Bighorn Long-Term Issues Group

Where Are We Going?

• How did this get started?• Who are we?• Where have we been?• Where are we now?• Where are we going?• When are we going to get there?

Long Term Issues Group

• Phase 1: Perception (How do we feel about it)• Phase 2: Definition (What is the problem)• Phase 3: Analysis (Why does the problem exist, what

is the cause of the problem)• Phase 4: Alternatives (What are some possible

solutions)• Phase 5: Evaluation (What criteria must a solution

meet and what alternatives are better than others)• Phase 6: Decision Making

Building Consensus Phase by Phase

• Some Possibilities!– Improved Operation Flexibility (Raise level of Joint Use Pool

and re-examine other target elevations and flows)– Improve runoff forecasting tools– Improve Sediment Management– River habitat maintenance/improvement– Improved recreation opportunities– Improve economic opportunities– Implemented with respect for water rights of WY, MT,

Tribes, Federal Laws and contractual obligations

Where are we going?

• Technical Groups– Operations Group– Improve Runoff Forecasting– Climate Change– Sediment Management– Bighorn River Habitat Management– Bighorn Lake Habitat Management– Recreation Opportunities Improvements– Water Conservation– Economic Evaluation– Environmental Evaluation– Others?

How Do we move forward?

• Group Memory Tool (Report)– Introduction/Background/Authority– Description Resources/Issues/Problems– Development of Proposals– Evaluation and Comparison of Proposals– Conclusions and Recommendations

Decision from Appropriate Agency pending funding and authority.

How Do we move forward?

• Appraisal Report• Some Possibilities!

– Improved Operation Flexibility (Raise level of Joint Use Pool and re-examine other target elevations and flows)

– Improve runoff forecasting tools– Improve Sediment Management– River habitat maintenance/improvement– Improved Recreational Infrastructure

Time Line