Select Water Committee recommends, WWDC approves extended MOA and $499,000 NEPA contract increase for West Fork Reservoir NEPA work
November 05, 2025 | Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
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The Wyoming Water Development Commission approved a renewal of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Savory Little Snake River Water Conservancy District for the West Fork Reservoir NEPA process and authorized amendments to two consultant contracts to finish the environmental impact statement process.
Director Jason Mead explained that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided a $1,250,000 grant for the watershed‑scale NEPA process (called the watershed plan EIS). The state hired a third‑party NEPA contractor (SWCA) and several design/liaison consultants (Stantec and others) to coordinate multiple federal and state reviews. Under an earlier agreement the conservancy district reimbursed 50% of invoices; the new MOA extends the reimbursement timeline and changes the district’s response period from 15 to 30 days to allow board consideration before reimbursement.
Select Water Committee members reviewed the MOA and recommended approval. The commission approved the MOA and amended the end date to Dec. 31, 2028, to allow completion of the draft and final EIS and record of decision if necessary. Commissioners emphasized the multi‑agency coordination required, including the Corps of Engineers, US Forest Service (land exchange), EPA and NRCS, and acknowledged the government shutdown risk and schedule uncertainty.
The commission also approved Amendment No.10 to Stantec’s contract (adding approximately $130,000 to discretionary tasks and extending the contract to 12/31/2028) and Amendment No.2 to SWCA’s third‑party NEPA contract to cover additional NEPA work and technical memos (approximately $499,000 increase; amended end date 12/31/2028). Director Mead said the extra funding responds to significant public comments, additional water‑quality work related to legacy mining near the site, and coordination costs for 404/401 permitting and other federal requirements.
Commissioners debated cost escalation for large storage projects but voted to continue NEPA work because NRCS participation can leverage federal funds for design and possibly up to 75% of construction through certain NRCS programs. Commissioner concerns centered on long timelines and increasing cost estimates; staff responded that design and permitting are prerequisites to secure larger federal cost‑share and that if a permit is obtained, the NRCS may fund design cost and proceed with construction applications.
The commission’s actions authorize the office to proceed with contracted NEPA work and to bill and receive reimbursements under the revised MOA, while reporting back to the commission on schedule and permitting milestones.
Director Jason Mead explained that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided a $1,250,000 grant for the watershed‑scale NEPA process (called the watershed plan EIS). The state hired a third‑party NEPA contractor (SWCA) and several design/liaison consultants (Stantec and others) to coordinate multiple federal and state reviews. Under an earlier agreement the conservancy district reimbursed 50% of invoices; the new MOA extends the reimbursement timeline and changes the district’s response period from 15 to 30 days to allow board consideration before reimbursement.
Select Water Committee members reviewed the MOA and recommended approval. The commission approved the MOA and amended the end date to Dec. 31, 2028, to allow completion of the draft and final EIS and record of decision if necessary. Commissioners emphasized the multi‑agency coordination required, including the Corps of Engineers, US Forest Service (land exchange), EPA and NRCS, and acknowledged the government shutdown risk and schedule uncertainty.
The commission also approved Amendment No.10 to Stantec’s contract (adding approximately $130,000 to discretionary tasks and extending the contract to 12/31/2028) and Amendment No.2 to SWCA’s third‑party NEPA contract to cover additional NEPA work and technical memos (approximately $499,000 increase; amended end date 12/31/2028). Director Mead said the extra funding responds to significant public comments, additional water‑quality work related to legacy mining near the site, and coordination costs for 404/401 permitting and other federal requirements.
Commissioners debated cost escalation for large storage projects but voted to continue NEPA work because NRCS participation can leverage federal funds for design and possibly up to 75% of construction through certain NRCS programs. Commissioner concerns centered on long timelines and increasing cost estimates; staff responded that design and permitting are prerequisites to secure larger federal cost‑share and that if a permit is obtained, the NRCS may fund design cost and proceed with construction applications.
The commission’s actions authorize the office to proceed with contracted NEPA work and to bill and receive reimbursements under the revised MOA, while reporting back to the commission on schedule and permitting milestones.
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