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Wyoming Water Development Commission preliminarily approves a slate of water master plans and feasibility studies
Summary
The commission voted to preliminarily approve master plans and level-two studies for communities including Central Campbell County ISD, Wamsutter, Douglas, Hudson and a Lake DeSmet regional evaluation, advancing consultant selection for each project.
The Wyoming Water Development Commission on June 15 preliminarily approved a series of planning and feasibility projects that the office characterized as a geographically broad set of priorities for the state.
The commission approved preliminary master plans or level-two feasibility studies for the Central Campbell County Improvement and Service District (ISD), the town of Wamsutter, the Douglas water source 2027 study, the Hudson regional supply evaluation, and a Lake DeSmet regional water-supply study. Each motion authorized the Water Development Office to proceed with consultant selection for the next phase of project work.
The Central Campbell County ISD plan, presented as a level-one reconnaissance, covers Meadow Subdivision, Sleepy Hollow, Hunter Estates and Conestoga Elementary and serves roughly 1,800 residents. Bob Zabel, a long‑time board member who said “I helped form the district back in 1984,” told commissioners the district wants a master plan to understand long‑term needs and to explore regionalization opportunities; he cautioned that homeowners are sensitive to the prospect of connecting to a harder municipal water supply.
Mina Aguilar Chavez, clerk and treasurer for Wamsutter, asked the commission to help “better understand our water system” for the town of roughly 206 residents; commissioners praised the town’s public-works staff and approved a preliminary master plan and consultant selection. The Douglas study was presented as a phased approach to refine source-capacity goals and to compare upgrading the existing treatment plant with developing groundwater supply; Josh Oberlander of Douglas said the city had just completed a master plan and supported the phased feasibility study.
Hudson Mayor Sherry Oller told the panel the town’s 277 taps and a population with a high share of older residents face substantial treatment costs and that regionalization with nearby Lander has been discussed. Commissioners also voted to move forward with a regional evaluation intended to compare treatment, construction and operating costs and rate implications for customers.
A Lake DeSmet regional supply study will evaluate using Lake DeSmet as a long-term source for Sheridan, Buffalo and other regional stakeholders; city and county representatives said earlier outreach brought agricultural, municipal and recreational stakeholders to the table but emphasized the study will be complex and costly to implement.
Each approval was made by motion and voice vote; staff will now proceed to consultant selection and next-phase scoping documents. The actions are preliminary approvals only; individual projects will return for later funding or design approvals.
The commission is scheduled to continue other agenda items later the same day, and sponsors were reminded to follow up per the Water Development Office’s consultant-selection process.
