§ 11-16-135 — 11-16-103. Legislative declarations and policy

(a) It is hereby declared that the farm and grazing lands
of Wyoming are among the basic assets of the state; that
improper land use practices cause and contribute to serious
erosion of these lands by wind and water; that among the
consequences which would result from such conditions are the
deterioration of soil and its fertility and the silting and
sedimentation of stream channels, reservoirs, dams and ditches;
that to conserve soil, and soil and water resources, and prevent
and control soil erosion, it is necessary that land use
practices contributing to soil erosion be discouraged and that
appropriate soil conserving land use practices be adopted.
(b) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the
legislature to provide for the conservation of the soil, and
soil and water resources of this state, and for the control and
prevention of soil erosion and for flood prevention or the
conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water,
and thereby to stabilize ranching and farming operations, to
preserve natural resources, protect the tax base, control
floods, prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, preserve
wildlife, protect public lands, and protect and promote the
health, safety and general welfare of the people of this state.