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:
- 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:
-
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:
- 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:
-
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:
- The state's investments in Buffalo Bill, Fontenelle, and
Palisades Reservoir remain effective to serve existing and future
water needs in the project areas.
- 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:
- A quantification of the water available for instream flows.
- Assurance that the instream flow water rights will not
impact other water rights in the area.
- 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:
- 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 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:
- An inventory of the state's water resources.
- An inventory of the state's existing water use.
- 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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