Suit seeks declaration that Arkansas rules govern, not Oklahoma's

Tuesday, October 4th 2005, 8:52 am

By: News On 6

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Arkansas poultry farmer Gene Pharr says he hopes to get a court to declare that Arkansas' rules govern what can be done with chicken manure in Arkansas, not standards set by Oklahoma.

Pharr filed a lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court against the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. He says he wants the court to acknowledge that farmers who abide by nutrient-management plans approved by the state commission shouldn't have to worry about phosphorus limits set by Oklahoma.

Oklahoma officials say chicken litter used as fertilizer is polluting the state's rivers and streams.

Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed a lawsuit in June naming nine poultry companies as defendants and blaming them for polluting Oklahoma's scenic rivers. Pharr raises chickens for one of the nine companies being sued.