DRAFT ONLY – APPROVAL PENDING

Wyoming Legislature
Committee Meeting Summary of Proceedings

Select Water Committee

August 21 & 22, 2003                                                                                  Riviera Lodge

                                                                                                            Saratoga, Wyoming

PRESENT:       Senators Bill Barton, Rich Cathcart, Rae Lynn Job, Laness Northrup and Bill Vasey.

                        Representatives Rodney "Pete" Anderson (August 21 only), Kurt Bucholz, Ross Diercks, Layton Morgan, Owen Petersen and Frank Philp.

                        Legislative Service Office:  Mark Quiner, Assistant Director.

                        Wyoming Water Development Office: Mike Besson, Director.

                        Others:  See Appendix "A".

ABSENT:        Senator Gerald Geis, Chairman.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Thursday, August 21, 2003

The Select Water Committee and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) toured the High Savery Reservoir project.  Mike Hand of the Water Development Office (WWDO) provided information on the status of the project.  Groundbreaking on the project was held on August 13, 2001.  Since then, 89% of the time for the project has elapsed.  October 15, 2003 is the substantial completion date and the total cost of the project is projected to be $15 million.

Friday, August 22, 2003

A joint meeting of the Select Water Committee and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) was called to order at 8:30 a.m.  The order of the meeting generally followed the prepared agenda, see Appendix "B".

The following is a summary of Committee proceedings arranged by topic.  Copies of all contracts, amendments and other materials referred to in these minutes which are not attached as exhibits are on file in the Legislative Service Office.

The minutes of the May 29, 2003 Select Water Committee meeting were approved with no amendments.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Mike Besson provided the financial report.  Currently, $41.2 million is available in water development account I (WWDI).  However, $29.2 million, or roughly 40% of the WWDI account is going to other agencies and programs leaving around $22.5 million for water development projects.  If this trend continues, in 10 years the water development program will be out of funds.  Currently, $20.6 million is available for water development projects.

Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved that the Select Committee submit a letter to Governor Freudenthal requesting that general fund agencies be funded from the general fund and not from water development accounts.  The motion passed.

PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Mr. Besson and various WWDO staff explained the following project planning documents:

• Town of Dayton Amendment
• Platte River Basin Consultant Contract
• Wagoner Cherokee Consultant Contract

Following discussion, the Select Water Committee approved the documents.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Mr. Besson explained the following project contract amendments for Commission approval:  (Note:  no action was required of the Select Committee.)

·      Highline Canal Rehabilitation Project Agreement & documents

·      Rafter J Project Agreement

·      Washakie Rural Amended Project Agreement

SMALL WATER PROJECTS

Mr. Besson and Ron Vore of the WWDO explained the small water projects for Commission approval:  (Note:  no action was required of the Select Committee.)

• Big Horn River Ranch
• Crowfoot Ranch
• East Dry Creek

WATER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CRITERIA

Mr. Besson explained the current draft of the Water Development Program Operating Criteria.  The draft explains the current programs offered through the Water Development Program and available sources of funding.  Mr. Besson addressed the interest rate on loans from WWDC although he has no specific recommendation for the interest rate at this time.  The WWDC approved the criteria.

BROWN ACCESS AGREEMENT

Matt and Teresa Brown addressed the Committee and the WWDC regarding an access agreement between the Browns and the WWDC to gain access across their land to develop a well in the area of their ranch.  They disagree with the well project and its potential impact on the groundwater in their area.

NEXT MEETING

The next joint meeting of the Committee and the WWDC will be sometime in November.  Mr. Besson will work on a specific date for this meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at noon.

Respectfully submitted,

Senator Rich Cathcart, Acting Chairman