Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., introduced legislation recently to allow for an agreement that would give Cheyenne the power to protect and store Platte River water without having to release it downstream.

Enzi introduced S. 99, a bill that would authorize a 40-year contract between the Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Cheyenne for water storage in Seminoe Reservoir. The bill would require the city to pay reasonable accounting costs and its proportionate share of the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs for the reservoir while still protecting the water rights of other Seminoe Reservoir water users.

"Cheyenne, for some time now, has only been permitted to enter into one-year water storage contracts," said Enzi. "However, such an important contract up every year for negotiation creates uncertainty and is not good for long-term water supply and use planning. This bill would allow Cheyenne to have more predictability and stability with its water storage plans."

In 1983 Cheyenne and the Bureau of Reclamation entered into an interim water storage contract that provided the city with 10,000 acre feet of storage space at Seminoe Reservoir. Under the agreement, Cheyenne could store the water it released to fulfill its minimum flow requirements during the winter months and use that water during the spring and summer when consumption on Douglas Creek increases.

The Senate passed an identical bill introduced by Enzi in the 108th Congress but the House did not act on the bill before the 108th Congress concluded. Enzi is hopeful this bill will pass with little if any opposition this Congress.