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December 16, 2004
Room 302, Capitol Building
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Senator Gerald E. Geis, Chairman
Senator Rae Lynn Job
Senator Laness Northrup
Senator Robert Peck
Senator Chuck Townsend
Senator Bill Vasey
Representative Rodney Pete Anderson
Representative Kurt Bucholz
Representative Ross Diercks
Representative Layton Morgan
Representative Owen Petersen (afternoon only)
Representative Frank Philp
Mark Quiner, Assistant Director
Wyoming Water Development Office: Mike Besson, Director
Please refer to
Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
Chairman Geis called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
Minutes from the August 25 and 26, 2004 Committee meeting were approved with no changes.
Mr. Jack Palma, representing Mayor Rose Skinner of Pinedale, proposed a statutory change for the temporary use of water. The proposal would allow a municipality to temporarily use or release water stored under the instream flow water right. Appendix 3.
Mr. Harry LaBonde, Deputy State Engineer, also provided information on the potential impact of the statutory change from an administrative point as well as any potential statewide impact.
Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a Senate File. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 7 ayes, 3 noes. Appendix 4.
Mr. Mike Besson, Director of the Wyoming Water Development Office reviewed the financial status of Water Development Accounts I and II. Account I has an estimated available balance of $37.6 million; and Account II has an estimated available balance of $9.6 million. If all projects are approved, then Account I will have $11.8 million and Account II will have $1.5 million.
Mr. Greg Kerr, Associate Director of the Office of Water Programs provided the Committee with a report on the activities of the Office of Water Programs. The office is required by law to report to the Committee on its activities. There is currently a high demand in the job market for students who have a water research background. The funds appropriated from the state only go for administration of the office, not for specific programs. Appendix 5.
Mr. Besson explained the following project contract amendments for Committee approval:
Following discussion, Senator Northrup moved the amendments be approved. The motion passed.
Mr. Besson explained the draft bill authorizing all the Level I and Level II studies and providing appropriations therefor. Appendix 3. The bill amends 2004 Wyoming Session Laws Chapter 34 to update and change the authorized water project studies. Appendix 6.
Mr. Besson explained a proposed amendment from the Governor creating a new section within the Water Development Office entitled the "Dam and Reservoir Section". Appendix 7. Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved the amendment be included in the bill. The motion passed.
Mr. Besson also presented an amendment appropriating money for the state's share of the conservation staff position for the Bureau of Reclamation. Appendix 8. Representative Anderson moved the amendment be included in the bill. The motion passed.
Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a House Bill with the suggested amendments from Mr. Besson. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 9 ayes, 0 noes. Appendix 9.
Mr. Besson explained the bill draft authorizing water project construction projects. Mr. Besson provided information on each authorized water project. Appendix 10
Gillette Fort Union Well Field, Phase I this project was not recommended for funding by the Water Development Commission (WWDC). Mr. Duane Evenson, Mayor if Gillette, requested that the project be included in the bill. He indicated there is a need for this project due to the increasing demands upon the city's water. Following discussion, Senator Northrup moved that the project be included in the bill. The motion passed.
Evanston Bear River Rehabilitation this project was not recommended for funding by the WWDC. Mr. Mark Harris, Mayor of the City of Evanston, requested that the project be included in the bill. The design and planning of the project have already been paid for by the city. The project would include the placement of rock within the river channel to control erosion and to create a whitewater park and channel enhancements for fisheries. The creation of recreational projects is currently not an authorized use of water development funds. The city is also seeking money from the Wyoming Business Council for the project. The project was not included in the omnibus bill.
Greybull Valley Dam and Reservoir Project Mr. Lee Allen of the Greybull Valley Irrigation District requested that the District be given more time to pay the loan. Appendix 11. The drought has made it very difficult for the irrigators within the district to pay back the loan for the project. Senator Peck moved that the amendment be included in the bill. The motion passed.
Stonegate Water Supply Project Mr. Besson indicated the WWDC did approve the project and the project should be included in the bill. Appendix 12. Senator Townsend moved the amendment be included in the bill. The motion passed.
Following discussion, Senator Peck moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a Senate File. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes. Appendix 13.
Mr. Dan Roberts, City Engineer of Gillette, and Mr. Larry Wester of Wester Westein and Associates, provided the Committee with information on the ongoing study of reinjecting water produced from coalbed methane back into the ground. The project is working well at this time.
Mr. Besson explained the bill which allows the business councils of both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Indian tribes to participate in joint powers boards and to serve as sponsors for water development projects. Appendix 14.
Representative Anderson moved that W.S. 41-2-1101(a) be repealed instead of amended. The motion passed.
Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved that the Committee sponsor the bill as a Senate File. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 10 ayes, 0 noes. Appendix 15.
Mr. Besson explained the bill which would create a debt service account for the High Savery Reservoir Project. Appendix 16.
Following discussion, Senator Northrup moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a House Bill. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes. Appendix 17.
Mr. Besson explained the bill which would create a third water development account to be used for water storage projects of over 2,000 acre feet. Appendix 18.
Representative Bucholz moved that the 2/3 vote requirement be removed from the bill. The motion was withdrawn.
Senator Peck moved that on page 2, line 46 after "99-3-604" insert ". Movement of money into water development account III shall not eliminate recognition of the water storage potential in the Green/Wind River basins." The motion passed.
Following discussion, Senator Vasey moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a Senate File. The motion passed with a roll call vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes. Appendix 19.
Ms. Lisa Lindemann and Mr. George Langstaff of the State Engineer's Office, provided extensive information on the testing of the Lysite Mountain well. Appendix 20.
Mr. Thomas Faulkner of Phoenix Production Company, submitted a letter expressing concern over the potential impact of the well. Appendix 21.
Mr. Mike Hackett and Mr. Dave Zelenka of the WWDO gave a report on the safe drinking water plan. Mr. Hackett explained the criteria for funding water projects including the funding thereof.
Mr. Besson announced the next joint meeting of the Committee and the WWDC will be May 26, 2005 in Cheyenne.
There being no further business, Chairman Geis adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m..
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Gerald E. Geis, Chairman