In accordance with a recently enacted Oklahoma law, farmers in the state are protected from civil liability with respect to environmental claims providing they function in accordance with a nutrient management plan. This includes application of poultry waste on agricultural acreage. The law was enacted following a ruling of a federal court that the state poultry industry was responsible for pollution of groundwater from run-off from land on which poultry litter was spread as fertilizer.
The law was actively opposed by the Cherokee Nation. The official statement included “When corporate polluters find safe harbor in this new law, we will all suffer including those who supported this industry-written legislation. Generations unborn will pay the price”.