Ground Water Control Areas and Advisory Boards
Three ground water management districts called Control Areas have been established in the southeast portion of the state. All applications for new wells exceeding 25 gallons per minute (gpm) (exempting stock, domestic, and miscellaneous under 25 gpm) or petitions for change of existing groundwater use within the boundaries of the designated areas must pass through an additional level of review involving public notice and recommendation from a 5-member elected Advisory Board prior to approval. The Ground Water Control Area Advisory Boards advise and assist the State Engineer and Board of Control in formulating policies and recommendations on applications and petitions concerning groundwater development in the Control Area. Each Control Area Advisory Board is comprised of five property owners residing within the Control Area. The members are elected to four-year terms by property owners who own land within the Control Area. Members may serve two consecutive terms and no political split is required.
Laramie County
Name City Expiration
Ryan Kirkbride Cheyenne 7/31/2027
Brady Petsch Meriden 7/31/2027
Laurie Jackson Hillsdale 7/31/2024
Todd Fornstrom Pine Bluffs 7/31/2024
Cody Smith Carpenter 7/31/2024
Platte County
Name City Expiration
Vacant Wheatland 7/31/2027
Brandin Miller Wheatland 7/31/2027
Doug DeRouchey Wheatland 7/31/2024
Richard Johnson Wheatland 7/31/2024
Kelly Kennedy Wheatland 7/31/2024
Prairie Center
Name City Expiration
Dylan Hager Torrington 7/31/2027
Joe Campbell Torrington 7/31/2027
Elden Baldwin Torrington 7/31/2026
Jim Becker Southerland 7/31/2026
Kathie France Torrington 7/31/2026
(click map to enlarge)
ELECTIONS: LARAMIE COUNTY GROUND WATER CONTROL AREA ADVISORY BOARD
An election was held July 27, 2023 at the Pine Bluffs Town Hall, 215 Main Street, Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, to fill two vacancies on the Laramie County Groundwater Control Area Advisory Board. The vacancies were created by the expiration of terms previously filled by Mr. Tyler Lerwick (District 4) and Mr. Brady Petsch (District 5).
Following the closing of the election, the State Engineer’s Office verified collected ballots for voter eligibility pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 41-3-913, and confirmed the members-elect own land or groundwater rights, or are the officers, officials or members of the board of a corporation which owns land or groundwater rights within the Laramie County Groundwater Control Area.
The State Engineer's Office is honored to announce the results of the election and congratulates Mr. Brady Petsch on being elected to serve a second term representing District 5, and new member-elect, Mr. Ryan Kirkbride who will represent District 4. Both will serve as advisory board members for a four-year term.
Control Area Advisory Boards typically review petitions to amend existing water rights, and applications to appropriate underground water for any use other than domestic, stock watering or miscellaneous purposes where the quantity of water to be appropriated is twenty-five (25) gallons of water per minute or less, from an area designated as a control area by the State Board of Control. The application or petition shall be granted and the permit issued only if the State Engineer finds, after receiving the advice of the Control Area Advisory Board, that there are unappropriated waters in the proposed source, that the proposed means of diversion or construction is adequate, that the location of the proposed well or other work does not conflict with any well spacing or well distribution regulation and that the proposed use would not be detrimental to the public interest.
The State Engineer’s Office appreciates your willingness to serve on the Advisory Board and looks forward to working with you.
ELECTIONS: PLATTE COUNTY GROUND WATER CONTROL AREA ADVISORY BOARD
An election was held July 26, 2023 at the Board of Control Office, 1560 B Johnston Street, Wheatland, to fill two vacancies on the Platte County Groundwater Control Area Advisory Board. The vacancies were created by the expiration of terms previously filled by Jason Reyes (District 4) and Amy Johnston Miller (District 5). Both Mr. Reyes and Ms. Johnston Miller served two consecutive terms on the board and were not eligible for additional four-year terms.
Following the closing of the election, the State Engineer’s Office confirmed the nominee(s) owns land or groundwater rights, or is the officers, officials or members of the board of a corporation which owns land or groundwater rights within their representative district of the Platte County Groundwater Control Area.
The State Engineer's Office is honored to announce the results of the election and welcomes Brandin Miller as the representative of District 5 of the Platte County Groundwater Control Area Advisory Board. Mr. Miller will serve on the advisory board for a four-year term.
Control Area Advisory Boards typically review petitions to amend existing water rights, and applications to appropriate underground water for any use other than domestic, stock watering or miscellaneous purposes where the quantity of water to be appropriated is twenty-five (25) gallons of water per minute or less, from an area designated as a control area by the State Board of Control. The application or petition shall be granted and the permit issued only if the State Engineer finds, after receiving the advice of the Control Area Advisory Board, that there are unappropriated waters in the proposed source, that the proposed means of diversion or construction is adequate, that the location of the proposed well or other work does not conflict with any well spacing or well distribution regulation and that the proposed use would not be detrimental to the public interest.
Congratulations to Mr. Miller on being elected to the Advisory Board, and welcome! The State Engineer's Office appreciates your willingness to serve on the Advisory Board and looks forward to working with you.
Since no nominees for the board position representing District 4 were received, the position will be appointed by the remaining members of the Advisory Board.
ELECTIONS: PRAIRIE CENTER GROUND WATER CONTROL AREA ADVISORY BOARD
An election was held July 25, 2023 at the Goshen County 3A Prairie Center Fire Hall to fill two vacancies on the Prairie Center Groundwater Control Area Advisory Board. The vacancies were created by the expiration of terms previously filled by Dylan Hager and Greg DesEnfants. Mr. Hager served one term and was eligible to serve a second term. Mr. DesEnfants served two consecutive terms and was not eligible for an additional four-year term.
Following the closing of the election, the State Engineer’s Office verified collected ballots for voter eligibility pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 41-3-913, and confirmed the members-elect own land or groundwater rights, or are the officers, officials or members of the board of a corporation which owns land or groundwater rights within the Prairie Center Groundwater Control Area.
The State Engineer's Office is honored to announce the results of the election and congratulates Mr. Dylan Hager on being elected to serve a second term, and new member-elect, Mr. Joe Campbell. Both will serve as advisory board members for a four-year term.
Control Area Advisory Boards typically review petitions to amend existing water rights, and applications to appropriate underground water for any use other than domestic, stock watering or miscellaneous purposes where the quantity of water to be appropriated is twenty-five (25) gallons of water per minute or less, from an area designated as a control area by the State Board of Control. The application or petition shall be granted and the permit issued only if the State Engineer finds, after receiving the advice of the Control Area Advisory Board, that there are unappropriated waters in the proposed source, that the proposed means of diversion or construction is adequate, that the location of the proposed well or other work does not conflict with any well spacing or well distribution regulation and that the proposed use would not be detrimental to the public interest.
The State Engineer's Office appreciates your willingness to serve on the Advisory Board and look forward to working with you.