ORIGINAL HOUSE 

 BILL NO. 0048A 



ENROLLED ACT NO. 74, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



FIFTY- FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING 

 1991 GENERAL SESSION 



are considered important is because wetlands provide the habitat 

 base for the production and maintenance of waterfowl. The leg- 

 islature also finds that wetlands can moderate the water flow 

 and have value as natural flood control mechanisms, can aid in 

 water purification by trapping, filtering and storing sediment 

 and other pollutants and by recycling nutrients, and can serve 

 as ground water recharge and discharge areas. Wetlands also 

 function as nursery areas for numerous aquatic animal species 

 and are habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species, 

 and provide vital habitat for resident wildlife. Wetlands also 

 can provide scientific, aesthetic and recreational benefits. 

 The legislature therefore concludes that wetlands and values 

 associated therewith deserve to be effectively managed, pro- 

 tected and preserved. 



(d) The legislature recognizes that significant differences 

 exist in Wyoming between naturally occurring wetlands and those 

 wetlands that result from human activities. Because portions of 

 Wyoming are arid or semiarid, water was diverted from streams 

 and rivers for irrigating cropland, resulting in the creation of 

 wetlands. These wetlands have partially compensated for wet- 

 lands losses. Additionally, road smd highway construction, 

 petroleum industry operations and other human activities have 

 created wetlands where none previously existed. While these 

 man-made wetlands are equally as important as naturally occur- 

 ring wetlands, having the same characteristics and providing the 

 same values and functions, management flexibility is required to 

 acknowledge their different origins and to protect the property 

 rights of landowners and water right holders. 



(e) In view of the legislative findings and conclusions of 

 the importance of wetlands, water development and management, 

 and industry in Wyoming it is hereby declared to be the wetlands 

 policy of this state that water management and development and 

 wetland preservation activities should be balanced to protect 

 and accommodate private property, industry, water and wetland 

 interests and objectives. 



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