Geographical Information Systems
The district implemented Geographic Information System (GIS) software in 1999 to help organize data to make natural resource management decisions.  All cropland has been mapped in Laramie County.  Other maps available are the living snow fence locations, (1990-2000), as well as the delineation of the Crow Creek watershed boundary.  These maps will help with planning and management of all district programs and other city and county projects.

The district is currently a member of the Cheyenne-Laramie County Cooperative GIS Program.  This allows the district the opportunity to develop and use GIS coverage to meet common goals of various agencies and organizations within Laramie County.

Land Use Planning
The district provides technical review and provides recommendations for all proposed subdivisions in Laramie County on the following:

• erosion prevention
• sedimentation control
• reducing flooding problems
• landscaping plant selection
  

The district is also responsible for reviewing, through a City of Cheyenne and Laramie County Zoning Ordinance revised on May 1, 2000 and subsequently approved by the Cheyenne City Council, all county landscape plans.  If a Landscape Relief Variance from the minimum landscaping requirements is requested, it must be accompanied by a letter from the City Forestry Department (for requests within the City of Cheyenne) or the Laramie County Conservation District (variance requests outside of Cheyenne).

Waste Management
The district has been an active participant of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days for many years and more recently, the implementation of the Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.  The district also assisted in the establishment of the Cheyenne Compost Collection facility.  A wealth of information is also available from the district about recycling, composting and reducing household hazardous waste.

Medicine Bow National Forest Plan Revision
The Laramie County Conservation District, along with six other conservation districts that are affected by the Medicine Bow National Forest Revision, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Forest Service to allow the districts to participate in the development of the Medicine Bow National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Revision.  This ensures that local input from those entities responsible for the management of natural resources within their boundaries are used in federal decision-making.

As locally elected officials in charge of managing natural resources within Laramie County as well as protecting the agricultural base of Laramie County residents, we feel responsible to our constituents to participate in federal decision-making issues affecting the natural resources and economic stability of Laramie County.

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