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Baker County landowner presses commissioners to assert oversight of Powder Basin Watershed Council
Summary
At a public-comment period, landowner Curtis Martin urged Baker County to assert oversight of the Powder Basin Watershed Council, citing ORS 541.89 and administrative rules and raising concerns about projects that affected private water rights and local landowners.
Curtis Martin, a North Powder resident, told the Baker County Board of Commissioners that the Powder Basin Watershed Council (PBWC) is operating ‘‘autonomously’’ and not adequately representing producers and local landowners. Martin read language from ORS 541.89 and related administrative rules, arguing that the statute contemplates a watershed council designated or convened by a county governing body and that PBWC’s current board is ‘‘the furthest thing from’’ balanced representation.
Martin described recent projects on Trout Creek and Camp Creek he said proceeded without clear notice to affected private landowners, and he said some project features flooded grazing areas and impeded ranching operations. He also said funding streams for PBWC projects include Trout Unlimited and OWEB and that the council has grown from roughly six staff members to a larger operation he said needs stronger local oversight. ‘‘They want to go into executive session to get me off of the board,’’ Martin said, describing a contested agenda and limited public-comment time at a forthcoming PBWC meeting.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to provide copies of PBWC bylaws and related documents. A county speaker stated PBWC later formed as a nonprofit, which changes the mechanics of direct county control, and noted that some oversight remains through grant reporting to OWEB. Commissioners and staff said they would review the ORS citations Martin read and promised to follow up with the Pow er Basin Watershed Council and provide materials requested by Mr. Martin.
The board did not take formal action during the public comment; commissioners said they will monitor PBWC activity and seek clarifying documentation from PBWC and partner agencies as a next step.
