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2003 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Active Projects

PROJECT INFORMATION:
Eastern Laramie County ranks high as one of the most intensively farmed areas of the state. The area depends on ground water pumping almost exclusively as the irrigation supply source. In 1970, a Ground Water Control Area was formed for extreme eastern Laramie County and expanded in 1982 (to include that portion of the county east of I-25, not inclusive of the city of Cheyenne) in response to declining ground water levels. A Control Area Advisory Board reviews and makes recommendations to the State Engineer concerning any new development of high production ground water wells, enlargement of existing wells, or placing new lands under irrigation.

Since inception of the Control Area, ground water level declines have slowed and in some areas ceased, but have not rebounded. Aquifer storage and retrieval (ASR) is a technology that has been tested in arid western states with varied success. This study would determine if a secondary supply source (e.g., surplus and/or unencumbered city of Cheyenne Stage II supplies) is available and if lands generally underlying Lodgepole Creek drainage in eastern Laramie County are a suitable candidate for ASR techniques or other technologies. The study has been completed, but due to high cost, has not been pursued furthered by the Sponsor.

RECOMMENDED LEGISLATIVE ACTION:
No legislative action is required.