July 17, 2026
Please help stop a public land grab that puts Mt. Hood’s forests, rivers, fish, and wildlife at risk. We only have until this Monday, July 20th, to weigh in with testimony. Take action NOW during this brief window!
As we’ve shared over the last six months, HR 655 is a dangerous bill that would transfer 150 acres of federal public land from the Mt. Hood National Forest, including water from the Dog River that flows off Mt. Hood into the East Fork Hood River, and give it to the City of the Dalles.
This transfer of ownership would enable The Dalles to sidestep federal reviews of their growing water infrastructure to fuel the city’s skyrocketing water demand that includes a six-building Google data center campus. Introduced by Representative Cliff Bentz (OR-2), HR 655 passed the House of Representatives last December, and would put Mt. Hood’s forests, rivers, fish, and wildlife at risk if it were to become law.
While we were disappointed HR 655 was granted a hearing earlier this week in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining, which falls under the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, it does provide an opportunity for the public to finally weigh in with the Committee on our opposition to HR 655.
The catch? We don’t have much time. The deadline to submit testimony is THIS Monday, July 20th, by 2 p.m. That’s just a few days from now.
Using the letter below as a “copy and paste” template, submit your HR 655 testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee NOW, ahead of the deadline this Monday, July 20th, by 2 p.m. 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. Please urge the Committee to oppose HR 655 and its reckless impacts on fish, cold water flows, public land, and public oversight by this Monday, July 20th, by 2 p.m. to ensure it’s taken into account and able to be considered by Committee members.
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 East Fork 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 ahead of Monday’s deadline 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 (Dog 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.
