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Wyoming Water Development Commission 
Harry C. LaBonde, Jr., PE, Director 
6920 Yellowtail Rd, Cheyenne, WY 82002 
Phone: 307-777-7626 

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1996 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Wyoming Water Development Program - Strategic Plan
December 31, 1995


V. Goals/Objectives/Strategies

The goals/objectives/strategies presented below are in numerical order of priority.

Goal I.

Water Resource Development - Develop unused and/or unappropriated water to meet the present and future needs of Wyoming and its citizens and improve existing water projects so they remain effective and viable assets for their users and Wyoming.

Objective I.A   Utililize the New Development Program to develop unused and/or unappropriated water by providing funding assistance to municipalities, irrigation districts, and special districts (project sponsors) to construct water supply facilities such as dams, diversion structures, groundwater wells and transmission pipelines.

Outcomes:

  1. Preservation of Wyoming's water entitlements through effective and efficient use.

  2. Insurance that the lack of water will not inhibit the economic growth of the sponsor and the state.

  3. Improved state water infrastructure.

  4. Short-term benefits economic benefits to the state in the form of jobs, increased material and equipment sales, and other indirect benefits to local and state economies.

Strategy I.A.1   Keep the public informed of the opportunities, limitations, and requirements of the New Development Program.

Output:

Public meetings and hearings.
Publication of program criteria.
Presentations to interest groups.

Strategy I.A.2   Receive applications for funding assistance on an annual basis for the following types of projects listed in priority: multipurpose, storage, new supply, new supply systems, hydropower, purchase of unused storage, and recreation.

Strategy 1.A.3   Evaluate project applications in accordance with the latest program criteria as developed by the Water Development Commission and Select Water Committee for the purpose of generating consistent and fair funding recommendations to the governor and legislature in a manner compatible with existing program financial resources.

Output:

Typically, twenty (20) applications for funding and technical assistance are received and reviewed each year.

Strategy I.A.4   Complete Level I Reconnaissance studies on project applications, as appropriated and approved by the legislature, to determine project opportunities to meet the applicants' existing and future water needs.

Output:

Presently, work is underway on ten (10) Level I studies. Typically, there are 5-10 new Level I projects each year.

Strategy I.A.5   Complete Level II Feasibility Studies for Level I projects deemed worthy of advancement and detailed project applications, as appropriate and approved by the legislature, to determine project economic and technical feasibility.

Output:

Presently, work is underway on fifteen (15) Level II studies. Typically, there are 5-10 new Level II projects each year.

Strategy I.A.6   Provide funding assistance for Level III Construction Projects which develop unused and/or unappropriated water and are deemed good investments by the respective project sponsors, the Wyoming Water Development Commission, the governor and the legislature.

Output:

Since 1982, thirty-three (33) new development projects have been constructed. Presently, there are thirty-six (36) projects in the various phases of the construction process. Typically, there are 10-20 new Level III projects each year.

Strategy I.A.7   Provide project management and oversight on Level III Construction Projects to assist the project sponsor through the construction process as well as insure effective and efficient use of the project appropriations.

Output:

Completed project agreements, notes and mortages. Review of project plans and budgets. Approval of project contracts. Monitoring project expenditures. Periodic project inspections.

Strategy I.A.8   Provide billings for and collections of outstanding loan payments.

Output:

Prepare and submit billings on an annual basis. Insure receipt of annual payments for all outstanding loans.

Strategy I.A.9   Institute project inspections five years after project construction to determine the validity of the assumptions used in project planning and development and to verify project designs and construction methods. This information will assist the program in evaluating existing criteria and design practices.

Output:

Perform two (2) such inspections each year and prepare formal reports on the findings.

Strategy I.A.10   Evaluate the benefits and problems associated with combining the functions of the Farm Loan Board, Abondoned Mine Land, and Water Development Program related to water project funding.

Output:

A report prepared in cooperation by the Commissioner of Public Lands, the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Director of the Wyoming Water Development Office by November, 1 1996, for review by the Governor.

Objective I.B   Continue to utilize the Rehabilitation Program to keep existing water supply projects effective and viable by providing funding assistance to municipalities, irrigation districts, and special districts (project sponsors) for the improvement of water supply projects completed and in use for at least fifteen (15) years.

Outcomes:

  1. Preservation of Wyoming's water entitlements through effective and efficient use.

  2. Insurance that existing water supply projects remain effective and viable for the respective water users and the state.

  3. Improved state water infrastructure.

  4. Short-term economic benefits to the state in the form of jobs, increased material and equipment sales, and other indirect benefits to local and state economies.

Strategy I.B.1   Keep the public informed of the opportunities, limitations, and requirements of the Rehabilitation Program.

Output:

Public meetings and hearings.
Publication of program criteria.
Presentations to interest groups.

Strategy I.B.2   Receive applications for funding assistance on an annual basis for the following types of projects listed in priority: multipurpose, storage, water supply systems, hydropower, and recreation.

Strategy I.B.3   Evaluate project applications in accordance with the latest program criteria as developed by the Water Development Commission and Select Water Committee for the purpose of generating consistent and fair funding recommendations to the governor and legislature in a manner compatible with existing program financial resources.

Output:

Typically, five (5) applications for funding and technical assistance are received and reviewed each year.

Strategy I.B.4   Complete Level II Feasibility Studies on project applications, as appropriated and approved by the legislature, to determine project economic and technical feasibility.

Output:

Presently, work is underway on five (5) Level II studies. Typically, there are 5 new Level II projects each year.

Strategy I.B.5   Provide funding assistance for Level III Construction Projects which rehabilitate existing water supply projects and are deemed good investments by the respective project sponsors, the Wyoming Water Development Commission, the governor and the legislature.

Output:

Since 1982, forty-one (41) rehabilitation projects have been constructed. Presently, there are twenty-two (22) projects in the various phases of the construction process. Typically, there are 5-10 new Level III projects each year.

Strategy I.B.6   Provide project management and oversight on Level III Construction Projects to assist the project sponsor through the construction process as well as insure effective and efficient use of the project appropriations.

Output:

Completed project agreements, notes and mortgages. Review of project plans and budgets. Approval of project contracts. Monitoring project expenditures. Periodic project inspections.

Strategy I.B.7   Provide billings for and collections of outstanding loan payments.

Output:

Prepare and submit billings on an annual basis. Insure receipt of annual payments for all outstanding loans.

Goal II.

Water Resource Planning-Update the database pertaining to Wyoming's water resources through basin wide research and planning.

Objective II.A   Manage the state's existing water investments.

Outcomes:

  1. The state's investments in Buffalo Bill, Fontenelle, and Palisades Reservoir remain effective to serve existing and future water needs in the project areas.

  2. Increased revenues and assurances that project sponsors are not receiving "windfalls" from the state's investments in new development projects.

Strategy II.A.1   Insure that the state's repayment and operation/maintenance obligations are met on Buffalo Bill, Fontenelle and Palisades Reservoirs.

Output:

Annual payments to the Bureau of Reclamation.

Strategy II.A.2   Insure that the state is receiving payments from its storage contractors.

Output:

Payments from the storage contractors at Fontenelle Reservoir. Payments from the Bureau of Reclamation at Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

Strategy II.A.3   Market storage from Fontenelle Reservoir.

Output:

Increased revenues to offset the state's costs.

Strategy II.A.4   Monitor completed new development projects and collect the state's share of the revenues from water sales.

Output:

Presently the state is receiving revenues from the sale of the water from the Cheyenne Stage II Project and the Rawlins Groundwater Project. This type of income should increase in the future.

Objective II.B   Prepare instream flow feasibility studies

Outcomes:

  1. A quantification of the water available for instream flows.

  2. Assurance that the instream flow water rights will not impact other water rights in the area.

  3. Assurance that the instream flow water rights will not impact water development opportunities in the area.

Strategy II.B.1   Complete instream flow feasibility studies on the water right applications prepared by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in a comprehensive and timely manner.

Output:

Four (4) instream flow reports per year.

Strategy II.B.2   Advise the State Engineer if granting the instream flow water right would impact water development opportunities in the area.

Output:

Testimony at instream flow hearings held by the State Engineer's Office and written comments on each instream flow water right application.

Objective II.C   Perform water related research that affects project development and addresses water issues that can impact the entire state.

Outcomes:

  1. A technically sound and efficient staff.

  2. Reduced project costs.

  3. Improved understanding and reaction to federal requirements and issues.

Strategy II.C.1   Each project manager within the Water Development Office should monitor changing technology and construction techniques and define cost savings opportunities.

Output:

Each project manager should attend at least one seminar per year and advise the other managers of the information provided.

Strategy II.C.2   Monitor ever-changing federal policies related to permitting requirements for water projects.

Output:

Attend periodic meetings with federal officials and monitor project specific permitting activities. Remain active in the state clearinghouse process.

Strategy II.C.3   Remain current of existing and proposed federal legislation pertaining to the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and Safe Drinking Act.

Output:

Report to the Governor on the impacts or benefits of the legislation on water development and management.

Strategy II.C.4   The director should be available to the Governor for special assignments relating to water development and management.

Output:

As directed by the Governor.

Objective II.D   Complete and maintain basin wide plans for each major drainage basin in Wyoming.

Outcomes:

  1. An inventory of the state's water resources.

  2. An inventory of the state's existing water use.

  3. A strategic plan for future water development and management.

Strategy II.D.1   Systematically update the library of infrared photography to complete an inventory of irrigated lands within the state and to serve state agencies and the private sector.

Output:

Develop and ground proof photography for the entire state within five years.

Strategy II.D.2   Continue to cost share the Water Resources Data System with the Water Resources Center at the University of Wyoming to provide current water quantity and quality information to state agencies and the private sector.

Output:

Computer compilations of water quality and quantity data throughout the state.

Strategy II.D.3   Develop computerized strategic plans for future water developmnet and management for each major drainage basin within the state.

Output:

Strategic plans for the Big Horn, Powder, Tongue, Upper Colorado, Bear, Snake River Basins, as well as Northeast Wyoming in five (5) years.
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