The study of the Harney Basin groundwater system was a major topic of discussion during the regular meeting of the Harney County Court on Oct. 19.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) has partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a cooperative water resource investigation of the basin’s groundwater system.

The study is intended to provide information that will be used to:

• define the effect of historical and current groundwater use on groundwater and surface water resources of the Harney Basin;

• assess the effect of future groundwater use on water resources of the Harney Basin;

• assess the past and potential future effects of climate on the groundwater system; and

• assess how existing and potential future groundwater uses may be managed to best meet demand while ensuring that groundwater in the Harney Basin is appropriate within the capacity of the resource.

OWRD wrote a letter stating that the department is committed to coordinating with the Harney Basin Groundwater Study Advisory Committee to plan and conduct the study.

The department also presented a work plan, which was prepared by hydrologists at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center in cooperation with OWRD.

Mark Owens expressed concern regarding language within the work plan, which stated, “The groundwater resource is likely over-appropriated, and the permitted groundwater usage is not sustainable,” and, “That puts the groundwater resource at risk, and it puts senior surface water rights and groundwater rights at risk of injury.”

Regarding this language, Owens said, “That opens up a conversation where, if we [the county] do not come up with a water management plan, Oregon Water Resource Department could come in and take regulatory action and start shutting off junior water rights.”

Harney County Commissioner Dan Nichols said Owens’ concerns were valid, and a lengthy discussion ensued.

The court will draft a letter addressing the plan and suggesting language changes.

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Harney County Judge Steve Grasty reported that he testified during the trial of individuals connected with the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

“I can tell you, since I left that trial, I’ve received hate emails and phone calls, seen Facebook postings with threats to arrest me and others, and I’m sick of it,” Grasty said. “And what I started doing last night was calling these folks and saying, ‘Guys, it’s time to man up. Drive to Burns, sit across the table from me, and tell me what you think has happened.’”

Noting that one of the commentators is from Pennsylvania, and another appears to be from Austria, Grasty asked, “What business is it of yours?”

He added, “If you’re really interested, come here.”

Grasty expressed a need for the community to move beyond the events of the occupation and stated that, “These guys are not helping.”

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Harney County Planning Director Brandon McMullen provided an update on the Harney County Planning Department’s work with flood plain mapping.

He began by discussing outstanding or unresolved mapping issues to date.

McMullen reported that the city of Burns found a flood drainage study from 1968, which is now being evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state of Oregon. The study provides information on the existing/implemented drainage system in Burns and Hines and how future improvements to the system would relieve flood impacts.

McMullen added that OWRD staff expressed “strong reservations” about the location of the proposed floodway through Burns.

“In short, they don’t think the floodway makes any sense based on its new proposed locations,” he explained.

He added that current drainage structures do not appear to be accurately accounted for within or outside of town.

“There is no data made available to the community from FEMA on how they mapped the flow of water based on existing flood controls,” McMullen stated.

He also discussed local work toward flood mitigation as well as follow-up and next steps.

The planning department will send comments to FEMA, the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.

The department is also hoping to organize a meeting with the city of Burns, city of Hines, Burns Paiute Tribe, Harney County, FEMA, and the state during the first week of November.

McMullen also presented the Harney County Planning Department Annual Report.

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In other business, the court:

• agreed to appoint Angie Ketscher and Tony Hackett to the Harney Basin Groundwater Study Advisory Committee;

• watched Rep. Cliff Bentz give a PowerPoint presentation regarding the 2017 transportation package, Oregon infrastructure issues, and the proposed gas tax;

• received correspondence from Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division stating that the court’s application for an extension to address a citation has been granted.

However, Grasty noted that the additional time is not needed, as all of the problems have been addressed;

• received bid notices from Steve Beverlin, forest supervisor for the Malheur National Forest, regarding the PL Deck #2 and 430 Decks timber sales;

• was invited to participate in a meeting of cooperating agencies regarding the Blue Mountains Forest Plans. The meeting was held Oct. 21 in Pendleton, and Grasty stated that he would attend it;

• received a letter from OWRD Hydrogeologist Jerry Grondin announcing that the fall 2016 synoptic groundwater level measurements are scheduled to occur Oct. 31 through Nov. 5.

Synoptic groundwater level measurements occur semiannually before and after the irrigation season at the quarterly, recorder and additional synoptic wells;

• received a letter from Katie Fite of WildLands Defense (WLD) regarding the organization’s decision to appeal permits for grazing allotments on public lands.

According to the organization’s website, WLD is “working to inspire and empower the preservation of wildlands and wildlife in the West.”

The site also states that Fite has “brought more headache to those anti-environmental bureaucrats at BLM [Bureau of Land Management] and Forest Service than arguably any other single person in the Western United States.”

The court will review the CD that WLD sent with its letter.

Grasty suggested inviting the organization to participate in local collaborative efforts;

• received an update from Grasty regarding the courthouse heating system. He advised the court that the system would be turned on and tested Oct. 31;

• agreed to approve and sign Resolution 2016-17 in the matter of declaring a local disaster and requesting to declare a state drought emergency for Harney County;

• authorized Grasty to sign the letter to Dr. Brenda Bateman, OWRD division administrator and co-chair of Oregon Drought Readiness Council, and Matt Marheine, Oregon Office of Emergency Management section manager and co-chair of Oregon Drought Readiness Council, regarding the Harney County drought;

• reviewed water use requests;

• met with Lisa Moody of Treasure Valley Community College to discuss the 2016-2017 School Year Contracts Out-of-District Payment.

Contracts Out-of-District enable Oregon’s community colleges to provide services to areas within the state that are not part of their district.

The court agreed to approve and sign the contract.

The next regular meeting of the Harney County Court will be held Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. at the courthouse.