Oklahomans are reacting to a nearly $44 million settlement between the state and six poultry companies, with a Creek County farmer warning of statewide impacts and an environmental group calling the deal a win for the watershed.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the settlement Monday, resolving a lawsuit over poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed.

Farmer worried about statewide impact

Matt Barton is a fifth-generation farmer in Oilton. He doesn’t live near the Illinois River Watershed, but he’s worried the new settlement could affect farmers across the state.

“It doesn’t have to be the Illinois watershed with the current settlement. It says any at-risk watershed. And anyone can define a watershed as at-risk at any time,” Barton said.

Barton isn’t a poultry farmer, but he uses poultry litter as fertilizer, and says it’s hard to beat.

“It’s much better for the soil, much better for growth. It lasts three years compared to one year with commercial fertilizer,” Barton said.

Rising fertilizer costs add to concerns

Barton says at a time when alternative fertilizer prices are going up, he’s worried the new regulation could have a downstream effect that hurts rural farmers.

Regular fertilizer prices have climbed due to conflicts overseas, making chicken litter even more cost-effective by comparison, Barton says.

“We love the idea of using an all-natural product that’s processed through another animal, to use to feed our animals with growth from the land,” Barton said.

Environmental group sees settlement differently

The group Save the Illinois River sees the settlement differently. In a statement, the group said clean water and agriculture can coexist, and that the settlement will finally allow people to start removing the pollution after nearly two decades of fighting in court.

“Save the Illinois River, Inc. (STIR) is pleased to see that the State of Oklahoma and all of the Defendants have reached a settlement in the long-standing lawsuit involving poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. We have continued to believe that a comprehensive settlement would be beneficial to the community at-large, the environment and water quality in the watershed, our local farmers and agricultural growers, and the settling defendants. We have continually stressed that clean water and agriculture interests can co-exist for the benefit of all. We commend the Oklahoma Attorney General’s pursuit of this decades old lawsuit and Judge Gregory Frizzel’s well-reasoned opinion on behalf of Oklahoma’s most prized scenic waters. We also commend the defendants in the lawsuit for recognizing their corporate responsibility in reaching a settlement. Most importantly, as we continue to analyze the terms of the settlement, we hope and trust that this process will lead to the remediation of previous pollution and that the restoration of impaired waters can immediately begin. STIR has advocated for greater protection for the waters in the Illinois River Watershed. The United States District Court’s Judgment offered that protection. We look forward to seeing if the Court will approve the proposed settlement.”

Barton says farmers care about the land just as much.

“No one’s going to take better care of the land than the guy who has to feed his family from that land,” Barton said.

Lawmaker cautiously optimistic

State Rep. David Hardin, a former poultry farmer who represents part of the Illinois River Watershed in the House, said he’s cautiously optimistic about the settlement but says it remains to be seen what impact it will have once implemented.

What’s next

The state still has to formally set aside a previous December judgment and dismiss the lawsuit before the settlement takes effect.

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Oklahoma reaches $44 million settlement in poultry waste lawsuit
‘Please don’t let our way of life die’: Gov. Stitt hears from poultry producers in Adair County
Stitt to meet with state poultry producers amid waste runoff lawsuit
Federal judge approves poultry lawsuit settlement between Tulsa and 6 poultry producers

Sen. Paul Rosino, R, Senate Health & Human Services Chairman, is renewing an effort to create a single Oklahoma agency focused exclusively on children after similar legislation failed to advance last year.

Senate Bill 1570 passed the Senate but never received a hearing in the House. Sen. Rosino, who is behind the proposal, says growing concerns about child welfare and the well-being of Oklahoma children prompted her to bring the idea back.

A “holistic approach” to children’s services

The proposal would combine several child-focused programs and agencies under one umbrella, including child welfare, foster care, behavioral health services, the Office of Juvenile Affairs and other youth-related programs.

The goal, he said, is to create a more coordinated system that addresses the full range of children’s needs.

“We need to have a sole agency that really concentrates on kids,” said Sen. Rosino. “By having a holistic approach, everything in one agency would be helpful to children.”

Concerns about child welfare

Sen. Rosino says Oklahoma must do more to protect abused and neglected children, noting that intervention doesn’t always mean removing a child from a home.

In some situations, he said, families simply need education, support or services. However, safety concerns can require children to be placed elsewhere.

He also pointed to growing behavioral health challenges facing Oklahoma adolescents as another reason for restructuring services.

DHS already handling broad responsibilities

The proposal is not intended as criticism of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, he said.

DHS currently oversees a wide range of programs, including aging services, childcare, family support and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“DHS is a behemoth,” said Sen. Rosino. “Those people work very hard over there.”

Still, the senator believes child welfare is an area where Oklahoma can improve by creating a dedicated agency focused solely on children.

Not a quick fix

The senator acknowledged the proposal is not a “silver bullet” and would take time to implement.

He said he worked with stakeholders, including foster care advocates, and revised the legislation multiple times based on feedback.

According to the proposal, most existing funding would move with the programs into the new agency, limiting the need for significant new spending outside of administrative costs.

Building support for a long-term change

Sen. Rosino described the effort as a multi-year project requiring lawmakers to understand why a structural change is needed.

While disappointed the bill stalled in the House last year, he said she believes support is growing.

“It’s going to take some time to change hearts and minds,” said Sen. Rosino. “I’m hoping this year we can make some headway there.”

Key Takeaway

Supporters say a standalone children’s agency would give Oklahoma a more focused approach to child welfare, foster care and youth behavioral health, while opponents and lawmakers continue to weigh the costs and logistics of a major government reorganization.