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Northeast Wyoming River Basin
Meeting Record
Newcastle, WY
April 3, 2003
Welcome
Facilitator Sherri Gregory welcomed the group and the meeting was called
to order at 1:01 p.m. All attendees introduced themselves, followed by
a review of the overall meeting agenda. A sign-in sheet was passed around
to record attendance. The next meeting is scheduled for July 17 in Lusk.
Water Development Commission Report
Barry Lawrence updated the BAG on the status of the plans for the other
basins. The Bear, Green, Snake/Salt, Wind/Bighorn, and Powder/Tongue River
Basins met March 24 in Cokeville, March 25 in Rock Springs, March 26 in Alpine,
April 1 in Cody, and April 2 in Buffalo. Open houses for the Platte River
Basin will be held this spring. Barry discussed the status of all basin
studies, and agenda for future meetings.
John Jackson indicated that four new commissioners had been appointed,
including Bill Bensel in Division II. Nineteen new projects were authorized
in the Omnibus Water Bill – Planning, including studies for the Beulah Water
Supply and Canyon/Sunset Newcastle Area Water Supply. Twenty-seven projects
were authorized in the Omnibus Water Bill – Construction. The projects in
this basin included the following:
- Moorcroft Madison Well Water Supply, which will transfer the title of
the new Level II groundwater well and provides for the connection of the new
well to the town; and
- Pine Haven Madison Well, which will transfer the title of the new Level
II groundwater well and provides for the connection of the new well to the
town.
The Groundwater Exploration Grant Program, which was amended in 2002,
was appropriated an additional budget of $1,500,000. Eligibility for the
Small Water Project Program was amended to include the entire state.
Cottonwoods on the Cheyenne River
Mickey Steward, Coalbed Methane Coordination Coalition, started taking
samples at the upper end of Antelope Creek at the Bill Moore ranch, working
down toward Riverview. The stretch, which is one of a few prairie rivers
in Wyoming without dams, has well-developed cottonwood stands and wetlands.
Even aged stands of cottonwoods, in single linear stands upbank from the
stream, were most typical. However, tree stands were located in the following
groupings: on the channel bottom, or above the channel 3-6 feet. The oldest
stands are 6-10 feet above. In addition, sand substrata supports the cottonwoods
well on Antelope Creek and beaver debris was found supporting small ecosystems
around the cottonwoods.
In summary, the cottonwood study results indicated:
- The Nine Mile to Riverview stretch had healthy and extensive populations
of cottonwoods,
- Young tree stands are close to the stream level, aged are high above,
- Flooding assists tree establishment; the seeds are long-lived,
- Trees can survive beavers and livestock,
- The trees are relatively sensitive to salts in groundwater; competition
with salt cedar is poor,
- The trees are sensitive to water table rise and drop,
- More cottonwoods now than at turn of century, and
- There are extensive wetlands along reach, too.
The draft study is due in late December 2003.
Belle Fourche Aerial Photography
The entire Wyoming portion of the river was flown. It was found that CBM
water has made the streams perennial in the upper reaches. In addition, very
few cottonwoods were seen along the upper reaches, as there is a very incised
streambed. More cottonwoods were seen around Moorcroft with even more after
Keyhole Reservoir. The lower reaches have more irrigated lands, and the
river is perennial. The differences between the Belle Fourche River and
the Cheyenne River were discussed. A lengthy discussion followed.
Cumulative Effects of CBM Discharge on the Cheyenne River Dan Hengel,
Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), indicated that 20-25% of the total
DEQ permits on Antelope Creek had been analyzed. The analysis indicated that
only 20% of the permitted outfalls on Antelope Creek are discharging and
have minimal impacts. Conveyance losses were then discussed. However, the
Black Thunder and Little Thunder Creek discharge is showing up at the Cheyenne
River monitoring stations. The sodium levels are low from Antelope Creek,
and even lower from Black Thunder into the Cheyenne River. A lengthy discussion
followed.
State Engineer’s Office Coalbed Methane (CBM) Reservoir Policy
John Barnes, Surface Water Administrator, presented a history of water
practices from 1930 through late 1950’s. He indicated practices have changed
from the use of headgates and diversion structures from flood or spring runoffs
to the use of spreader dike systems. In addition, monies were made available
from the federal government to build small reservoirs.
John summarized the revised interim policy, as updated in 2002, with regard
to by-product water developed by CBM wells. He discussed the coordination
with various agencies, including the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission,
Department of Environmental Quality, Bureau of Land Management and the US
Corps of Engineers. Some of the areas of concern involve permitting on-channel
and off-channel impoundments, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), and safety of
dams for small and large reservoirs.
2,000 CBM related applications have been received since 1999, of which
half have been processed. John went on to say that within the next 3-5 years,
an additional 3,000 are expected. A lengthy discussion followed.
Wyoming’s Drought
Jan Curtis, State Climatologist, introduced the drought website and drought
related links, which included the palmer index, soil moisture and Snotel maps.
Most of the state is in an exceptional drought, but due to recent snowstorms,
has been upgraded to an extreme drought. He emphasized the importance of
precipitation in April for the basin, which is currently 82% of average.
A brief discussion followed.
Thunder Basin National Grassland
Clarks McClung, US Forest Service, indicated the grassland was originally
formed in 1934 as the Northeast Wyoming Utilization project. In 1960, the
area was transferred to US Forest Service management, and became known as
the Thunder Basin National Grassland. The grassland is comprised of three
grazing associations: Spring Creek unit, Thunder Basin, and Indian Kara.
There are public (federal, state) and private lands involved, with the majority
of the lands in Weston, Converse and Campbell Counties. The grasslands are
commonly used for range grazing and mineral development. There are over 180
grazing allotments, 6 active coal mines, 350 oil and gas facilities, and
530 (non CBM) producing wells.
Public Comment
Tom Cook, meeting attendee, commented on the proposed permit by Phillips
Petroleum with regard to high values of TDS and SAR discharged to the Cheyenne
River. Discussion followed.
The meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
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