Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced Monday that a close to $44 million settlement has been reached resolving the State’s 21-year lawsuit against six companies over poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed.
Oklahoma sued Tyson Foods, Cargill, George’s, Peterson Farms, Cal-Maine and Simmons Foods in 2005.
A federal judge found the companies liable in December 2025, then rejected a narrower settlement with four of the six companies this spring.
“Every company has now made enforceable commitments with clear deadlines, creating a balanced solution that protects our natural resources while supporting one of Oklahoma’s most important industries,” said Drummond.
Under the settlement, the defendants will pay into a relief fund.
The companies also agreed to progressively reduce how much poultry litter will be removed from poultry houses each year.
They also have to pay for part to install vegetative buffers on qualifying poultry farms along Lake Tenkiller and the watershed’s Scenic Rivers, which filter runoff before it reaches the water.
