STATE ENGINEER’S OFFICE

PRELIMINARY OPINION

OF THE

WATER SUPPLY AND WATER YIELD ANALYSIS

FOR

DRY CREEK TRONA PROJECT – ALTERNATIVE D, SWEETWATER COUNTY, WYOMING

SEPTEMBER 2024

 

The State Engineer’s Office/Surface Water Division completed a comprehensive review of the Water Supply and Yield Analysis Report submitted by Barr Engineering Co. on behalf of Pacific Soda, LLC for the proposed Dry Creek Trona Project – Alternative D (“Project”) in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. 

Barr Engineering Co. estimates the Project will require a maximum of approximately 7,697.5 acre-feet of water per year, which is equivalent to a continuous diversion of 10.7 cfs.  If necessary, the Project remains viable and functioning with mining operations scaled back to use a total of 4,000 acre-feet of water per year, which is equivalent to a continuous diversion of approximately 5.5 cfs.  The projected life of the mine is 25-35 years with an additional four years for construction and two to five years for reclamation.  However, if additional mineral leases are developed by Pacific Soda in the future, Project operations may be extended.  Pacific Soda, LLC proposes providing the water supply for the Project through the following mechanisms: 

  • Water will be diverted from the Green River through the Pacific/Atlantic Green River Intake, which would divert in Lot 2 of Section 36, T19N, R108W, or water will be acquired from the Green River Joint Powers Water Board prior to completion of the pipeline, as well as after reclamation of the pipeline. The Pacific/Atlantic Green River Intake is currently permitted under Permit No. 36372 with a record point of diversion located in Lot 8 of Section 1, T17N, R107W.  The use of water under this proposal would either be under this permit through a change of point of diversion petition or under a new permit which would be secured from the State Engineer’s Office to replace Permit No. 36372.
  • Pacific Soda is actively seeking to contract for 4,500 acre-feet of water stored in Fontenelle Reservoir to use in the event that water is not available under the permit for the Pacific/Atlantic Green River Intake due to an intrastate or interstate regulation event.
  • In addition to the proposed 4,500 acre-feet of contracted water in Fontenelle Reservoir, Pacific Soda is contemplating other water availability strategies including: (i) securing private water storage rights; (ii) expanding the proposed Fontenelle Contract to account for 100% backup; and (iii) acquiring or putting under an option agreement water rights appropriated prior to 1922. 

The Project will not utilize groundwater for operational needs. 

Based upon the submitted Water Supply and Water Yield Analysis Report, it is the preliminary opinion of the State Engineer’s Office that a sufficient quantity of water for the Project has been adequately demonstrated.  Once the necessary permitting or permit amendments are in place, the Project should proceed with the development of the Pacific/Atlantic Green River Intake.

The Dry Creek Trona Project – Alternative D Water Supply and Yield Analysis Report (September 9, 2024) and the State Engineer’s Preliminary Opinion (September 2024) in its entirety, are available on the State Engineer’s Office website @ https://seo.wyo.gov/home/news-press-releases

Pursuant to W.S. 35-12-108, the State Engineer’s Office will accept written comments on the Preliminary Opinion through midnight, October 23, 2024.  Comments can be submitted to:

State Engineer’s Office/Surface Water Division, 122 West 25th Street, Herschler Building, 2W,

Cheyenne, WY  82002; or to [email protected]

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, special assistance or alternative formats will be available upon request for individuals with disabilities.

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