Tulsa World: Testimony turns to phosphorus

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Testimony turns to phosphorus
A witness for the state offers various scenarios on the effect of poultry litter on the Illinois River watershed.

By CURTIS KILLMAN World Staff Writer
Published: 12/1/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 12/1/2009 5:35 AM

If the use of poultry litter as fertilizer in the Illinois River watershed ceased today, it would take roughly a century for the amount of phosphorus that is entering Lake Tenkiller to fall to what it would have been if the litter had never been applied to fields in the area.

That's according to testimony presented Monday in the state's poultry-pollution lawsuit.

Bernard Engel, an agricultural engineer hired by the state, said the amount of phosphorus — a major component in poultry waste — that is entering Lake Tenkiller would be decreased about 18 percent after 10 years if its use as a fertilizer were stopped.

The amount of phosphorus entering the lake would continue to decline in smaller increments as litter continued to run off fields to which it had been applied, said Engel, who leads Purdue University's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

His testimony came during the 28th day of the trial, which is expected to last several more weeks.

The state is suing 11 poultry companies, claiming that they are legally responsible for the handling and disposal of poultry waste — also known as litter — that the state says has damaged portions of the Illinois River watershed in Oklahoma.

Engel said he used a computer model to estimate the impact of so-called nonpoint phosphorus on the watershed under a variety of scenarios. Besides the application of poultry litter to land, nonpoint sources of phosphorus include human and cattle excrement, commercial fertilizer and soil from riverbank erosion.

In one scenario, the status quo was maintained; another was based on an expansion of poultry-industry operations in the watershed. In a third scenario, poultry waste was no longer used as a fertilizer in the watershed; and in a fourth scenario, poultry litter had never been introduced to the watershed.

A poultry industry attorney who cross-examined Engel attacked the methods he used to arrive at his conclusions about the impact of poultry waste on the watershed.

The attorney, Robert George of Tyson Foods Inc., also pointed to other studies indicating that Engel's use of stormwater runoff data derived from simulated rainfall produced "worst-case scenario" results that shouldn't be applied to large fields, where litter is customarily used.

Curtis Killman 581-8471
curtis.killman@tulsaworld.com By CURTIS KILLMAN World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Lasting effects of phosphorus considered in poultry trial," which was published on 11/30/2009.

	Report Comment Tony G, Tulsa (12/1/2009 5:47:32 AM) As I've said before, if the CEO's are so sure this won't hurt anything, let us dump it in their front lawn.
	Report Comment Oklahoma Catfish, Tulsa (12/1/2009 6:32:20 AM) They pimped out our beloved river to the likes of Tyson and his ilk, so that they can pay for their gambling, booze and their whores. Shame on you Oklahoma for allowing this to happen in our backyard!!!!! I remember the beauty of the crystal clear water which once flowed through this river when I was a child. Now it resembles a cess pool.
	Report Comment Mitch B, Tulsa (12/1/2009 9:16:46 AM) Yep, It's not jut the Illinois River, but Spavinaw Creek (Lakes Eucha and Spavinaw...Tulsa's drinking water) along with the Elk River, Spring River and Neosho (Grand) River - all which feed Grand Lake. Formerly pristeen water sources; all of which are now polluted so the Chicken Mafia can make millions every day. Go look for yourself. I wish they had to drink the water, along with the Denver judge hearing this case.
	Report Comment droopy, wagoner (12/1/2009 10:06:00 AM) Well, I see the Captain has three votes for Governor.
	Report Comment Oklahoma Catfish, Tulsa (12/1/2009 11:51:56 PM) Who is the Captain? I live and work in Hong Kong now partner. You don't even know me!!!!!

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