How are water rights addressed in Wyoming's constitution?

• A. Water rights are recognized; the state may regulate water use to protect the public’s resources.
• B. Water rights can only be transferred via federal law.
• C. Water rights are owned by landowners with no regulation.
• D. Water use is unregulated.

Answer: (D)

Wyoming treats water as a public resource owned by the people of the state, and water rights are recognized but not left free from regulation. The constitution supports a regulatory framework that grants water rights through a state-permitted process and emphasizes beneficial use, with the state able to regulate to protect public resources. This means water isn’t private property without limits, nor is it governed solely by federal law, nor is use unregulated. The key idea is that water rights exist and are regulated to safeguard the public resource and ensure fair, sustainable use.