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.
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