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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Crash near Trail kills driver, hospitalizes passenger ... Purple Parrot robbery suspect arrested ... Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... Crash near Trail kills driver, hospitalizes passenger ... Purple Parrot robbery suspect arrested ... Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... JOSEPHINE COUNTY Josephine County commissioners pass drought resolution, despite protests Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 7, 2015 at 4:48 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 7, 2015 at 4:48 PM » Social News The Josephine County Board of Commissioners declared a state of drought emergency for the second year in a row, despite protests from some audience members. Before it takes effect, the Oregon Water Resources Department needs to review and approve the declaration and Gov. Kate Brown has to sign it. Several members of the audience, including former commissioner Sandi Cassanelli, opposed the declaration on Wednesday. Cassanelli, who was elected in 2008 and recalled from office in 2011, said the declaration is unconstitutional because it could take water rights away from individuals. However, all three board members dismissed the objections and unanimously passed the declaration. Commission Chairman Keith Heck said he didn't understand what all the angst was about. The situation will be the same as a year ago when the board took the same action, he said, and there were no dire consequences. "These people should get a life," he said. Commissioner Cherryl Walker said legislation allowing drought declarations has been in place since the Great Depression. And Commissioner Simon Hare said the region is in the midst of a 10-year cycle of drought. He also bemoaned some of the public comments, which he said were misinformed. Members of the public, he said, can attend county workshops where issues are discussed, and where people can obtain information. "It's not our job to educate you on these things," he said. Prior to the vote, Emergency Services Manager Jenny Hall emphasized the importance of declaring a drought in order to make federal and state funds available as well as making it possible for local water-dependent businesses to seek relief. The snowpack in the area is 14 percent of average, Hall said. Last May the board passed a similar resolution. It was the first time since 2001 that Josephine County had been in a state of drought. As of the end of April, drought declarations this year have been declared for Lake, Malheur, Crook, Harney, Klamath, Baker and Wheeler counties in Oregon. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 7, 2015 at 4:48 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501