Water Resources

Animal Feeding Operation Program
A true demonstration of voluntary efforts at work and the agriculture communities commitment to water quality, the WACD in partnership with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, is currently implementing  a grant program aimed at assisting agriculture producers in addressing water quality concerns caused by animal feeding operations.  Twenty-one demonstration sites are being established around Wyoming.  The technical assistance for these projects is being provided in part by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.  These sites are in the Saratoga, McFadden, Wheatland, Buffalo, Riverton, Tensleep, Sundance and Afton areas.   This program is funded in part through a section 319 grant from the US EPA and the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.  WACD developed a brochure aimed at educating producers on  laws & liabilities, potential  pollutants, best management practices  and other issues related to confined livestock operations.  Included  in this brochure is a producer self-evaluation that can be utilized to determine if the operation has the potential to impact water quality.

Watershed Planning -vs- TMDLs
For many years the local conservation districts have successfully brought together diverse interests to develop and implement watershed based efforts.  With approximately 30 lawsuits nationwide being filed against EPA, including Wyoming, pertaining to state and federal requirements to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads, Wyoming's Conservation Districts have requested and received approval to develop watershed plans at the local level in lieu of TMDLs.  Why and what's the difference?  TMDL's are a formula based calculation to reduce a pollutant which is causing water quality impairments.  For the most part, TMDL's are not developed by  the local people within the local community affected.  Watershed plans, as developed in Wyoming, will involve the local people, developing their own watershed restoration goals and strategies.  Although, similar at a glance, the difference lies in what gets done on the ground.    A plan, developed by the local people and the landowners affected, stands a greater chance of success.  

Water Quality Monitoring
In January 1998, the Wyoming State Legislature approved $367,000 for the Conservation Districts to implement a comprehensive water quality monitoring program.  The program includes training for all Conservation Districts, purchasing water quality monitoring equipment and lab analysis. This monitoring program will assure that the assessment of Wyoming's water is based on credible data.  In the 1999 state legislative session, a bill was passed defining credible data.  Credible data is the chemical, physical, and biological water quality data, collected under a pre-approved sampling and analysis plan including quality control and assurance measures.  The language also includes consideration of all available historical data.   Trainings were held to educate District representatives on Wyoming watershed hydrology, developing monitoring plans and data analysis and interpretation.  Another training session is scheduled for October.  At this time, 31 of the 34 local Districts have had representatives attend the training sessions.  A data analysis training session is also planned for June 26-30, 2000.

Clean Water Action Plan Litigation
Wyoming's local conservation districts are dedicated to the quality of Wyoming's water.  The Districts believe that water quality improvements are successful when developed at the local level involving the people within the watershed.  On February 14, 1998 the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Agriculture released, at the direction of Vice President Al Gore, released a "Clean Water Action Plan" containing 111 "key federal actions".   However, this plan was never published for public input and comment.  Further, this plan proposed new regulatory approaches and increased federal mandates.  Due to the affects of this plan and its 111 key federal actions and the fact that comment and input was never solicited, on June 23, the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, and 67 other individuals and organizations , filed a lawsuit against the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Agriculture and several other federal agencies, over the Clean Water Action Plan.  This litigation is being supported financially in part by the Paragon Foundation.
Fore more information, please e-mail WACD at waocd@trib.com.

Conservation Forestry

Seedling Tree Sales Program
Wyoming's Conservation Districts distributed 257,300 seedling trees to Wyoming citizens during the 2000 seedling tree program.  Many of these seedlings result in additional living snow fence and windbreak plantings.  These plantings provide phenomenal aesthetic values, snow and wind control benefits, and wildlife habitat. 

2001 Seedling Tree Sales Coming Soon
The Conservation Districts are accepting orders for seedling trees for the 2002 seedling tree season late this fall.  For more information contact your local Conservation District .

Wyoming Department of Transportation - Living Snow Fence Program
WACD has formed a partnership with Wyoming State Forestry to design and install living snow fences along public roadways in Wyoming.  These windbreaks will serve to reduce blowing and drifting snow, increase public safety and enhance the aesthetic value and the environment.  This partnership will result in approximately 15 new living snow fences along Wyoming's highways.

District Operations

Supervisor Elections
Each Conservation District is run by a 5 member Board of Supervisors.  These Supervisors are elected during the general election.  There are 3 rural members, 1 urban and 1 at large member on each District Board.  These Supervisors serve voluntarily.  Persons interested in filing for election should contact their local conservation district.

Conservation District Funding
In 1987, the Wyoming State Legislature granted Conservation Districts the authority to tax up to one mill.  Since that time, several Districts have obtained mill levy funding.  Several Districts have also received the support of their County Commissioners and therefore have opted not to request mill levy funding.  The Conservation Districts utilize their local funding to address publicly identified priority programs and concerns.  Those programs initiated by Districts vary dependent on local needs.  Currently, local people support conservation efforts to the tune of approximately $2 million.

Wildlife Habitat

Landowner workshops
The Wyoming Game & Fish Department has been working with Conservation Districts to host workshops for private landowners to educate and inform them on the importance of creating and enhancing wildlife habitat.  Approximately 50 percent of Wyoming's land base is in private ownership.  Private landowners provide a critical habitat base for Wyoming's abundant wildlife.