The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meeting held Oct. 7. These minutes were edited for clarity and length:

Dave Nelson and Kirk Sanfilippo, representing Citycounty Insurance Services (CIS), discussed the Jail Risk Management Assessment. They thanked the court and sheriff for addressing a large number of the deficiencies found in the assessment.

CIS would like to see on-site medical care, but understands that it would be difficult to accomplish. However, there is a minimum standard that hasn’t been met yet.

The insurance company would also like daily coverage by a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP), and that has yet to be met. However, Lt. Morley is working on a telehealth regional-concept system to make this affordable.

Jail facility maintenance was improved. The sheriff and staff took a proactive approach to fulfilling the requirements.

Nelson and Sanfilippo thanked the staff for working toward fulfilling the requirements established by the Oregon State Sheriffs association and CIS.

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Jeff Mackay, project leader for Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, introduced himself and discussed a variety of topics.

He said the refuge is still following the 2013 conservation plan, which probably won’t change anytime soon.

Mackay added that visitor use increased substantially this year. However, visitor center operations have been suspended during the pandemic and due to staffing.

Mackay is looking to expand recreation on the refuge, working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for a hunt, possibly in 2022.

Upgrades to all vault toilets at the refuge should be complete by the end of December.

Mackay said restoration at Malheur Lake remains the largest priority. He explained that it is out of the research phase and on to the trial and implementation phase. The goal is to reestablish habitat in the lake, a near 50-year project.

A lengthy discussion ensued with Buck Taylor regarding irrigation and haying of wet meadows. Mackay explained that the goals of the refuge are to increase habitat, and haying and irrigation are tools for that purpose.

The refuge is limited by the Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to treating 60 percent of the meadows. High school youth are helping with habitat monitoring and data collection. It is somewhat of a replacement for the Youth Conservation Corps program, which was lost several years ago. The focus is dealing with invasive plants. They continue to treat pepper weed, Canada thistle, and Russian olive trees. The refuge uses the Cooperative Weed Management Area, and is engaged with Burns Interagency Fire Management Zone for fire management.

Mackay also reported that a building was provided for the Friends of the Malheur, which added to the refuge’s capacity, helping with events and public outreach.

Mackay urged everyone to visit the refuge and nature store once we get past the pandemic. He believes they will be able to reopen the visitor centers in the spring.

Mackay also noted that two law enforcement officers are currently being shared among Malheur, Hart, and Sheldon refuges.

Commissioner Kristen Shelman asked whether there is plan for removing old fencing that was lost during the flooding. Mackay replied that volunteers are cleaning it up.

Commissioner Patty Dorroh asked about irrigation practices. Mackay replied that it is a very old infrastructure, using ditches, diversions, and cascade-type irrigation practices.

Commissioner Dorroh also asked whether they are seeing effects from dropping water levels in the basins. Mackay said they are, based on drying springs.

Commissioner Dorroh asked whether the restoration plans are realistic based on current resource capacity. Mackay recognized that there is insufficient water, unless the climate changes dramatically. He added that they make the adjustments in the lake.

Commissioner Shelman said many are concerned about the removal of grazing from Hart Mountain Refuge. Mackay explained that Hart and Malheur are two separate ecosystems. Hart is dry, but Malheur is wet, so it needs to be hayed and grazed to meet habitat objectives.

Commissioner Dorroh said she finds it frustrating that resources are not available to meet the CCP that is in place, yet there are no plans to change it. Mackay said they have to focus on what they have the funding and staffing to do, according to priority.

Judge Pete Runnels asked how the court could help push for funding. Mackay stated it is with the congressional delegation, simply put.

Chance Peila asked where refuge funding comes from. Mackay said it’s mostly federal, but some comes from haying and grazing programs.

Taylor compared refuge health from the late 1960s and 1970s to today. He said there’s become a lack of cleaning ditches and irrigation repair. Taylor added that he feels the irrigation is not being managed, and he is frustrated that the permittees (all 13 of them) are not being used as partners. He asked for a cooperative meeting with the refuge administration and permittees.

Mackay said part of the problem is a change in staffing and the challenge of learning the complex irrigation systems. He said he and Taylor will continue to meet and discuss this issue.

Taylor replied that he feels the state of the refuge is deplorable. Mackay replied that the priority direction of the refuge is made at much higher levels, not locally. The refuge was directed to manage for more species, which are different than they were in the early years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving toward providing diversity habitat. Mackay said they can’t control what species will come for population targets. It is not possible.

A discussion ensued about meeting with permittees and ensuring better communication. Commissioner Shelman offered to moderate such meetings.

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The court reviewed a Resolution in the Matter of Appropriating Funds Due to Unexpected Occurrence or Condition in Economic Development Fund 247. Commissioner Dorroh moved to adopt the resolution, and the motion carried unanimously.

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Jordon Bennett, fair manager, discussed the process for beginning needed infrastructure improvements. Judge Runnels stated that the infrastructure is the county’s responsibility. Commissioner Shelman suggested forming a committee that would include the fair board. Commissioner Dorroh suggested using the High Desert Partnership and their administrative infrastructure to assist with the blueprint. Discussion ensued with Bennett, Peila, and Kerry Opie of the fair board. No concrete decisions were made on the subject.

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The court reviewed Notices of Water Use Requests, and there were no objections to any request.

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The next county court meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21.