George’s Inc. settles Oklahoma’s pollution lawsuit by paying $5M and cutting poultry litter use in the Illinois River watershed.

George’s Inc. has settled Oklahoma’s lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River watershed, agreeing to pay $5 million and reduce poultry litter use in the area from 40% to 20% over seven years. The company will also fund a special master to monitor compliance and prevent litter from being used in sensitive regions. This marks the first resolution in Oklahoma’s broader legal action against poultry firms, while six other companies continue fighting a court order requiring decades of cleanup and strict waste management. The settlement has sparked political debate, with Governor Kevin Stitt criticizing the deal, while Attorney General Gentner Drummond insists immediate enforcement is necessary to protect the river’s ecosystem.