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:
- Preservation of Wyoming's water entitlements through
effective and efficient use.
- Insurance that the lack of water will not inhibit the
economic growth of the sponsor and the state.
- Improved state water infrastructure.
- 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:
- Preservation of Wyoming's water entitlements through effective
and efficient use.
- Insurance that existing water supply projects remain effective
and viable for the respective water users and the state.
- Improved state water infrastructure.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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:
- A technically sound and efficient staff.
- Reduced project costs.
- 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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