OKLAHOMA CITY — Following negotiations in the last few months, a mediator was finally chosen in a yearslong poultry lawsuit in Oklahoma over environmental damage to the state’s water by poultry companies, specifically related to the Illinois River watershed and Lake Tenkiller.

US District Judge Gregory Frizzell in the Northern District of Oklahoma stated in the order of mediation that retired 10th Circuit Chief Judge Deanell Reece Tacha will oversee the proceeding going forward.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond requested the order from Frizzell following an impasse with negotiations.

In January, Frizzell ruled in favor of Oklahoma’s arguments of trespassing and public nuisance-related claims regarding several poultry companies that operated in Oklahoma.

Frizzell granted an extension in March but had a status conference scheduled for June 16.

Poultry companies recently included in the decision include Tyson Foods Inc., Cobb-Vantress Inc., Cargill Inc., George’s Farms Inc., Peterson Farms Inc., Simmons Foods Inc. and other Oklahoma subsidiaries.

The case was brought by Oklahoma in 2005 by then-Attorney General Drew Edmondson regarding improper poultry litter disposal.