[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6644166,"mediaKeyId","2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843","parentId",2529508,"title","County discusses updating comprehensive plan, water town hall and partial EOC activation for local flooding","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4088000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843&start=4088&end=4088","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843/thumbnail_4088000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6644166/Harney-County/Oregon/County-discusses-updating-comprehensive-plan-water-town-hall-and-partial-EOC-activation-for-local-flooding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644166-d6745efe14b7e5ae8df5283c21d67f19/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048098&Signature=dJlUDwWDAmPu7AUV3aqiqEYnvkeyLXyQbMOhsdNip4OkX4YnyS5S17duF4hK4hmNw-WKc~xQi81ZTgPLW0-44obopNDZcHyZQa4PReGs1BeWi69JJNVYyvRg4yG9wgPcXeq-fKYO8RiglREwimJYKL7Glfu3McNdhNB0DzdnxC0~Ymv68e~VgfAAflolMX22T9tCRMf-aqm7Un2Ie2VhYpW7s0lB~akA9uW0kzjYTuEkWaUm5Qb4oLrFluCgjV2ba18dIczHH8J-Zb74amfhj9uqXogjYlXll4npQOQuUJ3aO0-2HNJcZNqucNETtNFixRfPZMjfe1XzOS~ihuPSUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harney County","date","2025-03-09T02:53:28.807Z","article","Harney County Court on March 5 discussed a possible joint work session with the county planning commission to review the comprehensive plan’s land‑use language and clarify decision thresholds for exclusive farm‑use (EFU) lands.

Commissioners and staff said a 2022 resolution that reclassified some planning decisions for faster administrative approval may not align with the current comprehensive plan language and that a joint meeting would help reconcile differences. One commissioner said the comprehensive plan was last substantially updated in February 2009 and recommended starting with a land‑use review.

The court also discussed holding a public town hall on water issues to help residents understand potential curtailment of water use, projection effects on property taxes and how different stakeholders would be affected. Officials said potential participants could include the water-rights regulator, local realtors, the assessor’s office and state agencies.

On flooding, county leaders reported increased flows on the Silvies River along Highway 78, where water is beginning to encroach on businesses and residences near Koa Lane inside Burns. The county said it had a meeting scheduled with the landowner and the city and that the emergency-management coordinator and road master were engaged. Officials said a partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center had been filed with Oregon Emergency Management; staff described a partial activation as a scaled ICS/NIMS response that expands only as incident needs grow.

Court members said they will ask the planning director about a coordinated session with the planning commission, will continue outreach on a water town hall and will update the public on the flooding response as events evolve.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Court Session 03/05/2025 Audio Only","oneSentenceSummary","Harney County Court discussed scheduling a joint session with the planning commission to review land‑use rules and comprehensive-plan language, planning a public town hall on potential water curtailment, and reported a partial Emergency Operations Center activation for local Silvies River flooding.","taxTitle","Harney County, Oregon","taxId",73536,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6644170,"Harney County continues BEAD/prequalification push; officials say outreach could keep county eligible for future broadband funding",111,4126000,4237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843&start=4126&end=4237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843/thumbnail_4126000.jpg","/articles/6644170/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-continues-BEADprequalification-push-officials-say-outreach-could-keep-county-eligible-for-future-broadband-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644170-b28c5278671ef7a15a3452d157f72cba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048098&Signature=Jx226OxcZRUWGwYoskkadDb164OiIDXB2NVnEkvai0O002l1drNMjcIeK1hpzPhtnKZ2Z28aELPyYQWTUdlhgIbKyTVCrWY~FC7JIgmR2wvB66EnE1nYPQB7dztUeY5ZREUu~VPyOVlx0mdPpI2rz~JLE3n4zid1eTqDkmtMn7eM~~4rBrtcm1GQE6VLIHgIsRR1zLEjwR1MC8QJlGzzfPvHyQBHITYjTRPKfbP9cbxQjjkSsDdnfGk-Bg7YSA3ULx3yp~2ri~wLLR3Y0jRSJdvSOc4Mwv6RyHLsqcfCDTIVfFgVQ4FZFl7eBAO~jMSIvPTuuj~s2XDeMM8hiZ8nGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harney County leaders said March 5 they are finishing administrative steps to position the county for federal and state broadband funding, even though no broadband-provider bids have been received for local projects in recent federal rounds.

County Judge Bill Hart and staff praised Executive Assistant Holly York for managing the paperwork required by the Oregon Broadband Office and federal BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) grant processes. They said prequalification steps — including county submissions and council approvals — do not guarantee awards but preserve Harney County’s ability to be included if funding or project windows open later.

Hart noted the state and federal posture toward technology is shifting and said counties should register and prequalify now to remain eligible for varying project types that may include fiber, wireless or hybrid solutions. He said the county has not been awarded major BEAD funds yet but that the prequalification signals interest and prevents being excluded from future opportunities.

Commissioners and staff discussed how different technologies may be favored in future funding rounds; one speaker observed that federal direction may leave room for satellite or wireless solutions when fiber is impractical. County staff said the prequalification materials require counsel review and that submission is imminent.

Officials asked the local internet-service providers and community groups to be ready to act if opportunities to bid appear, and they said they will continue to monitor federal and state guidance and maintain documents to support future applications.","County staff said they are completing a difficult prequalification process for federal/state broadband funding and urged continued municipal participation to preserve future eligibility for grants and private‑sector projects.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6644174,"Harney County Court approves budget transfers, deputies contract and supports fair-funding bills",614,1757000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843&start=1757&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843/thumbnail_1757000.jpg","/articles/6644174/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-Court-approves-budget-transfers-deputies-contract-and-supports-fair-funding-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644174-77a8d4389fde807709611f45834188ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048098&Signature=fTrUsAuauzdfNBj6lG2EdqII58n~hOzVHvRurU9JZuM7EWOriwxXHwe4OEpXI3ovyRc7kmP1IRagFh36M6YIv8Y4BhSFR8J~kqJAPHIoMDAankAi1NTUzgB2dOROl222p~IyhramKu6afp0HgzH7GS-48yzjGwmHMzPlH4BodlulswAe1RSg5uT5dkoWITX3~TfffVYNRO-foDuHWl-ylQ1JfxAkjOjcsTmtGC43BZ~9TXHYdtQaJczTn0F-8nv-tQ-70X7y8s1NtaskVQ6dzKLflzoTHO0MeGw3~Ezsi4QA7wNYIJpw6WydmMnscuc6IRZ8qX5oi7qPps4ctwwLzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harney County Court on March 5 approved several formal actions: two budget adjustments, a three-year bargaining agreement for the Harney County Deputies Association, and written testimony in support of two Oregon legislative bills to change fair funding. The court reported it had earlier authorized county counsel to pursue participation in legal action challenging state wildfire hazard maps.

Resolution 2025‑04: The court approved an appropriation to move $19,598 from the county’s ARPA fund into Home Health & Hospice Fund 251 to cover personnel services. The judge explained the funds were obligated by the December 31 deadline and the resolution formally transfers revenue and personnel appropriations. A motion to accept the resolution passed; the court recorded the motion as carried.

Resolution 2025‑05: The court approved an intra‑fund transfer of $50,000 from general-fund contingency to support an expansion of environmental health services. The funds will backfill startup payroll, vehicle and supply needs while the county provides environmental-health inspection services to neighboring counties (Baker, Wallowa and Union) after the state declined to refill a retiring position. County staff said the transfer is structured as a loan, to be repaid from future fees when the service generates revenue. The motion carried.

Harney County Deputies Association bargaining agreement: The court approved a three‑year contract covering 2024–2027 for sheriff's patrol deputies, corrections officers and 9‑1‑1 dispatch staff. The agreement provides a 4% pay increase for the current year (with back pay to cover the elapsed months) and 3% increases in each of the following two years. County leadership summarized smaller changes: an increase in longevity pay from $5 to $7 per month after five years and higher certification pay (an additional $100 for intermediate and $100 for advanced certification, for a $200 total). Health‑benefit proposals remain under discussion; the parties agreed to return with comparative plan information.

Letter of support for state fair funding bills: The court approved submission of written testimony supporting House Bills 2304 and 2145, which the court said would remove a $1.5 million cap and restore a true 1% lottery-based funding allocation to county fairs and provide funds related to state fairgrounds and emergency preparedness. The court authorized submission of the written testimony as its formal record.

Wildfire-hazard maps legal action: Court members said they had met in a special session earlier in the day with county counsel and had moved to direct county counsel to work toward joining litigation challenging the state’s wildfire hazard maps; the court said further public updates will be provided when appropriate. The special-session motion was undertaken outside the regular meeting and was not debated in this regular session.

Each motion in the regular March 5 meeting passed after the court called for votes; where recorded the court vocalized unanimous \"aye.\"","On March 5 Harney County Court approved two budget adjustments, ratified a deputies bargaining agreement and authorized submission of written testimony supporting state fair funding bills; the court also directed counsel to pursue litigation related to wildfire hazard maps in a separate special session earlier the same day.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6644179,"Forest Service outlines post-fire rehab, says 410 wild horses gathered after Falls Fire",243,457000,700000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843&start=457&end=700","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2529508-b1f15cd2caf9bed650ea793124501843/thumbnail_457000.jpg","/articles/6644179/Harney-County/Oregon/Forest-Service-outlines-post-fire-rehab-says-410-wild-horses-gathered-after-Falls-Fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6644179-a9ca77bc792e34ee2f585555c06d908f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048098&Signature=dvnhAx057fU3~mg9ItNmJdJ6ExZTs4~2p7hHZnRDKC3NuHGp2jcO~r4ws-YvO~dR1iz9RdR~dmBWSDDNkh2Oc5kXlxDS4mJIX-zVA3o-FHz9BDwi8RO9MAka-8oTJ0RupZLZaybX3q16zofK8V70HDL050ZXgB4ICsM5QVpYQDgCBq7ahZ7QmWBrR1olAca~fBpKsk~kEzd72herQnt6cevPUGizpKRXkpPW9TWcBBe9qLPu2niRHQxDKnle4yJz-vbOZUuBRwmjWlcBk38pHrDjkYd9mEOAptmEqtkFWZN9hQFcFsI28yHD46DTGor0R~MZASaNlgPpe31DZz-nRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","U.S. Forest Service staff told Harney County Court on March 5 that emergency work after last summer’s Falls Fire is focused on public safety, landscape stabilization and long-term replanting.

Forest Service official Ann Neeson said crews obtained emergency authority to gather wild horses in the fire area and \"we were successful in gathering 410 horses,\" adding that many were in poor condition and are now in corrals and receiving veterinary care.

County and Forest Service staff said they completed a post-fire census that found roughly 650 horses in the area affected by the fire; the Forest Service is preparing a herd management plan that would leave an estimated 100 to 140 horses on the landscape once adoption and management work conclude.

Neeson and Immigrant Creek Ranger Josh Giles described a stepped restoration program. Giles said crews will begin \"bare work\" — immediate stabilization and hazard mitigation — then move to seeding and multi-year planting. \"We're going to plant this summer about 3,000 acres of ponderosa pine around the Yellow Jack area and another 100 acres of aspen,\" Giles said, and added that seeding will be both manual and aerial and focus on native species.

Officials described infrastructure repairs they plan to prioritize: rebuilding about 350 miles of burned fence along Forest Service boundaries and allotments, replacing roughly 14 water troughs, repairing cattle guards and restoring Yellowjacket Campground (toilets and other facilities were damaged). Hazard-tree mitigation contracts are under way for priority road corridors; staff said about 850 miles of road were inside the Falls Fire perimeter, with roughly 200 miles affected by moderate-to-high severity fire.

Giles said closures on main two‑digit and some four‑digit forest roads will remain in place while crews do the safety work, and he asked contractors to include time-based stipulations in contracts. \"The closure will be in place until we're done with the main roads... I'd like to open it up no later than one year from now,\" Giles said, while adding the timetable depends on weather and contractor availability.

Officials said salvage material that is usable will be offered in contracts; smaller-diameter material may be piled and burned if it cannot be moved. They also said some facilities used by wildlife — \"guzzlers\" — were damaged in the fire and that the Forest Service coordinates replacement or repair with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife when practical.

The Forest Service reported coordination with local partners on noxious-weed control and seeding, including Cooperative Weed Management and Soil and Water Conservation District partners, and said they are pursuing a multi-year effort to reseed and replant areas of high-severity burn.

County officials asked about volunteer and youth labor; Giles said some hazard areas are unsuitable for youths but that the Forest Service has agreements with youth conservation groups and the training and employment consortium for work in safer, completed work sites.

Officials asked county leaders to continue coordination; both sides said they expect an ongoing, multi-year effort. The Forest Service said some actions are funded with disaster relief money and that many projects are already contracted or in procurement.","U.S. Forest Service officials updated Harney County Court on post-fire restoration plans, emergency wild horse gather results and road-closure timelines after summer 2024 fires.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County discusses updating comprehensive plan, water town hall and partial EOC activation for local flooding

Harney County continues BEAD/prequalification push; officials say outreach could keep county eligible for future broadband funding

Harney County Court approves budget transfers, deputies contract and supports fair-funding bills

Forest Service outlines post-fire rehab, says 410 wild horses gathered after Falls Fire