Committee Meeting Information

December 15, 2006

Herschler Building, Room 1699

Cheyenne, Wyoming

 

Committee Members Present

Representative Rodney “Pete” Anderson, CoChairman

 

Senator Gerald E. Geis, CoChairman

Senator Pat Aullman

Senator Chuck Townsend

Senator Bill Vasey

Representative Layton Morgan

Representative Lorraine Quarberg

Representative Mark Semlek

 

Committee Members Absent

Senator Tex Boggs

Senator Robert Peck

Representative Marty Martin

Representative Owen Petersen

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Mark Quiner, Assistant Director

 

Others Present at Meeting

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.

Call To Order

Chairman Anderson 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.

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the August 24 & 25, 2006 Committee meeting were approved with no changes.

 

Financial Report

Mr. Mike Besson provided the Committee with an update of the financial status of the Water Development Accounts I through III.  Following approval of the proposed 2007 water projects, Account I will have a balance of around $10.7 million, Account II will have a balance of roughly $530,000, and the new Account III for reservoirs and storage will have a balance of around $89 million. 

 

Omnibus water bill-planning, 07LSO-389.W4

Mr. Besson explained the bill draft authorizing all the Level I and Level II studies and providing appropriations therefor.  Appendix 3.

 

Mr. Besson indicated the Water Development Commission (WWDC) had approved a rehabilitation feasibility study for the Kirby Irrigation District in Hot Springs County for an amount of $200,000.  The project was added to the bill on page 5, line 35.

 

Mayor Boyd Sidebury and Kent Harker of Star Valley Ranch provided testimony in support of their project.

 

Following discussion, Senator Geis moved the Committee sponsor the bill as a House Bill.  The motion passed with a roll call vote of 8 ayes, 4 absent.  Appendix 4.

 

Omnibus water bill-construction, 07LSO-390.W2

Mr. Besson explained the bill draft authorizing water development construction projects.  Mr.  Besson provided information on each authorized water project.  Appendix 5. 

 

The Committee approved the following amendments to the bill:

 

Page 26 – line 4                       After "less" insert "for a term of twenty (20) years from the date the commission determines project benefits accrue to the sponsor at an annual rate of four percent (4%)."

 

Page 28 – line 3                       Delete "May" insert "March" and wherever those dates appear throughout the bill.

 

Page 29 – line 14         Strike "fifty percent (50%)" insert "the remaining balance".

 

Page 30 – lines 19 and 20 – Reinsert stricken language; strike "may" insert "shall"; and include the same amendment in the Arapaho and Shoshone water projects.

 

Senator Townsend moved that the sunset date on the small water development projects be extended to April 1, 2010 and included in the bill.  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 8 ayes, 4 absent.  Appendix 6.

 

Office of Water Programs at the University of Wyoming

Mr. Greg Kerr, Director of the Office of Water Programs, provided the annual report on the activities of the Office.  Appendix 7.

 

Dr. Paul Johnson of the University of Wyoming provided a presentation on the pathogenic microorganisms found in Wyoming's surface water.

 

Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

Mr. Mike Hackett of the Wyoming Water Development Office explained the program and its funding.  Mr. Hackett gave an update on the loans made during the year.  The intended use plan for the fund is revised each year to determine priority and how the state will use the money.  Mr. Hackett indicated there will be around $24 million available for loans following receipt of the 2007 federal grant. 

 

Future Meeting Date

Mr. Jon Wade reminded the Committee the next meeting will be June 7, 2007 as a joint meeting with the WWDC.

 

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Chairman Anderson adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m..

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Representative Rodney "Pete" Anderson, Chairman