DRAFT ONLY - APPROVAL PENDING

Wyoming Legislature

Committee Meeting Summary of Proceedings

Select Water Committee 

Committee Meeting Information

August 25 & 26, 2005

Sublette County Library

Pinedale, Wyoming

Committee Members Present

Senator Gerald E. Geis, CoChairman

Representative Rodney “Pete” Anderson, CoChairman

Senator Pat Aullman (August 25 only)

Senator Robert Peck

Senator Chuck Townsend

Senator Bill Vasey

Representative Marty Martin

Representative Layton Morgan

Representative Owen Petersen

Representative Mark Semlek

Committee Members Absent

Senator Tex Boggs

Representative Lorraine Quarberg

Legislative Service Office Staff

Mark Quiner, Assistant Director

Others Present at Meeting

Wyoming Water Development Office: Mike Besson, Director

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

Call To Order (August 25, 2005)

The Select Water Committee and the Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) went on a water tour beginning at 8 a.m. in the Pinedale area.  The tour included the Viva Naughton dam as well as the Green River area. 

Call To Order (August 26, 2005)

Chairman Anderson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m..  The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic.  Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the June 2, 2005 Committee meeting were approved with no changes.

Planning Study Amendments & Contracts

Mr. Mike Besson, Director of the Wyoming Water Development Office (WWDO) and various WWDO staff explained the following project planning document:

• Platte River Basin Plan, Amendment I

Following discussion, the Select Water Committee approved the amendment.

Small Water Project Program Applications

Mr. Ron Vore and Mr. Mike Besson of the WWDO explained the application criteria and the following applications for approval for the Small Water Project Program:

• Hall Butte Reservoir-Hot Springs Conservation District
• Neiber Pipeline-Hot Springs Conservation District
• Sun Land and Cattle Co.-Saratoga/Encampment/Rawlins Conservation District
• West Keester Well-Natrona County Conservation District
• Canyon Springs Prairie Pipeline-Weston County Natural Resource District
• Upper Beaver Creek Pipeline-Weston County Natural Resource District

The WWDC approved the above small water project applications with the following limitations:

The Canyon Springs Prairie Pipeline application was approved contingent upon the granting of public access to the fire hydrant during the life of the project;

The Upper Beaver Creek Pipeline project was approved contingent upon a favorable environmental evaluation.

Buffalo Bill Dam Sale of Water

Mr. Besson explained the proposed agreement of the sale of water from the Buffalo Bill Dam to the Worthington Group of Wyoming for use in the Copperleaf Subdivision.  The State would receive $26,000 per year for the sale of the water.  Following discussion, the WWDC approved the contract for the sale of the water.

Public Comment

Ms. Margo Sabec of Casper, representing her family's ranch, the Harlan Ranch, and Mr. Jason Gies, also a landowner in the Kaycee area, provided testimony regarding any potential dam of the Middle Fork River and its potential impact on the surrounding landowners and areas.  The parties expressed concern over the potential adverse impact to the surrounding landowners.  Ms. Sabec suggested there be an official Attorney General's opinion on the legality of the dam, and to find out whether there may be some potential litigation with the State of Montana over the project prior to any consideration of the project.

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Chairman Anderson adjourned the meeting at 2 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Representative Rodney "Pete" Anderson, Chairman