BURNS, OR– Thank you to the community leaders, local Harney County officials, State Senator Mike McLane, State Rep. Mark Owens (Represented by his Chief of Staff), state agency representatives, and federal agency officials, for joining me and my staff at yesterday’s Community Leader and Agency Coordination Round table in Burns, Oregon.
This meeting provided firsthand descriptions of the serious damage done and being done by the devastating and still ongoing flood of the Silvies River and surrounding watersheds which flow into the Harney Basin. We heard about, among many other problems, the damage to roads and streets, the precarious condition of the Burn’s City sewer system (now backing up into Burn’s resident’s homes), flood waters entering homes and businesses, and the danger of possible drinking water contamination.We also discussed possible solutions such as dredging the Silvies River, improving levee systems, and the remote possibility of building a flood control reservoir upstream from Burns.
The Oregon Office of Emergency Management provided a comprehensive review of its efforts to coordinate with other communities to meet the criteria for an emergency declaration. The Army Corp of Engineers explained that it was standing by to offer technical assistance. The Burns City Manager provided a thorough review of the many challenges facing the City. I assured everyone attending that I am committed to helping obtain the support that Harney County needs, and that my office stands ready to assist in any way that it can. I do want to thank those who have been working so hard to help protect the residents of Burns, with particular emphasis on the County Court, the folks working for the City of Burns, and the Oregon Officer of Emergency Management.