Select Water Committee advances omnibus planning and construction bills, approves UW research funding

The Select Water Committee on Feb. 2 advanced its omnibus planning and construction water bills and approved funding for two University of Wyoming water-research projects totaling $374,997.

Committee members approved a planning-bill amendment that replaces a prior TBD with $374,997 for the two UW research proposals and moved the planning omnibus (26LSO0346) to the legislature on a roll-call vote reported as 12 ayes, 0 nays. The construction omnibus was also advanced as amended after the committee adopted a research amendment and recorded a 12-aye outcome with one member noting a conflict.

Why it matters: The packages authorize a slate of planning studies and construction projects across the state, move previously tabled projects back into active consideration, and attach short-term research funding intended to improve water-resource decision-making. The committee’s action clears the bills for formal introduction and debate in the legislature.

Most important facts: Jason Mead, director of the Water Development Office, told the committee the planning bill consolidates level 1 and 2 reconnaissance and feasibility studies, retains a $2,186,997 planning total after the amendment and reflects the two UW research grants. Commissioner Mark Cott described the top-ranked proposals: a three-year, statewide hydrologic-variability project (quantifying changes to spring and summer streamflows and flood/drought probabilities through 2100) and a two-year study of nitrate sources and movement in the Casper Aquifer in Laramie. Mead said those projects were ranked highest by the Water Research Advisory Committee and recommended by the Water Development Commission.

On the construction side, the committee adopted an amendment offered by Senator Hicks to add a research validation item to refine satellite-based evapotranspiration methods (OpenET) for forested systems tied to the Battle project. The amendment would provide approximately $155,000, most of which would run through the University of Wyoming for ground verification work, with roughly $35,000 directed to OpenET for software/processing; members also approved changing the implementation date to 2030 to allow graduate-level work.

Committee discussion also reviewed individual construction projects that had been tabled in November. Bill Brewer, deputy director of construction, summarized four items: the Deaver Irrigation materials-only approach (recommended to save state dollars with an estimated $135,325 materials grant); the Elk/Lehi shared spill-structure project (adding Lehi as a cosponsor); the Kirby Ditch pipeline application (withdrawn by sponsors pending more complete design); and the Tiller Canal rehabilitation (recommended as a 75% preconstruction grant of $54,825 and a $18,275 loan, with construction deferred until additional outside funding is secured).

Other details included a planned transfer of $16 million from account 1 to account 2 to meet rehabilitation demand, special conditions on some projects (for example, a requirement that Newcastle allow sales outside city limits), and an authorization to continue cloud-seeding program authorizations without state funding.

Committee votes: The planning omnibus (26LSO0346) passed the committee as amended on a roll-call vote reported as 12 ayes; the construction omnibus (26LSO0350) passed after amendments and a roll call reported 12 ayes with one member recording a conflict. Both measures will proceed to the legislature for consideration.

What’s next: The bills now move into the legislative process; sponsors and staff said they expect follow-up in committee and floor debate where members may propose further amendments or ask for additional program detail.