SF0070

Authorizes construction of multiple water development projects and appropriates funds for their design and construction, primarily from water development accounts I and II.

• Authorizes six new water development projects including Alpine Well #4 transmission pipeline, cloud seeding operations in Wind River and Sierra Madre ranges, Gillette Red Hills tank, LaGrange well connection, Little Snake River Battle Lake modification, and small water development projects, with state grants covering up to 50% of costs. (W.S. 99-3-3103, Sec. 1)
• Appropriates $210,000 to Alpine Well #4 project, $2,559,500 to Gillette Red Hills tank, $370,000 to LaGrange well connection, $1,092,000 to Little Snake River Battle Lake project, and $1,000,000 for small water development projects, with unexpended funds reverting July 1, 2031. (W.S. 99-3-3103(b)-(g), Sec. 1)
• Authorizes 14 rehabilitation water development projects including Big Horn Canal, Cody Canal, Cowley Transmission Pipeline, Deaver ID, and others, with state grants and loans from water development account II, with loan terms ranging from 10 to 40 years at 4% annual interest. (W.S. 99-3-3104, Sec. 1)
• Appropriates approximately $17.7 million from water development account II for rehabilitation projects, with all unexpended funds reverting to account II on July 1, 2031. (W.S. 99-3-3104(b)-(u), Sec. 1)
• Extends reversion dates for appropriations in prior water development projects, moving reversion dates from 2026 to 2027 or 2028 for projects including Ethete Water Supply, Arapahoe Pipeline and Tank, and Hoback Junction Public Water System. (W.S. 99-3-1503(g)(vi), W.S. 99-3-2003(b)(vi), W.S. 99-3-3003(d), Sec. 2)
• Increases total project budget and state grant for Hoback Junction Public Water System from $548,900 to $2,497,000 total budget and from $274,450 to $1,248,500 state grant. (W.S. 99-3-3003(d)(iv)-(vi), Sec. 2)
• Authorizes transfer of $16,000,000 from water development account I to water development account II to support rehabilitation projects. (W.S. 41-2-124(a), Sec. 3(a))
• Authorizes transfer of Sheep Mountain No. 2 test well to City of Douglas, contingent on the city reimbursing predevelopment costs of at least $610,838 and agreeing to maintain the well in compliance with applicable laws.