The South Platte Forum was initiated in 1989 to provide an avenue for a timely, multi-disciplinary exchange of information and ideas important to resource management in the South Platte River Basin. Its stated mandates are:
- to enhance the effective management of natural resources in the South Platte River Basin by promoting coordination between state, federal and local resource managers, and private enterprise, and
- to promote the interchange of ideas among disciplines to increase awareness and understanding of South Platte River Basin issues and public values.
South Platte Forum Planning Committee
Jason Marks, Chairman
Denver Water
1600 West 12th Ave.
Denver, CO 80254
(303) 628-6528
jason.marks@denverwater.org
Denver Water
1600 West 12th Ave.
Denver, CO 80254
(303) 628-6528
jason.marks@denverwater.org
|
Nancy Bauch
US Geological Survey PO Box 25046, MS 415 Lakewood, CO 80225 (303) 236-6873 njbauch@usgs.gov Pete Conovitz Colorado Parks and Wildlife 317 W. Prospect Fort Collins, CO 80526 (970) 472-4356 pete.conovitz@state.co.us Thomas Econopouly U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Water Resources Division Division of Water Resources, Region 6 P.O. Box 25486 Mail Stop: 60189 Denver, CO 80225 thomas_econopouly@fws.gov |
Alex Funk
Colorado Water Conservation Board 1313 Sherman St, Room 718 Denver, CO 80203 (303) 866-3441 alexander.funk@state.co.us Scott Griebling St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District 1715 Iron Horse Drive, Suite 250 Longmont, CO 80501 scott.griebling@svlhwcd.org Peter Ismert Watershed Team, EPA Region 8 1595 Wynkoop Street (8EPR-EP) Denver, CO 80202 (303) 312-6215 ismert.peter@epa.gov |
Dawn Jewell
Aurora Water 15151 East Alameda Pkwy. Aurora, CO 80012 (303) 739-7145 dmjewell@auroragov.org Jeff Stahla Northern Water 220 Water Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 622-2229 jstahla@northernwater.org Mark Schutte Mile High Flood District 2480 W. 26th Ave. Suite 156-B Denver, CO 80211 (303) 455-6277 mschutte@udfcd.org |
Myles Baker, Treasurer
Northern Water 220 Water Ave. Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 622-2344 mbaker@northernwater.org Erik Wardle CSU Extension Dept. of Soil and Crop Sciences Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170 (970) 491-4923 erik.wardle@colostate.edu Dai Lin, Conference Coordinator RMI 2490 Junction Pl #200 Boulder, CO 80301 southplatteforum@gmail.com |
Committee Bios
Jason Marks, Chair
As part of Denver Water’s Environmental Planning team, Jason works alongside planners, engineers and operations staff to secure necessary permitting and authorizations for planned infrastructural projects. He also represents Denver Water on the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group and the Platte River Recover Implementation Program.
Jason migrated to the Front Range, and Denver Water, just a couple of years ago. Prior to coming to work for Denver Water, he spent 17 years at a consulting firm in Summit County that specialized in ski area planning. He’s excited to live and learn in the South Platte Basin, and to apply his experience in project management, permitting and agency coordination to the Water World.
Jason has been the SPF Chair since the 2018 conference.
As part of Denver Water’s Environmental Planning team, Jason works alongside planners, engineers and operations staff to secure necessary permitting and authorizations for planned infrastructural projects. He also represents Denver Water on the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group and the Platte River Recover Implementation Program.
Jason migrated to the Front Range, and Denver Water, just a couple of years ago. Prior to coming to work for Denver Water, he spent 17 years at a consulting firm in Summit County that specialized in ski area planning. He’s excited to live and learn in the South Platte Basin, and to apply his experience in project management, permitting and agency coordination to the Water World.
Jason has been the SPF Chair since the 2018 conference.
Myles Baker, Treasurer
Myles Baker is a Financial Analyst at Northern Water. His major areas of responsibility are financial reporting on enterprise funds and maintaining the capital improvement plan. Prior to joining Northern Water, Myles was a Budget Analyst for a travel logistics company based in Irvine, California. Myles served 8 years (2012 – 2020) on the Windsor City Council. He currently serves as a Board Member on the Poudre River Trail Corridor Board and on the Four States Irrigation Council. Myles lives in Windsor with his wife and two teenage boys.
Myles Baker is a Financial Analyst at Northern Water. His major areas of responsibility are financial reporting on enterprise funds and maintaining the capital improvement plan. Prior to joining Northern Water, Myles was a Budget Analyst for a travel logistics company based in Irvine, California. Myles served 8 years (2012 – 2020) on the Windsor City Council. He currently serves as a Board Member on the Poudre River Trail Corridor Board and on the Four States Irrigation Council. Myles lives in Windsor with his wife and two teenage boys.
Nancy Bauch
Nancy Bauch has been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Colorado Water Science Center since 1994, specializing in the quality of surface water and groundwater. Most project work has been for the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, primarily in the South Platte and Colorado River Basins. Recent project work has been public-supply well sampling in the Rio Grande, High Plains, and Colorado Plateaus aquifer systems for the NAWQA Program and updating a groundwater protection plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Nancy has been on the South Platte Forum planning committee since 2014.
Nancy Bauch has been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Colorado Water Science Center since 1994, specializing in the quality of surface water and groundwater. Most project work has been for the USGS National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, primarily in the South Platte and Colorado River Basins. Recent project work has been public-supply well sampling in the Rio Grande, High Plains, and Colorado Plateaus aquifer systems for the NAWQA Program and updating a groundwater protection plan for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe in southwest Colorado. Nancy has been on the South Platte Forum planning committee since 2014.
Pete Conovitz
Pete is the Water Resources Specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region and is responsible for the management and administration of water resources and water development on state wildlife areas and fish hatcheries in the South Platte Basin. This includes new water appropriations, accounting and administration, legal protection, habitat development, and providing technical assistance to regional staff on issues related to water use and administration. He also works on fish and wildlife mitigation planning and implementation that is associated with new and proposed water projects in the basin. Pete received his B.S. in Geology from Tufts University and M.S. in Watershed Science from CSU.
Pete is the Water Resources Specialist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region and is responsible for the management and administration of water resources and water development on state wildlife areas and fish hatcheries in the South Platte Basin. This includes new water appropriations, accounting and administration, legal protection, habitat development, and providing technical assistance to regional staff on issues related to water use and administration. He also works on fish and wildlife mitigation planning and implementation that is associated with new and proposed water projects in the basin. Pete received his B.S. in Geology from Tufts University and M.S. in Watershed Science from CSU.
Thomas Econopouly
As a Hydrologist with the Fish & Wildlife Service, Tom provides water resources expertise to the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and other river programs within the Mountain and Prairie Region.
As a Hydrologist with the Fish & Wildlife Service, Tom provides water resources expertise to the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and other river programs within the Mountain and Prairie Region.
Alexander Funk
Alex Funk serves as the Agricultural Water Resources Specialist at the Colorado Water Conservation Board. At CWCB, he works with the agricultural community to further the Colorado Water Plan agricultural viability goals, including managing the alternative transfer methods program. Before joining CWCB, Alex served as the Western Policy Director with the National Young Farmers Coalition where he focused on addressing challenges affecting next-generation producers and as a fellow with American Rivers researching the nexus between irrigated agriculture and healthy river systems. Alex received a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech and Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School.
Alex Funk serves as the Agricultural Water Resources Specialist at the Colorado Water Conservation Board. At CWCB, he works with the agricultural community to further the Colorado Water Plan agricultural viability goals, including managing the alternative transfer methods program. Before joining CWCB, Alex served as the Western Policy Director with the National Young Farmers Coalition where he focused on addressing challenges affecting next-generation producers and as a fellow with American Rivers researching the nexus between irrigated agriculture and healthy river systems. Alex received a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech and Juris Doctorate from Vermont Law School.
Scott Griebling
Scott is a water resources engineer with the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. He focuses on collaborative approaches to meet diverse stakeholders’ water needs. He draws on a background of integrated hydrologic modeling and hydrologic systems monitoring and particularly enjoys the human element of water and the connections it brings.
Scott is a water resources engineer with the St. Vrain and Left Hand Water Conservancy District. He focuses on collaborative approaches to meet diverse stakeholders’ water needs. He draws on a background of integrated hydrologic modeling and hydrologic systems monitoring and particularly enjoys the human element of water and the connections it brings.
Peter Ismert
Peter has been an Environmental Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 in Denver, CO for 26 years. He works in the Office of Water Protection and is a member of the Watershed Planning and Restoration Unit. Peter works directly with the State of Colorado to implement the State’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and is the project officer for the annual Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant to the State. He also assists the Oglala Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne Tribes in developing and implementing their water quality programs. Prior to working in the water programs, Peter was a Remedial Project Manager in the Superfund program. Peter has a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Colorado State University.
Peter has been an Environmental Scientist at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 in Denver, CO for 26 years. He works in the Office of Water Protection and is a member of the Watershed Planning and Restoration Unit. Peter works directly with the State of Colorado to implement the State’s Nonpoint Source Pollution Program and is the project officer for the annual Clean Water Act Section 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant to the State. He also assists the Oglala Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne Tribes in developing and implementing their water quality programs. Prior to working in the water programs, Peter was a Remedial Project Manager in the Superfund program. Peter has a B.S. degree in Agronomy from Colorado State University.
Dawn Jewell
Dawn Jewell is the South Platte Basin Water Resources Supervisor for the City of Aurora. She has worked in Water Resources, focusing on the South Platte River, for the Aurora Water Department since 2007. Her focus has been on building relationships with Aurora’s partners in the municipal, industrial, agricultural, environmental, and recreational communities while looking for sustainable options for long-term grown for the City of Aurora, a city of over 370,000 people. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Land Use with an emphasis in environment and resources from Metro State University and is a 2014
alumnus of the Water Education Colorado Water Leaders Program. She serves on the boards for the Brighton and New Brantner Extension Ditch Companies as well as the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance (DARCA) board.
Dawn Jewell is the South Platte Basin Water Resources Supervisor for the City of Aurora. She has worked in Water Resources, focusing on the South Platte River, for the Aurora Water Department since 2007. Her focus has been on building relationships with Aurora’s partners in the municipal, industrial, agricultural, environmental, and recreational communities while looking for sustainable options for long-term grown for the City of Aurora, a city of over 370,000 people. Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Land Use with an emphasis in environment and resources from Metro State University and is a 2014
alumnus of the Water Education Colorado Water Leaders Program. She serves on the boards for the Brighton and New Brantner Extension Ditch Companies as well as the Ditch and Reservoir Company Alliance (DARCA) board.
Mark Schutte
Mark is a Project Engineer with the Mile High Flood District, managing public and private improvement and maintenance projects along streams within MHFD’s boundary. He has worked in the water resource engineering field for the past six years following a Master’s Degree focused on fluvial geomorphology from the University of Colorado – Boulder. His projects at MHFD focus on protecting people, property, and the environment through preservation, mitigation, and education. Mark enjoys finding multi-beneficial functions in each project and ensuring both community and stakeholder goals are accomplished. While his “home” watershed is Sand Creek – southeast of Denver – he has been involved along the South Platte River in several projects, most recently assisting with the channel improvements preceding The River Mile development.
Mark is a Project Engineer with the Mile High Flood District, managing public and private improvement and maintenance projects along streams within MHFD’s boundary. He has worked in the water resource engineering field for the past six years following a Master’s Degree focused on fluvial geomorphology from the University of Colorado – Boulder. His projects at MHFD focus on protecting people, property, and the environment through preservation, mitigation, and education. Mark enjoys finding multi-beneficial functions in each project and ensuring both community and stakeholder goals are accomplished. While his “home” watershed is Sand Creek – southeast of Denver – he has been involved along the South Platte River in several projects, most recently assisting with the channel improvements preceding The River Mile development.
Jeff Stahla
Jeff Stahla is the Public Information Coordinator for Northern Water, which provides water to Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, many smaller communities, rural and domestic water districts and local industries. Before joining Northern Water, Stahla had been a journalist in the region for more than 20 years, most recently serving as the editor of the Loveland Reporter-Herald. He lives in Loveland.
Jeff Stahla is the Public Information Coordinator for Northern Water, which provides water to Fort Collins, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, many smaller communities, rural and domestic water districts and local industries. Before joining Northern Water, Stahla had been a journalist in the region for more than 20 years, most recently serving as the editor of the Loveland Reporter-Herald. He lives in Loveland.
Erik Wardle
Erik is a water quality agronomist in the Department of Soil and Crop Science’s Water Quality Program at Colorado State University. In this position he does extensive research, writing and Extension work related to agricultural water quality issues including; pesticide use, nutrient management, soil moisture monitoring, groundwater/surface water interactions, conservation tillage, and irrigation water management. He supports the development, validation, and promotion of agricultural Best Management Practices that allow chemical handlers to use these products appropriately while preventing the contamination of surface and groundwater in Colorado. He works closely with the agricultural community to ensure that research and outreach efforts provide practical, real world solutions to water quality issues in agriculture.
Erik is a water quality agronomist in the Department of Soil and Crop Science’s Water Quality Program at Colorado State University. In this position he does extensive research, writing and Extension work related to agricultural water quality issues including; pesticide use, nutrient management, soil moisture monitoring, groundwater/surface water interactions, conservation tillage, and irrigation water management. He supports the development, validation, and promotion of agricultural Best Management Practices that allow chemical handlers to use these products appropriately while preventing the contamination of surface and groundwater in Colorado. He works closely with the agricultural community to ensure that research and outreach efforts provide practical, real world solutions to water quality issues in agriculture.