§ 41-2-112 — Wyoming water development program

(a) The Wyoming water development program is established
to foster, promote and encourage the optimal development of the
state's human, industrial, mineral, agricultural, water and
recreational resources. The program shall provide, through the
commission, procedures and policies for the planning, selection,
financing, construction, acquisition and operation of projects
and facilities for the conservation, storage, distribution and
use of water, necessary in the public interest to develop and
preserve Wyoming's water and related land resources. The
program shall encourage development of water facilities for
irrigation, for reduction of flood damage, for abatement of
pollution, for preservation and development of fish and wildlife
resources and for protection and improvement of public lands and
shall help make available the waters of this state for all
beneficial uses, including but not limited to municipal,
domestic, agricultural, industrial, instream flows,
hydroelectric power and recreational purposes, conservation of
land resources and protection of the health, safety and general
welfare of the people of the state of Wyoming.
(b) In developing financing recommendations under the
Wyoming water development program, the commission shall:
(i) Emphasize multi-purpose water projects for
maximum benefits and cost allocation;
(ii) Identify project costs and benefits;
(iii) Recommend an allocation of project costs,
including expenditures of state funds for Level I reconnaissance
studies and Level II feasibility studies, to be reimbursed by
project beneficiaries and to be borne by the state;
(iv) Recommend terms and conditions of financing
project costs, maintenance and operation, based on the benefits
to be derived by project beneficiaries and their respective
ability to pay;
(v) Consider all funds, assets and revenue sources of
all project beneficiaries and recommend financing plans which
will reimburse expenditures of state funds, except as such
expenditures may be allocated to a state benefit, including
enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat or recreation;
(vi) Consider state construction and ownership of any
project which requires the state to finance unreimbursed costs
in excess of ten percent (10%) of the total project cost, and
submit recommendations on project costs and potential revenues
from sale of water or power from the project;
(vii) Consider any other factors necessary to develop
comprehensive financing recommendations.