§ 99-3-405 — Coalbed methane study

Wyoming § 99-3-405

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 99: Water Projects
• Ch. 3: AUTHORIZATION FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION
• Art. 4: 2000 CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Text

(a) The select water committee is directed to study and
recommend a bill to the 2001 legislature addressing the
following issues:
(i) Water well mitigation resulting from coal bed
methane gas well operations. The committee should use as a
starting point for its deliberations the agreement currently
being used by many landowners, coal bed methane operations and
the bureau of land management in resolving disputes between
landowners and well operators. This agreement provides
resolution for those well owners within one-half (1/2) mile of a
coal bed methane well. Under this agreement, funding for issues
relating to wells within this circle of influence are borne by
the operator;
(ii) Setting up a mitigation process to be followed
by parties who bring issues caused by coal bed methane
development outside of the circle of influence;
(iii) Problems to be investigated should include, but
not be limited to:
(A) Discharged water as a result of the coal bed
methane well;
(B) Determinations as to which party was
responsible for an impaired water well;
(C) Determinations as to whether a water well
was impaired; and
(D) Determinations as to the effects of a coal
bed methane well.
(iv) Ensuring that any water well must be properly
permitted with the state engineer's office. Any proposed
legislation:
(A) Should not limit the right of any party to
resolve disputes in district court;
(B) Should consider requiring arbitration of
disputes;
(C) Should consider potential determinations by
water well owners who suffer impairments; and
(D) Should consider which parties should bear
the costs of restoring water to its previous levels. (Laws 2000,
Ch. 96, § 3.)