Fight Over Poultry Waste Continues

The poultry industry and environmental groups are anxiously awaiting a federal judge's ruling in the latest round in the fight over poultry waste.  News On 6 anchor Craig Day spoke with an environmentalist who applauds the effort against poultry litter, and a farmer who says the fight could put him out of business.

Larry Emerson's poultry farm has been in his family for decades.  But once the turkeys are raised and shipped out, he fears there won't be any more.

"I feel like Oklahoma has dealt me a lemon and I'm going to trust the Lord to help us make lemonade somewhere down the road," said Emerson.

Emerson says the poultry company he contracts with is pulling out of Oklahoma because of high costs and uncertainty associated with the state's battle with the poultry industry.

The Attorney General is asking for a preliminary injunction to stop the spreading of poultry litter in the Illinois River watershed.

"I promise you there's not a farmer around here that wants to hurt the water quality because that's the first thing we use," said Emerson.

Emerson says the halt would threaten his livelihood and way of life.

Farmers like Emerson say poultry litter is an important part of agriculture in the entire region.  For example, he says it helps to boost hay production and he says for the most part, poultry producers are good stewards of the environment and comply with state regulations.

But the state says poultry litter spread on fields, pollutes the land and poses a serious health threat.

"It's causing a loss of this resource, degradation of water quality and a risk to our health," said Ed Brocksmith, Save the Illinois River.

Brocksmith says the river and Tenkiller Lake are threatened.

"Unless we can get a grip on animal waste runoff, primarily from the poultry industry, the future of this river being a state scenic river is in jeopardy," said Brocksmith.

Both sides are awaiting a federal judge's ruling on the matter, which could come in a few days.

Emerson's daughter posted more information about the impact the poultry battle is having on the family.  It's in our YouNewsTV section on NewsOn6.com.