Lummis Bill Increasing Southwest Wyoming Water Storage Passes House

Press Release

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis' (WY-At large) legislation, H.R. 2273, to approve expansion of water storage at the Bureau of Reclamation's (BOR) Fontenelle Reservoir in Lincoln County, Wyoming was approved yesterday by voice vote on the floor of the U.S. House.

"Having ranched in Wyoming all my life, I understand we can't depend solely on the rain in the arid mountain west," said Rep. Lummis. "When it comes to water, our most precious natural resource, Wyoming understands the importance of saving years of abundance against years of drought. This bill to increase storage capacity at Fontenelle Reservoir will help us do just that under the leadership and expertise of the State of Wyoming."

Background:

The bill allows for the expansion of water storage at the Bureau of Reclamation's (BOR) Fontenelle Reservoir in Lincoln County. This would be accomplished by completing the "rip-rap" around the reservoir. "Rip-rap" is a foundation or sustaining wall of stones or chunks of concrete connected together around the reservoir to prevent erosion.

The bill directs the BOR to reach an agreement with the State of Wyoming to allow the State to complete the "rip-rap" around the reservoir. The State of Wyoming would shoulder the cost of completing this project.

The current active storage capacity of the reservoir is 260,000 acre-feet. The potential to expand the active storage capacity of the reservoir is up to 85,000 acre-feet for a total capacity of 345,000 acre-feet.

This project is part of Wyoming Governor Matt Mead's "Ten in Ten" plan, which aspires to build ten new water storage facilities in ten years.
Senator Barrasso (WY) introduced the Senate version of the bill which passed earlier this year in a Senate energy package.

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