Lake owners lose lawsuit against ODOT

OK Energy Today April 25, 2025

Homeowners who sued the Oklahoma Department of Transportation for creating a dumpsite that they contend polluted their little private lake lost their appeal to the Court of Civil Appeals.

The residents around Lake Theisen located north of Tulsa said the dumpsite debris and silt runoff polluted their lake after the dumpsite was created by the Transportation Department during a highway construction project between 2011 and 2013. Those who filed the suits were Joseph M. Cervantez, ColbertGrant’s Investments, LLC, Steven Whitaker, Kevin Kunkel,, Rose Kunkel and Tom Colbert.

The residents appealed after losing a decision in Osage County District Court. At least three lower court judges who succeeded one another in the case, denied efforts of the residents to force ODOT to restore the lake.

View the full article: OKEnergyToday.com