Wyoming Framework Water Plan - Living Rivers Home Page

2.0 INFORMATION AND DATA
2.3.1 Audience
The survey documented that there is a wide range of expectations when it comes to the intended
audience for the Framework Plan, from “everyone” to “legislative”. Audience identification is an action
that can help focus the purpose and content of documents such as those prepared during the Framework
and basin planning processes.
Recommendation: The State should consider defining who the singular audience is or prioritizing
multiple audiences when initiating future basin planning and Framework planning documents. If
consultants are hired to assist with planning, then the audience definition might be included in the
contract scope of work. The utility and focus of the planning documents and other products may be
enhanced if they are directed at a clearly defined audience or priority if multiple audiences are considered.
2.3.2 Overall Purpose of the Framework Plan
Interviewees suggested that the Framework Plan serve a dual purpose in providing data unique to
the water planning program and references or links to other data sources and information of other
agencies and groups.
Recommendation: The State should embrace the concept of authoritative data sources and avoid
assembling static data that are already maintained and made available by other agencies. An example of a
WWDC authoritative data set would be the estimates of current and future water supply needs by water
use sector. An example of data that WWDC should rely on others to maintain includes gaging station data
for surface water resources.
2.3.3 Groundwater Data
The most frequently identified shortcoming of existing information and plans pertained to
information on groundwater.
Recommendation: The State should place a greater emphasis on developing or assembling (or facilitating
the work by others) useful groundwater information, and perhaps the next round of basin plans should
approach the groundwater data issue on a statewide basis.
2.3.4 Other Critical Issues
The survey collected opinions on several issues that appeared controversial or critical. These
issues included ones such as the conflicts between instream and out-of-stream uses, coal bed methane
(CBM) gas development and the associated water discharges, and challenges between agricultural uses
and municipal uses.
Recommendation: As policy-makers resolve these critical issues, further water planning should
incorporate the results of current policy direction.
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