Governor appoints one, reappoints another to Delta Stewardship Council

California’s Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Ken Weinberg of San Diego and Randy Fiorini of Turlock to the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC). Both positions require Senate confirmation.

Weinberg is a long-time water advocate and served in various positions at the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) from 1991 to 2015.  While at SDCWA he held the positions as director of water resources, water resources supervisor and water reclamation supervisor.

Prior to joining SDCWA Weinberg was a project manager with the City of San Diego’s Engineering and Development Department from 1987 to 1991.  Weinberg is a graduate of San Diego State University where he earned a Master of Public Administration.

Weinberg, 58, has been an adjunct lecturer at California State University, San Marcos and is currently the principal and owner at Ken Weinberg Water Resources Consulting LLC.

Gov. Brown has also reappointed Randy Fiorini to the Delta Stewardship Council. Fiorini has served on the council since 2010 and has been the council’s chair since 2014.

Prior to his appointment to the DSC Fiorini has served in many agricultural industry positions.  He served as the chairman of the California Canners and Growers, chairman of the California Cling Peach Advisory Board, and was appointed by two presidents to serve on the U.S. Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Fruits and Vegetables.

Fiorini has also served as a director on many local boards including Faith Home Teen Ranch and Hope Unlimited International, and is the past president of Emmanuel Medical Center, Rotary Club of Livingston, and the Merced County Farm Bureau.

Fiorini was elected to the Turlock Irrigation District in 1992 and served in that capacity for 16 years.  His water involvement has also included serving as president for the following: the San Joaquin River Group Authority, the California Farm Water Coalition and the Association of California Water Agencies.

A native of Turlock, Fiorini was raised on his family’s tree, fruit and wine grape farm.  Following his 1975 graduation from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Fiorini return to the Fiorini Ranch to assume managing partner responsibilities.

In November 2009, the California Legislature enacted SBX7 1 (Delta Reform Act), one of several bills passed at this time related to water supply reliability, ecosystem health, and the Delta. The Act, effective on Feb. 3, 2010, created the Delta Stewardship Council.

According to the DSC website the mission of the Delta Stewardship Council is to achieve the coequal goals.  As stated in the CA Water code, “‘Coequal goals’ means the two goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem.  The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place.”

The Council is made up of seven members who provide a broad, statewide perspective and diverse expertise.  In addition, they are advised by a 10-member board of nationally and internationally renowned scientists. Because California’s Delta is linked to so many statewide issues, the Plan’s scope and purview will encompass decisions pertaining to statewide water use, flood management and the Delta watershed.