Attorney General Gentner Drummond last Wednesday announced the State of Oklahoma has reached a settlement agreement with George’s, Inc., resolving claims related to poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed.
“This settlement demonstrates that fair, good-faith negotiations can produce outcomes that serve everyone’s interests — protecting Oklahoma’s water resources while respecting the economic realities facing our agricultural partners,” Drummond said.
“George’s willingness to come to the table and work toward meaningful remediation, rather than prolonged litigation, reflects the kind of responsible corporate citizenship I hope to see from all parties in this case. I remain committed to working with all parties to achieve comprehensive solutions for the Illinois River Watershed while preserving the economic vitality of Oklahoma’s poultry producers.”
The settlement reflects a balanced approach that holds George’s accountable while providing a reasonable path toward compliance. Details of the settlement are:
• George’s agrees to pay $5 million to the state for remediation and conservation projects, and attorney fees;
• George’s commits to removing poultry litter from the Illinois River Watershed over seven years, progressively reducing the amount remaining from no more than 40% to no more than 20%;
• George’s pays $250,000 for a Special Master to monitor compliance;
• George’s agrees that litter removed from the Illinois River Watershed will not be applied to land in any other nutrient-sensitive watersheds in Oklahoma; and
• In exchange, the state releases all claims against George’s.
In December 2025, a federal court issued a judgment holding the poultry corporations jointly responsible and requiring Tyson, Cobb Vantress, Cargill, George’s, Simmons, Peterson Farms and Cal-Maine to fund decades of cleanup, and imposing strict restrictions on waste application practices.
The settlement with George’s does not affect ongoing proceedings involving the other defendants: Tyson, Cobb Vantress, Cargill, Simmons, Peterson Farms and Cal-Maine.
Gov. Kevin Stitt, responding to Drummond’s announcement, chose a critical rather than conciliatory tone in addressing the settlement’s incremental progress in the wake of the federal judge’s December ruling.
“I am glad to see Attorney General Drummond’s first settlement reflects the guardrails I put in my letter to him on Nov. 25,” Stitt said.
“This type of discussion should have happened three years ago when he came into office, not after his Grand Marshall Czar is formalized by the court to regulate growers without any say from elected officials or the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
“This new settlement only helps one grower in Oklahoma, and my concern is for all Oklahoma growers,” Stitt said.
“Today I renew my call for Drummond to request a stay from Judge Frizzell to protect all growers and continue settlement discussions, bringing my Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Environment to the table so that the state can be fully represented in protecting both domestic poultry supply and our natural resources.”
