Legislative work group focuses on Oregon industrial chicken operations

State legislators are digging into issues around commercial chicken operations that have stirred neighbor opposition. (Oregon Department of Agriculture)

State lawmakers, environmentalists and supporters and opponents of industrial chicken farms will meet this summer to consider whether Oregon’s laws to protect residents, wildlife, groundwater and waterways from any harm from large-scale poultry operations.

The work group holds its first meeting on Thursday and will hold four other sessions through Sept. 20. Each will be devoted…