Wyoming State Water Plan
Wyoming State Water Plan
Wyoming Water Development Office
6920 Yellowtail Rd
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7626
Wyoming Water Development Office
6920 Yellowtail Rd
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7626
The Wyoming Water Development Commission and the Wyoming State Engineer's Office co-sponsored an organizational meeting for the Bear River Basin Advisory Group on January 27, 1998, in Evanston Wyoming. Nearly 80 people attended the meeting from various parts of the Basin representing a number of local, state and federal agencies, agriculture, water users, industry and conservation interests.
Evan Green of the WWDC opened the meeting with an explanation of the water planning process including the authorization of the feasibility study and the selection of the Bear River Basin as a pilot project. Goals and objectives of the state wide planning process were explained as were the role of citizen advisory groups to assist with the development of the plans. The purpose and approach of the feasibility study were discussed and the statutory role of the WWDC and SEO were outlined for participants.
The facilitator explained the use of advisory groups and public involvement in development of the plan. People were challenged to evaluate the following issues identified in the Water Planning Questionnaire as they related to management of water resources in the Bear River Basin and also for assembling an Advisory Group of 12-15 individuals to assist with development of a plan:
Participants generally agreed that all issues identified in the questionnaire were applicable to the Bear River Basin. They also very quickly generated additional issues that could be placed within the context of a comprehensive plan. Specifically, these issues were identified as:
After discussing the above issues, participants were then asked to identify agency representatives, publics, special interests and others who could be assembled as an Advisory Group to address these issues within the Bear River Basin Plan. Some disagreement surfaced regarding state and federal agency participation. It was generally accepted that these persons would be invited to Advisory Group meetings on an "as needed" basis to provide information and clarification on technical issues. Additionally, the participants believed that there should be equal representation from both Lincoln and Uinta Counties to provide a basin wide perspective. Participants then agreed that representation on Advisory Group could be categorized as follows:
As participants began to suggest the make up of the Advisory Group, education was eliminated in the belief that all interests could adequately represent the areas youth. Representation on the Advisory Group was determined to be based on the following affiliations and interests:
Participants also agreed that the Advisory Group could add additional members to recognize as broad an array of interests as possible. Adding other members will be decided at the next meeting. The Planning Team from the WWDC and SEO will continue to serve as ex-officio members of the Advisory Group and provide expertise, guidance and administrative support.
Specific individuals were selected from those present and other members were suggested to be contacted. Individuals who have currently agreed to commit the time, interest, and participation as members of the advisory group include:
The Advisory Group will meet an additional seven times over the next few months. Participants agreed that the meetings should be open to all interested persons and that the meetings should rotate between Evanston and Cokeville to encourage participation. The next meeting was scheduled for March 11, 1998 in Evanston. The meeting will be held at the Weston Inn beginning at 7:00 p.m.