Defining Manure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Is animal waste a hazardous substance?<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Senate weighed in on the subject Tuesday when it passed compromise legislation that classifies animal waste as a non-hazardous

Wednesday, March 7th 2007, 5:50 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Is animal waste a hazardous substance?

The Oklahoma Senate weighed in on the subject Tuesday when it passed compromise legislation that classifies animal waste as a non-hazardous substance "as defined by state law."

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson had opposed an earlier version of the bill. Edmondson said it was "an aggravation" to his lawsuit against Arkansas poultry companies.

But he gave his blessing to the compromise plan. Edmondson says the language in the bill allows the appropriate use of manure as fertilizer while allowing the state to protect its waters from pollution.

Edmondson's lawsuit contends that the runoff of phosphorus from chicken litter generated by poultry operations has polluted Oklahoma waters.