Gov. Brown appoints Grant Davis as director of state’s Department of Water Resources

Pending confirmation by California’s Senate, Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Grant Davis, 54, as the new director of the California Department of Water Resources. The appointment will fill the vacancy first created when former Director Mark Cowin retired at the end of last year. William R. Croyle has served as acting director since Cowin retired but Croyle retired on July 1.

If confirmed, Davis will assume his new position on Aug. 1. The Department of Water Resources has more than 3,000 employees with a 2017-18 budget of $3.2 billion. According to a press release from the governor’s office, Davis’ new position will pay $194,600.

Davis has been employed by Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA) since 2007. He first served as the agency’s assistant general manager from 2007 to 2009 and as general manager of since 2010.

Davis expressed his appreciation to the more than 280 employees at SCWA and its board saying, “To my colleagues at the Water Agency, I can’t say thank you enough for your unparalleled professionalism and dedication to our community and the organization,” Davis said. “I am also appreciative of the Water Agency’s Board of Directors who provide the leadership and support needed to secure our future water supply.”

In his position with SCWA Davis has been responsible for the agency’s core functions of providing drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties, wastewater management for 60,000 customers, maintaining nearly 100 miles of streams and detention basins for flood protection, and restoring habitat for three federally listed fish species in the Russian River. Davis was paid $240,710 last year as the general manager.

He previously served as executive director of the Bay Institute from 1997 to 2007. Davis, a Democrat, was the senior district representative in the Office of U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-6^th District, Marin/Sonoma counties, 1993 to 2012) from 1993 to 1997 and principal of Impact Consulting from 1990 to 1993.

According to the Santa Rosa-based Press Democrat, Davis is an advocate for Gov. Brown’s twin tunnels intended to convey Sacramento River water under the Delta and deliver it to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and cities in Southern California.

“The governor supports that California WaterFix and so do I,” Davis said Wednesday in a telephone interview, using the nickname for the disputed project that pits Northern California water and environmental interests against influential agricultural and urban users south of the Delta. I will be a major participant in that effort.”

Timothy Quinn, executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) called Davis’ appointment an excellent choice at a critical time.

“There is important work to be done to implement Governor Brown’s California Water Action Plan, and Grant’s proven leadership and out-of-the-box thinking will be extremely valuable to that mission,” said Quinn.

“Grant has roots in environmentalism and most recently led a local water agency known for its creativity and innovation. His appointment reflects the governor’s commitment to add to the Administration’s list of accomplishments and continue with the important job of managing California water to enhance ecosystem health and improve the overall resiliency of our state’s water supply system. As it has with his predecessors, ACWA stands ready to work with Grant and the DWR staff to continue implementation of the California Water Action Plan and advance comprehensive solutions for California water.”