The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma is appealing a federal judge's decision that excluded the tribe from a lawsuit over pollution in the Illinois River.

The tribe filed a motion to intervene in the state's lawsuit against Tyson Foods Inc. and other poultry companies. But Judge Gregory Frizzell said the request came too late, noting that the trial starts this Thursday.

The tribe will take the decision to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. “We have to appeal to protect our interest in the Illinois River,” Cherokee Nation Attorney General Diane Hammons told the Associated Press. “If we don’t remain a part of the case, both sides can ignore our interests in this precious resource.”

The tribe had asked Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson to represent its interests in the case but Frizzell said the agreement was not federally-approved.

Get the Story:
Cherokees to appeal Oklahoma poultry lawsuit decision (AP 9/21)
Poultry litter trial on way (The Tulsa World 9/21)

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Cherokee Nation weighs move in poultry lawsuit (12/16)
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