Environmental engineer testifies that bird manure does not significantly affect Illinois River

Engineer: Manure no significant affect on river

TULSA, Okla. — An environmental engineer says using bird manure as a crop fertilizer does not affect the Illinois River or Lake Tenkiller to “any significant extent.”

John Connolly testified Wednesday on behalf of Arkansas poultry companies being sued by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson.

The lawsuit filed by Edmondson in 2005 claims the poultry companies are responsible for polluting the Illinois River watershed with poultry litter. The poultry companies deny any wrongdoing and claim the manure is property of their contract growers who use it is a cheap fertilizer.

Connolly’s testimony is expected to continue Thursday.