[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6588831,"mediaKeyId","5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1","parentId",5547680,"title","Wyoming agencies outline funding options, launch pilot asset‑management program for water systems","audioSeconds",4910,"startMs",729000,"endMs",5639000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1&start=729&end=5639","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1/thumbnail_729000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588831/Wyoming/Wyoming-agencies-outline-funding-options-launch-pilot-assetmanagement-program-for-water-systems","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588831-3fd49108ee19f055e6d3c72e7ae62cbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681408&Signature=XSysy6BpiX2HCSIYHpTM~xrSgrHOaQGRFJ7sp89477fte4pVSO3pM7jSm-iRES~s7kFm-jh0CbN4OJLimlknpMBOPlXeA5TG53eZap9zCfy-vesYwlV1dIkJuxNXC00OSU4LQgrDiDOzJusS3iF5DDfIxhZuoQG627PFwfo9r14JiduXIeJa7amHxDV1p4aJKzb6C1GXH3TOWKQ3zY1ziANe6ZPvr-G2jTjWPmIZitnzwYTyA302K6m9LzSwZ3fFkftJ29L1yq4uMElMJclUZt3btBublOtHBWjelPhYZ9avXfUXLX-x7uJKBDlMipMwAGHHGfDAEBsaiekmgubZNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-08-07T23:00:27.87Z","article","Jason Mead of the Wyoming Water Development Office told the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee that the meeting’s opening subject was water and wastewater infrastructure and that three state agencies would explain their roles, funding sources and technical assistance programs. Officials from the Department of Environmental Quality, the Office of State Lands and Investments and the state’s grants management office outlined how federal capitalization grants, state matching funds and other programs are used and where gaps remain.

The agencies emphasized why this matters: Wyoming is heavily composed of small water systems — state staff said 83% serve fewer than 500 people — and many systems lack the financial and staffing capacity to plan, operate, maintain and replace critical assets. Committee members were shown how federal SRF (State Revolving Fund) capitalization grants, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) supplemental allocations, Mineral Royalty Grant awards and State Lands capital construction loans are combined into funding packages, but officials said demand commonly outstrips available principal‑forgiveness funds and that federal SRF requirements (Build America, Buy America, Davis‑Bacon wages, environmental reviews) can deter small systems from applying.

As part of a multi‑agency response, DEQ, State Lands and Water Development described a pilot asset‑management project contracted with Cayuga Solution. The pilot will develop standardized inventories, condition assessments and multi‑year replacement plans for six drinking‑water systems (Afton, Burns, Chugwater, Sheridan, Rawlins/Rollins and Aspen Pines Water & Sewer District). The agencies said the project will produce a statewide data foundation for prioritizing projects, estimating long‑term needs, and linking investment scenarios to different funding strategies.

The presentation included a demonstration of an Infrastructure Renewal Intelligence System that catalogs pipes, pumps, tanks, meters and other components, assigns condition scores, models expected remaining useful life and produces prioritized replacement schedules. Officials said the system can import existing SCADA or CMMS exports, record purchase prices and replacement costs, and roll individual provider data up to a statewide view to evaluate regionalization options and to estimate funding shortfalls under different investment levels.

Separately, the governor’s newly formed Grants Management Office (the Wyoming Grants Assistance Program, YGAP) described services to help municipalities, special districts and nonprofits identify federal and private funding opportunities, build grant applications, and strengthen project implementation capacity; staff said those services are free to eligible Wyoming entities. The office reported receiving more than 55 technical‑assistance requests related to water and sewer infrastructure in its first year and said it will help communities “stack and braid” federal, state and philanthropic funds and assist with grant lifecycle tasks such as procurement, reporting and audit readiness.

Agency staff and the committee discussed practical barriers small communities face: limited utility rates that often do not cover depreciation, high contractor and materials inflation that pushes bids beyond initial estimates, operator workforce shortages and turnover in elected and administrative local leaders. Officials said the SRF funds are substantial and that Wyoming’s drinking‑water and clean‑water SRF accounts hold hundreds of millions in capital, but principal‑forgiveness levels have been reduced statewide and eligibility rules and federal compliance burdens make program navigation and project delivery challenging for many towns.

Committee members and presenters agreed the pilot asset‑management work should be expanded statewide, and they discussed possible next steps including identifying funds to extend asset‑management planning to wastewater and stormwater systems. Agencies said the pilot is scheduled to conclude in late summer/early fall (project timeline being finalized) and that further procurement and funding steps would be needed to scale up. Representative Lloyd Larson and others signaled interest in drafting legislative direction or funding requests after agencies provide cost estimates.

The agencies urged that improved data and planning be the first step to any long‑term policy or appropriation, noting that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.”

For local officials and ratepayers, the agencies said the near‑term effect will be clearer project lists, better ability to identify which projects merit principal forgiveness or grant support, and stronger evidence to support regionalization discussions or targeted state assistance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Select Water Committee, August 7, 2025 - PM","oneSentenceSummary","Jason Mead of the Wyoming Water Development Office told the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee that the meeting’s opening subject was water and wastewater infrastructure and that three state agencies would explain their roles, funding sources and technical assistance programs.","taxTitle","Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61176,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588819,"Committee votes to draft bill allowing fee‑shifting in contested prescriptive‑easement cases",404,11050000,11454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1&start=11050&end=11454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1/thumbnail_11050000.jpg","/articles/6588819/Wyoming/Committee-votes-to-draft-bill-allowing-feeshifting-in-contested-prescriptiveeasement-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588819-cfa9f35db832c2d77b2f4d573aac286a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681408&Signature=HbL6uutYRECrRqnEmpHG9fgR-HNpK2g3svW2h0niReCiiKxGURkHs3V-YDUvEeoI5Cx9ziRj1kRhMoyUxHy8cx1x80RCoFynnexVGi5Ns5iRvE3hGoNJTMoeg3Cdp4hdqW6AQxONYh5dNaxMJq9D4GcnnRKVtheHSHFtBvfDLAVEr1bjNOVXxn3y4uwL5bd4lqPkbRbPxR5JSPblrf8ha-kqS~1jkihT~-sgNctnsxHQZv8faYk2qQlaa-gFpuOi1wpN3IamRmVxY4uM4-Nzn9rVVGCh3~5ngl2UffcSxqvvAx6qzHUrfZAmetwt74grszJcLxNRZAchLr7L~XAiSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator (name on transcript identified as Senator Hicks) introduced an interim topic on prescriptive easements, noting that 2023 legislation codified some prescriptive‑easement practices but did not create remedies for parties who face costly litigation or for claimants who overreach the specific scope of an easement. Committee members discussed real‑world examples in which landowners or ditch operators either expanded work beyond an established easement or used litigation tactics that imposed heavy costs on another party.

Representative Volley moved — and Representative Chesapeake seconded — a motion directing Legislative Service Office staff to draft a bill to add a fee‑shifting remedy in prescriptive‑easement disputes so that a party that successfully defends against an out‑of‑scope claim, or that prevails when a claimant exceeded the easement, may recover reasonable attorney and expert costs. Committee members debated whether the fee‑shifting authority should be automatic or discretionary (left to judicial determination) and noted parallels to existing fee awards in eminent‑domain law. No final drafting decisions were made at the meeting; the motion was to request an LSO draft only.

The committee approved the motion by voice vote. No roll‑call tally was taken; staff recorded the action as approved and asked LSO to prepare draft language for review at a subsequent meeting.","After committee discussion the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee approved a request to draft legislation that would create a remedy for misuse or abusive litigation over prescriptive easements by allowing a prevailing party to recover attorneys’ and expert fees in certain cases.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588825,"LSO memo: Idaho‑style sinking funds not generally authorized for Wyoming irrigation districts",140,8855000,8995000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1&start=8855&end=8995","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1/thumbnail_8855000.jpg","/articles/6588825/Wyoming/LSO-memo-Idahostyle-sinking-funds-not-generally-authorized-for-Wyoming-irrigation-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588825-3be214510ec90b3635c8f34e1a7f0638/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681408&Signature=Xeo7WMY62Szmcf98vukvcfoSMtiiP71oVlTxV5t5zGVrt0Et8CRi8RKMJNQAcP1w1O9SnP8GxrHPHJJ~iRiYtK5AKQPxFi9BUlzPewx9sRvWGy5rtVMDJrY03GN8Z2cRqdhg9VeEBLRSWFMp4ACHDQZN4N10nLds5p76hzL8or~OYYVx3HuQ3TSRsPpmt7WhA5Bpcnmh82-pJoRUCVMvwsMmSj4trrUtuxSItz4jMBrJji5tuwqxG17344Je8FGjFxekHy5bbG589BYj7fatqUIr-t17~k-FL9z3sheGL~HmTSUhJu82~la2G4VsXJk2iGeX5vZyogqpj0EJ~NJEcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Josh Anderson of the Legislative Service Office presented a brief memo at the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee summarizing statutory authority for irrigation‑sector special districts to accumulate funds for major maintenance and large future capital needs.

The memo covered three district types — public irrigation districts, watershed improvement districts and water conservancy districts — and concluded that statutory provisions do not clearly authorize special assessments specifically earmarked for major‑maintenance reserve accounts. Anderson noted sinking‑fund language in parts of the statutes exists primarily to pay indebtedness rather than to set aside pre‑funded major‑maintenance accounts. A separate accumulated‑reserves provision in the special‑district chapter applies to some districts but does not create an unambiguous, universal authority for irrigation districts to levy an extra assessment and deposit it in a pooled, state‑managed reserve.

Committee members acknowledged the problem raised by some districts that face multi‑decade replacement of dams or diversion structures yet are constrained from building funded savings. Representative Lawley described an example where a district was told by counsel that statutes preclude accumulating cash for a future dam replacement and suggested the legislature consider narrowly targeted authorities that would allow reserves only when tied to an identified, documented project and subject to appropriate oversight.

Members discussed policy options: (1) create a limited statutory authority for irrigation and similarly situated districts to levy a restricted assessment for identified major‑maintenance projects and park those funds in a state‑managed investment vehicle; (2) expand existing accumulated‑reserve language to expressly cover public irrigation districts; or (3) leave authority unchanged and rely on local financing and grant options. Some members suggested a template approach in which reserve authority would be allowed only if a district submits a documented plan and timeline, and the funds are escrowed or pooled to prevent ad hoc accumulation without demonstrated need.

The committee did not adopt policy language at this meeting but asked staff and interested members to refine options for discussion at the next meeting.","Legislative Service Office review found statutory limits on special‑district authorities largely prevent irrigation districts from imposing assessments specifically to accumulate multi‑year major‑maintenance reserves; committee members discussed possible statutory changes to permit constrained reserve accounts and pooled investment options.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6588827,"Wyoming seeks role in Upper Basin conservation framework; agencies aim to meet 11/11/2025 deadline",125,5580000,5705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1&start=5580&end=5705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5547680-e34adc8a77b2283ebaf4d3eb3c5e7df1/thumbnail_5580000.jpg","/articles/6588827/Wyoming/Wyoming-seeks-role-in-Upper-Basin-conservation-framework-agencies-aim-to-meet-11112025-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588827-7bb84d34435681da186dc052e3e13d1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770681408&Signature=JcPa4sy~nc6Qlycilc1OmvaDhIt~GyLbHURPpcqAK-n1-lGDjr6WuamEVbbYoJ1sZT9woMcNBI-0xd1IRlhT~Tt1jcWAid9gWKZNSQpMnVGGtXiafrARPUKU5Xqpmx4ne55iFolBTfBmdo~Q~ym6rSErCISwqYvyYWAkfBpa-p~KEl9r6dNOGKB3fd2tdUgmIlRll~q8Sxy0XjsOMxkjAOFY3gzsS8EJeaRiggSi62HMbDD2J5XafV6hLzPqYgCr~euHrlCWkOh0xZFAv4t28B3mXvQFESTVBl-NpfUF1PA8zJMqWwrTBClAMTt1Tg34Jy2gn8RUoTv~OyG31Ng4fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Engineer Brandon Gebhardt and an attorney from the Attorney General’s Office briefed the Agriculture, State & Public Lands & Water Resources Committee on efforts to shape post‑2026 operations of the Colorado River and the role a Wyoming pilot conservation program could play in a basin‑wide consensus. Reclamation has given the basin states a deadline of Nov. 11, 2025, to submit a framework for a consensus agreement on post‑2026 operations, they said.

Gebhardt described the working concept under discussion among the seven basin states: calculate Lake Powell releases as a percentage of a short‑term average of natural flow at Lee Ferry (the parties are tentatively discussing a three‑year averaging period), adopt upper and lower release bounds, and identify actions the Upper Basin would take to meet the agreed percentage. Those actions would include coordinated releases from Flaming Gorge, Aspinall and Navajo reservoirs and a voluntary, compensated conservation program in the Upper Basin designed to conserve consumptive use that could be banked or delivered to meet release obligations in dry years.

Wyoming staff held public meetings and advisory‑committee sessions in July (Green River, Pinedale, Lyman and Baggs) to solicit local input on a potential pilot. Major topics raised included notice to potentially affected water users, methods for quantifying conserved consumptive use (remote sensing was discussed as a likely tool), whether “shepherding” (physically managing flows in a river reach) would be required, how to avoid injurious effects to other water rights, and Fontenelle Reservoir as a potential place to store conserved water because of its size, uncommitted storage and strategic location.

Advisory‑committee members formally recommended exploring a pilot and authorized staff to pursue the ability to store conserved water in Fontenelle, provided stored releases would be used for Wyoming beneficial uses, to mitigate curtailments, or to help meet Wyoming’s interstate obligations and would not injure other appropriators. State staff said they are working with Reclamation and the Upper Colorado River Commission on storage contracting and are coordinating with other states about how an Upper Basin program would integrate with a larger framework.

Committee members were told that funding will be necessary to implement compensation and monitoring; staff said federal partners and potential existing funds being considered in Washington, D.C., may be sources if a basin consensus is reached. Officials said the pilot is intended to be voluntary, temporary and compensated, and to be designed so Wyoming’s rules and local conditions can be accommodated while creating a model that could be folded into a multi‑state solution.

Officials said their next steps are to draft proposed statutory language for a pilot, circulate the draft to advisory groups and interested stakeholders for comment, and return to the committee with a proposed draft in advance of the committee’s November meeting.","State engineer and attorneys updated the committee on Colorado River post‑2026 negotiations and described plans for a voluntary, compensated conservation pilot tied to Fontenelle storage and coordinated Upper Basin action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wyoming agencies outline funding options, launch pilot asset‑management program for water systems

Committee votes to draft bill allowing fee‑shifting in contested prescriptive‑easement cases

LSO memo: Idaho‑style sinking funds not generally authorized for Wyoming irrigation districts

Wyoming seeks role in Upper Basin conservation framework; agencies aim to meet 11/11/2025 deadline