FIFTY-SEVENTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2003 INTERIM

JOINT AGRICULTURE, PUBLIC LANDS AND WATER RESOURCES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Budget Approved:  $20,000

Topic 1:            State Forester

            New legislation [SF0115] impacts how the state forester interacts with the state land department.  The committee shall study how the powers of these two entities interact.

Topic 2:            In-Stream Flow

The committee shall evaluate temporary changes in in-stream flow to determine flexibility to existing appropriators and study enhanced water storage, improved water management to benefit agriculture, municipal, industrial and in-channel water uses while protecting existing water right holders.

Topic 3:            Consumptive Use of Wildlife

A joint subcommittee of members from the Joint Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee and the Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Interim Committee shall study how agriculture producers can be compensated for the costs of having wildlife on their land.  Subcommittee shall report to the Joint Agriculture, Public Lands and Water Resources Interim Committee.

Topic 4:            Miscellaneous

The committee will also address the concerns of appropriate state agencies.

The chairmen or their designees are authorized to attend meetings of the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee when it addresses the issue of surface damage to private property owners impacted by mineral interests.