Resident urges Yamhill County to ban data centers, citing water, noise and health concerns

Maggie Bowman, a retired school teacher and metalsmith, urged the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners to "plan ahead... and impose a complete ban on data centers in Yamhill County." Bowman told the board she had no knowledge of an active proposal in the county but that she had received more than 500 responses after asking neighbors about the prospect.

Bowman listed several concerns she said communities with data centers have experienced, including "a huge strain on the local electrical and power resources," increased water use and groundwater risks, continuous noise and light pollution and falling property values. Citing media reports and online materials, she said "the average data center uses up to 5 million gallons of water a day" and warned of diesel backup generators and 24/7 operational impacts.

"I'm here today to ask you to plan ahead... and impose a complete ban on data centers in Yamhill County," Bowman said, asking the board to adopt a permanent ban rather than a temporary moratorium.

The board did not take action on Bowman's request during the June 4 session; no staff presentation or ordinance was on the agenda for this item. Commissioners accepted the comment as part of the public-comment period and continued with scheduled business.

Context: Bowman framed her remarks as preemptive, saying Oregon already hosts numerous data centers and that the county's farmland and water resources could make it an attractive site for developers. The statement included a mix of anecdote, third-party reporting and public concern; Bowman did not cite a local proposal or developer name during her remarks.

What comes next: Commissioners did not schedule follow-up on the record during the meeting. Any formal proposals, code changes or moratoria would require staff analysis, a planning process and public hearings before the board or planning commission.