Water in Wyoming - Availability, Regulatory Policies, and Climate Change in the Cowboy State

Abstract

Climate change is real and may have devastating effects to a fragile world that is reaching beyond its capacity. This is especially true in the semi-arid areas of the western United States and particularly in Wyoming. The problem of climate change is serious and its solutions depend on the willingness of people to act on it with zeal in a coordinated and holistic manner. In particular, Wyoming is faced with possible water contamination from hydraulic fracturing operations. In the presence of continuing drought from climate change, such a problem in combination with the sheer amount of water required for fracturing practices can lead to serious water shortage. The objective of this study is to examine the current environmental policy in Wyoming and evaluate its ability to help adapt to climate change. This is very important and a clear understanding of existing environmental policies is necessary to develop and implement appropriate plans and procedures to protect the quality of the increasingly shrinking and valuable water supply in an effective, holistic and cost-effective manner. In this study, I expect to provide a comprehensive overview and understanding of the quantity, quality, allocation and use of the area’s groundwater and surface water under recurring climate change. Such information may lead to actions and steps that can be taken by Wyoming’s water stakeholders.