Owens addresses Harney Basin bill as legislature heads into final week
By Mindy McKerrall on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
SALEM – With the Oregon Legislature heading into the final week of the session, a bill that would allow groundwater users in the Greater Harney Valley to enter into voluntary agreements to manage declining aquifer levels still sits in committee.
House Bill 4049 encourages the Oregon Water Resources Commission to approve voluntary agreements between groundwater users in the area to help address the issue.
The bill was given a “do-pass” recommendation during a work session on February 17 before being referred to the Ways and Means committee. The Oregon legislative website shows no actions being taken since then, and no further actions scheduled.
Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane) is a chief sponsor of the bill, and addressed it in his newsletter this week:
“I have spent more than seven hours so far this session meeting with the Governor’s Office and OWRD regarding voluntary agreements in the Harney County Basin. The bill stemmed from a seven-page memo issued by the department that lacked flexibility and did not adequately recognize farmers willing to participate in voluntary agreements.”
“Our goal is to see a revised memo issued that provides real flexibility and incentives for agricultural producers. If that occurs, this legislation may not be necessary. Protecting our water users while finding workable solutions remains one of my priorities.”
