Delta Watermaster Appointed by State Board

The State Water Resources Control Board has announced the appointment of Craig M. Wilson to the newly created position of Delta watermaster. Wilson, an attorney with Stoel Rives LLP, served as the State Board’s chief counsel from 2000 to 2005 and held a variety of positions with the board prior to that.

The Legislature established the Delta watermaster position as part of the comprehensive water package enacted in November 2009. The watermaster is charged with exercising the State Board’s responsibilities with respect to water diversions within the Delta, including the authority to require monitoring and reporting of diversions.

State Board Chair Charlie Hoppin said Wilson’s expertise will play a valuable role in addressing Delta issues. “In Craig Wilson, we have found an expert with long experience who clearly understands the interests and views of the competing parties as well as the science and law of water in the Delta,” Hoppin said in a statement.“It is no exaggeration to say that the state’s environmental and economic future may stand or fall on how California deals with the Delta in the next few years. Craig will play a key part in that chapter of our water history.”

Wilson is expected to assume the position in the next 30 days. The watermaster serves a four-year term.