Governor names Emma Suarez to Reclamation Board

Emma Suarez of the California Farm Bureau Federation is one of Governor Schwarzenegger's seven new appointees to the state Reclamation Board.

At a time when the importance of levee repair and maintenance is getting intense, nationwide attention, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed seven new members to the state Reclamation Board, California's top flood-control agency.

Included in the new appointments is Emma Suarez, California Farm Bureau Federation associate counsel for the Natural Resources and Environmental Division. Suarez has over 15 years of experience managing natural resources and environmental issues. Prior to joining CFBF to provide legal counsel on the California Environmental Quality Act and the state and federal endangered species acts, Suarez was an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation. Suarez also served as staff attorney to the Central Valley Region Water Board, and as director of external affairs at the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

"I am honored that the governor has provided the opportunity to work on such an important issue for all Californians living in the Central Valley," Suarez commented. "The next years will be critical to finally deal with the deteriorating levees that now protect our communities and family farms."

The state Reclamation Board handles flood-control policy in California and oversees a 1,600-mile network of vital levees, primarily in the Central Valley.

"California faces significant flood challenges. To protect our communities, economy and keep Californians safe, we need a comprehensive and ongoing effort to reduce these risks with better planning, new investments and improved flood infrastructure," said Schwarzenegger. "The Reclamation Board oversees flood control in the Central Valley and each one of these individuals shares my commitment to ensuring these lifesaving efforts are not ignored or postponed."

In addition to Suarez, those newly appointed to the board include:

• Rose Burroughs of Denair, owner of a an organic dairy and livestock company, and a member of California Women for Agriculture.
• Benjamin Carter, a Colusa farmer and former Apple Computer executive. Active in Sacramento Valley water issues, he is a member of CFBF and the California Cattlemen's Association.
• Maureen Doherty, a farmer from Maxwell, has owned and operated Lady Bug Ranch since 1970. She was a brand inspector for CDFA from 1995 to 1997. Prior to that, Doherty was a school teacher. She is a member of California Cattle Women and the Family Water Alliance.
• Teri Rie of Walnut Creek, a civil engineer, has served with the Contra Costa County Public Works Department since 1990.
• Francis "Butch" Hodgkins, of Sacramento, is the former executive director of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and is a member of the California Central Valley Flood Control Association and the Sacramento River Watershed Program.
• Cheryl Bly-Chester of Roseville is an owner of Rosewood Environmental Engineering. She previously served as program manager and associate engineer for the Center for Federal Operation and Maintenance Services of Tetra Tech, Inc. from 1997 to 1999. She is a fellow in the Society of American Military Engineers and chairs the society's Homeland Security Committee.

The state Reclamation Board's mission is to oversee flood control along the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The board works with various agencies of the federal, state and local governments in establishing, planning, constructing, operating and maintaining flood control works. In addition, the board raises public awareness of flood management issues; establishes policy for input and oversight on capital outlay, operational and maintenance area budgets.

The new board members, who are unpaid, assumed their roles immediately and do not need Senate confirmation. Board members serve as the pleasure of the governor, and these new board members replace members appointed by former Governor Davis.

(Kate Campbell is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at kcampbell@cfbf.com.)