Harney County

Oregon Water Partnership Praises Proposal to Modernize State Groundwater Allocation Rules

Nov. 6, 2023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information please contact: Tommy Hough, WaterWatch of Oregon, tommy@waterwatch.org Oregon Water Partnership Praises Science-Based Proposal to Modernize State’s Groundwater Allocation Rules As groundwater depletion becomes an even greater crisis throughout Oregon and the U.S., the Oregon Water Resources Department has developed science-based rules to put Oregon on a […]

Oregon Water Partnership Praises Proposal to Modernize State Groundwater Allocation Rules Read More »

Central Oregon Cities Poke Holes in State Plans to Tighten Groundwater Rules

By Emily Cureton Cook  |  Oct. 2, 2023  |  Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon water managers are considering the most consequential water policy changes the state has seen in decades. These changes would crack down on new groundwater rights, making it more difficult for people to drill wells. Advocates say this is critical to protect the

Central Oregon Cities Poke Holes in State Plans to Tighten Groundwater Rules Read More »

Harney County’s Groundwater Crisis Draws Oregon Policymakers, Private Investors

By Emily Cureton Cook  |  Sept. 27, 2023  |  Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon water regulators are poised to change how they protect overdrawn aquifers. The Oregon Water Resources Commission will consider a number of policy reforms at a two-day meeting this week in Harney County, a setting that’s become emblematic of state mismanagement of groundwater. The

Harney County’s Groundwater Crisis Draws Oregon Policymakers, Private Investors Read More »

Draining Oregon: Lawmaker strips specific dollar amounts out of water fee bill, Oregonian,

By Andrew Theen  |  April 19, 2017  |  The Oregonian A House committee gave its blessing this week to a bill that would charge an annual fee to tens of thousands of Oregon water rights holders — but not without a last second twist. Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, introduced an amendment to his proposed water user

Draining Oregon: Lawmaker strips specific dollar amounts out of water fee bill, Oregonian, Read More »

Draining Oregon: Bill to Fund $8.2 Million in Groundwater Studies Passes Key Hurdle

By Andrew Theen  |  April 14, 2017  |  The Oregonian The House Committee on Energy and the Environment on Wednesday endorsed House Bill 2707, which some lawmakers say would dramatically accelerate the state’s ability to analyze its groundwater supply. That legislation now heads to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the state’s budget writing

Draining Oregon: Bill to Fund $8.2 Million in Groundwater Studies Passes Key Hurdle Read More »

Draining Oregon: Harney County Becomes the Latest Casualty of Lax State Oversight of Water and Irrigation

By Kelly House  |  Aug. 26, 2016  |  The Oregonian: Draining Oregon Rancher Harold Knieriem thought his days of worrying about water would end with retirement. No more angst when the skies dry up or a mild winter dollops too little snow on the mountains, leaving his cattle to dine on withered grass. Then the

Draining Oregon: Harney County Becomes the Latest Casualty of Lax State Oversight of Water and Irrigation Read More »