Wyoming Game and Fish Applies for Water Rights for Fish

by Mac Blewer

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) has applied for water rights for several Wyoming streams, rivers and creeks, including the Hams Fork near Kemmerer, the Little Popo Agie near Lander, Medicine Lodge Creek near Ten Sleep and the Smith Fork and Thomas Fork drainage areas near Cokeville.

The proposal is simple: leave enough water in streams so that fish can survive. In essence, the department is setting up an "insurance policy" of sorts. Contrary to claims by the proposal’s opponents, granting water rights to WGFD will not change or alter water flows or existing water uses in the slightest. And, for better or worse, the WGFD’s water-rights applications would be subservient to all other water users in the area, including property owners holding existing water rights for irrigation and livestock.

The WGFD held meetings May in Kemmerer, Lander, Ten Sleep and Cokeville to educate the public about its proposal. These were followed by public hearings with staff of the State Engineers Office and Water Development Commission members at the same locations to hear citizens’ comments. While hearing participants’ moods varied dramatically, substantial numbers of citizens expressed support for the Department’s proposal.

The WGFD should be commended for its effort to protect minimum streamflows for our state’s fisheries while honoring existing water rights.