41-3-701. Purpose.

(a) It is hereby declared that to provide for the conservation of the water resources of the state of Wyoming and for the greatest beneficial use of water within this state, the organization of water conservancy districts and the construction of works as herein defined by such districts are a public use and will:

(i) Be essentially for the public benefit and advantage of the people of the state of Wyoming;

(ii) Indirectly benefit all industries of the state;

(iii) Indirectly benefit the state of Wyoming in the increase of its taxable property valuation;

(iv) Directly benefit municipalities by providing adequate supplies of water for domestic use;

(v) Directly benefit lands to be irrigated or drained from works to be constructed;

(vi) Directly benefit lands now under irrigation by stabilizing the flow of water in streams and by increasing flow and return flow of water to such streams;

(vii) Promote the comfort, safety and welfare of the people of the state of Wyoming, and it is therefore declared to be the policy of the state of Wyoming:

(A) To control, make use of and apply to beneficial use all unappropriated waters in this state to a direct and supplemental use of such waters for domestic, transportation, industrial, manufacturing, irrigation, power, recreation and other beneficial uses;

(B) To obtain from water in Wyoming the highest duty for domestic uses and irrigation of lands in Wyoming within the terms of interstate compacts;

(C) To cooperate with the United States under the federal reclamation laws or other federal laws now existing, or hereafter enacted, and agencies of the state of Wyoming for the construction and financing of works in the state of Wyoming as herein defined and for the operation and maintenance thereof;

(D) To promote the greater prosperity and general welfare of the people of the state of Wyoming by encouraging the organization of water conservancy districts as provided in this act.