The Cherokee Nation wants to join a lawsuit that the state of Oklahoma filed against the poultry industry.

The tribe previously asked the state to represent its interests in the case, which addresses pollution in the Illinois River. But a federal judge said that wasn't enough so the tribe filed a motion to intervene.

"While the Cherokee Nation never wished to have its water rights litigated in this water quality case, those rights have become so enmeshed in the case that the Nation feels it has no option but to intervene," Cherokee Nation Attorney General Diane Hammons said in a statement, The Tulsa World reported.

The state accuses 12 poultry companies of polluting the river. Tyson Foods Inc. and other companies previously said the case couldn't move forward without the Cherokee Nation because the tribe owns the river.

Get the Story:
Cherokee Nation asks to intervene in poultry lawsuit (The Tulsa World 9/4)

Related Stories:
Law firm backs Oklahoma-Cherokee poultry case (7/28)
Judge rules Cherokee Nation not a part of suit (7/23)
Cherokee Nation weighs move in poultry lawsuit (12/16)
Poultry industry cites Cherokee Nation in lawsuit (11/03)