The Deschutes County Planning Commission voted unanimously last week not to change the permitting process to pipe these canals.

The Central Oregon Irrigation District was trying to change the process so they could pipe canals without public input.

Tom Hignell lives along the Pilot Butte canal and was active in fighting plans to limit public say.

"We're pleased the commissioners listened to us and we're open to our feelings and comments that what COID was trying to do was push this through and take out a public forum and be allowed to pipe the canals without public input."

The Planning Commission is recommending the county commissioners don't change the permitting process.

The county commissioners will have the final say when they vote on this issue in the next couple months.