Though city officials have long-known the value of the North Platte River to Casper and its neighboring communities, they will decide at tonight's city council meeting how to plan a long-term strategy for the beautification and improvement of the river.

The Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust is offering the city $70,000 to partially-fund a hydrology analysis and design plan - a study of the North Platte River's water-flow and how it affects the shoreline and adjacent structures.

Accepting the grant would mean a commitment to a "master plan," a hydrology plan, and cooperation during the process with the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resource Trust.

The city council signaled at last week's work session it would accept the grant, which would mark the beginning of a long-term look at what the city considers to be a valuable community resource.

City estimates pin the price of both studies at around $240,000, with the city footing about $100,000 of the bill over the course of three years.

The river is not just there to provide drinking water, said Jolene Martinez, an administrative analysis with the city. She pointed out recreational activities all along the river that need to be planned for. The master plan would also outline tree and vegetation growth, Russian Olive tree removal, erosion control strategies and beautification of a sometimes-shoddy shoreline.

"We have all of these things that make the river this attraction and the asset to the community it truly is," Martinez said. "It's a wonderful place to be. We just need to go the next step."

Bob Budd, executive director of the trust, said his goal was to improve upon existing wildlife habitats along the river.

"River habitats like that are tremendous for birds, fish, small mammals and other things," he said. "We're interested in maintaining those structures. That's what the board looked at - if you could increase the biological health of that system, it's a benefit for the community."

When Martinez brought the proposal to the city council at its work session last week, there was a sense of reluctance to committing to any long-term improvements, but it was ultimately decided that it wouldn't hurt to have a plan in place for future improvements to the river.

Martinez explained to the council that while board members from the trust were walking the river with her, they pointed out areas where future improvements could be made - some costing millions of dollars.

"I've lived here since 1942 and that river, there's been some good times and some bad times but the way it was in 1942 … it was a mess and it's gradually been cleaned up," Ward 2 Councilman Bill Brauer said. "As long as we're not signing up for anything long term - if someone drops funding I don't want to be stuck doing it."

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape.