Please take a moment to weigh in with testimonty to help stop a public land grab that puts Mt. Hood’s forests, rivers, fish, and wildlife at risk.
- Feb. 18, 2026, coalition letter opposing HR 655.
- Press release detailing coalition opposition to HR 655.
- Instream article: Data Centers Present New Challenges for Oregon’s Waters
As we’ve shared since the beginning of the year, HR 655 is a dangerous bill that would transfer 150 acres of federal public land from the Mt. Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles, including water from the Dog River that flows off Mt. Hood into the Hood River.
This transfer of ownership would enable The Dalles to sidestep federal reviews of their growing water infrastructure, which includes a six-building Google data center campus with skyrocketing energy and water demands. Introduced by Representative Cliff Bentz (OR-2), HR 655 passed the House of Representatives without much fanfare on Dec. 9th, and would put Mt. Hood’s forests, rivers, fish, and wildlife at risk if it were to become law.
While we were disappointed to learn HR 655 was granted a hearing on July 15th in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, which falls under the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, it has provided an opportunity for the public to weigh in with the Committee on our opposition to HR 655.
Senator Ron Wyden, one of Oregon’s two U.S. senators, serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Wyden indicated his opposition to HR 655 and tacit commitment to vote against it in a social media post shared by his office on Aug. 12th, one day before an anti-HR 655 rally at his Portland office that WaterWatch’s Tommy Hough and Monet Hampson, among others, attended and spoke at.
Using the letter below as a “copy and paste” template, please submit your testimony opposing HR 655 to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The email address to send it to is fortherecord@energy.senate.gov.
Be sure to include your name and address, and note that your testimony is in response to HR 655 and the July 15th subcommittee meeting on the bill Please urge the Committee to oppose HR 655 and its reckless impacts on fish, cold water flows, public land, and public oversight.
Dear Chairman Barrasso, Ranking Member Cortez Masto, and Members of the U.S Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining,
I am an Oregonian, and I oppose HR 655. The proposed transfer of 150 acres of federal public land from the Mt. Hood National Forest to the City of The Dalles is terrible policy that sets a terrible precedent.
This bill is an end-run around public engagement and oversight, and an attack on water, forests, public lands, and the protection of endangered species that puts the interests of a wealthy corporation and their political allies ahead of the interests of everyday Oregonians.
The rules that safeguard Oregon’s salmon, water, and outdoors are not simply “red tape” to be eliminated in the name of expediency. They exist for a reason. Circumventing them in HR 655 is unacceptable.
We urge you to stand with Oregonians and the rules that protect our fish, water, conservation values, and the ability for the public to participate in decisions affecting public lands. These rules are vital to preserving the natural treasures that make Oregon a special place to live, work, and raise a family.
Please reject passage of HR 655.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[ your name ]
[ your mailing address ]
As detailed in the summer issue of our Instream newsletter, a junior instream water right on the Dog River and tributary to the Hood River that supports multiple runs of Endangered Species Act-listed fish will be significantly impacted by HR 655 should it pass and become law. We must stop it.
Please share this with your family and friends and take action NOW to help WaterWatch and our allies advocate for fish, cold water, and Mt. Hood. A committee vote on HR 655 is expected soon.
Banner photo of Mt. Hood and triptych photo of Cold Spring Creek (East Fork Hood River tributary) by Tommy Hough, salmon photo courtesy of Mark Hereford / Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Dog River trail sign photo courtesy of the Mt. Hood National Forest / USDA.
