Large project funding.

WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL SENATE
FILE

NO.
0042

ENROLLED ACT NO. 33, SENATE

SIXTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2012 BUDGET SESSION

AN ACT relating to the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Funding Act; providing for funding of large projects under that act; specifying large proje
cts approved for funding in 2012
; amending funding and timing for specified previously approved large projects; requiring specified conservation easements to include the state of Wyoming as a third party beneficiary as specified; requiring certifications regarding kickbacks and gifts; providing appropriations; providing for reversion of funds; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1
.

W.S. 9
‑
15
‑
701 through 9
‑
15
‑
712
are created to read:

ARTICLE 7
2012 LARGE PROJECT FUNDING

9
‑
15
‑
7
01.

Munn Place c
onservation
e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Munn Place conservation e
asement:

(i)

Project sponsor: Wyoming Land Trust;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
two
thousand
two hundred
eighty (
2,
280
) acres in S
ublette
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for deer, antelope,
sage
grouse, songbirds
,

amphibians

and other species; and

(B)

Secure habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(
C
)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
One m
illion
eight hundred twenty
-f
our
thousand dollars ($
1,824
,000.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
two hundred seventy-three
thousand
six hundred
dollars ($
273
,
6
00.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board t
wo hundred seventy-three
thousand
six hundred
dollars ($
273
,
6
00.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
02.

Devils Tower
c
onservation
e
asement.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Devils Tower conservation e
asement:

(i)

Project sponsor: Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
seven
thousand
four hundred ninety-three
(
7,493
) acres in C
rook
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for deer, amphibians, fisheries, songbirds
, raptors
and other species;

(B)

Secure
viewsheds of significant local, regional and national importance
; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Eight
million
nine hundred three
thousand
fifteen
dollars ($
8,903,015
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
one million
dollars ($
1,000
,000.00) for the purposes specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
one million
dollars ($
1,000,
000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
03.

North Cottonwood c
ons
ervation
e
asement.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
North Cottonwood Ranch c
onservation
e
asement:

(i)

Project sponsor: The Conservation Fund;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
fifteen th
ousand
three hundred forty
(
15,340
) acres in
Sublette
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for
moose,
mule deer,
elk,
antelope, amphibians, songbirds and other species;

(B)

Secure migra
tion routes and crucial habitat
for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Twelve
million
one hundred thirty-seven
thousand
two hundred fifty
dollars ($
12
,
137,250
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
one million
dollars ($
1,000
,000.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
one million
dollars ($
1,000
,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
04.

Luman Ranch c
onservation
e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Luman Ranch conservation e
asement:

(i)

Project sponsor: Wyoming Land Trust;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
two
thousand
one hundred fifty
-
six
(
2,156
) acres in S
ublette
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for deer, antelope,
moose, waterfowl, sage
grouse, songbirds
,

amphibians, fish

and other species;

(B)

Secure habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(
C
)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Two m
illion
seventy-five
thousand
one hundred fifty
dollars ($
2,075,150
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
three hundred eleven thousand two hundred seventy-two
dollars ($
311,272
.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board t
hree hundred eleven thousand two hundred seventy-two
dollars ($
311,272
.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
05.

Johnson sections conservation e
asement.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Johnson sections conservation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
Wyoming Land Trust
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
one
thousand
five hundred sixty (1,560
) acres in Sublette county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for moose, mule deer, elk, sage grouse, songbirds and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
One
million
four hundred eighteen thousand forty
dollars ($
1,418,040
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
two hundred twelve thousand seven hundred six
dollars ($
212,706
.00) for the purposes specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
two hundred twelve thousand seven hundred six
dollars ($
212,706.00
)

or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
06.

Diamond G conservation e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Diamond G conservation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
Jackson Hole Land Trust
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
five thousand one hundred thirty
(
5,130
) acres in
Fremont
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for
elk, mule
deer,
moose,
amphibians, fisheries, songbirds
, raptors
and other species;

(B)

Secure
viewsheds of significant local, regional and national importance
; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Twenty million seventy-five t
housand dollars ($
20,075,000
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
one million
dollars ($
1,000
,000.00) for the purposes specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
one million
dollars ($
1,000
,000.00)

or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
07.

Wunder Ranch conservation e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Wunder Ranch c
onser
vation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
Jackson Hole Land Trust
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
two
thousand
seven
hundred (
2,700
) acres in
Fremont
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat
and migration routes
for
elk,
mule deer,
s
age grouse, antelope, amphibians, songbirds and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Two
million
three h
undred
three
thousand dollars ($
2,303
,000.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
five
hundred thousand dollars ($
5
00,000.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
five
hundred thousand dollars ($
5
00,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
08.

Richie
Ranch
c
onservation
e
asement.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Richie
Ranch conservation easement:

(i)

Project sponsor: Wyoming Game and Fish Commission;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
one
thousand
three
hundred
seventy-nine
(
1,379
) acres in
Sublette
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for moose, mule deer, elk, sage grouse, waterfowl,
fish,
songbirds and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget: Two million
five hundred twenty-five t
housand dollars ($2,
525
,
0
00.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
09.

Mooncrest/MC Ranch c
on
servation e
asement
s
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Mooncrest/MC Ranch
c
onservation easement
s
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
Wyoming Land Trust;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
seventeen
thousand
nine hundred fifty-three
(
17,953
) acres in
Park
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for mule deer,
bighorn sheep,
elk, sage grouse, antelope and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for sage grouse in a core population area; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Fourteen
million twenty
-five
thousand dollars ($
14,025
,000.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
one million
dollars ($
1,0
00,000.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
one million
dollars ($
1,0
00,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
10.

Weber Ranch conservation e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Weber Ranch conservation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
The Nature Conservancy
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately four
thousand

one hundred sixty-six
(4
,166
) acres in
Carbon
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for elk, mule deer,
antelope, sage grouse, songbirds
and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for
elk and mule d
eer in an area with high incidents
of vehicle collisions
; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
One
million
six hundred sixty-eight thousand seven hundred eighteen
dollars ($
1,668,718
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor three hundred
twenty
thousand dollars ($3
2
0,000.00) for the purposes specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board three hundred
twenty
thousand dollars ($3
2
0,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
11.

Double A Ranch conservation e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Double A Ranch conservation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
The Nature Conservancy
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
two thousand three
hundred
eighty-two
(
2,382
) acres in
Fremont
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for elk, mule deer,
antelope, sage grouse, songbirds, amphibians
and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for
sage grouse directly adjacent to a core population area
; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
Two
million
three hundred fifty-three thousand five hundred eighteen
dollars ($
2,353,518
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
four
hundred thousand dollars ($
40
0,000.00) for the purpose
s specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board
four
hundred thousand dollars ($
40
0,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

9
‑
15
‑
7
12.

Three Bar X Ranch conservation e
asement
.

(a)

Authorization is granted for funding of the following large project as provided in this section.

(b)

Project:
Three Bar X Ranch conservation e
asement
:

(i)

Project sponsor:
The Nature Conservancy
;

(ii)

Project purpose: Permanent use restriction on approximately
one thousand two hundred twenty
(
1,220
) acres in
Fremont
county in order to:

(A)

Preclude loss of habitat for elk, mule deer,
antelope, sage grouse, songbirds
and other species;

(B)

Secure migration routes and crucial habitat for
sage grouse in a core population area
; and

(C)

Maintain agricultural production.

(iii)

Project description: Conservation easement;

(iv)

Total project budget:
One
million
one hundred sixty-nine thousand six hundred eighty-four
dollars ($
1,169,684
.00);

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor t
wo
hundred
twenty
thousand dollars ($
22
0,000.00) for the purposes specified in this sub
section;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board t
wo
hundred
twenty
thousand dollars ($
22
0,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30, 201
5
.

Section 2
.

W.
S. 9
‑
15
‑
503(b)(iv) through (vi)
is amended to read:

9
‑
15
‑
503
.

Greybull River Watershed
.

(b) Project: Greybull River Watershed:

(iv) Total project budget:
Two million five hundred seventy thousand dollars ($2,570,000.00)

Three million

six hundred ninety-five thousand dollars ($3,695,000.00)
;

(v)

Project grant: The Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board is authorized to grant to the sponsor
three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00)

four hundred fifty thousand dollars ($450,000.00)
for the purposes specified in this subsection;

(vi)

Appropriation: There is appropriated from the income account to the board one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection.
In addition to any amounts appropriated prior to 2012, there is appropriated from the income account to the board an additional one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) or as much thereof as is necessary to carry out the purpose of this subsection.

Unexpended and unobligated funds appropriated under this subsection shall revert to the income account on June 30,
2013

2015
.

Section 3
.

Each conservation easement for which funding is authorized under Section 1 or 2 of this act shall include the state of Wyoming as a third party beneficiary with the right to enforce the terms of the agreement and, if the easement is transferred or extinguished, the right to recover the state
'
s pro rata share of funds provided for the creation of the easement up to one hundred percent (100%) of the funds granted by the state for the creation of the easement.

Section
4
.

Before any distribution of funds is made pursuant to the appropriations authorized by Sections 1 and 2 of this act, the person receiving the funds shall certify that no gratuities, kickbacks, gifts, commissions, contingency fees or other considerations have been or will be made in connection with the appropriation or the associated grant made by the Wyoming wildlife and natural resource trust account board.

Section
5
.

This act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1