Sky Lakes and water users ask Klamath County to back legislative priorities, request testimony on House Bill 4074

Dave Hensley, an associate with United Strategies and Consulting representing the Climate Water Users Association and Sky Lakes Medical Center, briefed the board on Feb. 4 about legislative priorities and asked for county support at an upcoming Salem hearing.

Hensley said the Klamath Water Users Association— which he described as a nonprofit representing farmers and ranchers served by the Klamath Project of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and managing irrigation for approximately 170,000 acres — will track bills that affect the basin and emphasized managed aquifer recharge and groundwater monitoring as priorities this session. He told commissioners he spends much of his time defending the basins water users from restrictive legislation and asked commissioners to remain vigilant if other districtsb4 bills could have unintended effects locally.

Hensley then outlined legislative priorities for Sky Lakes Medical Center, including pursuing a rural regional health anchor designation, nurse-staffing law reform to address unintended facility cost impacts, measures to improve access to emergency and trauma care, and rural workforce recruitment and retention. He said more than three-quarters of Sky Lakes reimbursement comes from Medicaid and Medicare and that the hospital serves a roughly 10,000-square-mile area.

Hensley identified House Bill 4074 as a bill that addresses Sky Lakes top priorities and requested commissioners provide testimony at a public hearing next Tuesday in Salem, either in person or remotely. He said representatives from Sky Lakes would travel to Salem to testify in person and asked the board to coordinate if members are available.

Commissioners discussed schedules and several indicated willingness either to remote in or attend in person; the board did not take a formal vote but agreed to coordinate testimony where possible.