Carey Act Lands

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 36, ch. 7
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-101 Acceptance of federal grants.

The state of Wyoming hereby accepts the conditions of § 4 of an act of congress entitled "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1895, and for other purposes"; approved August 18th, A.D. 1894, together with all the grants of land to the state under the provisions of the aforesaid act, and conditions of Section 1 of an act of congress entitled, "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1897, and for other purposes"; approved June 11th, 1896, and the conditions of an act of congress entitled, "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1909, and for other purposes"; approved May 27th, 1908, providing for the granting of an additional million (1,000,000) acres of land to the state of Wyoming to be reclaimed as provided in the acts above mentioned, and all acts of congress and parts of acts of congress now or hereafter enacted by congress for the reclamation of desert lands within the state of Wyoming, together with all the grants of land to the state of Wyoming, and any and all interests therein, with all rights and privileges thereunder, under the provisions of the aforesaid acts or parts of acts.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-102 Selection, management and disposal of lands.

The selection, management and disposal of said land shall be vested in the state board of land commissioners, as constituted by section 3 of article 18 of the constitution of the state of Wyoming. Said state board of land commissioners shall be hereinafter designated as "the board".

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-103 Institution of legal proceedings.

All suits or actions brought by the board, under the provisions of this act, shall be instituted by the board, in the name of the people of the state of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-104 Disposition of forfeitures.

All moneys received by the state of Wyoming as proceeds from forfeited bonds, pledges or other forfeitures of whatsoever kind in connection with the operations under the act commonly known as the "Carey Act" shall become a part of the general fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-201 Meetings; president; duty; quorum.

The board shall meet at least once in each month, at such time as the board may prescribe, for the transaction of business. The governor shall be president of the board, and it shall be his duty to sign all contracts, papers or documents that shall be approved, made or directed by the board. Provided, however, that all leases approved or directed to be entered into by the board of land commissioners may be signed for and on behalf of the state by the director. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business; and in the absence of the governor, one (1) of the other members may act as president pro tempore and may preside at such meeting.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-202 Special meetings; duties of secretary.

The president shall have the power to call a special meeting, if in his judgment, public good requires the same to be done for any purpose contemplated in this chapter, or any other chapter prescribing the duty of said board; and such call may be either a personal or written notice. The object of such meeting shall be made a matter of record by the secretary of the board. The director shall be the secretary of such board, and it shall be his duty to keep a careful record of the transactions of such board in a substantially bound book to be kept for that purpose, and which shall be known as the record and proceedings of the board of land commissioners as to Carey Act matters. The secretary shall countersign all papers, instruments or documents approved, made or directed by the board bearing the signature of the president.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-203 Office; duties of director.

The board shall have an office in Cheyenne. The director shall be in charge of the office. He shall have the custody of the records of the board; shall receive and file all proposals for the construction of irrigation works to reclaim lands selected under the provisions of this act; prepare and keep for public inspection maps or plats, on a scale of two (2) inches to the mile, of all lands selected; receive entries of settlers on these lands, and hear or receive the final proof of their reclamation, and do any and all work required by the board in carrying out the provisions of this act. He shall have authority to administer oaths whenever necessary in the performance of his duties.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-204 Rules; copies of maps, plats and contracts; annual report of contractors; waiver of rules.

The board shall provide suitable rules for the filing of proposals for constructing irrigation works, and for the entry of and payment for the land by settlers, and for the forfeiting of entry by settlers upon failure to comply with the provisions of this act. There shall be kept in the office of the board, for public inspection, copies of all maps, plats, contracts for the construction of irrigation works, and of the entries of land by settlers. It shall require from each person, company of persons, association or incorporated company engaged in the construction of irrigation works, under the provisions of this act, an annual report, to be submitted to the board on or before November first of each year. This report shall show the number of water rights sold, the number of users of water under said irrigation works, the legal subdivisions of land for which water is to be furnished, the names of the officers of the company, the acreage of land which the said irrigation works is prepared to supply with water, and such other data as the board sees fit to require. The rules required by this section may be waived in the case of irrigation works being constructed by a person, colony or association of persons to furnish water for land settled upon and being reclaimed by themselves.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-205 Duties of employees; fees.

The board shall prescribe the duties of all its employees and shall collect the following fees: for filing each application, one dollar ($1.00); for filing each final proof, one dollar ($1.00); for issuing each patent, one dollar ($1.00); for making certified copies of papers or records, the same fees as provided for to be charged by the secretary of state for like services. The money collected for fees shall be paid to the treasurer of the state and by him credited to the general fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-206 Annual report.

The board shall issue, on or before November thirtieth of each year, a report setting forth in detail the names, location and character of the irrigation works in process of construction, the acreage and legal subdivisions of land intended to be reclaimed, the estimated cost of said irrigation works, the price of water rights from such irrigation works, and the terms of payment for both water rights and land. Not less than five thousand (5,000) copies of such report shall be printed for gratuitous distribution.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-207 Grants of rights-of-way to counties.

The board of land commissioners is hereby empowered, under such terms and regulations as may be provided by it, to grant to the counties of this state, either temporary or permanent rights-of-way for roads and highways, over and across lands ceded to the state under the provisions of an act approved August 18, 1894, known as the Carey Act, and the title to which lands is still vested in the state at the time such grant is made.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-301 Requisites; contents.

Any person, company of persons, association or incorporated company constructing, having constructed or desiring to construct ditches, canals or other irrigation works to reclaim land under the provisions of this act shall file with the board a request for the selection on behalf of the state by the board, of the land to be reclaimed, designating said land by legal subdivisions. This request shall be accompanied by a proposal to construct the ditch, canal or other irrigation works necessary for the complete reclamation of the land asked to be selected. The proposal shall be prepared in accordance with the rules of the board and with the regulations of the department of the interior. It shall state the source of water supply, the location and dimensions of the proposed works, the estimated cost thereof, the price and terms per acre, at which perpetual water rights will be sold to settlers on the land to be reclaimed, said perpetual rights to embrace a proportionate interest in the canal or other irrigation works, together with all rights and franchises attached thereto. In the case of incorporated companies, it shall state the name of the company, the purpose of its incorporation, the names and places of residence of its directors and officers, the amount of its authorized and its paid-up capital. If the applicant is not an incorporated company, the proposal shall set forth the name or names of the party or parties, and such other facts as will enable the board to determine his or their financial ability to carry out the proposed undertaking.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-302 Guaranty; forfeiture.

The board shall have authority to prescribe that each request and proposal shall be accompanied by a certified check in an amount to be designated by the board, the same to be held as a guarantee of the execution of the contract with the state in accordance with its terms by the parties submitting such proposals, in case of the approval of the same and selection of the land by the board and to be forfeited to the state in case of failure of said parties to enter into a contract with the state in accordance with the provisions of this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-303 Application for permit to appropriate water.

The person, company of persons, association or incorporated company, making application to the board for the selection of lands by the state, shall have filed with the state engineer an application for a permit to appropriate water for the reclamation of the lands described in the request to the board. This application shall be prepared in conformity with the provisions of W.S. 41-3-613, 41-3-615, 41-4-501 through 41-4-512 and 41-4-517, except that the time for beginning construction, as specified by W.S. 41-4-506 thereof, shall begin within one (1) year from the date the lands, described in the said request to the board, are segregated to the state. The maps showing the proposed irrigation works and the lands to be irrigated shall be prepared in accordance with the regulations of the state engineer's office and the rules of the department of the interior.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-304 Examination.

Immediately upon receipt of any request and proposal, as designated in W.S. 36-7-301, it shall be the duty of the director of the office of state lands and investments to examine the same, and ascertain if it complies with the rules of the board and the regulations of the department of the interior. If it does not, it is to be returned for correction, but if it does so comply, the director shall cause to be examined by an engineer in his office, the maps, plans, specifications and surveys, to determine whether or not the proposed works are feasible, whether the proposed irrigation system is practicable and the best that can be provided for the reclamation of said lands, whether there is sufficient unappropriated water in the source of supply to furnish an ample supply of water for the irrigation and reclamation of the lands described in such proposal, whether the capacity of the proposed works is adequate to reclaim the lands described, whether or not the proposed cost of construction is reasonable, considering the area of land to be reclaimed, and whether or not the lands proposed to be irrigated are desert in character, and such as may be properly set apart under the provisions of the aforesaid act of congress and the rules and regulations of the department of the interior thereunder. Whenever the director shall deem it necessary to obtain the desired information, he shall cause a field examination of such project to be made by an engineer from his office. The state engineer shall afford to the director or the engineers in his office, every facility to examine the records and files of the state engineer's office to obtain the desired information, and upon request of the director, and without charge, shall furnish all information as to water permits issued, and concerning the water supply for such proposed irrigation system, and furnish such reports as may be called for by the director, or the interior department.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-305 Submission for consideration; approval.

Whenever the director shall have made the investigation of such request and proposal as he deems necessary, he shall submit such request and proposal, with the report of such investigation, to the board for its consideration. In case of approval, the board shall instruct the director to file in the local land office, a request for the withdrawal of the land described in said proposal.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-306 Notification of nonapproval; resubmission.

When requests and proposals are not approved by the board, the board shall notify the parties making such proposal of such action, and the reason therefor. The parties so notified shall have sixty (60) days in which to submit a satisfactory proposal, but the board may, at its discretion, extend the time to six (6) months. Division 2. Contracts for Construction of Irrigation Works

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-320 Duty to contract; contents; withdrawal of land and filing of bond necessary.

Upon the withdrawal of the land by the department of the interior, it shall be the duty of the board to enter into a contract with the parties submitting the proposal, which contract shall contain complete specifications of the location, dimensions, character and estimated cost of the proposed ditch, canal or other irrigation work; the price and terms per acre at which such works and perpetual water rights shall be sold to settlers; the price and terms upon which the state is to dispose of the land to settlers; provided, that such price and terms for irrigation works, water rights and for lands to be disposed of by the state to settlers shall, in all cases, be reasonable and just. This contract shall not be entered into on the part of the state until the withdrawal of these lands by the department of the interior and the filing of a satisfactory bond on the part of the proposed contractor for irrigation works, which bond shall be in a penal sum equal to five percent (5%) of the estimated cost of the works, and to be conditioned for the faithful performance of the provisions of the contract with the state.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-321 Terms.

No contract shall be made by the board which requires a greater time than five (5) years for the construction of the canal, works or irrigation system, and all contracts shall be conditioned that active construction work shall begin within six (6) months from the date of the contract, and that at least one-tenth of the construction work shall be completed within one (1) year of the date of the contract; that at least one-third of the construction work shall be completed within two (2) years from the date of the contract, and that construction shall be prosecuted diligently and continuously to completion; and that a cessation of work under the contract with the state for a period of ninety (90) days during the months of May, June, July, August, September, October and November, after the second year will forfeit to the state all rights under the said contract.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-322 Notice upon failure to fulfill; sale of incompleted works; option to complete.

Upon the failure of any parties, having contracts with the state for the construction of irrigation works, to begin the same within the time specified by the contract, or to complete the same within the time or in accordance with the specifications of the contract with the state, it shall be the duty of the director to give such parties written notice of such failure, and if, after a period of sixty (60) days from the sending of such notice, they shall have failed to proceed with the work, or to conform to the specifications of their contract with the state, unless said parties shall show to the satisfaction of the board good and sufficient reason for such delay and failure to complete said works or conform to said specifications and demonstrate to the satisfaction of said board their financial ability and intentions to proceed with said work in good faith, the bond and contract of such parties and all work constructed thereunder shall be at once and thereby forfeited to the state, and it shall be the duty of the board at once so to declare and to give notice once each week, for a period of four (4) weeks, in some newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the work is situated, and in one (1) newspaper at the state capital, in like manner and for a like period, of the forfeiture of said contract, and that upon a day fixed, proposals will be received at the office of state lands and investments in the capitol at Cheyenne, for the purchase of the incompleted works and for the completion of said contract; the time for receiving said bids to be at least sixty (60) days subsequent to the issuing of the last notice of forfeiture. The money received from the sale of partially completed works under the provisions of W.S. 36-7-321, shall first be applied to the expenses incurred by the state in their forfeiture and disposal; secondly, to satisfying the bond; and the surplus, if any exists, shall be paid to the original contractors with the state; provided, however, that the board may, in its discretion, accept from any parties unable for any reason to fulfill the terms of their contract with the state, the full release, relinquishment and surrender of any rights acquired from the state under and by virtue of said contract, and may thereupon abrogate the same and release said parties from the conditions of the said contract and bond, and may proceed in its discretion to enter into a new contract with other parties, if such there be, for the completion of the works so surrendered.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-323 State not responsible for contractor failures.

Nothing in this act shall be construed as authorizing the board to obligate the state to pay for any work constructed under any contract, or to hold the state in any way responsible to settlers for the failure of contractors to complete the work according to the terms of their contracts with the state.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-324 Maps; lands subject to rights-of-way.

The maps in the office of the board of the lands selected under the provisions of this act, shall show the location of the canals or other irrigation works approved in the contract with the board, and all lands filed upon shall be subject to the rights-of-way of such canals or irrigation works; said rights-of-way to embrace the entire width of the canals, and such additional width as may be required for their proper operation and maintenance, the width of such rights-of-way to be specified in the contracts provided for in this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-325 Inspection of completed systems; application for patent.

Whenever any person, firm or corporation constructing an irrigation system to reclaim lands under the Carey Act, shall notify the director that such irrigation system is completed, and that an ample supply of water is being delivered in a substantial ditch or canal to the lands included in such segregation, or any unit of such lands, the director shall cause an inspection to be made of such constructed system, and if he finds that said irrigation system has been constructed in a substantial manner, and in accordance with the plans and specifications agreed upon, and that an ample supply of water is being delivered to such lands in a substantial ditch or canal, he shall immediately apply to the United States government for patent to such lands, and shall submit to the interior department, proof of the reclamation of such lands.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-326 Assessments for operation; failure to pay; enforcement of lien; costs and fees; injunction bond.

Companies, associations, or corporations operating or controlling irrigation systems, ditches, or reservoirs or other devices for the distribution of water for irrigation shall be authorized to levy and collect such reasonable and necessary assessments for the cost of operation, maintenance, repairs and improvements of such irrigation systems, ditches or reservoirs, and for the purpose of repaying money borrowed for such purposes, as may be authorized by a majority of the members of such companies, or associations, or fixed in the manner provided by the bylaws of such corporation. Payment of such assessments shall be the necessary requisite for the use of such reservoirs, irrigation systems or ditches for the storage or conveyance of water for the lands deeded or described in contracts for or deeds to proportionate interests in such reservoirs, irrigation systems and ditches upon which assessments are made, and in the event such assessments remain due and unpaid more than ten (10) days after the date fixed as the date of payment for the purpose, such companies, associations and corporations are authorized to close down any headgate or other diverting or measuring device used by any delinquent, or by any person in possession of or using such lands, and to refuse to allow the use of such reservoirs, irrigation systems and ditches for the purpose of storing water for or conveying water to the lands of such delinquents and refuse such delinquents the right to vote at any meeting of such company, association, or corporation, until such repair or maintenance assessment shall have been paid. Such companies, associations and corporations shall have a lien upon the proportionate interest in such reservoirs, irrigation systems and ditches, which shall become a first lien upon the lands deeded or described in contracts for or deeds to such proportionate interests for the amount of any unpaid assessments which may be enforced in a court of competent jurisdiction, as in the case of other liens. In all suits or actions to obtain a judgment on such account and to enforce the lien, when the plaintiff or complainant shall obtain judgment or decree, the costs, together with twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for attorney's fees, shall be taxed or recovered from the adverse party. No restraining order, or order of injunction shall be issued against any such company, association or corporation unless applicant for same shall file a sufficient bond conditioned upon the immediate payment of all delinquent assessments if such shall be found by a competent court to be reasonable and just. This act [section] shall include all lands under any of the above named systems if water has been used or is being used in any one irrigation season and providing that water is in said canal, reservoir or ditches, subject to use of owners.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-401 Notice lands open for settlement.

Upon receipt of notice by the contracting company that water for beneficial irrigation can be furnished for all or any part of the lands in any segregation list at stated time, it being shown to the satisfaction of the board that the contracting company will be able to deliver water at the said time, it shall be the duty of the board, by publication, at the expense of the contracting company, in one (1) newspaper in the county in which said lands are situated and such other newspaper or newspapers as may be designated by the contracting company, to give notice that certain lands, generally described, are open for settlement; that the land will be sold at fifty cents ($.50) per acre by the state and that proportionate interests in the irrigation system for a perpetual water supply can be purchased at the price named and water for beneficial irrigation can be furnished on the date named, and such other information as the board shall deem advisable.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-402 Proceeds earmarked for reclamation.

Pursuant to the act of congress, approved August 18, 1894 (28 Stat., 372-422), all moneys received by the state of Wyoming from the payments of fifty cents ($.50) an acre received on lands segregated under what is commonly known as the Carey Act, and all moneys received as fees pursuant to operations of the Carey Act, are hereby appropriated for the purpose of reclaiming school or granted lands belonging to the state of Wyoming, and lands which may be hereafter granted or selected for the said state of Wyoming for any purpose whatsoever.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-403 Application for entry; certificate of location; payments.

Any adult citizen of the United States or any adult person having declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, may make application, under oath, to the board, to enter any of said land in an amount not to exceed one hundred and sixty (160) acres for any one (1) person; and such application shall set forth that the person desiring to make such entry does so for the purpose of actual reclamation, cultivation and settlement in accordance with the act of congress and the laws of this state relating thereto, and that the applicant has never received the benefit of the provisions of this act to an amount greater than one hundred and sixty (160) acres, including the number of acres specified in the application under consideration. Such application must be accompanied by an original signed copy or a certified copy of a contract for a water right, made and entered into by the party making the application with the person, company or association who have been authorized by the board to furnish water for the reclamation of said lands, or, if the person, company or association who has been authorized by the board to furnish water for the reclamation of said lands is not the owner of the water right attached and appurtenant to the land upon which the applicant seeks to file, then, with the bona fide owner of said water right; such application for entry shall be made within thirty (30) days from the time the applicant shall have contracted with the owners of the water right attached and appurtenant to the land for the purchase of a proportionate interest in said water right, and it shall be the duty of the owners of the water rights to notify the director whenever they have contracted with applicants for the purchase of proportionate interests in said water rights; and if said applicant has at any previous time entered lands under the provisions of this article, he shall so state in his application, together with description, date of entry and location of said land. The board shall thereupon file in its office the application and papers relating thereto, and, if allowed, issue a certificate of location to the applicant. All applications for entry shall be accompanied by a payment of twenty-five cents ($.25) per acre, which shall be paid as a partial payment on the land if the application is allowed; and all certificates when issued shall be recorded in a book to be kept for that purpose. If the application is not allowed, the twenty-five cents ($.25) per acre accompanying it shall be returned to the applicant; provided, that where the construction company fails to furnish water to any settler under the provisions of its contract with the state, the state shall refund to such settler, all payments that he shall have made to the state. The board shall dispose of all lands accepted by the state under the provisions of this article at a uniform price of fifty cents ($.50) per acre, half to be paid at the time of entry and the remainder at the time of making final proof by the settler; and, provided, further, that whenever any citizen of the United States, or any person having declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, shall make application as provided in this section to enter any of said land in an amount not exceeding one hundred and sixty (160) acres, and shall further prove to the satisfaction of the board that he or she is the father or mother of eight (8) living children, it shall be the duty of the board to permit the application for entry by him or her without charge and to issue a certificate of location to such applicant without charge, and to dispose of such lands to said applicant upon final proof being made.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-404 Final proof of reclamation; fee and last payment; right to patent; failure to timely prove.

Within three (3) years from the date of the certificate of location issued to an entryman on the Carey Act lands, the entryman shall appear before the director, who is hereby authorized to administer oaths in matters pertaining to the state of Carey Act lands in Wyoming, a judge or clerk of the district or circuit court of any state, or commissioner of the United States district court, and make final proof of reclamation, settlement, and occupation, which proof shall embrace evidence that he has a perpetual water right for the irrigable area of the tract of land so filed upon, sufficient in volume for the complete irrigation and reclamation thereof, and has cultivated and irrigated not less than one-fourth part of the irrigable area of said tract and not less than one-eighth of the entire tract filed upon, that he has resided upon the land for the period of time required by the rules of the board, and such further proof, if any, as may be required by the regulations of the department of the interior, or the board. The officer taking this proof shall be entitled to a fee of two dollars ($2.00), which fee shall be paid by the entryman, and shall be in addition to the price paid to the state for the land. All proofs so received shall be submitted by the director to the board, and shall be accompanied by the last and final payment for said land, and on the approval of the same by the said board, shall entitle the said entryman to a patent to said land, whenever said land shall be patented by the United States to the state; provided, that when the director shall take such final proofs, all fees received by him shall be turned in to the state treasury; provided further, that when an entryman fails to make final proof within three (3) years from the date of the issuance of the certificate of location, the board may in its discretion, after (60) days' notice is given to the entryman by registered letter to his last known address, cancel the certificate of location and declare the land covered by such certificate open to entry.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-405 Issuance of patent to heir.

Where an entryman upon Carey Act lands, who has made valid final proof thereon, dies before the state has issued patent therefor, patent when issued, shall issue in the name of the heir of the estate of such deceased entryman.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-406 Final proof by heirs; devise or descent of entry.

In all cases where lands have been entered under the provisions of W.S. 36-7-403, and the entryman has died prior to the making of final proof of reclamation, settlement, and occupation, proof of reclamation may be made by an heir, and proof of settlement and occupation may be made by such person, or persons, or by an agent thereof, and patent when issued shall issue in the name of the heirs of the estate of such deceased entryman. Any such entry may be devised or shall descend as other real estate.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-407 Issuance of patents.

Upon the issuance of a patent to any lands by the United States to the state, notice shall be forwarded to the settler upon such land. It shall be the duty of the board, under the signature of its president, and attested by its secretary, to issue a patent to said lands from the state to the settler.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-501 When water rights attach to land.

The water rights to all lands acquired under the provisions of this act shall attach to and become appurtenant to the land as soon as title passes from the United States to the state.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-502 First and prior lien on water right.

Any person, company or association furnishing water for any tract of land shall have a first and prior lien on said water right and land upon which said water is used, for all deferred payments for said water right; said lien to be in all respects prior to any and all other liens created or attempted to be created by the owner and possessor of said land; said lien to remain in full force and effect until the last deferred payment for the water right is fully paid and satisfied according to the terms of the contract under which said water right was acquired.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-503 Recording of contract; foreclosure of lien.

The contract for the water right upon which the aforesaid lien is founded, whether heretofore or hereafter executed, shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county where said land is situate; and upon the default of any of the deferred payments secured by any lien under the provisions of this article, the person, company of persons, association or incorporated company holding or owning said lien, may, within ten (10) years after the last maturing deferred payment secured by such lien shall have become due, foreclose the same according to the terms and conditions of the contract granting and selling to the settler the water right.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-504 Notice and place of foreclosure sale; duties of sheriff; limitation on bids.

All sales shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation, published in the county where said land and water right is situate for six (6) consecutive weeks, and shall be sold to the highest bidder at the front door of the courthouse of the county, or such place as may be agreed upon by the terms of the aforesaid contract. And the sheriff of said county shall in all such cases give all notices of sale and shall sell all such land and water rights and shall make and execute a certificate of sale to the purchaser thereof, and at such sale no person, company of persons, association or incorporated company, owning and holding any lien shall bid in or purchase any land or water right at a greater price than the amount due on said deferred payment for said water right and land, and the costs incurred in making the sale of said land and water right.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-505 Redemption.

At any time within nine (9) months after the foreclosure sale by the sheriff, of the land and water rights as aforesaid, the original owner against whom the lien has been foreclosed, may apply to the person, company of persons, association or incorporated company purchasing at such sale, to redeem such land and water rights, and the purchaser shall assign the certificate of sale of such land and water rights to such original owner, upon the payment by him within such nine (9) months, of the amount of the lien for which the same was sold at such foreclosure sale, together with the interest, costs and fixed charges thereon. Where the lienholder becomes the purchaser at such foreclosure sale, if such lands and water rights are not redeemed by the original owner within nine (9) months, then at any time within three (3) months after the expiration of such nine (9) months, any person desiring to settle upon and use such land and water rights, may apply to the purchaser at such foreclosure sale to redeem such land and water rights, and such purchaser shall assign the certificate of sale of such land and water rights to the person desiring to redeem the same, upon the payment by him, within such three (3) months, of the amount of the lien for which the same was sold at such foreclosure sale, together with the interest, costs and fixed charges thereon.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-506 Redemption; recording certificate of sale.

Upon issuing any certificate of sale, it shall be the duty of the sheriff to file for record in the office of the county clerk of the county where such land is situated, a certified copy of such certificate of sale, and in case the original owner shall redeem the land and water rights sold as aforesaid, he shall file for record in the office of such county clerk, the certificate of sale assigned to him by the purchaser as aforesaid, upon his redemption of such land and water rights.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-507 Redemption; issuance of deed.

In case the land and water rights shall be redeemed by any person other than the original owner, the sheriff shall, upon presentation of such certificate, issue a deed for such land and water rights to the person so redeeming the same. If the land and water rights shall not be redeemed by any person within the time and in the manner hereinbefore provided, it shall be the duty of the sheriff, upon presentation of the certificate of sale by the original purchaser, to issue a deed to such purchaser.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-508 Proceeds of foreclosure sale; fees of sheriff.

Where such lands and water rights are not purchased by the lienholder of such foreclosure sale, it shall be the duty of the sheriff to first pay the lienholder out of the proceeds of such sale, the amount of the lien together with all interest, costs and fixed charges thereon, and to pay any balance remaining to the person against whom such lien has been foreclosed, and for his services in such cases the sheriff shall receive the same fees as are provided by law in civil cases.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-509 Authority to purchase water rights; lease and sale; disposition of moneys received.

(a) The board of land commissioners is hereby authorized to purchase water rights or proportionate interests in canals, reservoirs or irrigation systems for the purpose of reclaiming school and other granted lands. Lands for which water rights become appurtenant may be leased by the board at a price which will return an equitable income, or may be sold upon the following terms and conditions: (i) The land shall be offered at public auction at the front door of the courthouse of the county in which the land is situated, after being advertised for four (4) weeks, as required by law; (ii) Thirty percent (30%) of the purchase price of the land must be paid in cash on the day of sale; (iii) The purchaser shall, before the sale is consummated, enter into a contract for the purchase of a water right or proportionate interest in the irrigation system which will supply water for the said land, which may be conditioned on not to exceed twenty (20) annual payments with interest at six percent (6%) per annum; (iv) Delinquent payments shall bear interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum until paid. (b) Moneys received for the sale of land, and the interest thereon, shall be placed in the proper permanent land fund account in accordance with the purpose for which the land was granted to the state. Moneys received from the sale of water right contracts and the interest thereon shall be turned in to the state treasury to the credit of the general fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-7-510 Filing of reports for future use.

The board of land commissioners shall from time to time secure reports from the state engineer or his deputies or assistants or from other qualified persons covering the lands for which it is proposed to secure water rights and lands for which applications to purchase have been filed, and shall file same until it shall seem to the advantage of the state to secure water rights for the said land or to offer same for sale.
Source: Public.Resource.Org WY StatutesURL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-wy/transforms/wy/ocwy/r78/gov.wy.code.title.36.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

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