The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma says its water rights are affected by a case against the poultry industry.

The tribe wants to be included in lawsuit that Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed against Tyson Foods Inc. and other poultry companies. The state says the companies are polluting the Illinois River, in which the tribe claims a stake.

The tribe asked Edmondson to represent its interests but Judge Gregory Frizzell threw out the agreement. The tribe then filed a motion to intervene, a request that Frizzell rejected as untimely.

The tribe is asking the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the ruling. Frizzell already started a trial in the case, which appears to be moving very slowly.

Get the Story:
Tribe battles for role in poultry lawsuit (The Tulsa World 11/24)
Frustrations Continue For Judge In Oklahoma Poultry Case (AP 11/23)

Related Stories:
Cherokee Nation claims stake in poultry case (10/2)
Cherokee Nation fights exclusion in poultry case (9/21)
Cherokee Nation blocked from poultry lawsuit (9/16)
Cherokee Nation files motion to join poultry case (09/04)
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)