Kristopher Tjernell appointed as DWR’s Deputy Director of Integrated Watershed Management Program

Former Special Assistant for Water Policy at the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) Kristopher A. Tjernell has been appointed as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) new Deputy Director of the Integrated Watershed Management Program. This is a new position within DWR and is part of the restructuring DWR implemented in January. The agency created two executive-level programs from within the Integrated Water Management Program.

Tjernell will oversee the Division of Integrated Regional Water Management, the Division of Statewide Integrated Water Management, the Climate Change Office and DWR’s EcoRestore Program. He will also be will be responsible for advancing policies and programs that integrate and provide multiple benefits including ecosystem restoration elements, flood management and local water supply.

“Kris brings a broad and reputable water policy background to his new assignment,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “He has been instrumental in achieving measurable success for the California Water Action Plan, California EcoRestore and habitat restoration across the state. I’m thrilled to have Kris join DWR’s executive branch – he’ll be a great addition to the team.”

When DWR created the two new programs in January Eric Koch was announced as Deputy Director of Flood Management and Dam Safety. Koch also served as Acting Deputy Director for the remaining divisions under the Integrated Water Management umbrella until Tjernell was appointed to his new position.

Prior to his position with CNRA Tjernell was a policy consultant at the Conservation Strategy Group where he specialized in integrated water management, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta restoration and governance, ESA/CESA issues, land conservation, water supply, ecosystem conflict resolution and public finance. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.