Lost Springs Ranch WSC Variance Request

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Item #6: Lost Springs Ranch WSC Variance Request Board and Staff Discussion: Charlie Flatten: © Lost Springs Ranch WSC has requested a variance for an Aquifer Test for their Operating Permit Amendment Application. 0 Called for a representative from Lost Springs WSC to speak. Kayla Shearhart: © Stated she called the Board President, Boyd Merworth, about attending the meeting. o Due to health complications, he was unable to attend this or any other meeting, and stated no other Board members would be in attendance. o Boyd Merworth provided a letter stating the case for Lost Springs Ranch WSC. Linda Kaye Rogers: o Whatis their current permitted amount? Philip Webster: o Their current permitted amount is 16.25 acre feet They are asking for an additional 1.48 acre feet, putting them at 17.73 acre feet. o They are expected to perform an Aquifer Test because they have not performed one in the last three years (required in District Rules) The Board and Staff discussed the technical information about the current Lost Springs Permit, the pending Amendment Application, information on the well, potential impacts of the well production on a long-term basis, and pros and cons of granting the variance. Jeff Shaw. o___Expressed the desire to post-pone a decision until a representative can be present. Holly Fults: © Suggests the Board needs to be ready to make a decision tonight, whether they choose to post pone or not. Linda Kaye Rogers: o She stated her hesitance to require Lost Springs Ranch WSC to conduct an Aquifer Test because of the water lost during the testing. John Worrall: o Suggest the Board should approve the variance with the understanding that Lost Springs Ranch WSC will save money to perform an aquifer test for any future permit amendment. Public Comment(s): Jimmy Skipton Motion: Page 3 of 4 January 8, 2020 John Worrall: Motion to grant variance for the Lost Springs Ranch WSC permit amendment. Doc Jones: Seconded. Vote: 5-0 In Favor (Linda Kaye Rogers, Holly Fults, John Worrall, Doc Jones, and Jeff Shaw); motion passes

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.9/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.