SF0084

Establishes a voluntary water conservation program for Wyoming's portion of the Colorado River basin that allows water right holders to reduce consumptive use and store conserved water in designated reservoirs.

• Defines key terms including 'conservation project' (voluntary projects reducing consumptive use or satisfying interstate compact obligations), 'consumptive use' (water depletion for beneficial uses and non-hydropower electrical production), and establishes the act as the 'Voluntary Water Conservation Program Act.' (W.S. 41-3-117)
• Allows persons with valid water rights in Wyoming's Colorado River basin portion to apply to the state engineer for approval of conservation projects using a state-provided form, including multiple water rights and appropriators. (W.S. 41-3-118(a))
• Requires the state engineer to publish conservation project applications on its website and provide electronic notice at least 30 days before decision, and for irrigation-related projects requires applicants to notify adjacent landowners by personal contact or regular mail. (W.S. 41-3-118(b))
• Allows water right owners whose rights may be injured and persons adversely affected to submit written comments within 30 days of notice; the state engineer must review applications and comments before approving or denying projects. (W.S. 41-3-118(b), W.S. 41-3-118(c))
• Prohibits state engineer approval of conservation projects that would injuriously affect other water rights, fail to reduce historic consumptive use, or appear detrimental to public interest or aid interstate water marketing; allows conditional approval with mitigation requirements. (W.S. 41-3-118(d))
• Requires applicants to demonstrate recent history of consumptive use (at least 3 of 5 years prior) or that the project satisfies interstate compact obligations; allows state engineer to use methods adopted by the Upper Colorado River Commission to determine historic use. (W.S. 41-3-118(f))
• Limits temporary irrigation conservation projects to 5 consecutive years maximum; water rights must be used for their original purpose for at least 2 years before re-enrolling, except projects achieving long-term reductions through irrigation system improvements.