The "Wyoming Cloud Seeding Moratorium and Baseline Act" establishes a ten-year moratorium on cloud seeding and weather modification operations in Wyoming, starting October 1, 2026. The legislation outlines the need for baseline data collection on various hydrological factors during this period, including precipitation, streamflow, and impacts on agriculture and municipalities. The Department of Environmental Quality is tasked with conducting independent studies to assess the impacts of cloud seeding compared to baseline conditions, with preliminary and final reports due by October 1, 2028, and December 31, 2035, respectively.

Additionally, the bill introduces criminal penalties for unauthorized cloud seeding during the moratorium, classifying such actions as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $50,000 per occurrence. It amends existing weather modification laws to prohibit the issuance of permits for cloud seeding until after the moratorium ends on October 1, 2036. The state engineer is authorized to manage funds for weather modification activities, while also clarifying that the state will not be liable for the actions of private individuals or groups engaged in such activities.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0210 v0.5: 9-1-907, 9-1-908, 9-1-909