February 28, 2023 |
At the legislature, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Friday approved a House Bill that would create an advisory committee to protect Wyoming’s rights and interests regarding agreements with downstream users in the Colorado River Basin.
Pressure on Upper Basin states, like Wyoming, to enact water curtailment programs, have grown in recent years because of drought conditions across the Southwest and into California, which have water rights under the Colorado River Compact. House Bill 222 funds a full-time engineer at $200,000 a year, including the extensive travel and equipment that would be required. Senator Larry Hicks testified before the senate appropriations committee about intent of the legislation.
Photo – Wyoming State Capitol Building – Bigfoot99 File Photo
The full-time engineer would staff and administer the program from inside the State Engineer’s Office. One member of the committee will represent the Little Snake River system here in Carbon County.
The Appropriations Committee approved the bill on a 4-0 and one abstaining vote on Friday. HB222 passed first reading on the floor Monday.
