By Associated Press
Tulsa, OK – Agreement aimed at resolving poultry case dispute
TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Cherokee Nation has reached an agreement with the state in an attempt to defeat a challenge from poultry companies in Attorney General Drew Edmondson's lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River watershed.
After poultry companies disputed whether Oklahoma could even claim ownership of the watershed and its resources, the tribe agreed to let the state prosecute its claims in the lawsuit.
Edmondson called the question of the river's ownership a bid by the poultry companies to sidetrack the case.
However, Tyson Foods Inc. claims that Edmondson did not have the authority to reach such an agreement with the Cherokee Nation and would need approval from the state Legislature and other entities.
Edmondson claims that the poultry companies have polluted waterways in northeastern Oklahoma.
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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com