Select Water Committee recommends slate of planning and construction contracts and MOUs to state water commission

The Select Water Committee voted on March 6 to review and recommend a package of planning and construction contracts, amendments and two memoranda of understanding with the University of Wyoming to the Wyoming Water Development Commission.

Jason Mead, director of the Water Development Department, told the committee the items before the panel derive from the omnibus planning and construction bills and include planning amendments, construction agreements, promissory notes and security agreements that underpin loan terms.

Mead described a Level 2 planning amendment for Alkali Creek Reservoir (final design amendment No. 5) that would add $1,575,000 to a consultant engineer contract to finish designs and landowner watershed improvements. He also outlined Level 1 master plans and several new-development contracts, among them a Bedford and Turnerville regional supply engagement with Sunrise Engineering for $326,200, and a Shoshone Irrigation District master plan with JUB for $470,000. Mead said the construction block includes four Account 1 construction projects (Alpine Well, Gillette Red Hills, LaGrange and Little Snake Battle Lake modification demonstration) and 17 Account 2 rehabilitation projects with mixed loan and grant terms.

The committee approved the Level 2 planning amendment, the Level 1 planning projects, Level 2 new-development projects and the rehabilitation project blocks by roll-call votes that were recorded as 10 ayes and 2 excused for each block. Representative Larson made several of the motions and votes were called by the clerk, identified in the transcript as Eve.

Mead also presented two MOUs with the University of Wyoming: a biannual $175,000 funding agreement for the UW Office of Water Programs (fiscal year 27–28) and a UW Office of Water Research Program MOU to support specific research projects, including investigations into nitrate contamination in the Casper Aquifer and hydrologic variability in Wyoming watersheds. The committee voted to recommend those MOUs to the commission by the same 10–0 roll-call margin with two excused.

Mead reminded members that all contracts and agreements recommended by the committee will receive a final review and potential approval by the Wyoming Water Development Commission at its March 18 meeting. After completing the open session business, the committee voted to enter an executive session to receive advice of counsel.

The committee’s actions are recommendations to the commission; final approvals and any changes will be recorded by the commission on March 18.