PROJECT INFORMATION:
The Greybull Valley Irrigation District serves 80,000 acres of irrigated
land in Park and Big Horn Counties and has experienced severe water
shortages for several years. Increased storage will provide
considerable agricultural and economic benefits.
The project envisions a diversion dam on the Greybull River, a 4-mile
supply canal, and an off-channel reservoir on a tributary of Roach
Gulch, which is a tributary of the Greybull River downstream of
Meeteetse. The proposed reservoir will have a capacity of 30,000 acre
feet.
The Level II study was phased. The first phase was completed in 1990
and concentrated on the hydrologic and geotechnical feasibility of the
project. It was determined that the project is technically feasible.
The second phase served to evaluate the costs and benefits of the two
most feasible dam sites and select the preferred site. The third phase
included the development of the conceptual designs and cost estimates.
In 1992, contacts with the Bureau of Reclamation indicated that the
project may be eligible for partial federal funding through the Small
Reclamation Project Act. The sponsor and WWDC decided it would be in
the best interests of both parties to delay the project and seek federal
funding. However, in 1993, Dan Beard, the Commissioner of the Bureau,
indicated that the Small Reclamation Program would be discontinued.
Therefore, it was concluded that the project would have to be funded by
the Water Development Program.
The estimated total cost for the proposed project is $40,000,000. Due
to a lack of funds in Water Development Account I, a phased Level III
recommendation was made and granted in 1994. The initial appropriation
of $3,000,000 provides funding for permit procurement, land acquisition,
and final design for the project. In 1994, consultants were selected by
the district and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed project. The EIS
process is underway and should be completed in 1997. Presently, it appears
that the needed federal permits will be granted. A design consultant was
selected to prepare plans and specifications. The present schedule calls for
construction to commence in the summer of 1997.
RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is recommended for this project.