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Bear River Basin Advisory Group
Organizational Meeting
Weston Inn, Evanston, WY
January 27, 1998
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:
- Agriculture
- Ground Water
- Economic Development
- Downstream Claims
- Water Quality
- Municipal and Domestic Uses
- Water Conservation and Reuse
- Water Rights, Law, Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Transfers, and Reserved
Rights
- Non-Consumptive Uses
- Water Development
- Federal Involvement, Regulations, Lawsuits
- Recreation
- Industrial, Mineral and Manufacturing Uses
- Disaster and Emergency Planning
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:
- Population Growth Impacts on Water Demands
- Other Influences, e.g., Zoning, Riparian Habitats, Wetlands, etc.
- Plan Should Not Conflict With Other Jurisdictions (County, Municipal)
- The Plan Should Define the Level of Impacts From Existing Uses
- Define Economic Development That Will Be Evaluated
- Agriculture, Economic Development and Ground Water Issues Should Be
Evaluated Together
- Recognize Other Committed Uses of Bear River Water Including Existing
Water Rights and Additional Storage Needs
- Address How the Plan Can Be Modified In the Future
- Address Who Can Change the Plan
- Describe the Legislative Prerogatives For Participants and Other
Publics
- The Plan Must Protect Existing Water Rights
- Describe Existing Constraints That Will Limit the Basin Plan's
Effectiveness, e.g., Different Formats Between States, Lack of Data,
Poor Records, etc.
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:
- Users
- Agricultural
- Municipal
- Industrial
- Recreational
- Political
- Advisory (Agency Representatives)
- Bear River Task Force
- Conservation Districts
- Bear River Compact
- Environmental
- Educational
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:
- Agriculture (3) from the upper, middle and lower basins.
- Mayors (2) from the cities of Evanston and Cokeville.
- County Commissioners (2) from Lincoln and Uinta Counties.
- Industry (1)
- Recreation (1)
- Bear River Task Force (1)
- Conservation Districts (2)
- Bear River Compact (2)
- Environmental Organizations (1)
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:
- Allan Burton, Mayor - City of Cokeville, Cokeville, WY,
- Dennis Cornelison, Uinta County CD, Evanston, WY,
- Allen Cowardin, WY State Parks, Evanston, WY,
- James Crompton, Bear River Commissioner, Evanston, WY,
- Bear River Compact (South)
- Will Davis, Mayor - City of Evanston, Evanston, WY,
- Kathy Davison, Lincoln Co. Commissioner, Kemmerer, WY,
- Eric Esterholdt, Lincoln CD, Cokeville, WY,
- Eric Heltzel, Trout Unlimited, Evanston, WY,
- Truman Julian, Wyoming Woolgrowers , Kemmerer, WY,
- Craig Lowham, Farm Federation, Evanston, WY,
- Aaron Martin, Uinta Co. Commissioner, Evanston, WY,
- Gordon L. Park, Bear River Inc., Evanston, WY,
- Hight Proffit, Western WY RC&D, Evanston, WY,
- Water Quality Task Force (RC&D)
- Mike Sims, Sims Land and Livestock, Evanston, WY,
- John Teichert, Bear River Commissioner, Cokeville, WY,
- Bear River Compact (North)
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.
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