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David Pope joins Watershed Land Trust board of directorsThe Watershed Land Trust is pleased to announce the addition of former Division of Water Resources Chief Engineer David Pope to its Board of Directors. "David brings an element of expertise and guidance to the Watershed Land Trust that is supported by a lifetime of expertise in water resources. He is one of the most respected water policy experts in the Midwest if not the country. His insight is invaluable to the Watershed Land Trust," Frank Austenfeld, Executive Director of the Watershed Land Trust said. Pope comes to the position with a long history of involvement in water and natural resources related experience. In his former employment with the State of Kansas, he represented four different governors on water issues, and served as President of the Missouri River Basin Association. Pope holds bachelors and masters degrees in agricultural engineering from Oklahoma State University, where he specialized in irrigation and water resources engineering. He is a registered professional engineer. He spent most of his professional career working for the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, where he served as Chief Engineer and Director for the last 24 years. In that capacity, he administered laws related to the conservation, management, use and control of water and watercourses, and was extensively involved in interstate water matters through river compacts and other organizations. Prior to that, he worked as the Extension Irrigation Engineer with Kansas State University and as Manager of the Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District in Garden City, Kansas. In 2007, David retired from state service and began providing consulting services related to water and natural resources, through Pope Consulting, LLC. His primary client is the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes, where Pope serves as executive director. He provides administrative support for MoRAST and helps carry out its programs and the policies of the board of directors. The WLT is a Land Trust and charitable organization which was formed to hold land in fee simple and/or conservation easements in perpetuity. Most Land Trusts' missions are to hold vast areas of land typically in large sections. The WLT is unique in that its mission and focus is to preserve watersheds, waterways, streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and adjacent (riparian) corridors and green space primarily for the benefit of water quality and preservation of open space. Often times, these will be mitigation sites created pursuant to the Clean Water Act. It is also unique in that the WLT works closely with a staff of scientists from the Watershed Institute to provide monitoring. With close to 275 stream bank stabilization designs and wetland projects, the Watershed Institute and the Watershed Land Trust works closely with the State Conservation Commission and the NRCS as well as other local, state, and federal agencies to further water quality and assist land owners in the protection of their property. Given the technical expertise, the Watershed Institute and Watershed Land Trust are often consulted regarding habitat for the Arkansas Darter, Topeka Shiner, Pallid Sturgeon and other endangered species across the United States. The WLT is based in the Kansas City area but available to hold conservation easements nationwide. For additional information please visit the web site at www.watershedlandtrust.biz.
Date: 2/7/08
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