Oklahoma City, OK– Attorney General Gentner Drummond lauded today’s decision by Oklahoma Northern District Federal Judge Gregory Frizzell favoring the State of Oklahoma in a long-running federal lawsuit over environmental damage to Oklahoma waters, particularly the Illinois River watershed and Lake Tenkiller. In 2005, then-Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed the suit against 13 poultry companies and subsidiaries for improper litter disposal.

“This is a great and historic day for Oklahoma,” Drummond said. “While this decision has been a long time coming, it is important to note that in the intervening years since the filing of the suit, the poultry industry has made, or is willing to make, strong improvements in waste disposal to ameliorate the extent of the problem. Oklahoma has amazing natural resources that deserve our vigilant protection. We will thoroughly review the judge’s decision and determine the appropriate path forward.”

Judge Frizzell found in favor of the State and has ordered the parties to meet and attempt to reach an agreement by March 17, 2023. If one is not reached by then, Frizzell will render a judgment on remedies.