Harney County Court on Jan. 7 heard contested discussion about a proposed culvert installation on Stancliff Lane after residents and the City of Burns raised concerns that new drainage could shift floodwater onto adjacent fields and homes.

Terry Carroll, speaking for residents of Stancliff Lane, said the area’s historical drainage and a recent high-water event created a risk that culverts might let water into a field, ‘‘build up, backs up, creates a flooding situation’’ and could expose the county to liability if property damage followed. County counsel Dominic advised the court that legal issues around liability and drainage are complicated and recommended the court receive counsel’s advice in executive session.

County staff told the court that it has applied for and received preliminary engagement from Business Oregon to secure planning funds to reengage engineers who produced a 2022 mitigation report. Staff said those funds would support updated modeling and produce a work plan and contract before selecting longer-term projects rather than implementing piecemeal fixes.

Several landowners, including Eric Young, described the site’s physical characteristics and argued a small pipe solution could streamline flow and reduce pressure against the existing dike; city representatives have objected, citing potential county liability without additional mitigation such as pumping or a head gate.

The court agreed that more legal and engineering analysis was needed and scheduled an executive session for Jan. 8 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss legal concerns. The court also asked residents and potential private agreements among landowners be drafted and delivered ahead of that meeting so legal counsel can evaluate liability-sharing options.