Several people held signs that showed support for Harrington as he was taken inside the jail. Harrington was found guilty two weeks ago of breaking a 1925 law for having, what state water managers called “three illegal reservoirs” on his property. He was convicted of nine misdemeanors, sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined over $1500 for collecting rainwater and snow runoff on his property.

The Oregon Water Resources Department, claims that Harrington has been violating the state’s water use law by diverting water from streams running into the Big Butte River. But Harrington says he is not diverting the state’s water — merely collecting rainwater and snow melt that falls or flows on his own property.

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How did they even catch him??  I can sort of see the argument, I suppose if everyone collected rainwater our water reserves would dry up, but let's be realistic is that even a real possibility? Probably not. I'm wondering if he will fight the conviction to try and get this law over thrown.  How does the government have the right to stop u from collecting water falling from the sky, onto your own property?!? I could understand diverting it from a stream or other flowing source of water, but rain fall?

Quoted:
How did they even catch him??  I can sort of see the argument, I suppose if everyone collected rainwater our water reserves would dry up, but let's be realistic is that even a real possibility? Probably not. I'm wondering if he will fight the conviction to try and get this law over thrown.  How does the government have the right to stop u from collecting water falling from the sky, onto your own property?!? I could understand diverting it from a stream or other flowing source of water, but rain fall?