Laramie County Commission Forming Water Study Group

Laramie County Commissioner M. Lee Hasenauer says the commission is looking for people with an interest in water issues to serve on a study group that will recommend ways to cut eastern Laramie County water consumption by 30%.

Hasenauer says the State Engineer's Office wants a report by April 1, 2015 outlining ways to achieve the cuts or face possible state imposed cuts on water usage. He says the commission is asking for representatives of groups such as the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, agriculture, the oil industry and private landowners to join the group.

Hasenauer adds, however, that he thinks it is legally questionable what the commission can do in terms of water conservation beyond facilitating meetings on the issue. He says once the group is formed it will hold regular meetings on the issue in an effort to come up with a plan.

There are widespread concerns about depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies water to users in 8 U.S. states. Hasenauer says he questions how much impact Laramie County can have on that situation.