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Water Development Office

Bear River Basin Advisory Group
Meeting Record
Cokeville, WY
July 20, 1998

Meeting Attendance List:

Dennis Cornelison, Evanston
Gordon Park, Evanston
Eric Heltzel, Evanston
Craig Lowham, Evanston
John Teichert, Cokeville
Mike Sims, Evanston
James Crompton, Evanston
Eric Esterholdt, Cokeville
Allen Cowardin, Evanston
Dan Martin, Evanston
Brian Honey, Evanston
Mike Archibald, Kemmerer
Megan Johnson. Thayne
DeMont Grandy, Cokeville
Joe Buckley, Cokeville
Tony Bergantino, Laramie
Mike Sposit, Green River
Evan Green, Cheyenne
Aaron Waller, Laramie
Kirk Heaton, Rock Springs
Sue Lowry, Cheyenne
Kevin Wilde, Cokeville
Jack Smith, Lander
Evan Simpson, Afton
Clay Baird, Evanston
John Talbott, Cheyenne
Ken Klinker, Evanston
Ron Remmick, Green River
Kathy Buchner, Jackson
Ralph Swift, Pinedale

The meeting began with introductions of the audience and Advisory Group.

Ron Remmick, Fisheries Supervisor for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department provided an overview of Department activities in the Basin. Ron provided descriptions of fish population surveys, habitat assessments and improvements, and also discussed in-stream flows. Ron also provided the group with an update on the status of the Bonneville cutthroat trout within the Basin.

Evan Green of the Wyoming Water Development Commission discussed timelines for preparation of the reports by Boyle Engineering and the Basin Advisory Group that will be submitted to the Water Development Commission, Select Water Committee and the state legislature.

The group then reviewed the recommendations outline that will be used to prepare the draft report of recommendations. Discussions centered on clarification of a few outline items and some minor editing of the outline. The group then discussed preparation of the draft recommendations that will be prepared and discussed at the meeting in Evanston on August 17, 1998.

The Cokeville Senior Citizen’s Center prepared an excellent dinner for members of the group and the audience. We would like to extend our appreciation and thanks to the Center for their culinary abilities and hospitality.

Bear River Basin Advisory Group Report Outline (Draft)

Preface:

The framework for involving a local citizen group in Basin Water Planning

a) Selection of the advisory board
b) Functions/goals of the advisory board
c) Meeting tasks and procedures
d) Expectations and timelines
e) Communicating with decision makers
f) Other functions for the Basin Advisory Group

Introduction:

Historical Bear River Basin perspective and description of the resource.

Basin Issues

1) Water Allocation

a) Current water rights perspective and priorities

i) Benefits and impacts of current allocations in different uses
ii) Restrictions and opportunities of the Bear River Compact
iii) Current law and The Prior Appropriation Doctrine
iv) Improving existing allocations
v) Water transfers and marketing feasibility
vi) Water storage
vii) Water conservation

b) Groundwater Definitions

i) Rights, availability and uses

2) Water Quality

a) Water quality impacts and benefits

i) Municipal
ii) Agricultural
iii) Recreational
iv) Industrial/Mining
v) Subdivisions and infrastructure developments (roads, highways, etc.)
vi) Groundwater
vii) Water flow/quality interaction

b) Water quality standards and regulation (i.e. TMDLs)

i) Historical perspective
ii) Point and non-point source differentiation
iii) Coordinating standards with neighboring states

c) Water quality solutions

i) Locally driven and citizen-based problem solving
ii) Monitoring activities
iii) State agencies and local conservation district involvement

3) Future Demands and Growth

a) Current allocation patterns

i) Water rights
ii) Community heritage

b) Potential shortages by water use sector

i) Land and water availability

c) Opportunities and solutions to meet existing and future shortages

i) Efficiency
ii) New technology
iii) Additional Upper Division storage
iv) Groundwater
v) Public education

d) Miscellaneous growth issues (i.e. floodplains, open space)

4) Habitat, Wildlife and Fisheries

a) Examine impacts and benefits of existing and future water management activities

i) Habitat benefits or impacts of agriculture
ii) Impacts and benefits of water storage projects

b) Compatibility of consumptive and non-consumptive uses of water
c) Endangered species issues and solutions
d) Cost sharing opportunities for projects with benefits to habitat, wildlife and fisheries

5) Economics

a) Evaluation of economic impacts

i) Growth and Developments
ii) Agriculture
iii) Additional Storage
iv) New technology and efficiency practices
v) Water quality improvements & cost/benefit analysis
vi) Recreation/Tourism
vii) Marketing water resources

b) Solution funding

i) Water conservation incentives
ii) Industrial partnerships
iii) Growth financing
iv) Cost share with other beneficiaries
v) Water rate structuring
vi) Taxation
vii) Water marketing revenues