FROM THE TULSA WORLD
 
 
Litter wars
By World's Editorial Writers
1/14/2005

Poultry management battle heats up
One thing you can say about Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson: He's not one to back down. Poultry companies hoping to gain a political advantage over him are in for a surprise.
Our hope is Edmondson stays the course and eventually negotiates a satisfactory arrangement that protects Oklahoma's environment as well as provides a fair deal for poultry companies.

At issue, as most readers know, is the chicken litter that is applied to area farms and ranches as fertilizer. The litter leads to high levels of phosphorus in area watersheds, which can lead to algae blooms that affect the quality of rivers, lakes and streams.

Edmondson is keen to get the poultry companies to properly manage litter disposal and to clean up affected watersheds, and has threatened federal litigation toward those ends. At first, poultry firm representatives seemed willing to try to come to some agreements on these and other issues.

But as talks have progressed, it has become apparent an agreement is nowhere in sight. The poultry companies reportedly have dragged their feet on providing requested information and details on agreements for managing litter have yet to materialize.

Edmondson appeared particularly irritated that the poultry firms helped fund a media campaign critical of his efforts in the midst of negotiations. Now, it comes to light the poultry interests are blanketing the Capitol with letters trying to make their case to other elected officials and policymakers.

The attorney general was so incensed over the poultry industry's recent actions he canceled talks scheduled for the end of this week.

It's obvious what the poultry firms are up to: If they can somehow derail Edmondson's plans, they won't have to follow through on any commitments to take care of chicken litter.

These companies certainly have a right to plead their case before the Legislature and the court of public opinion. But remember, Edmondson knows better than anyone else whether the poultry companies are acting in good faith. Let's let him do his job so that Oklahoma's beautiful lakes and rivers can be restored and preserved.