For some Oregonians it’s not the land that’s at issue, but an essential resource found under the land.

Bev Davis is fighting a Measure 37 claim that jeopardizes her access to water. The Newberg resident lives in an area fed by a spring that supplies water to her entire 58-resident neighborhood.

But Skeleton Springs’ would be forced to provide water for a 10-house development if a neighbor’s Measure 37 claim is allowed to go forward. Measure 49, however, would reduce the damage by limiting the neighbor to only three housing units on his property.

“Sooner of later we could lose all our water,” Bev says.

“We can deal with three houses, but not 10,” she adds

That’s not just her opinion. A certified hydrologist retained by the neighborhood group fighting the development told both City of Newberg and Yamhill County officials that the proposed development could be devastating to the neighborhood.

The Measure 37 claimant plans to drill 10 individual wells to service the proposed homes.

Davis and her daughter run a horse rehabilitation facility on their 25 acres. She works with damaged and abused animals, many of which are referred by the Oregon State University school of veterinary medicine. Her facility even includes a swimming pool used for physical therapy sessions with the horses.

Newberg officials have sided with the neighbors but Yamhill County gave the claimant a more sympathetic hearing. Although the case is being appealed, damage already has been done.

What was once a friendly, tight-knit neighborhood is filled with tension, Bev says.

If development moves forward, the tension could even ratchet up a notch. Dry wells would likely lead to future, antagonistic legal actions.

For right now, however, Bev’s attention is on protecting her property and her neighborhood.

“Our situation is so unique because of the number of people on one spring this development would affect.”