community.

“This settlement demonstrates that fair, good-faith negotiations can produce outcomes that serve everyone’s interests—protecting Oklahoma’s water resources while respecting the economic realities facing our agricultural partners,” Drummond stated, highlighting the collaborative nature of the negotiations.

The key details of the settlement are as follows:

• George’s will pay $5 million to the State, which will be allocated for remediation and conservation projects, as well as attorney fees;
• The company commits to a seven-year plan to remove poultry litter from the Illinois River Watershed, with a goal of reducing the litter levels from no more than 40% to no more than 20%;
• George’s will also pay $250,000 for a Special Master to oversee compliance with the settlement terms;
• Importantly, any litter removed from the Illinois River Watershed will not be applied to land in other nutrient-sensitive watersheds within Oklahoma.

It is important to note that this settlement with George’s does not impact ongoing legal proceedings involving other defendants, including Tyson, Cobb Vantress, Cargill, Simmons, Peterson Farms, and Cal-Maine. The resolution with George’s serves as a significant milestone, but the broader issues surrounding poultry litter pollution in the region remain under scrutiny.

Topics
Pollution
Oklahoma