School district given permission to install fence
By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald
The Harney County Court took a field trip to Crane on Aug. 20 to look at the Crane Union High School track. The visit was for the purpose of making an evaluation on a request by the high school for an easement onto the right-of-way of a county road.
When the Crane track was resurfaced, the improvements placed the track to within two feet of the existing fence and boundary line. The high school board requested to the court that the fence line be moved back 20 feet, to allow space for bleachers between the track and the fence. This adjustment would put the fence line approximately 5-10 feet from the travel portion of county road running north and south, parallel to the track.
After a site visit, members of the court returned to the courthouse to discuss the issues of the project and render a decision. The issues brought up by the public, the court and the school board included traffic safety, snow removal, senior citizen parking during football games and protecting the right-of-way for the future.
Commissioner Jack Drinkwater argued that “without the school, there isn’t a town.” Stating he didn’t see a problem with moving the fence to accommodate the request.
Commissioner Dan Nichols asked, “When do you quit bending? This will set an example. Equitable is equitable, so what are we going to do when the next request comes?”
After discussion, and advice from legal council, the court made the decision to allow the fence to be moved 20 feet, with the stipulation that no permanent structures can be placed within the allowed distance, and the county has the option of terminating the agreement if deemed necessary in the future.
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In other court business, Judge Steve Grasty presented a copy of a request from ranchers along the Silvies River to change the water preference of the river from irrigation to stock water, in light of the current drought situation. Ranchers on the southern end of the river are objecting to irrigation on the northern end, which they say is taking all of the water.
Grasty had contacted Ivan Gall, Manager of the Eastern Region of the Oregon Water Resources Department, to find out the rules and regulations of changing the water preference.
Gall’s response to Grasty stated that due to the late date, getting a change for this water year would probably be unnecessary. “The last irrigator will remove boards on the dam, typically by mid-September, and the remaining small streamflow (currently 6.40 cubic feet per second and dropping) will make its way through the system.”
The court made the decision to pursue a change in the Silvies decree for future years, which would give preference to stock water. Grasty said he would also contact the parties immediately involved and ask them to try to come to a peaceful solution for this year.
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Following repeated controversy between residents in the area, the court signed an order for a survey and study to be done on Penland Road, off East Steens Road at Andrews. The study will be done by Harney County Road Superintendent Kerry Landers.
The court ordered the study because existing records on Penland Road are inaccurate and incomplete and the original survey documents have been lost or destroyed. The study will include county maintenance records, public use records, power company use, and possible testimony from past county officials.
Following the study, the court will hold a hearing to make the decision whether Penland Road is a county road.
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Harney County Librarian Cheryl Hancock presented a request to appoint Diane Smith to the Library Advisory Board. With the appointment of Smith, one vacancy remains on the board.
Hancock also updated the court on changes at the library, including circulation policy changes and schedule changes.
The library will hold a book sale on Sept. 13.
