Tulsa World: Edmondson asks federal judge to block future poultry waste distribution

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Edmondson asks federal judge to block future poultry waste distribution

By STAFF REPORTS
Published: 11/14/2007 3:43 PM
Last Modified: 11/14/2007 3:43 PM

Citing an “imminent and substantial endangerment” to public health, Attorney General Drew Edmondson asked a federal judge on Wednesday to prohibit any further land application of poultry waste in the Illinois River Watershed.

The poultry companies’ reckless waste dumping methods are contributing to high levels of bacteria in the waters of the state, Edmondson alleges in court filings.

“We can show that fecal bacteria in poultry waste is reaching the surface water and groundwater,” Edmondson said. “Scientists found areas where the bacterial counts in runoff water from poultry waste disposal fields were similar to those found in raw, untreated human sewage.

``These bacteria can cause a myriad of gastrointestinal illnesses and infections through ingestion and skin contact. We need the court to stop the dumping of waste to protect public health and the safety of the state’s water resources.”

In 2005, Edmondson and Secretary of the Environment Miles Tolbert, sued several out-of-state poultry companies for the pollution caused by the improper land application and storage of hundreds of thousands of tons of poultry waste. The state accuses the companies of knowingly violating numerous state and federal environmental laws with their careless waste-dumping methods.

Because the bacteria have been found in samples from the area’s wells, springs and recreational streams, including the Illinois River, the state claims that land application of poultry waste should be halted.

“The Oklahoma Water Resources Board documents 1,717 water wells in the Oklahoma portion of the watershed, and 98 percent of these wells are used for drinking water and other household purposes,” Edmondson said. “Tests have found bacterial contamination, including E. coli, in many shallow wells, and bacterial levels of human health significance have been found in a number of springs.”

Edmondson said the state is seeking the injunction now so the court will have time to rule on the issue before the winter and spring waste disposal seasons expose even more of these harmful bacteria to the water people drink and streams in which they play.

By STAFF REPORTS

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	Report Comment Cherry, Tulsa (11/14/2007 5:53:48 PM) Come on people, wake up!! This is bad, really, really bad. I don't want to have to worry about what I drink.
	Report Comment Arthur, Norman, Oklahoma (11/14/2007 6:17:10 PM) I have fished and floated the Illinois river for over 40 years. It used to be crystal clear and pristine. Now there are big globs of green gunk in the river. Please save the river from the greedy chicken tycoons who don't care about the river or nature. Arthur
	Report Comment heather, muskogee (11/14/2007 6:23:23 PM) i am a farmer and also a lake and river canoer i have never broken any state rules in spreading litter.
	Report Comment LM, Cleveland (11/14/2007 7:45:30 PM) There should be a way to use this waste for Bio-Fuel or Fertlizer...
	Report Comment Ed Brocksmith, Tahlequah (11/15/2007 5:49:48 AM) Save the Illinois River (STIR) is a not-for-profit citizen's organization chartered to protect the Illinois River and Tenkiller Lake. STIR supports Oklahoma's clean water lawsuit naming out of state poultry companies for polluting the Illinois River watershed. Please consider joing STIR. Clean Water is Northeast Oklahoma's Future!
	Report Comment Michele, Dallas (11/15/2007 9:54:39 AM) Is it just a coincidence that the people who claim that runoff from excessive land application of animal waste is no big deal, are upstream? Put it in their drinking water and swimming pools, and see if their attitude changes.
	Report Comment TOM, PONCA (11/15/2007 10:01:57 AM) YOU KNOW I WAS IN GREENLAND FOR A WHILE AND WE COULD LOOK OUT OUR REFRIGERATION LOOKING TRAILER AND SEE THE ICE CAP. THAT WAS THEN AND NOW YOU CANNOT DO THAT. SO MUCH FOR GLOBAL WARMING, S--- HAPPENS. IF WE DON,T STOP THE POLLUTING, YOU ONE DAY MAY NOT SEE THE ILLINOIS RIVER, EITHER.

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