(ORIGlhWL SIGNED BY 

 PRESIDENT AND SPEAKER) 



SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 



DATRi <=^ ' J^ - ^/ 



ORIGINAL HOUSE 

 BILL NO. 0048A 



ENROLLED ACT NO. 74, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



FIFTY- FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING 

 1991 GENERAL SESSION 



AN ACT to create W.S. 35-11-308 through 35-11-311; and to amend 

 W.S. 35-ll-103(c) (vi) and by creating new paragraphs (x) through 

 (xiii) relating to wetlands; requiring notification prior to 

 draining a wetland as specified; providing definitions; provid- 

 ing for guidelines; and providing for an effective date. 



Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming; 



Section 1. W.S. 35-11-308 through 35-11-311 are created to 

 read: 



35-11-308. Short title. This act, W.S. 35-11-308 through 

 35-11-311, may be known and shall be cited as the "Wyoming Wet- 

 lands Act". 



35-11-309. Legislative policy and intent. 



(a) The legislature declares that all water, including col- 

 lections of still water and waters associated with wetlands 

 within the borders of this state are property of the state. The 

 legislature further declares that water is one of Wyoming's most 

 important natural resources, and the protection, development and 

 management of Wyoming's water resources is essential for the 

 long-term public health, safety, general welfare and economic 

 security of Wyoming and its citizens. 



(b) The legislature finds that agriculture, energy develop- 

 ment and timbering are important industries in this state and 

 that industrial concerns must be accommodated in the protection 

 of wetlands. Wetlands can have an impact on industry prac- 

 tices. Even though property taxes are generally paid on such 

 lands, wetlands provide limited economic return to the land- 

 owner. Wetland policies can obstruct water development projects 

 and water management projects for private industry as well as 

 public entities and can affect other developments. 



(c) The legislature finds that the primary reason wetlands 



- 1 - 



