Platte River Basin Advisory Group
Meeting Record
Wheatland, WY
September 4, 2003
Welcome
Facilitator Sherri Gregory welcomed the group and the meeting was
called to order. The formation of the Basin Advisory Group (BAG) was
identified as the meeting objective, followed by a review of the
overall meeting agenda (attached). Each of the attendees introduced
themselves. A sign-in sheet was passed around to record attendance.
Introduction to River Basin Planning
Jon Wade, WWDC: Jon Wade provided a summary of river basin
planning process and presented an overview of the Platte Basin Planning
Project. Jon explained that the Platte River Basin Planning Project
would take place over the next 18 months, and explained that the
project encompasses the entire Platte Basin in Wyoming, including the
South Platte drainage. It was also noted that the Platte River Basin
Planning Project was the last of the seven basin projects in the State
to be undertaken because of the North Platte Litigation and Settlement.
Jon described the purpose and history of the Wyoming Water Development
Commission (WWDC) and the long-standing need for a framework water plan
for the State. He also explained that the river basin planning is a
dynamic process whereby a framework plan for the entire state will be
developed and each river basin plan will be updated regularly. To make
the planning process less expensive, more current, and more dynamic,
WWDC chose to make the plans web-based.
Jodie Pavlica, WWDC, Project Manager: Jodie Pavlica began her
PowerPoint presentation with a summary of the State Water Planning
Process. She explained that the process began four years ago and
includes the seven major river basins in Wyoming. The river basin plans
are descriptive and current, which is why the plans are developed in
conjunction with a Basin Advisory Group, are accessible via the
Internet, and are updated every five years. Jodie then presented an
overview description of the tasks undertaken during a river basin
planning project. These tasks included Basin Water Use Profile,
Available Surface and Groundwater Determination with emphasis on the
Educational Tool to be developed for this basin, Demand Projections and
Future Water Use Opportunities. Following the task overview, Jodie
updated the group on the status of the ongoing and completed River
Basin Plans. For more information please visit the water planning
website http://waterplan.state.wy.us/.
Jodie concluded her presentation by explaining the upcoming events
and procedures for the Platte Basin Project. She explained that the
Basin Advisory Groups are established to identify local basin water
issues and priorities, and that the group will have bi-monthly meetings
that rotate around the basin to help minimize the drive time for
members in outlying areas of the basin. Jodie’s PowerPoint Presentation
is available on the Platte River Basin water planning website at http://waterplan.state.wy.us/BAG/platte/20030904riverbasinplan.pdf.
Scope and Work Products
Joel Farber, TriHydro Corporation: Joel Farber began his
presentation by introducing TriHydro as the company hired by WWDC to
develop the Platte River Basin Plan. Joel provided a brief description
of TriHydro and the other Project Team Members (Lidstone &
Associates, Harvey Economics, Frank Carr, and MWH Americas). He then
provided a project overview by describing the work to be undertaken as
part of the Basin Water Use Profile and Available Surface and
Groundwater Determination project tasks. He explained that TriHydro was
tasked with developing a web based educational tool under the Available
Surface and Groundwater Determination Task. The purpose of the tool was
described as a resource for pertinent information about the Platte
Basin and would include links to Geographic Information System (GIS)
maps, previous and ongoing WWDC projects, resource descriptions, the
modified North Platte decree, the North Platte Cooperative Agreement,
and the water administration. Joel showed five examples of previously
developed websites and GIS applications. He concluded his presentation
by asking the attendees to start thinking about items they would like
to see included in the educational tool. Joel’s PowerPoint Presentation
is available on the Platte River Basin water planning website at http://waterplan.state.wy.us/BAG/platte/20030904trihydro.pdf.
Role of the Basin Advisory Group
Sherry introduced this section of the meeting by explaining some of
the expectations of the BAG. She noted that the group’s purpose was to
serve in an advisory role not a policy-setting role. She described the
Basin Plan as a large database of information that is provided as an
information source and guideline to water planning. She reiterated the
importance of the process and participation of all BAG members to
ensure a complete and accurate final product. To this end, Sherry
explained the importance of everyone’s ideas and opinions being
represented.
Ground Rules & Conflict Resolution
Sherry led a discussion to establish a list of ground rules. These
rules will be added to the name tents used by the BAG members at each
meeting to remind all who are participating of their responsibilities
to the water planning process. The rules that were developed are as
follows:
- Wait to be recognized by facilitator
- Establish time limit on meetings
- Stay on task and on time
- No side conversation so all can hear
- Respect all opinions whether you agree or not
- No finger pointing or attacks on individuals or groups
- State and federal agencies will act as a resource
- Cell phones will be turned off prior to the meeting, or set to
vibrate rather than ring
During the discussion of ground rules, there was some confusion on
what the role of the BAG would be during the planning process insofar
as how the group would make decisions. The discussion focused on the
role of the BAG as an advisory body, that the group would really not be
tasked with making policy decisions. The WWDC is interested in hearing
everyone’s input, including members of the public that are not on the
BAG. The BAG will operate in an atmosphere of informed consent (“all
ideas will be heard”). Sherry explained that informed consent protects
the minority opinion and allows all ideas to be heard. Even if all
participants do not agree on the outcome, they agree on the process of
reaching the outcome. All meeting are open to the public, and all
persons have the opportunity to voice their opinions.
The purpose and long term outcome of the river basin plan was also
discussed at length, including the desire of the WWDC that the BAG
continue its work as an advisory group to the WWDC after the plan
documents are first completed. The planning process is dynamic and the
WWDC will ask the BAG to continue to meet three times per year after
the Plan is drafted.
Sherry next asked the group to take a 15-minute working break to
discuss how they wanted to be represented on the BAG.
Sector Identification
After much discussion, the group decided that geographic and water
use sector representatives would form the BAG. Using a slide from
Joel’s presentation, the geographic locations were defined according to
sub-basins within the Platte Basin. The areas were defined as follows:
- Pathfinder to Guernsey
- Above Pathfinder
- Upper Laramie
- Lower Laramie
- Horse Creek
- South Platte
- Guernsey to State Line
The group identified the following water use categories:
- Agricultural
- Municipal
- Industrial
- Recreational
- Environmental
- Water Use from Storage
- County
Following the sector identification, the group then identified
individuals who would serve as BAG members. Many of those in attendance
volunteered to serve. There were some sectors and geographic areas that
were not represented after all the volunteers were identified, so
nominations were taken to fill some of those spaces. The nominees will
be contacted prior the next meeting, and a preliminary list of members
will be provided at that time. There were 22 initial BAG members
identified and were broken down by sector as follows:
- Pathfinder to Guernsey (7)
- Above Pathfinder (11)
- Upper Laramie (5)
- Lower Laramie (2)
- Horse Creek (1)
- South Platte (1)
- Guernsey to State Line (5)
- Agricultural (14)
- Municipal (4)
- Industrial (1)
- Recreational (5)
- Environmental (6)
- Water Use from Storage (1)
- County (4)
Meeting Dates/Locations
The last item on the agenda was to identify meeting dates and
locations for the next three meetings. The group decided that the
meetings would be held by-monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The
meetings will begin at 1:00 pm and last until 4:00 pm. On October 14th
the group will meet in Cheyenne. On December 9th the group will meet in
Casper, and on February 10th the group will meet in Saratoga.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after 5:00 pm.
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