Submitted by shauna_sherard on Fri, 2015-02-13 12:28 West of The Rockies Curt Gowdy - 205 Wyoming - 9WY Vote Up Down +48 + SBB_1160.jpg The state of Wyoming got the attention of anglers when it’s long-awaited water strategy report was released. 11949-thumb-1320x1696.png Two of the top ten priorities in the report were ramping up restoration efforts in the state and making fish passage priority when updating infrastructure. On restoration, the report found that the public had a strong positive association with the work that had been done on the ground in the state - work like what TU’s Water Project has spearheaded - and wanted to see that continue: “Communities see significant long-term economic returns as direct results of restoration work. This initiative is to develop strategies, financial tools, technical expertise, and collaborative agreements that further stream restoration efforts throughout Wyoming.” A result of two years of meetings, public input and planning, the document outlines the top ten primary issues in the state when it comes to water use and management. In that ten were other equally important priorities such as credible climate, weather and stream flow data, groundwater analysis and the more controversial 10 storage projects in 10 years proposal. Although not legally binding, will help set the tone and direction for water managers for years to come. “I think the data collection will be critical for putting together long-term goals for water management,” said Cory Toye, director of Trout Unlimited’s Wyoming Water Project. “This whole process, if nothing else, has certainly highlighted the need for partnerships with water use and water development. Whether or not these initiatives are successful, by the end of this term, I hope it has set the course for future discussions and a partnership model for water development in Wyoming.”