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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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1997 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Wyoming Water Development Program - Strategic Plan
December 31, 1996


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.

The specified numbers of studies and projects have been used in order to provide measurable outcomes and outputs. However, the ability to achieve these measures depends on the size and complexity of the individual projects and the availability of the revenues enjoyed by the Water Development Accounts Nos. 1 and 2. The WWDC is committed to schedule projects in a manner commensurate with available funds. Therefore, it should not be interpreted that the WWDC plans to seek additional funding sources to meet the following outcomes and outputs. Rather, the outcomes and outputs will be revised to accommodate available funding.

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:

Completion of twenty (20) projects during the 97/98 biennium under the New Development Program. These projects will provide the following indirect benefits to the state:

  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:

Thirty (30)Public meetings and hearings per biennium.

Biennial Publication of the program criteria.

Annual publication of the legislative report.

Ten (10) Presentations to interest groups per biennium.

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. 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:

Fifteen (15) applications for funding and technical assistance are received and reviewed each year.

Strategy I.A.3   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:

Six (6) Level I studies should be completed each biennium.

Strategy I.A.4   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:

Ten (10) Level II studies should be completed each biennium.

Strategy I.A.5   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:

Funding should be requested for twelve (12) Level III construction projects each biennium.

Strategy I.A.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:

Forty-five (45) projects should be in the construction process during the biennium. The process includes completion of project agreements, notes and mortages; review of project plans and budgets; approval of project contracts; monitoring project expenditures; periodic project inspections.

Strategy I.A.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. There are forty-eight (48) active loan accounts.

Strategy I.A.8   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 four (4) such inspections each biennium and prepare formal reports on the findings.

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:

Completion of fourteen (14) projects during the 97/98 biennium under the Rehabilitation Program. These projects will provide the following indirect benefits to the state:

  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:

Twenty-five (25) public meetings and hearings per biennium.

Biennial publication of the program criteria.

Annual publication of the legislative report.

Ten (10) presentations to interest groups per biennium.

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. 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:

Eight (8) applications for funding and technical assistance should be received and reviewed each year.

Strategy I.B.3   Complete Level II Feasibility Studies on project applications, as appropriated and approved by the legislature, to determine project economic and technical feasibility.

Output:

Six (6) Level II studies should be completed each biennium.

Strategy I.B.4   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:

Funding should be requested for eight (8) Level III projects each biennium.

Strategy I.B.5   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:

Thirty (30) projects should be in the construction process during the biennium. The process includes completion of project agreements, notes and mortgages; review of project plans and budgets; approval of project contracts; monitoring project expenditures; periodic project inspections.

Strategy I.B.6   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. There are fifty-one (51) loan accounts.

Goal II.

Water Resource Planning-Update and maintain the database pertaining to Wyoming's water resources through information developed from project specific studies, management of the state's water investments, completion of instream flow feasibility studies, performance of general water related research, and 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. The state's water investments include 190,000 acre feet of storage space in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, 125,000 acre feet of water per year from Fontenelle Reservoir, and 33,000 acre feet of storage space in Palisades Reservoir.

  2. Increased revenues and assurances that project sponsors are not receiving "windfalls" from the state's investments in new development projects. The WWDC maintains a financial interest in 48 completed 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:

Annual payments from the five (5) existing storage contractors at Fontennelle Reservoir. Annual payments from the Western Area Power Administration at Buffalo Bill Reservoir.

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

Output:

Develop two (2) new water supply contracts per biennium which will 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. Approve one (1) new water supply contract per biennium.

Objective II.B   Prepare instream flow feasibility studies

Outcomes:

Issuance of four (4) instream flow water rights per biennium by the State Engineer.

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 biennium.

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

Output:

Testimony at four (4) instream flow hearings held by the State Engineer's Office and written comments on four (4) instream flow water right applications per biennium.

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

Outcomes:

Fifteen (15) water related research tasks, reports, or projects per biennium. Each of these tasks, reports or projects must promote:

  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 biennium 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 five (5) meetings per biennium with federal officials to monitor project specific permitting requirements.

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:

Two (2) reports to the Governor's office per biennium on the impacts or benefits of proposed state or federal legislation on water development and management.

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

Outcomes:

An outline, a detailed cost estimate, and a schedule for a computerized strategic plan for the development and management of Wyoming's water resources.

Strategy II.D.1   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:

Continously updated computer compilations of water quality and quantity data throughout the state.

Strategy II.D.2   Develop and update planning studies for each major drainage basin within the state.

Output:

Plans for the following basins:
Green/Little Snake Rivers, Bear River, Snake River Wind/Big Horn Rivers, Powder/Tongue Rivers, Northeast Wyoming, North Platte and Laramie Rivers.

One plan should be developed each biennium. After a plan is developed, it must be updated at least every four years.

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