In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the Tulsa Ports Authority board authorized legal action against the Town of Inola, alleging that recent ordinances and a permit moratorium unlawfully restrict industrial development at the Port of Inola. The board also retained the law firm GableGotwals to represent the authority in the pending litigation.
Legal basis and requested relief
The lawsuit will ask a court to issue declaratory and injunctive relief. In plain terms, the authority seeks a judicial determination of the parties’ rights and an order that would block the town’s restrictions, allowing the proposed aluminum smelter and other industrial projects to move forward.
Town response and community reaction
At the meeting, several Inola residents voiced concern. Christine Roam of Protect Inola said the community is not opposed to all industry, but wants projects that complement existing uses. “We are not completely opposed to industrial,” Roam said. “We want industrial that is going to be complimentary to what is existing there already.” She added that the dispute could set a precedent for other Oklahoma towns.
Another attendee, identified only as Carolyn, lives about two miles south of the proposed site and raises cattle. She expressed uncertainty about the project’s impact on her livelihood, saying, “I’ve lived there for 45 years. I’ve been looking for places to move in case this happens. It’s just a shame.”
Port authority’s funding clarification
When asked about how the lawsuit would be funded, Tulsa Ports clarified that it is a non‑appropriated agency of the State of Oklahoma and does not receive public funding for operations or legal costs. State and federal appropriations are limited to infrastructure projects, not litigation expenses.
Current status
As of Thursday afternoon, KTUL had not confirmed that the lawsuit had been formally filed. The port’s legal counsel declined to comment on any existing litigation, and Inola officials said they were unaware of a filed suit and would not comment further.
KTUL will continue to monitor court filings and seek statements from both the Tulsa Ports Authority and the Town of Inola to keep residents informed about the outcome of this dispute.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
