Tyson Foods and Cargill Settle Illinois River Poultry Lawsuit
- mike33692
- 1 day ago
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Tyson Foods and Cargill Settle Poultry Lawsuit Over Illinois River Pollution
A major development in the long-running Illinois River poultry lawsuit as two of the largest poultry companies in the country — Tyson Foods and Cargill — have agreed to pay more than $25 million to settle claims tied to pollution in the Illinois River watershed.
The settlement marks another chapter in a legal fight that dates back nearly two decades over poultry waste and environmental damage in eastern Oklahoma.
Settlement in the Illinois River Poultry Lawsuit
The Illinois River poultry lawsuit was originally filed by the State of Oklahoma alleging that poultry waste from Arkansas-based operations polluted waterways flowing into the Illinois River watershed.
According to filings connected to the case, Tyson Foods and Cargill will:
Pay a combined total exceeding $25 million
Increase the amount of poultry waste that must be removed from the watershed
Fund oversight by a court-appointed Special Master
Cover remediation costs moving forward
The watershed has long been considered environmentally sensitive and economically important to eastern Oklahoma communities. The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office previously argued that excessive poultry litter contributed to phosphorus buildup, harming water quality.
Environmental Oversight and Remediation
Under the agreement, the companies will also fund monitoring and cleanup efforts. Oversight of compliance will remain in place through the Special Master appointed by the court.
Water quality standards for the Illinois River are regulated under both state law and the federal Clean Water Act, overseen nationally by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Oklahoma environmental enforcement also involves the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).
Three additional poultry companies remain involved in the broader litigation and have not yet reached settlements.
What Comes Next
While the settlement resolves claims against Tyson Foods and Cargill, the case itself is not fully closed. Remaining defendants could face further legal action or negotiate separate agreements.
The Illinois River poultry lawsuit has become one of the most closely watched environmental cases in Oklahoma history due to its economic, environmental and interstate implications.