Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Animal Waste Management Project

The Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Animal Waste Management Project is located in Casper, Wyoming. The 104-acre historic facility has been used by residents of the entire State for a tremendous variety of events, such as fairs, rodeos, shows, and demonstrations. It is an important part of Casper’s history. Updates, both structurally and in land management, have been needed concerning the horses, cattle, and other critters that visit the grounds.

The North Platte River flows just north of the fairgrounds. It is a water supply for Casper and surrounding communities. It is also a world-class, cold water fishery and has important wildlife values beyond the fishery. The fairgrounds and the North Platte River are both critical concerns to local stakeholders.

Under the leadership of the Natrona County Conservation District, partnerships developed in 2004. These partners included Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Central Wyoming Fairgrounds Staff and Fair Board, Casper College, Natrona County Commissioners, City of Casper, and Historic Trails RC&D.

Together the partners submitted a 319 Water Quality Fund grant request to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for the Wyoming Non-Point Source Management Plan to fund fairground improvements. DEQ approved the grant in June 2005 making best management practices and other needed improvements possible.

The project’s overall goal is to eliminate potential contribution of nutrient and pathogen contamination to the North Platte River via the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds by implementing Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for animal waste. Specific goals address agricultural runoff, ground water quality, education, and industrial/urban pollution.

The on-going project includes the following:

• Developing a comprehensive Storm Water Management Plan
• Improving the animal waste management containment and disposal system
• Periodic water quality monitoring at locations below and above the fairgrounds
• A Nutrient Management Plan
• An information and education campaign directed at both the fairground participants and the staff involved in managing the various fairground areas
• An evaluation process for these improvements

The local community came together to address the issues and concerns for both the fairgrounds and the North Platte River. The key to the project’s success is the partners who are actively working together to create this thriving project. The fairgrounds will be able to continue to serve the community well into the future and at the same time ensuring that river fishing and recreating will also be part of Casper’s future.