M I N U T E S

SELECT WATER COMMITTEE

Conference Room                                                                                       August 16, 2002

Riviera Lodge                                                                                             Saratoga, Wyoming

PRESENT:       Representative Rodney "Pete" Anderson, Chairman

                        Senator Robert Peck, Vice Chairman

                        Senators Rich Cathcart and Bill Vasey.

                        Representatives Frank Philp and Bud Nelson.

                        Legislative Service Office:  Mark Quiner, Assistant Director.

                        Wyoming Water Development Office: Mike Besson, Director.

                        Others:  See Appendix "A".

ABSENT:         Senators Bill Barton, Rae Lynn Job and Gerald Geis; Representatives John Eyre, Mac McGraw and Jeff Wasserburger.

* * * * * * * * * * *

A joint meeting of the Select Water Committee and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) was called to order at 8:30 a.m.  The order of the meeting generally followed the prepared agenda, see Appendix "B".

On the previous day, August 15, 2002, the Committee went on a tour of the High Savery Dam.

The following is a summary of Committee proceedings arranged by topic.  Copies of all contracts, amendments and other materials referred to in these minutes which are not attached as exhibits are on file in the Legislative Service Office.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on May 30, 2002 were approved with no amendments.

Mr. Mike Besson, Director of the Wyoming Water Development Commission, reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the WWDC and the Select Water Committee.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Mr. Besson reviewed the financial status of Water Development Accounts I and II.  Account I has an estimated available balance of $27,227,146; and Account II has an estimated available balance of $32,738,624.

CONTRACT AMENDMENTS

Mr. Besson explained the following project contract amendments for Commission approval:  (Note:  no action was required of the Select Committee.)

·       Sandstone/High Savery Interim Amendment

·       York/South Side, Level I Interim Amendment

CONTRACTS

Mr. Besson explained the Pine Bluffs Groundwater Grant for the Committee and approval by the Commission.  Mr. Besson and Mr. Dave Zelinka of the WWDC` explained the following construction documents for the Committee and for Commission approval:  (Note:  no action was required of the Select Committee.):

·       Antelope Valley Project Agreement/Well Sale Contract

·       Gillette Central Zone Project Agreement

·       Town of Greybull Release of Mortgage

·       Greybull Valley Project Agreement

·       Wright Project Agreement

JAN CURTIS, STATE CLIMATOLOGIST

The Committee received a presentation by Mr. Jan Curtis, State Climatologist.  He provided extensive information on the issue of drought, with current and historical perspectives.  More information is available on his website, www.wrds.uwyo.edu. 

WATER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CRITERIA

Mr. Besson explained the current draft of the Water Development Program Operating Criteria.  The draft explains the current programs offered through the Water Development Program and available sources of funding.  After discussion, the Committee and the Commission requested Mr. Besson to address the issues of instream flow and the cost thereof as well as the issue of water metering.  Mr. Besson will revise the draft to include these issues.

GROUNDWATER GRANT PROGRAM RULES & REGULATIONS

Mr. Besson and Ms. Jane Caton of the Attorney General's Office explained the proposed changes to the rules.  The rules cover the groundwater exploration program.  Ms. Caton explained the timeline for adoption of the rules.  Following discussion, the Commission approved the initiation of the rulemaking process.

BUFFALO BILL DAM DEBT SERVICE ACCOUNT

Mr. Besson explained the progress including financial status of the Buffalo Bill Dam expansion project.  The legislature appropriated $52 million to work with the federal government on the construction of enlarging the Buffalo Bill Dam.  The construction mainly consisted of excavating silt from the site and enlarging the power plant capacity.

SMALL WATER PROJECT PROGRAM

Mr. Besson and Mr. Ron Vore, of the WWDC, explained the small water project program and provided a summary of the pilot studies.  The purpose of the small water project program is to manage rangelands for wildlife and livestock as well as to improve riparian areas.  The small water project program has begun in the Yellowstone River Basin and the Green River Basin.  Mr. Vore explained the criteria for the pilot projects and the application packet for interested sponsors.  He explained that 50% of the money available for approved projects will be state money with the sponsors required to match the money.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Select Water Committee will be Thursday, November 14, 2002 in Casper.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Representative Rodney "Pete" Anderson,

Chairman