Fourth Poultry Company Settles Oklahoma Pollution Lawsuit

Peterson Farms agrees to pay $1 million for remediation and conservation projects in the Illinois River Watershed

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has reached a settlement agreement with a fourth poultry company, Peterson Farms Inc., to resolve a two-decade old federal lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Under the agreement, Peterson Farms will pay $950,000 for remediation and conservation projects, as well as $50,000 toward a special master to monitor implementation.

Why it matters

This settlement continues Oklahoma's efforts to hold poultry companies accountable for environmental damage caused by excessive poultry waste spread as fertilizer. The state has been pursuing comprehensive resolutions with the remaining defendants to safeguard Oklahoma's waters while keeping the poultry industry strong and sustainable.

The details

The federal lawsuit was originally filed in 2005 by former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, alleging that poultry companies' practices had degraded the Illinois River Watershed. Peterson Farms, which sold its chicken operation to Simmons Foods and dissolved in 2008, did not admit liability but agreed to the settlement terms to avoid the high costs of continued litigation. The agreement also includes land application restrictions should the company or its successor raise chickens in the future.

  • The federal lawsuit was filed in 2005.
  • Peterson Farms left the watershed in 2008.
  • The settlement agreement was filed on February 24, 2026.
  • The court must still approve the settlement.

The players

Gentner Drummond

The current Oklahoma Attorney General who reached the settlement agreement with Peterson Farms.

Drew Edmondson

The former Oklahoma Attorney General who originally filed the federal lawsuit against poultry companies in 2005.

Peterson Farms Inc.

A now-dissolved poultry company that has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve the lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River Watershed.

Simmons Foods

The company that purchased Peterson Farms' chicken operation in 2008.

Scott McDaniel

The attorney representing Peterson Farms in the settlement.

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What they’re saying

“Protecting Oklahoma's water and ensuring a thriving poultry industry are not mutually exclusive – they go hand in hand. We remain committed to pursuing comprehensive resolutions with the remaining defendants, Cal-Maine and Simmons, that safeguard Oklahoma's waters for future generations while keeping our poultry industry strong and sustainable.”

— Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General

“Peterson Farms has consistently held throughout this 20plus year litigation that both it and the farm families that raised chickens for Peterson Farms were good stewards of the land and water, who complied with their nutrient management plans.”

— Scott McDaniel, Attorney for Peterson Farms

What’s next

The settlement agreement must be approved by the court before it can be finalized.

The takeaway

This settlement is part of Oklahoma's ongoing efforts to hold poultry companies accountable for environmental damage while also working to maintain a strong and sustainable poultry industry in the state.