Disputes over House Bill 4118: Tribes and Oklahoma farmers clash on water pollution
House Bill 4118 is facing controversy after a letter of opposition from the Five Civilized Tribes was released. House Bill 4118, aimed at preventing water pollution in Oklahoma, has been met with controversy, with leaders from the Five Civilized Tribes opposing it. The Vice President of Public Policy for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Steve Thompson, stated that if passed, the bill would not change current operations or punishments for farmers who improperly dispose of poultry waste. Thompson also noted that the bill allows poultry growers some legal options if they are taken to court, allowing them to provide evidence of their compliance with the Department of Agriculture. The Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr, also opposed the bill, stating that it could exacerbate the degradation of natural resources. The bill is set to be heard by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Published : a month ago by Lauren Henry, https://www.facebook.com/NewsChannel8Tulsa/, KTUL Staff in Environment
House Bill 4118 and what it aims to achieve has been surrounded by controversy, especially after leaders from the Five Civilized Tribes sent a letter opposing the bill earlier this month claiming that if passed, the bill poses the threat of polluting Oklahoma's water.
The Vice President of Public Policy for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Steve Thompson, says that if passed the bill will not change current operations or punishments for farmers who don't properly dispose of poultry waste.
"The only time that this bill would change anything is for those growers who are properly managing their poultry litter and their birds and their land and so they would achieve some incentives for doing it the proper way," said Thompson.
Thompson continued, “Anybody who is or was doing it the wrong way would still be subject to the same punishment both from the Department of Agriculture as well as if someone wanted to file a lawsuit."
Thompson told NewsChannel 8 that the bill does allow poultry growers some avenues of defense if they are taken to court.
“The poultry grower, if they were in good standing with the Department of Agriculture, if they were managing their property the right way, they could offer into evidence the statute and have the Department of Agriculture come and testify to how they manage things, how their inspections have been, what their Nutrient Management Plan consisted of and how they adhere to it. And that will be somewhat of a helpful defense to them if they have any threatening lawsuits," said Thompson.
In the letter from tribal leaders, it says, "The State Department of Agriculture lacks the capacity to inspect and enforce Nutrient Management Plans across the state and the agency's historic oversight has not proven adequate to protect water quality and ensure best practices."
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Public Information Officer told NewsChannel 8 that they don't speak on potential legislation.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr. released a separate statement opposing the bill saying in part, "Our waters and environment have suffered due to pollution from the industry this bill seeks to defend and could exacerbate the degradation of natural resources that our communities depend upon."
When asked if the passing of this bill poses a threat to the quality of water in Oklahoma, Thompson responded, “The industry has been committed ever since the current rules that we have for nutrient management plans were in place in the late ’90s, to making sure that we take care of the land, air, and water.”
The bill is set to be heard on Monday by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Topics: ESG, Environmental Crime