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Harney Basin irrigators, tribes and conservationists clash over bill to preserve voluntary groundwater agreements
Summary
A Feb. 4 committee hearing on HB 4049 drew extensive testimony from Harney Basin irrigators, county officials and conservation groups debating whether the bill would preserve voluntary agreements or undermine recently adopted rules and science underpinning groundwater sustainability.
Co-chairs Helm and Owens opened a public hearing Feb. 4 on House Bill 4049, legislation aimed at preserving and clarifying voluntary groundwater agreements for basins such as the Harney (also referred to as Kearney in testimony) Basin.
The bill, sponsors said, would ensure the Oregon Water Resources Commission — not the Department — retains authority to review and approve voluntary agreements and would direct the department to carry out timely, inclusive rulemaking. Proponents told the committee the department's draft guidance for voluntary agreements is overly restrictive and would make voluntary agreements effectively the same as regulatory orders, discouraging participation.
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