Parts of the Harney Basin are experiencing significant groundwater declines. The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) initiated a rulemaking for the Greater Harney Valley Groundwater Area of Concern to update how groundwater is managed to better balance uses with how much groundwater is available. That update will include reductions in groundwater withdrawals. In late 2023, members of the rules advisory committee and OWRD requested Oregon Consensus’ support in facilitating the rules advisory committee discussions with irrigators, domestic well users, environmental organizations, the Burns Paiute Tribe, and others. This work is connected to years of work to address water issues in the area, such as the community-based water plan.
