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TRANSCRIPT
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
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TO: WWDC DATE: May 12, 2010 FROM: MWH REFERENCE: Wind-Bighorn Basin Plan SUBJECT: Task 6A–Issues Affecting Future Water Use Opportunities This memorandum discusses known environmental processes, permits and other related issues associated with future water use opportunities within the Wind-Bighorn Basin. This memorandum fulfills the reporting requirements for Task 6A of the consultant scope of work for the Wind-Bighorn Basin Plan Update (Basin Plan Update).
Contents
Section 1 – Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1
Section 2 –Water Management Issues .................................................................................................. 2
Issues Related to Tribal Compacts and Settlements .......................................................................... 2
Issues Related to Federal Projects ..................................................................................................... 3
Issues Related to Water Quality ......................................................................................................... 3
Section 3– Compact Requirements........................................................................................................ 3
Section 4– Funding Agency Requirements-WWDC ............................................................................... 4
Section 5 – Federal Legislation and Regional Laws ............................................................................... 5
NEPA- The National Environmental Policy Act ................................................................................... 5
Section 404 Permit ............................................................................................................................. 5
ESA - Endangered Species Act .......................................................................................................... 5
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act ...................................................................................................... 6
Cultural Resources ............................................................................................................................. 6
CWA - Clean Water Act ...................................................................................................................... 9
SDWA - Safe Drinking Water Act ....................................................................................................... 9
Agency Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 9
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ................................................................................................................ 9
Section 6 – Summary............................................................................................................................. 9
Section 7 – References ........................................................................................................................ 10
Appendix A .......................................................................................................................................... 11
Appendix B .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Section 1 – Introduction There are many legal requirements and regulatory and institutional issues that may influence future water management strategies and water use opportunities in the Wind-Bighorn Basin (Basin). These
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include compact requirements, federal legislation such as the Endangered Species Act, and water quality issues and regulations which pertain to the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Water rights administration is also an important issue. Water rights are described in detail in Technical Memorandum 3H—Water Law and Administration. The Wind River Indian Reservation and its associated water rights and regulations are also an important factor for consideration in future water management. The agendas of various groups within the Basin can create water management issues between the groups themselves. For example, there have been conflicts between ranchers, governmental agencies, environmental groups and outdoor recreation groups for several decades. There have been efforts to restrict grazing on public land or to establish minimum stream flows for the purpose of protecting and enhancing fisheries. Also, there have been more stringent limitations on Total Dissolved Solids and Fecal Coliform bacteria concentrations permitted in water bodies. Issues such as these increase the complexity of managing land and water resources within the Basin. Potential future storage and conveyance projects are important for meeting Wyoming’s future water needs. Required permits and regulatory processes that may be associated with future water use opportunities are summarized herein.
Section 2 –Water Management Issues Several Basin Advisory Group (BAG) meetings were held during the Basin Plan Update. During these meetings, basin-wide issues and strategies were identified and discussed. A listing of the issues that have been identified to date can be found in Technical Memorandum 3G- BAG Issues. Key issues identified by the BAG include water use, water development, constraints of existing compacts, constraints of Tribal settlements, federal project contract limitations, and water quality issues. These issues are expanded upon in the sections below.
Issues Related to Tribal Compacts and Settlements
On the Wind River Indian Reservation, Tribal surface water rights are the oldest in the Basin and date back to 1868. Legal proceedings to adjudicate the water within the Bighorn Basin began in 1977 between the State of Wyoming and the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes. The courts awarded the Tribes the right to a total of 500,000 acre-feet of water from the Wind River system, with approximately 209,000 acre-feet for dedicated future irrigation use within the Reservation. A full description of the legal proceedings and decisions can be found in Technical Memorandum 3H—Water Law and Administration. The State would like to ensure that the Tribes "futures" awards develops in a manner that remains consistent with the court’s interpretation of uses and places of use while minimizing injury to junior water right holders. It would also like to see rehabilitation projects to improve the distribution and efficiency of water delivery to Tribal lands (WWDC 2003). The impact of full development of Tribal reserved water rights is presented in Technical Memorandum 4C – Surface Water Availability. One issue within the Basin that is nearing resolution is the Reserved Water Rights Compact in Montana. The compact allocates a portion of the Bighorn River flow to the Crow Tribe. Litigation concerning water rights of the Crow Tribe on their Montana Reservation began in 1975. In 1985, the United States, the Tribe and the State of Montana entered into negotiations aimed at settling the Tribe's water rights claims. In 1999, the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana reached an agreement on a compact providing for an allocation of water for the Tribe, subordination of that right to existing state based water uses, water rights administration, water marketing, and dispute resolution mechanisms. The federal government did not approve or sign the compact. On September 22, 2009, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3563) was proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The settlement would recognize a Tribal water right to 500,000 acre-feet per year of water from the flow of the Bighorn River, as well as up to 300,000 acre-feet of water per year from Bighorn Lake (150,000
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acre-feet in all years and an additional 150,000 acre-feet in dry years when natural flow is short). The concession on the part of the Crow Tribe involves “shortage sharing” of their senior natural flow right with non-Indians (Connor 2009). No analysis of the impacts, if any, of the Crow Tribe settlement was performed as part of the Basin Plan Update.
Issues Related to Federal Projects
Several federal water projects within the Basin are part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program Project. There are certain restrictions on how the water stored in the facilities can be obtained and used, which can vary from project to project. Repayment of Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program facilities are generally made by irrigation districts, which are typically funded through taxes on the district properties. These taxes help to repay the federal government, which provided funds to build and maintain the facilities. A more complete description of this project and the federal storage reservoirs can be found in Technical Memorandum 3F—Storage.
Issues Related to Water Quality
The State of Wyoming has empowered the Water Quality Division of the Department of Environmental Quality with the authority to permit and enforce surface water and groundwater standards and regulations throughout the state. The Wind River Indian Reservation has a similar department of environmental quality. State and tribal programs ensure that all new water projects comply with federal water quality regulations. Water quality issues and locations of impaired streams and lakes within the Basin are detailed in Technical Memorandum 6B - Water Quality. Waters are declared “impaired” when they fail to support their designated uses after full implementation of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and “best management practices.”
Section 3– Compact Requirements The Wyoming constitution declares water to be the property of the state. Interstate river basin compacts were established on most of Wyoming’s streams to protect Wyoming’s water resources from the more rapidly developing downstream states. Of the total 15.4 million acre-feet of water that flows out of the state, approximately 3.6 million acre-feet is protected under compacts for Wyoming’s future annual consumptive uses (Jacobs and Borsz 2000). All river basins within the Wind-Bighorn Basin Plan are tributary to the Yellowstone River in Montana. The two rivers having significant water use within Wyoming, the Bighorn River and the Clarks Fork River, are governed by the Yellowstone River Compact. The details of the Yellowstone Compact are outlined in Technical Memorandum 3H—Water Law and Administration. Table 1 displays the apportionment, average annual adjusted flows and Wyoming’s share for each system for the study period used in the model (1973-2008). The compact apportionment strictly governs the potential water use amount by each state, contributing to water management issues within the basin. The amount of water available for future development described in Technical Memorandum 4C – Surface Water Availability considers the amount of water available given the compact allocations.
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Table 1. Compact Apportionment for River Systems in the Wind/Bighorn Basin
River Compact Apportionment
Avg. Annual Flow (Acre-feet)
Wyoming’s Apportionment (Acre-feet)
Montana’s Apportionment (Acre-feet)
Big Horn River 80% WY, 20% MT 2.32 million 1.86 million .46 million
Clarks Fork River 60% WY, 40% MT .7 million .42 million .28 million
TOTALS 3 million 2.14 million 0.88 million
Section 4– Funding Agency Requirements-WWDC In 1975, the Wyoming Legislature authorized the Wyoming Water Development Program. The Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) assists in setting priorities and providing loans and grants for water development projects in Wyoming. The purpose of the Water Development Program is to utilize a portion of the financial resources the state receives from its non-renewable resources to develop a renewable resource, water. The WWDC has a “New Development Program” for projects that will help develop unused and/or unappropriated water. Water plans prepared by the Wyoming Water Development Office (WWDO) help to protect Wyoming’s water by documenting the need to develop additional sources to meet future demands. Other programs include a “Rehabilitation Program” to help fund older water supply infrastructure, and the “Dam and Reservoir Program” to assist with new storage projects. Projects are prioritized through a preferential/eligibility list. The WWDC project preferences are as follows (WWDC 2008):
• Multipurpose Projects - serve two or more functions
• Storage Projects
• Supply Projects - wells, diversion dams, etc.
• Supply Systems - bring source water closer to point of use • Hydropower Projects
• Existing Storage Purchase
• Recreation
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund • Reimbursement of Temporary or Emergency Funding - for funds obtained from the State Land
Investment Board (SLIB)
If the WWDC chooses to recommend the project for funding, the project is assigned a study level (WWDC 2008).
• Level I - reconnaissance study. These studies include initial analyses of the project and its alternatives.
• Level II - feasibility study. These studies evaluate the project feasibility, conceptual design, operating plan and environmental analysis (NEPA, etc). This level prepares the project for the Level III funding request.
• Level III - project development. These studies include the final design, permitting and construction of the project.
Acceptance of a project is based on the following criteria (WWDC 2008):
• Project must be consistent with goals and objectives of WWDC program • WWDC must be the most appropriate source of funding
• No economic, legal, environmental or technical problems exist
• Projects must serve 20 or more municipal/domestic water taps or 2,000 or more irrigated acres
• Projects with non-state funding sources (local tax revenues, etc.) for repayment receive priority in project ranking
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The WWDC prepares draft legislation, the Omnibus Water Bill - Planning, to appropriate funds to finance Level I and Level II studies. For Level III construction projects, WWDC prepares the Omnibus Water Bill – Construction to appropriate funds. The projects can commence once the bills are approved by the legislature. Typically, the WWDC is the lead agency in developing Level I and Level II reports. The WWDC solely funds the studies to ensure the unbiased reports are properly carried out. Further terms of the WWDC financial plan for Level III studies are summarized as follows (WWDC 2008):
• The typical grant shall be sixty-seven percent (67%) for proposed Level III projects. In order to obtain the typical grant, the sponsors must demonstrate to the WWDC that they have taken steps or are willing to take steps to make their water supply systems financially self supporting.
• The maximum grant shall be seventy-five percent (75%) for proposed Level III projects. In order to obtain the maximum grant, the sponsors must demonstrate to the WWDC that the maximum grant is warranted due to severe financial hardship.
• The WWDC may provide lesser grant amounts for proposed Level III projects that do not qualify for a typical or maximum grant. Statutory guidelines establish a minimum rate of four percent (4%) for program loans. The current rate is 4% but may be increased by the Legislature..
• Maximum loan term is fifty years after substantial completion of the project. The term of the loan shall never exceed the economic life of the improvements.
• Special circumstances may allow payment of interest and principal may be deferred up to five years after substantial completion of the project.
Section 5 – Federal Legislation and Regional Laws Federal legislation and regional laws governing future water use projects are similar if not identical to those encountered in other basins. The following discussion was adapted from the Cottonwood/Grass Creek Watershed Management Plan (SEH 2007) and presents permits and other federal Legislation potentially required for the development of future water use projects.
NEPA- The National Environmental Policy Act
NEPA is administered by federal agencies such as the Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Bureau of Land Management and/or the Fish and Wildlife Service. NEPA compliance and documentation is required for any “proposed actions” having any of the following characteristics: the project site is located on federal land; the project involves federally owned infrastructure or facilities (e.g. dams, pipelines, etc); or the project requires any type of federal action or contracting process. The purpose of NEPA is to disclose, minimize and mitigate any adverse environmental consequences of the project. NEPA compliance can take several forms, including a Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment (EA), or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA and EIS processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.
Section 404 Permit
All water development projects face environmental permitting issues. Typically the most significant permit to be secured is a Section 404 Dredge and Fill permit from the Corps of Engineers, Omaha District. The goal of the Section 404 permitting process is to minimize impacts to, and loss of, wetlands associated with “waters of the United States.” Acquiring this permit follows the initiation of NEPA and the establishment of a defensible Purpose and Need statement for the project.
ESA - Endangered Species Act
All new projects would have to prepare a biological assessment to determine effects on threatened and endangered plant and animal species and candidate species listed under the ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues an opinion as to whether the project would adversely affect threatened or endangered species or their critical habitat. Table 2 lists federally listed
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endangered, threatened and candidate species that may be affected by projects in the Basin counties (USFWS 2009). There are no currently available shapefiles that show critical habitat for these species within the Basin available for mapping. Critical habitat for the Desert Yellowhead, while in Fremont County, does not fall within Basin boundaries yet is listed in the table below. Table 2. Federal Endangered and Threatened Species
Species Scientific Name Status Counties Habitat
Black-footed Ferret
Mustela nigripes Endangered
Fremont, Park, Hot Springs, Big Horn, Washakie Prairie dog towns
Blowout Penstemon
Penstemon haydenii Endangered Fremont Sand blowouts or dunes
Canada Lynx Lynx canadensis Threatened
Fremont, Park, Hot Springs, Big Horn, Washakie
Montane forests, Designated areas include boreal forest landscapes within Fremont, Lincoln, Park, Sublette, and Teton Counties of Wyoming
Desert Yellowhead Yermo xanthocephalu Threatened Fremont
Beaver Rim--Designated for desert yellowhead in Fremont County, Wyoming and consists of 360 acres of Bureau of Land Management administered lands within portions of Township 31 North, Range 95 West, Sections 27 and 34
Grizzly Bear Ursus arctos horribilis Threatened
Fremont, Park, Hot Springs Montane forests
Ute Ladies’-tresses
Spiranthes diluvialis Threatened
Fremont, Park, Hot Springs, Big Horn, Washakie
Seasonally moist soils and wet meadows of drainages below 7,000 ft. elevation
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Western)
Coccyzus americanus Candidate Fremont
Riparian areas west of Continental Divide
Gray Wolf Canis lupus Non-essential/ Experimental
Fremont, Park, Hot Springs, Big Horn Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act requires federal agencies to protect fish and wildlife resources which may be affected by projects that result in the control or structural modification of any natural stream or water body. It requires the federal agencies involved with the project and the applicants to consult with state and federal wildlife agencies for the prevention, mitigation or compensation of any loss of wildlife resources associated with the project.
Cultural Resources
There are several laws and regulations to address potential impacts to cultural resources associated with future water projects. These include:
• National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.)
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (16 U.S.C. § 470aa et seq.)
• National Park Service procedures concerning the National Register of Historic Places(NR) (36 CFR Part 60)
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• Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Procedures for the Protection of Cultural Properties (36 CFR Part 800)
• Treatment of Archaeological Properties of 1980
• Determination of Eligibility for Inclusion in the NR (36 CFR 63)
• Secretary of Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Historical Preservation of 1983
• Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960 • 1974 Amendment to the Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960
• American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (P,L, 95341.42 U.S.C. § 1996)
• Section 4 of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979
Areas with cultural artifacts and other more sensitive resources do not have readily available mapping locations to protect them from vandalism. A cultural resources survey was not included in this Basin Plan Update. It is very likely that other important cultural resources exist within the Basin, possibly at the location of future storage sites or along future project alignments. This is due to the prehistoric use of the area by various Tribes and the abundance of fossils in the geology of the area. Historic trails and monuments within the Basin are shown in Figure 1. These sites are included in the National Register of Historic Places and are protected from future disturbance. A table listing the names of the trails and monuments with their corresponding map numbers can be found in Appendix B.
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Figure 1. Cultural Resources
See GIS layer for numbers that overlap.
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CWA - Clean Water Act
The federal Clean Water Act is administered in Wyoming by the Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), Water Quality Division consistent with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act. The EPA has oversight responsibility for the CWA programs administered by the WDEQ. The EPA may intervene to resolve interstate disputes where upstream discharges of pollutants may affect water quality in a downstream state. Discharge of pollutants into “waters of the state” requires a permit issued by the WDEQ in accordance with the Water Quality Division Rules and Regulations. These regulations classify surface and groundwater uses and establish water quality standards. A Section 401 Certification from the state ensures activities authorized under Section 404 meet state water quality standards.
SDWA - Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells. (SDWA does not regulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals.) The SDWA is administered in Wyoming by the Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ), Water Quality Division consistent with the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act.
Agency Requirements
The Wyoming Dam Safety Law (W.S. 41-3) requires anyone who proposes to construct a dam greater than 20 feet high or which will impound more than 50 acre feet of water or who proposes to construct a diversion system which will carry more than 50 cubic feet per second of water to obtain approval from the State of Wyoming, State Engineer’s Office (WSEO). The Wind-Bighorn Basin has 10 conservation districts. The districts operate a variety of programs designed to minimize agricultural related impacts to water and natural resources. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also operates a variety of programs with the same goals. These agencies cooperate with respect to water quality protection and enhancement through water quality sampling and analysis relative to 303 (d) and by sponsoring watershed planning studies. Appendix A contains a table of water quality programs within the Basin and the agencies involved with them from the original Basin Plan (BRS 2003). Special Use Permits and rights of way or easements may be required for any project where access across the lands of others is needed for construction and/or operation of the project facilities. These may be temporary or permanent.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.). The act prohibits federal support for projects such as the construction of dams or other instream activities that would harm the river's free-flowing condition, water quality, or outstanding resource values. However, designation does not affect existing water rights or the existing jurisdiction of states and the federal government over waters as determined by established principles of law. The Clarks Fork River is the only federally designated “wild and scenic” river in the state of Wyoming.
Section 6 – Summary Many legal, regulatory and institutional issues surround future opportunities for water projects. Cooperation and consideration between various agencies is essential in water management. Future
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development will depend on existing compacts and Tribal settlements, federal project contract limitations, water quality issues and federal and state laws and regulations. Development of Wyoming’s water is critical for its preservation due to the rapid development occurring in downstream states. The WWDC is instrumental in assisting in advancing water development projects within the state through funding of projects and water basin studies that evaluate the critical issues involved with the projects.
Section 7 – References BRS Engineering. 2003. Technical Memorandum entitled “Opportunities to Enhance and Protect Water
Quality.” Prepared for the WWDC-Wind/Big Horn Basin Plan. May. Connor, Michael L. 2009. Commissioner—Bureau of Reclamation. Statement before the Natural
Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water and Power, U.S. House of Representatives on H.R. 3563: Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2009. September 22. Available online at http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/testimony/detail.cfm?RecordID=1482
Jacobs, James and D. Brosz. 2000. Wyoming’s Water Resources. University of Wyoming. College of
Agriculture. Cooperative Extension Service. B-969R. August. Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc (SEH). 2007. Cottonwood/Grass Creek Watershed Management Plan.
Level 1 Study. Chapter 4—Permits. Submitted to the Wyoming Water Development Commission. October 10.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2009. Wyoming Listed Threatened and Endangered Species
listed by county. Available online at http://www.fws.gov/wyominges/species_endangered.html Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC). 2008. Operating Criteria of the Wyoming Water
Development Program. June 5. Available online at http://wwdc.state.wy.us/opcrit/final_opcrit.pdf
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Appendix A Table 3. Water Quality Programs (BRS 2003)
Program Implementing Agency Authority Type
1 Program Description
NPDES DEQ/WDQ EQA Article 3 Chapter 2, 4,7,10,18
SW PS
Any discharge to surface waters of the state requires a permit to discharge. Each permitted discharge must meet effluent limitations within the TDML allocations and maintain the use of the receiving water body. http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd.htm
Permit to Construct
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3 Chapter 3, 5, 11, 12, 15, 20, 21
SW GW PS
Any public water supply system or any facility capable of causing or contributing to pollution is required to obtain a permit to construct prior to commencing construction.
Nonpoint Source Management and Control
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3 Section 319 of CWA
SW GW NPS
The state nonpoint source control program is a voluntary and incentive based program. The program seeks to control through education and encouragement of Best Management Practices, including demonstration, information and education, and restoration projects. Assessments and demonstration projects are selected for funding by Wyoming Nonpoint Source Task Force. The NPS Program manages Wyoming's allocations provided as grants by Section 319 and 205(j) of the Clean Water Act. The Nonpoint Source Management Plan is available at http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/.htm
Water Quality Assessments & Impaired Surface Water Bodies
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3, S. 305(b) & 303(d) of CWA
SW GW NPS PS
Section 305(b) of the Clean Water Act requires each state to asses and report on the quality of waters on a 2 year frequency. Section 303(d) requires each state every two years to list water bodies which are water quality impaired or threatened. This report and list are available at http://deq.state.wy.us/wqd/wtrshedpg.htm
Surface Water Monitoring
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3
SW PS NPS
The WQD is progressing toward a more comprehensive monitoring and assessment program. In 1996, the Legislature passed a credible data law requiring the WDQ to ensure all scientifically valid data be used. This credible data law has significantly increased monitoring of surface water in Wyoming. Monitoring efforts by WDQ to comply with the credible data law are contained in the 305(b) report.
404 Permit
US Army Corps of Engineers
Clean Water Act
SW PS NPS
A permit is required from the Army Corps of Engineers to discharge dredge or fill material into navigable waters.
401 Certifications
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3
SW PS NPS
Any application for a Army Corp of Engineers 404 degree and fill permit requires a certification from WQD that the dredge or fill will comply with all the requirements of Sections 301,302,303,306 & 307 of the Clean Water Act.
Spill Program
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3 Chapter 4
SW GW PS
Any person owning or having control over oil or a hazardous substance, which after release, enters or threatens to enter waters of the state shall take action to stop and contain the release, notify WDQ, correct the cause, clean up the release and dispose of the waste in an acceptable manner.
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Program Implementing Agency Authority Type
1 Program Description
Source Water Protection
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3
SW GW
Wyoming has developed a voluntary source water protection program as required by each state under Section 1453 of the SDWA. Source water assessment involves four steps: delineate the area which contributes water to the well or surface water intake: inventory of potential sources of contamination; complete an analysis of the susceptibility of the well or intake to contamination from the previous inventory; and draft up a report summarizing the findings.
Wellhead Protection Program
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 3
GW
Wyoming has developed and received approval from EPA endorsing its wellhead protection program developed pursuant to Section 1428 of the SDWA. The program is voluntary and allows public water supply systems to protect groundwater sources of supply.
Abandoned Mines
DEQ/AML
Article 12
PS NPS SW GW
The abandoned mines program accomplishes reclamation of eligible properties adversely affected by mining prior to August 3, 1977. For those AML Projects located within or proximate to surface drainages, surface water quality is generally enhanced
Landfills & Hazardous Wastes
DEQ/SHWD
EQA Article 5
PS SW GW
The SHWD has primacy of the federal RCRA program regulating hazardous waste generators and transporters, hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility operators, and hazardous waste corrective actions.
Superfund Sites
US EPA
CERCLA
EPA regulates superfund sites in Wyoming.
Well Construction & Abandonment
WY State Engineer (WSEO)
WSEO Regulation
PS GW
The state engineer has regulations requiring adequate design, construction and abandonment of wells to protect groundwater resources.
Underground Storage Tanks
DEQ/WDQ
EQA Article 14
PS SW GW
Wyoming has primacy of the federal RCRA program regulating underground storage tanks (UST)).
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Program Implementing Agency Authority Type
1 Program Description
Underground Injection Control Wells
DEQ/WDQ DEQ/LQD OGCC
EQA Article 3 Chapters 13 & 16 Article 4 W.S. 30-5- 101 thru 305
PS GW
Any person who construct, installs, or operates a Class I,IV, or V underground injection control well must first obtain a permit from the DEQ/WQD. Class I wells are deep injection wells that discharge into Class VI groundwater formation and include hazardous waste wells of which there are none in Wyoming. Commercial Class II wells are regulated as a Class I well. Class IV wells inject hazardous waste into shallow aquifers and are prohibited. Class V wells are wells, other than the other 4 classifications, injecting into or above underground sources of drinking water such as drain fields, air conditioning return wells, dry wells, etc. Any person injecting into a class III well must obtain a permit or license from DEQ/WQD. A class III well injects into or above drinking water for the purpose of extracting minerals. The most common in situ mining wells in Wyoming are uranium and soda ash. Any person injecting into a noncommercial class II well is required to obtain a permit from the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. Class II wells inject fluids which are brought to the surface in connection with natural gas storage and operations or conventional oil and gas production, fluids for enhanced recovery of oil or natural gas and for storage of hydrocarbons.
State Pesticide Management Plan (SMP)
WY Dept. of Agriculture
W.S. 35-7- 350 thru 374
NPS SW GW
The Department of Agriculture has developed a SMP directed at the production of water resources from the application of pesticides. The SMP program has received EPA approval.
SMP GW Monitoring
WY Dept. of Agriculture
W.S. 35-7- 350 thru 374
GW
Utilizing pesticide registration fees and funding from 319 grants, the USGS has been contracted to conduct a state-wide assessment of the contamination of groundwater caused by pesticides. Of the counties completed at the time of this report, no levels above drinking water maximum contaminant levels have been found. Monitoring results can be accessed at http://wy.water.usgs.gov/projects/pests/index.htm
Mines
DEQ/LQD
EQA Article 4
PS NPS SW GW
License or permits are required for any mining operation or operation by which solid minerals are intended to be extracted from the earth. This includes surface and underground mining. The extraction of sand, gravel, dirt, scoria, limestone, dolomite, shale, ballast, or feldspar by a landowner for noncommercial use does not require a permit nor does an area of less than 10 surface acres under certain conditions.
1) PS: Point Source, NPS: Non-Point Source, SW: Surface Water, GW: Groundwater
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Appendix B
ID NAME TYPE
1 Fort Thompson/Camp McGraw Fort
2 Fort Washakie Fort
3 Fort Stambaugh Marker Marker
4 Barr, Mason, Morgan Memorial Marker Marker
5 Site of Fort Washakie Marker Marker
6 Fort Washakie Marker Marker
7 Merrit's Pass Marker Marker
8 Pioneer Square Memorial Park
9 Miner's Delight Cemetery Monument
10 Lander Valley Historical Sites Monument
11 Camp Brown Marker Monument
12 Pioneer Monuments Monument
13 Washakie Monument Monument
14 Washakie Grave Monument
15 Reverend William Barrow Pugh Monument Monument
16 Union Pass Monument Monument
17 Sheepman Burial Site Monument
18 Spring Creek Raid Wagon Monuments Monument
19 "Dad" Worland Monument Monument
20 Leigh Monument Monument
21 Fire Fighters Monument Monument
22 Vietnam War Memorial Monument
23 Newton Lakes - Trail Creek Ranch Cemetery Monument
24 Mormon Colonists Monument Monument
25 Sacajawea Monument Monument with Plaque
26 Sacajawea Grave Monument with Plaque
27 Richards and Hall Memorial Plaque Monument with Plaque
28 Trappers Rendezvous Monument Monument with Plaque
29 Tie Hack Monument and Interpretive Display Monument with Plaque
30 W. A. Richards Monument Monument with Plaque
31 Amelia Earhart Monument Monument with Plaque
32 Fire Fighter's Memorial Monument with Plaque
33 Heart Mtn Relocation Center Monument Monument with Plaque
34 Dead Indian Summit Monument Monument with Plaque
35 Frank N. Hammitt Monument Monument with Plaque
36 Men of Cowley Wyoming War Memorial - WWI & WWII Monument with Plaque
37 Hot Springs State Park Monuments Monument with Sign
38 Block House Plaque Plaque
39 Robert's School for Indian Girls Plaque Plaque
40 Reverend Randal Memorial Plaque Plaque
41 Union Pass Interpretive Plaques Plaque
42 Legend Rock Petroglyph Site Plaque
43 Heart Mountain Relocation Center Plaque Plaque
44 Fort Thompson (Camp McGraw) Information Sign Sign
45 Bonneville Cabins Interpretive Sign Sign
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ID NAME TYPE
46 Shoshone-Episcopal Mission Information Sign Sign
47 Fort Washakie Information Sign Sign
48 Riverton Project Sign
49 Crowheart Butte Information Sign Sign
50 Wind River Canyon Information Sign Sign
51 Original Site of Boysen Dam Sign
52 Wedding of the Waters Sign
53 World's Largest Mineral Hot Springs Information Sign Sign
54 Hot Springs State Park Information Sign Sign
55 Bridger Trail - Bighorn River Crossing - Kirby Sign
56 Spring Creek Raid Information Sign Sign
57 Colby Mammoth Kill Information Sign Sign
58 Jim Bridger Historic Trail Sign
59 First Washakie County Church Information Sign Sign
60 Leigh Creek Monument Information Sign Sign
61 Arland Information Sign (1884-1897) Sign
62 Halfway House Stage Stop Sign
63 Castle Rock Information Sign Sign
64 Bridger Trail - Y U Bench NE Sign
65 Absaroka Volcanic Field Information Sign Sign
66 Wiley Ditch Information Sign Sign
67 Shoshone Project Story - Buffalo Bill Reservoir Sign
68 Lower Shell School House Sign
69 Colter's Hell Sign
70 Shoshone Canyon Information Sign Sign
71 Shoshone Project Story - Shoshone River Siphon Sign
72 "Corbett's Shebang" at Stinking Water Sign
73 Shoshone Project Story - Corbett Dam Sign
74 Sheep Mountain Sign
75 Shoshone Project Story - Willwood Dam Sign
76 Eagles Nest Stage Station Sign
77 Shoshone Project Story - Ralston Reservoir Sign
78 Chief Joseph Highway - East Sign
79 Sidon Canal Information Sign Sign
80 Chief Joseph Highway - West Sign
81 Shoshone Project Story - Project Overview Sign
82 Cowley - Community and Academy Sign
83 Shoshone Project Story - Deaver Reservoir Sign
84 Nez Perce Trail Sign
85 Buffalo Bill Statue Statue
86 Louis Lake Trail trail
87 Christina Lake Trail trail
88 Shoshone Stock Driveway trail
89 Indian Trail trail
90 Wolf Trail trail
91 Stough Creek Basin Trail trail
92 Middle Fork Trail trail
93 Petes Lake Trail trail
94 Pinto Park Trail trail
16
ID NAME TYPE
95 Cold Spring Trail trail
96 Ice Lakes Trail trail
97 Squaw Creek Trail trail
98 High Meadow Trail trail
99 Farlow Trail trail
100 Lizard Head Trail trail
101 Smith Lake Trail trail
102 Bears Ears Trail trail
103 Moss Lake Trail trail
104 Gaylord Lake Trail trail
105 Washakie Trail trail
106 Blue Trail trail
107 Fremont Trail trail
108 Yellow Trail trail
109 Glacier Trail trail
110 Dry Creek Trail trail
111 Okie Trail trail
112 Ink Wells Trail trail
113 Dinwoody Trail trail
114 E-k Trail trail
115 Johnson Trail trail
116 Whiskey Mountain Trail trail
117 Ross Lake Trail trail
118 C M Trail trail
119 Moon Lake Trail trail
120 Jakeys Fork Trail trail
121 Union Pass Trail trail
122 Geyser Creek Trail trail
123 Devils Hole Trail trail
124 Fish Lake Trail trail
125 Sheridan Trail trail
126 Boundary Trail trail
127 Pelham Lake Trail trail
128 Burroughs Creek Trail trail
129 Ramshorn Trail trail
130 Parque Creek Trail trail
131 Kisinger Lakes Trail trail
132 Indian Point Trail trail
133 Du Noir Trail trail
134 Tepee Creek Trail trail
135 Pinnacle Trail trail
136 Ramshorn Trail trail
137 DuNoir Trail trail
138 Rock Creek Trail trail
139 Bear Creek Trail trail
140 East Du Noir Trail trail
141 Ninemile Trail trail
142 Wind River Trail trail
143 East Fork Trail trail
17
ID NAME TYPE
144 Wiggins Fork Trail trail
145 Twilight Creek Trail trail
146 Wind River Trail trail
147 Absaroka Trail trail
148 Cascade Creek Trail trail
149 Frontier Creek Trail trail
150 Smuggler Gulch Trail trail
151 Crescent Trail trail
152 Shoshone Trail trail
153 Cougar Pass Trail trail
154 Greybull River Trail trail
155 Gooseberry Trail trail
156 Timber Creek Trail trail
157 Greybull River Trail trail
158 South Fork Trail trail
159 Little Venus Cutoff Trail trail
160 Marbel Mountain Trail trail
161 Venus Basin Trail trail
162 Haymaker Timber Creek Trail trail
163 Yellowstone Trail trail
164 Anderson Creek Trail trail
165 Zig-Zag Trail trail
166 Boulder Basin Trail trail
167 South Fork Trail trail
168 Piney Creek Trail trail
169 Jack Creek Trail trail
170 Vick Creek Cutoff Trail trail
171 Warhouse Trail trail
172 South Piney Trail trail
173 Butte Creek Trail trail
174 Thorofare Trail trail
175 Thorofare Trail trail
176 Pass Creek Trail trail
177 Open Creek Trail trail
178 Two Ocean Plateau Trail trail
179 Ishawooa Mesa Trail trail
180 Ishawooa Trail trail
181 Mistymoon Trail trail
182 Trail Creek Trail trail
183 Mountain Creek Trail trail
184 Trail Creek Trail trail
185 Main Paint Rock Trail trail
186 Kinky White Trail trail
187 North High Park Trail trail
188 Riddle Lake Trail trail
189 Natural Bridge Trail trail
190 Table Mountain Trail trail
191 Cliff Lake Trail trail
192 Edelman Trail trail
18
ID NAME TYPE
193 Fire Memorial Trail trail
194 Blackwater Trail trail
195 Summit Lake Trail trail
196 Mallard Lake Trail trail
197 Clear Creek Trail trail
198 Adelaide Trail trail
199 Jones Pass Trail trail
200 Fairy Creek Trail trail
201 Bench Trail trail
202 Trout Creek Trail trail
203 Pelican Creek Trail trail
204 Pahaska Sunlight Trail trail
205 Elephant Back Loop Trail trail
206 Dry Horse Trail trail
207 Mary Mountain Trail trail
208 Old Fountain Trail trail
209 Elkhorn Trail trail
210 Pelican Cone Trail trail
211 Mist Creek Trail trail
212 Frost Lake Trail trail
213 Plateau Trail trail
214 Lamar River Trail trail
215 Tern Lake Trail trail
216 Jim Bridger Trail trail
217 Wapiti Lake Trail trail
218 Sour Creek Trail trail
219 Ribbon Lake Trail trail
220 Wolf Lake Trail trail
221 Ice Lakes Trail trail
222 Cougar Creek Trail trail
223 Gneiss Creek Trail trail
224 Glacial Boulder Trail trail
225 Miller Creek Trail trail
226 Howard Eaton Trail trail
227 Sevenmile Hole Trail trail
228 Lodgepole Trail trail
229 Papoose Trail trail
230 Mount Washburn Spur Trail trail
231 Crandall Trail trail
232 Reef Creek Trail trail
233 Mount Holmes Trail trail
234 Crandall Cutoff Trail trail
235 Morrison Trail trail
236 Lewis And Clark Trail trail
237 Specimen Ridge Trail trail
238 Jim Bridger Trail trail
239 Squaw Creek Trail trail
240 North Crandall Trail trail
241 Burnt Trail trail
19
ID NAME TYPE
242 Bighorn Pass Trail trail
243 Thunderer Cutoff Trail trail
244 Beartooth Loop National Recreation Trail trail
245 Pilot Creek Trail trail
246 Fawn Pass Trail trail
247 Beauty Lake Trail trail
248 Clay Butte Trail trail
249 Granite Loop Trail trail
250 Lost Lake Trail trail
251 Beartooth Highlakes Trail trail
252 Upper Granite Loop Trail trail
253 Crazy Lakes Trail trail
254 Copeland Lake Trail trail
255 Lake Reno Trail trail
256 Republic Trail trail
257 Crazy Mountain Trail trail
258 Lower Blacktail Trail trail
259 Coyote Creek Trail trail
260 Rescue Creek Trail trail
261 Sepulcher Loop Trail trail
262 Yellowstone River Trail trail
263 Buffalo Plateau Trail trail
264 Beaver Lakes Loop Trail trail
265 Sportsman Lake Trail trail