League of Women Voters Voter Guide 2004

Laramie Rivers Conservation District Board of Supervisors


The members of this board are volunteers, there is no stipend or expense reimbursement other than for mileage. Term of office is four years, and all county voters elect these supervisors. These positions are nonpartisan.

Biographical Information:


Joseph S. Meyer (Supervisor - Urban):
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming and have lived in Laramie for 20 years (1976-1986, 1994-present). As a water quality specialist, I will bring useful expertise to the conservation district. I live and work in Laramie because of the high quality of life and recreational opportunities, and I want to give back to the community through public service.

Nancy Stanton Thompson (Supervisor - Rural):
My husband, Jim Thompson, and I have been rural residents of Albany County for 32 years. Our two children, Garth and Meggan, were both born and raised here. I was born and raised in Casper and after finishing a Ph.D. in biology I joined the Department of Zoology and Physiology at UW as a faculty member. My research has focused on animal ecology, including work with soil systems. I have served as a LRCD supervisor for 16 years and am seeking re-election.

Question 1: What conservation projects would you like to see emphasized in the next few years in our district?


Joseph S. Meyer (Supervisor - Urban): I would not discontinue any current projects of which I am aware, because the supervisors and staff have built a good program. However, communication with the public could be expanded by improving the district's currently minimal website. Moreover, the current educational programs could be expanded to reach even more people. I am also concerned about the relatively limited recycling programs for water and household items in the urban and rural areas. With major increases in population size looming in the future, partnering with other organizations and agencies to address that issue could pay huge dividends in the future.

Nancy Stanton Thompson (Supervisor - Rural): Our Tree Program, which offers 6,000-8,000 trees and shrubs annually at a nominal price for plantings and living snow fences (20 were installed last year). Our leasing of farming and planting equipment at a nominal fee. Our County Beautification Program, which cost-shares for cleanups, plantings, the extension of the Green Belt and a proposed bike path from I-80 to the Fairgrounds. The Safe Harbor Program to reestablish populations of the endangered Wyoming toad with the cooperation of land owners. The District work with 10 other agencies to control mosquitoes and the spread of the West Nile virus.

Question 2: What can the conservation district do to assure adequate water quality and quantity in the Laramie plains?


Joseph S. Meyer (Supervisor - Urban): The district already has a water quality monitoring program to identify surface-water pollution problems and a cost-sharing program to help fund water conservation projects. When needs and opportunities arise, the capable district staff provide advice and funding to cost-effectively decrease pollution or conserve water in a collaborative manner. These activities do not need to be changed, just expanded with additional grant funding. The most pressing expansion of activities would be more intensive technical review of proposed subdivisions in rural areas, which can constitute a subtle but important challenge to the conservation of soil, water, wildlife, viewsheds, and other natural resources.

Nancy Stanton Thompson (Supervisor - Rural): We sample 11 sites for water quality on the Big and Little Laramie Rivers. Our results to date show that our water quality is compliant with EPA standards. We also help in the installation of drip irrigation systems for more efficient water use and financially support xeriscaping projects.