Progress Made on Wyoming’s Impaired and Threatened Waters

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CHEYENNE, WY (April 28, 2015) – The recently released 2015 Watershed Progress Report, published by the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD), highlights work across Wyoming that addresses the state’s impaired and threatened waters.

This biennial report features local efforts to restore water quality across Wyoming and includes pictures of projects and maps illustrating the watersheds and the specific impaired waterbodies. 

“These efforts address critical needs and will positively impact Wyoming watersheds for years to come,” WACD Executive Director Bobbie Frank said.

[EasyDNNGallery|1787|Width|450|Height|450|position|left|resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|True|redirection|False|LinkText||]This report summarizes the efforts within Wyoming’s watersheds by landowners, local Conservation Districts, and numerous local, state and federal partners. Information includes local Conservation Districts’ monitoring results, watershed planning efforts and implementation of Best Management Practices within watersheds with listed impairments.

Many of these local watershed improvement efforts involved landowners who place high priority on stewardship of their natural resources. 

“Our local efforts are greatly strengthened by landowner cooperation,” Frank said. “Together we can make improvements that benefit all users of the water system.”

Several of these local landowner projects are highlighted in videos available for viewing at www.youtube.com/user/ConserveWY. Projects included innovative septic systems with the Teton Conservation District, small acreage management with the Sheridan County Conservation District, an animal feeding operation project with the Platte County Resource District, a grazing management project with the Hot Springs Conservation District and a stream/river restoration project with the Little Snake River Conservation District. Projects were implemented in partnership with the local Conservation Districts and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Notable watershed improvements are also featured in the report. Between 2011-2014, Muddy Creek and McKinney Creek in the Little Snake River Conservation District (LSRCD), which were listed as impaired in 1996, were delisted due to these implementation efforts. North Fork Crazy Woman Creek was also delisted between 2012-2014.

[EasyDNNGallery|1789|Width|450|Height|450|position|left|resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|True|redirection|False|LinkText||]For more information and to view the 2015 Watershed Progress Report, visit www.conservewy.com. To request a hard copy of the report contact the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts at 307-632-5716 or your local Conservation District. This report was funded in part with Clean Water Act 319 grant from Department of Environmental Quality/US EPA.

About The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts 
The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) provides leadership for the conservation of Wyoming's soil, water and all other natural resources. WACD works to preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect the tax base and promote the health, safety and general welfare of Wyoming citizens through a responsible conservation ethic. Call 307-632-5716 or visit www.conservewy.com to learn more.

Photos included with this press release:

Watershed Progress Report 1 – The Uinta County Conservation District teaches the Evanston Middle School 7th grade challenge science class how to measure flow and use math to determine stream discharge. 

Watershed Progress Report 2 – The Popo Agie Conservation District showcases offsite livestock watering sources during its Spring Development Workshop. Local Conservation Districts work closely with landowners to improve watershed health. Many more projects are highlighted in the 2015 Watershed Progress Report available at www.conservewy.com.

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