Shows
Ripple Effect: A Podcast Putting Water In Context207: Water Markets for TexasSend us a textTodd Votteler, Principal at Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor and Chief of the Talk + Water Podcast and Texas Water Journal, joins us to talk about his work creating a new Texas Water Markets report. Todd walks us through a fantastic discussion regarding the complicated nature of the Texas water law, the Edwards Aquifer and the Rio Grande water markets, and his predictions for the future. We get into the nitty gritty of how to possibly rethink water allocation and interesting ways market tools can be used for long term planning.https...2025-08-021h 13
Talk+Water#95 - John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas State Climatologist on extreme weather and the July 4th flood on the Guadalupe River.Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses extreme weather with Texas State Climatologist, Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon. He is a Regents Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M University and also serves as the Director of the Southern Regional Climate Center.John Nielsen-Gammon has been on the faculty at Texas A&M University since 1991. He conducts research on various types of extreme weather from droughts and floods to air pollution and computer modeling. As Texas State...2025-07-2849 min
Talk+Water#94 - Vanessa Puig-Williams, Jeremy Mazur, and Carlos Rubinstein on the 89th Texas Legislative Session and Water.Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses the 89th Texas Legislative session with Vanessa Puig-Williams, Senior Director of Climate Resilient Water Systems at the Environmental Defense Fund, Jeremy Mazur, Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy at Texas 2036, and Carlos Rubinstein, Principal at RSAH2O, LLC.The 89th Legislative Session was a historic, generational water infrastructure-focused session. From legislation geared toward water infrastructure funding, coalitions formed to investigate and address water challenges in Texas, and more, th...2025-07-281h 19
waterloopTexas Bets $20 Billion On Its Water FutureTexas is tackling its booming population’s water demands with a bold $20 billion investment plan to secure sustainable supplies and infrastructure by 2050. In this episode of In The Newsroom, Todd Votteler, a veteran water expert and editor of the Texas Water Journal, joins the podcast to discuss the state’s dynamic water landscape. With Texas expecting about 40 million residents by mid-century, the state is addressing urgent needs through a recently signed bill that allocates $10 billion for new water supplies and $10 billion for infrastructure upgrades, pending voter approval on November 4, 2025. Votteler highlights the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s pion...2025-07-2500 min
Talk+Water#93 - Martha Pskowski, Water Challenges in the Rio Grande, Produced Water & Water JournalismSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses water challenges in the Rio Grande with Martha Pskowski, a Texas reporter for Inside Climate News based in El Paso.Martha reports on water, oil and gas, and the impacts of climate change. She was previously an environmental reporter at the El Paso Times and a freelance reporter in Mexico City.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2025-07-1542 min
Water Resources PodcastWater Markets and their Transformational Potential in TexasTodd Votteler discusses the evolution of water markets in Texas, focusing on the Rio Grande and San Antonio basins.2025-07-1056 min
Talk+Water#92 - Dr. Bridget Scanlon Discusses the Implications of Drought Impacts on the Management of the Lower Colorado RiverSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses Multidecadal drought impacts on the Lower Colorado Basin with implications for future management with author, Dr. Bridget Scanlon, Research Professor at the Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin.Dr. Scanlon's current research focuses on various aspects of water resources, including global assessments using satellites and modeling, management related to climate extremes, and water energy interdependence. She has authored or co-authored ~200 publications...2025-05-2752 min
Talk+Water#91 - El Paso Water's Gilbert Trejo and Christina Montoya-Halter - Direct Water ReuseSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses El Paso water resources with El Paso Water's Gilbert Trejo, Vice President of Operations and Technical Services, and Christina Montoya-Halter, Communications and Marketing Manager.Gilbert Trejo oversees engineering, operations and technical services. Previously, he served as Chief Technical Officer. Before coming to El Paso Water in 2014, he was the Principal in charge of Arcadis' Water Division in the El Paso, Texas region. In that role, he led business development, d...2025-04-2443 min
Talk+Water#90 - Austin Water’s Shay Ralls Roalson and Marisa Flores GonzalezSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses Austin water resources and the 100-year water plan with Shay Ralls Roalson, Director of Austin Water, and Marisa Flores Gonzalez, Program Manager for Austin Water's Water Forward Plan.Shay Ralls Roalson P.E. became the Director of Austin Water in January 2023, leading a team of 1,300 employees committed to providing high quality drinking water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services to more than one million people in the Austin metropolitan area.2025-04-0849 min
Talk+Water#88 - Daniel Rothberg - Communicating Western Water ChallengesSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, explores the importance of communication in addressing Western water issues with Daniel Rothberg, a writer who focuses on research regarding water, public land, mining, and energy.Daniel writes a newsletter, Western Water Notes, focusing on water in the Western U.S. For six years, Daniel worked as an environmental reporter for The Nevada Independent, where his work was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, Best of the West, and...2025-01-0857 min
Talk+Water#89 - L’Oreal Stepney, Texas' First Statewide Flood Plan (recorded 12/09/2024)Send us a textIn this conversation (recorded on 12/09/2024), Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses Texas' statewide flood plan with L'Oreal Stepney, P.E., Chairwoman of the Texas Water Development Board. This plan provides a comprehensive assessment of flood risk and solutions to mitigate that risk.L'Oreal Stepney was named Chairwoman of the Texas Water Development Board by Governor Greg Abbott on January 8, 2025. Governor Abbott appointed her to the Board in December 2022 for a term beginning January 1, 2023.Stepney previously served...2025-01-0837 min
Talk+Water#86 - Emily Lewis, Colorado River, Utah water, Great Salt LakeSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, explores the complexities of Colorado River management and related water issues in Utah, with Emily E. Lewis, a Director, Shareholder, and Co-Chair of the Natural Resources and Water Law Practice Group at Clyde Snow and Sessions in Salt Lake City, Utah.Emily assists clients in navigating and solving complex water problems. She regularly advises individual water right owners, water conservancy districts, municipalities, mining companies, investors, and mutual shareholder irrigation companies...2024-12-0358 min
Talk+Water#85 - Jeremy Mazur & Gabriel Collins, Water Infrastructure & the Texas EconomySend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses water infrastructure funding and the Texas economy with Jeremy Mazur, Director of Natural Resources and Infrastructure Policy for Texas 2036, and Gabriel Collins, Baker Botts Fellow in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs at Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy (Baker Institute).Jeremy Mazur has over 25 years of working in and with the Legislature and state leaders on water and energy policy issues. Before joining Texas 2036 in...2024-11-271h 02
Talk+Water#87 - Jace Tunnell, Tackling Plastic Pollution on the Texas CoastSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, talks with Jace Tunnell, Director of Community Engagement at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, about his work using digital outreach to combat plastic pollution and promote conservation along the Texas Coast.Jace is the founder of a citizen science project called Nurdle Patrol that tracks plastic pellet concentrations internationally to create awareness of plastics in the ocean and develop new...2024-11-2547 min
Talk+Water#84 - Brigid Shea, Water Conservation in Travis County, TexasSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Principal of Collaborative Water Resolution, and Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, talks with Brigid Shea, Travis County Commissioner, about water conservation efforts in Travis County.Brigid is a former award-winning reporter at National Public Radio who has been fighting climate change in Texas since 1988. Along the way, she worked to save Austin’s iconic Barton Springs, organizing a massive city-wide ballot initiative that resulted in the historic Save Our Springs (SOS) law to save Barton Springs. As a former Austin City Co...2024-11-141h 01
Talk+Water#83 - Jill Williamson, Water Recovery in SpaceSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, talks with Dr. Jill Williamson, NASA International Space Station (ISS) Water Subsystems Manager and Water Management Co-Task Lead for the Mars Campaign Office Systems Capabilities Leadership Team, about innovative recycling technologies that purify and reuse all water sources, including sweat and urine, to ensure a sustainable, clean water supply for the ISS and astronauts. Jill has 10 years of unique expertise in water recycling and management for microgravity applications, as found on the ISS. Jill has a B...2024-10-3150 min
Talk+Water#82 - Perry Fowler, Texas Water Infrastructure Funding NeedsSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Perry Fowler, Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network (TXWIN), about the state of water infrastructure in Texas.As Executive Director, Fowler leads the organization’s efforts to build a strong, sustainable, and competitive Texas water infrastructure construction market through policy development, education, and advocacy. He is also the Principal of Fowler Group Texas, LLC, providing lobbying, government affairs, business consulting, association, and coalition management services. A fifth-generation Texas native, Fowler grew up in the Texas construction industry an...2024-10-0954 min
Talk+Water#81 - Noelle George, Water ReuseSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water and the Texas Water Journal, discusses water reuse with Noelle George, Managing Director of WateReuse Texas.WateReuse Texas represents over 70 organizations working to ensure all future Texans have access to clean, safe water. Before her role at WateReuse Texas, Noelle was Executive Director of an international nonprofit advocating for global change in the areas of women’s rights and disaster recovery through grant-making and volunteer organizing. She started her career as a pipeline engineer and capital project manager at Chevron, winning th...2024-08-2937 min
Talk+Water#80, Maria-Elena Giner - U.S. and Mexico Water ManagementSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Dr. Maria-Elena Giner, P.E., United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), about managing the water treaties between the U.S. and Mexico.Appointed by President Joe Biden in August 2021, Dr. Giner is the second woman and first Latina to serve as the U.S. IBWC Commissioner. She previously served as General Manager of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), an institution that developed environmental infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border in association with...2024-08-0757 min
Talk+Water#79 - Aaron Wolf, Water Conflict ManagementSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Aaron Wolf about managing and resolving water conflicts. Wolf is a Geography Professor at Oregon State University, a Professor of Water Diplomacy at the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education, and a trained mediator/facilitator.Wolf directs the Program in Water Conflict Management and Transformation at Oregon State University, through which he has offered workshops, facilitations, and mediations around the world. He is also a Professor of Water Diplomacy at the IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education. Wolf authored The Spirit...2024-07-2939 min
Talk+Water#78 - Sam Hermitte, Texas Water DataSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Sam Marie Hermitte, Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of Water Science and Conservation for the Texas Water Development Board, about utilizing data to support water management and conservation.Her responsibilities at the Texas Water Development Board include strategic planning, legislative analysis and implementation, water data, drought policy and project coordination, priority flood research projects, and special initiatives such as the development of the Texas Water Data Hub and TexasFlood.org. Additionally, Sam leads the Texas Water Data Initiative and serves...2024-07-0851 min
Talk+Water#77 - Chad Berginnis, Floodplain Management & The Association of Floodplain ManagersSend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, the Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Chad Berginnis, Executive Director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), about the role of floodplain management in mitigating flood loss.As Executive Director of ASFPM, Berginnis frequently collaborates with FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other federal agencies to advocate for effective policies and programs related to mitigating flood risk, strengthening community resilience, protecting our water resources, and advancing equity and social justice. He has also testified...2024-05-3153 min
Talk+Water#76 - Brian Richter, Water ScarcitySend us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Todd Votteler, the Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, talks with Brian Richter, president of Sustainable Waters, about the challenges posed by water scarcity.Brian Richter has been a global leader in water science and conservation for more than 30 years. As president of Sustainable Waters, a global organization focused on water scarcity challenges, he promotes sustainable water use and management with governments, corporations, universities, and local communities. He previously served as Director of the Global Water Program for The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organization. Brian has consulted on...2024-05-241h 10
Talk+Water#75 - Megan Lang, Wetlands Status and TrendsSend us a textIn this conversation during American Wetlands Month, Dr. Todd Votteler, the Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, discusses wetland conservation and protection with Dr. Megan Lang, the Chief Scientist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Program.Dr. Lang leads the congressionally mandated national Wetlands Status and Trends study for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Program, which provides estimates of U.S. wetland extent, type, and change specific to different time periods from the 1700s to 2019. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the...2024-05-0655 min
Talk+Water#74 - Katie Schmidt, The Dam Removal MovementSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler discusses dam removal movement with Katie Schmidt, Associate Director of the National Dam Removal Program at American Rivers.Katie coordinates and implements the American Rivers' federal policy agenda for dam removal and works with our federal agency partners. She also supports the National Dam Removal Community of Practice and develops tools and resources for dam removal practitioners. She has focused much of her work on hydropower reform and hydropower dam removal. As a former Fellow with American Rivers, Katie researched and wrote...2024-04-1752 min
Talk+Water#73 - Dr. Ralph Wurbs, Modeling River/Reservoir Systems for Water ManagementSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Ralph Wurbs, professor in the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University, about modeling river and reservoir systems to support water management.Dr. Wurbs worked in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' water development program for nine years before joining the Texas A&M University faculty in 1980. He has taught many courses at Texas A&M University, professional development courses in Texas and abroad, and a graduate water management course several times as a visiting professor...2024-03-2757 min
Talk+Water#72 - Scott Wright, Dam Removals & River RestorationSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas Water Journal & Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Scott Wright, Principal Engineer for the River Design Group, about the impact of dam removals in river restoration efforts.Scott Wright is the Principal Engineer for the River Design Group in Corvallis, Oregon. Scott grew up in Southern Oregon on the Rogue River, which was made famous by author Zane Grey. Wright’s dad was a logger who instilled in Scott a love for the natural environment through endless days of fishing, hunting, and time in the out...2024-02-2654 min
Talk+Water#71 - Shaina Shay, The Water ReportSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with the Owner and Editor of The Water Report, Shaina Shay. The Water Report is a monthly publication that provides detailed and timely coverage of the innovations and decisions shaping our water future.Shay has spent more than a decade developing expertise in water policy and management, conservation, and community outreach. Her passion for pragmatically sharing information has been a theme throughout her career. She has worked as a Water Resources and Conservation Specialist for two investor-owned utilities in Arizona, EPCOR...2024-02-1929 min
Talk+Water#70 - Rachel Fern, The State of Texas WetlandsSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Rachel Fern, Statewide Wetland Program Leader for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, about the state of wetlands in Texas, including their history, current status, and future challenges. Fern coauthored a recent article in the Texas Water Journal title "The State of Texas Wetlands."Fern is responsible for the statewide administration of wetland habitat projects benefiting migratory game birds. She works with internal and external partners to identify, plan, and coordinate technically complex habitat, research, and public hunting projects...2024-01-2341 min
Talk+Water#69 - Kelley Cochran, Groundwater Conservation DistrictsSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Kelley Cochran, General Manager of the Guadalupe County Groundwater Conservation District, about the role Groundwater Conservation Districts play in supporting the state's water management and planning efforts. Cochran joined the district in 2014 as Executive Administrator and was promoted to General Manager in 2018. Since September 2021, she has served as the Administrator of Groundwater Management Area 13 and is the Area Representative for the Edwards Carrizo area of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. She is a 2021 Texas Water Leaders Program graduate, past C...2023-11-2725 min
Talk+Water#68 - James Perry, Detecting Water Leaks & Problem Dams Using Innovative TechnologiesSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with James Perry, Executive Vice President of the EarthWorks Division of ASTERRA, about innovative remote sensing technologies to support water management.Perry has spent over 30 years driving disruptive innovation. In both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies, James’ key mission is market adoption and to achieve a deeper foothold into new markets. James currently serves as the Vice President for Business Development at ASTERRA, based in San Diego, California.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making wa...2023-11-1329 min
Talk+Water#67 - Karrigan Börk, Protecting Wetlands via the Clean Water Act Post SackettSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Karrigan Börk, Acting Professor of Law at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) School of Law, about federal efforts to protect wetland habitats.Börk graduated from Stanford Law School in 2009 and completed his Ph.D. dissertation in Ecology at UC Davis in 2011. He clerked for Tenth Circuit Chief Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, U.S. District Court Judge Julie Robinson, and Judge Janice Karlin on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas. His publications run th...2023-10-301h 06
Talk+Water#66 - Helen Dahlke, Managed Aquifer RechargeSend us a textIn this conversation, Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler discusses managed aquifer recharge with Dr. Helen Dahlke, Associate Professor of Integrated Hydrologic Sciences at the University of California, Davis, and leader of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Water Strategic Initiative.Dr. Dahlke has a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. Her current research interests include surface water–groundwater interaction, water resources management, vadose zone transport processes, and applications of DNA nanotechnology in hydrology. One of Helen’s main research efforts focuses on testing the feasibility of usin...2023-09-2248 min
Talk+Water#65 - Brian Richter, Crisis on the Colorado River and Water MarketsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters, a global organization focused on water scarcity challenges.Brian Richter has been a global water science and conservation leader for over 30 years. At Sustainable Waters, he promotes sustainable water use and management with governments, corporations, universities, and local communities. He previously served as Director of the Global Water Program of The Nature Conservancy, an international conservation organization. Richter has consulted on more than 170 water projects worldwide. He serves as a water advisor to some of the world’s...2023-07-2457 minTalk+Water#64 - Manny Teodoro, Public Distrust and Water InstitutionsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Manny Teodoro, Professor for the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin, about issues facing the drinking water industry.Dr. Manny Teodoro's research stands at the nexus of politics, public policy, and public management. He works mainly on American environmental policy design, evaluation, and implementation. This line of research includes explorations of public verse private utility management and regulatory implementation as a matter of environmental justice. On the public management side, his work emphasizes professional labor markets as...2023-06-2054 minTalk+Water#63 - 88th Texas Legislative Session Wrap-UpSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks about water-related bills that passed during the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature with Jeremy Mazur, Senior Policy Advisor for Texas 2036, Sarah Schlessinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Water Foundation, and Carlos Rubinstein, Principal at RSAH2O, LLC, and Perry Fowler, Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network (TWIN).Rubinstein was appointed chairman of the Texas Water Development Board from 2013-2015. During his tenure, he oversaw the implementation of the $2 billion State Water Infrastructure Fund for Texas. Rubinstein also served as a...2023-06-081h 09Talk+Water#62 - Jayme Lozano Carver & Alejandra Martinez, Rural Texas Water Infrastructure IssuesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Texas Tribune reporters Jayme Lozano Carver and Alejandra Martinez about the Tribune’s Broken Pipes series, which examines the state's deteriorating water infrastructure.Jayme Lozano Carver is the Texas Tribune's first Lubbock-based reporter, covering the South Plains and Panhandle through a partnership with Report for America. She previously worked for Texas Tech Public Media, Lubbock's NPR station, where she spearheaded "Rural Healthcare: The Other Texas Drought," a series for PBS' "Frontline" on rural hospital closures in Texas. She also covered a broad range of...2023-05-3057 minTalk+Water#53 - Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Conservation ProgramsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Manager for Austin Water, about programs offered by Austin Water that help customers conserve water.As Water Conservation Manager, Kluge oversees a range of water conservation programs, including incentives, irrigation evaluations, commercial efficiency assessments, and water waste enforcement. Prior to his position with Austin Water, he spent 20 years with the Texas Water Development Board, culminating in the role of Director of Conservation and Innovative Water Technologies. Kevin holds a Master of Science in Natural Resource Utilization and is a...2023-04-2638 minTalk+Water#61 - Perry Fowler, Sarah Schlessinger, & Jeremy Mazur - Water & the 88th Texas Legislative SessionSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks about water and the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature with Perry Fowler, Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network (TXWIN), Sarah Schlessinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Water Foundation, and Jeremy Mazur, Senior Policy Advisor for Texas 2036.As the Executive Director of the TXWIN, Fowler leads the organization’s efforts to build a strong, sustainable, and competitive Texas water infrastructure construction market through policy development, education, and advocacy. He is also the Principal of Fowler Group Texas, LLC providing lobbying, government af...2023-04-181h 07Talk+Water#60 - Lori Olson, the Texas Land and Water Conservation FundSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Lori Olson, Executive Director of the Texas Land Trust Council, about two bills, HB 3165 and HJR 138, in the current legislative session that, if passed, would create the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund. Olson has served as the Executive Director of the Texas Land Trust Council since July 2011, working to strengthen the coalition of land and water conservation organizations working across Texas. In her work with the Council, she engages in state and federal advocacy, strategic outreach and research projects that promote the man...2023-04-0716 minTalk+Water#59 - David Baker & Robin Gary, Drought Impacts to Jacob's WellSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with David Baker and Robin Gary with the Watershed Association (WA) about the ongoing drought's impacts on Jacob's Well and the Trinity Aquifer.Baker is an artist, conservationist, and environmental advocate equally at ease with a brush in his studio or envisioning an environmental canvas the size of the Texas Hill Country. Since moving his family to the iconic Jacob’s Well Spring near Wimberley in 1988, he has dedicated his life and boundless creative energy to the land, water and building a conservation network ac...2023-04-0734 minTalk+Water#58 - Carlos Rubinstein & Vanessa Puig-Williams, Water & Texas Legislature + Groundwater PlanningSend us a textTexas Water Journal and Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Carlos Rubinstein, Principal at RSAH2O, LLC, and Vanessa Puig-Williams, Director of the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) Texas Water Program, about flaws in Texas' groundwater planning process and the water legislation in the 88th Texas Legislature.Rubinstein was appointed chairman of the Texas Water Development Board from 2013-2015. During his tenure, he oversaw the implementation of the $2 billion State Water Infrastructure Fund for Texas. Rubinstein also served as a commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TECQ) fr...2023-03-251h 03Talk+Water#57 - Jim Bradbury, Water Policy Issues in AgricultureSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Jim Bradbury, founder of James D. Bradbury, PLLC, about water policy issues related to agriculture and landowner rights. After practicing with some of the largest law firms in Texas, Bradbury formed his own firm to serve his clients more directly. James D. Bradbury, PLLC, serves Austin, Fort Worth, and Montana. He has practiced for over three decades, representing clients in litigation of all types: real estate, water law, conservation, and eminent domain. Bradbury has extensive trial experience and has served as counsel in m...2023-03-1057 min
Talk+Water#56 - Reem Zoun, Creating the First State Flood Plan for TexasSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Reem Zoun, PE, CFM, ENV SP, Director of the Flood Planning Division at the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), about developing the first state flood plan for Texas. Zoun is leading the TWDB's effort towards developing the statewide flood planning program, the delivery of the first sets of regional flood plans, and the state flood plan for the State of Texas. She has over 22 years of private and public sector experience in engineering, modeling, mapping, capital improvement project portfolio management and delivery, management, and leadership...2023-02-2139 min
Talk+Water#55 - Maria Richards & Joseph Batir, The Geothermal Energy Potential of TexasSend us a textTexas Water Journal and Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Maria Richards, Geothermal Laboratory Coordinator in the Department of Earth Sciences at Southern Methodist University (SMU), and Joseph Batir, Geothermal Lead at Petrolern, about the geothermal energy potential of Texas. Recently, the Texas Water Journal published their article, “Determining Geothermal Resources in Three Texas Counties.”Maria Richards' research focuses on geothermal resources and energy development. Her projects vary from computer-generated temperature-depth maps for Google.org to on-site geothermal exploration of the volcanic islands in the Northern Mariana Islands. Currently, her concentration is o...2023-01-2545 min
Talk+Water#54 - Jeremy Mazur, Texas Water PolicySend us a textTexas Water Journal and Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Jeremy Mazur, Senior Policy Advisor for Texas 2036, about water policy priorities in Texas.Mazur directs Texas 2036’s work in the area of natural resources, which includes water, oil and gas, and energy. Since joining Texas 2036 in September 2021, Mazur has played a leading role in Texas 2036’s energy expansion project, charting an energy future that includes cleaner oil and gas and renewable sources of energy. Mazur also directs research and policy development in water. His current projects include a study on water markets...2023-01-2258 min
Talk+Water#52 - Glenn Hegar - Water Issues & the Texas EconomySend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, about initiatives from the Comptroller’s office to ensure the state’s water supplies meet future demands. Hegar was elected as the 36th Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in November 2014 and was re-elected for the second time in 2022. He is Texas' chief financial officer — the state's treasurer, check writer, tax collector, procurement officer, and revenue estimator. As CFO for the world's ninth-largest economy, he monitors Texas' financial health. Hegar has worked to bring public and legislative attention to long-t...2022-12-1733 min
Talk+Water#51 - Steve Lohr - Sustainable Water Management Practices for VineyardsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Steve Lohr, President and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines in California, about sustainable water management practices for vineyards. As the President and CEO of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Lohr is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning of J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, with a particular focus on sales and finance. In 1972, at age 10, Lohr helped his father, Jerry, plant their first vineyards in Greenfield, California. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in civil engineering and economics, he split his time between winegrowing...2022-12-1051 min
Talk+Water#50 - Sarah Stogner - Groundwater Issues in the Oil & Gas IndustrySend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Sarah Stogner, founder of Stogner Legal, about groundwater contamination issues in the oil and gas industry.Stogner is not just another lawyer. She forced Railroad Commission incumbent Wayne Christian into a runoff, winning over 300,000 Republican primary votes. She splits her time between the Permian Basin and Houston, representing operators, service companies, and landowners navigating the quagmire of oil and gas risk allocation issues. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in International Trade and Finance in 2005 and a law degree in 2008.2022-11-2043 min
Talk+Water#49, Michael Hanemann - Economics of Water Markets & Water TransfersSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Michael Hanemann about the economics of water markets and water transfers. Dr. Hanemann is the Chancellor's Professor and Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at the University of California Berkeley, and also serves as a Distinguished Sustainability Scientist and the Julie A. Wrigley Chair in Sustainability at Arizona State University. He is also the Director of the Center of Environmental Economics and Sustainability Policy at Arizona State University. Hanemann is an environmental economist who works in the areas of water economics and policy, climate...2022-11-081h 00
Talk+Water#48 - Andrew Sansom - Using Water Markets to Benefit the Texas EnvironmentSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Andrew Sansom, Founder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, about using water markets as a tool to protect environmental flows in Texas. Dr. Andrew Sansom is one of Texas’ leading conservationists. He is the Founder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. He is a former Executive Director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Executive Director of the Texas Nature Conservancy. For his commitment to the management and protection of...2022-10-2553 min
Talk+Water#47 - John Sabo - ByWater Institute at Tulane UniversitySend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. John Sabo, a Professor in the Department of Coastal & River Science and Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane University and Director of the ByWater Institute. In the academic realm, Sabo directs Tulane’s ByWater Institute, a research institute dedicated to creating transdisciplinary and transformative research that advances the resilience of water resources in New Orleans, the Mississippi River Basin, and tropical river basins in the developing world where lessons from home are relevant.By training, Sabo is a river food we...2022-10-1353 min
Talk+Water#46 - Jennifer Walker & Johnathan Seefeldt - Quantifying Municipal Water Loss in TexasSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Jennifer Walker and Johnathan Seefeldt from the National Wildlife Federation’s Texas Living Waters Project about a new report that quantifies water loss in Texas and outlines how the state can set itself onto a path of more efficient, effective water infrastructure. Walker has nearly two decades of experience focusing on water policy and resource issues in Texas with an emphasis on water planning, water conservation, and bay and estuary protection issues. She strives to work collaboratively and approach resource management challenges with a solution-oriented pe...2022-09-231h 01
Talk+Water#45 - John Muhlfeld - Removing Dams, and Restoring Rivers & WetlandsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with John Muhlfeld, Principal Hydrologist for the River Design Group and Mayor of Whitefish, Montana. John Muhlfeld was raised along the Connecticut coast, just a few short miles from Long Island Sound and a mere 40-minute train ride to New York City. His family spent the summer months in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York sailing, fishing, snorkeling, and diving for crawdads. Over the course of 15 years, the once pristine Caroga Lake where Muhlfeld spent his summers deteriorated due to the introduction of aquatic invasive...2022-09-0646 min
Talk+Water#44, Scott Bryan & Greg Newbloom - Imagine H2O, water startup accelerator & water startup MembrionSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Scott Bryan, President of Imagine H2O, and Dr. Greg Newbloom, the Founder and CEO of Membrion. Byran is responsible for leading Imagine H2O in its mission. Since 2010, Imagine H2O has supported over 150 startups and has expanded its programming internationally. Bryan serves on the National Alliance for Water Innovation’s Innovation and Commercialization Council and is an advisor to the Environmental Policy Innovation Center. Greg is the Founder & CEO of Membrion, a clean tech start-up focused on recycling wastewater from harsh industrial processes. Mem...2022-08-2548 min
Talk+Water#43, Becky Bowling - Reducing Water Use in Urban LandscapesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Dr. Becky Bowling, Assistant Professor and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist for Urban Water, about managing outdoor water usage during times of drought in Texas. Bowling is the AgriLife Extension lead for the Urban Water Innovation and Sustainability Hub at the Dallas Center. In her position, she works jointly with AgriLife Research and with AgriLife Extension’s extensive network of Specialists, Regional Program Leaders, and County Extension Agents to develop and deliver outreach programming and resources to critical audiences on the topics of environmental st...2022-07-2848 min
Talk+Water#42, Carlos Rubinstein - Water Markets & the Rio GrandeSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Carlos Rubinstein, Principal at RSAH2O, LLC, about water markets and the Rio Grande. Rubinstein has over 38 years of experience in state and municipal management and regulation, having served as Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and City Manager of Brownsville, Texas. His experience includes a strong emphasis in water management, water resources, international water treaties, water quality, environmental enforcement and compliance issues, and waste management.Take a deep dive into the world of...2022-06-2759 min
Talk+Water#41, Dean Hendrickson - The Secret Lives of Aquifer FaunaSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Dean Hendrickson, Curator of Ichthyology for the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas in Austin. Hendrickson is an ichthyologist and aquatic ecologist whose work has focused primarily on fishes and their habitats in arid North America (U.S. and México), generally with a strong link to conservation and endangered species. He is a Curator of the University of Texas' Fish Collection and his current work focuses on compilation of museum specimen-based fish occurrence records for Texas and adjacent areas.T...2022-06-0840 min
Talk+Water#40, Emily Lewis - Water Issues in Utah, including The Great Salt Lake & Colorado RiverSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Emily Lewis, Director and Shareholder, and Co-Chair of the Natural Resources and Water Law Practice Group at Clyde Snow and Sessions, about the water issues facing Utah. Lewis assists clients in navigating complex water problems. She advises individual water right owners, water conservancy districts, municipalities, mining companies, and mutual shareholder irrigation companies. Her strategic projects practice extends to innovative policy work and specialty project management. She presently acts as the Utah Water Banking Project Manager and hosts Ripple Effect – A Podcast Putting Water in Context....2022-05-2451 min
Talk+Water#39, Gregory Ellis - Texas Groundwater ManagementSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler interviews Gregory Ellis, Attornery at GM Ellis Law Firm P.C., about Texas groundwater markets. Ellis has been practicing water law and been involved in water issues for over three decades. As a law student, Ellis clerked for the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, working on a variety of water legislation. After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1988 and being admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1989, Ellis worked as a legislative liaison for the Texas Water Commission. In 1992, Ellis...2022-04-241h 05Ripple Effect: A Podcast Putting Water In Context86: Water Banking Writ LargeSend us a text Free roaming discussion with Todd Votteler (Editor-in-Chief, Texas Water Journal, Host of Talk + Water Podcast, Owner of Collaborative Water Resolution) about the initiation of Texas's review of water banking and water marketing programs. Todd provides some interesting insights into the complexity of Texas groundwater laws and the history of the Edwards Aquifer. A good working dialogue about unpacking what it means to create a "water market." 2022-03-3159 min
Clyde Snow Water Podcast86: Water Banking Writ Large Free roaming discussion with Todd Votteler (Editor-in-Chief, Texas Water Journal, Host of Talk + Water Podcast, Owner of Collaborative Water Resolution) about the initiation of Texas's review of water banking and water marketing programs. Todd provides some interesting insights into the complexity of Texas groundwater laws and the history of the Edwards Aquifer. A good working dialogue about unpacking what it means to create a "water market." 2022-03-3159 min
Talk+Water#38, Garry Merritt - The Great Springs Project is creating a Greenway From Austin to San AntonioSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, interviews Garry Merritt, CEO of the Great Springs Project, about his work to create a greenway of contiguous protected lands connecting the major springs of the Edwards Aquifer between Austin and San Antonio. Prior to joining Great Springs Project, Merritt served as General Counsel and Legislative Director of the Texas Association of Counties. He was also the County Judge for Real County. An avid river guide and mountain climber, he cares deeply about Texas and our beautiful Hill Country and conserving our natural resources for generations to...2022-02-2350 min
Talk+Water#37, Emily Fairfax - Beavers, Wildfires, Flooding & the Ecology of WatershedsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler interviews Dr. Emily Fairfax, an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Resource Management at California State University Channel Islands. Dr. Fairfax’s current research is focused on the ecohydrology of riparian areas, particularly those that have been impacted by beaver damming. She uses a combination of remote sensing and field work to understand how beaver activity can create drought and fire-resistant patches in the landscape under a changing climate. Her colleagues and students can vouch that when Dr. Fairfax says she can talk about beavers all day, sh...2022-01-2539 min
Talk+Water#36, Perry Fowler - Texas Water Infrastructure NetworkSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler interviews Perry Fowler, Executive Director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network (https://txwin.org). As Executive Director, Fowler leads the organization’s efforts to build a strong, sustainable, and competitive Texas water infrastructure construction market through policy development, education, and advocacy. He is also the Principal of Fowler Group Texas, LLC, providing lobbying, government affairs, business consulting, association and coalition management services. A fifth generation Texas native, Fowler grew up in the Texas construction industry and has worked as an advocate for the construction industry at the in...2021-12-161h 13
Talk+Water#35, Kyle Garmany - The Nature Conservancy's Texas Water ProgramSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler interviews Kyle Garmany, Water and Agriculture Program Director for The Nature Conservancy Texas Chapter. In his role at The Nature Conservancy, Garmany is responsible for developing innovative strategies to alleviate water scarcity and protect the ecological integrity of the rivers, bays and estuaries of the state. His work includes the development of partnerships with agricultural producers to decrease water use and the execution of environmental water transactions to meet instream and environmental flow demands (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/texas/stories-in-texas/tx-water-program/). Prior to...2021-11-1852 min
Talk+Water#34, Denielle Perry - Free Flowing Rivers Lab & River Field Studies NetworkSend us a textDr. Todd Votteler interviews Dr. Denielle Perry, a water resource geographer and Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University in the School of Earth and Sustainability. Perry is the Director of the Free Flowing Rivers Lab (https://denielleperry.com/research/). In addition, she is one of the leaders of the River Field Studies Network (https://riverfieldstudies.com/), a community of practice that aims to advance undergraduate biology education and support healthy river ecosystems through inclusive, immersive, interdisciplinary field-based education.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2021-10-2529 min
Talk+Water#33, Mark Boyd - 2021 Texas Infrastructure Report CardSend us a textTodd Votteler, Ph.D. talks with Mark Boyd, P.E., Ph.D., Principal Engineer at LCA Environmental and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental and Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University. Boyd recently served as chair of the Texas Section’s Infrastructure Report Card Committee for the Texas Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The Infrastructure Report Card serves an important role in raising public awareness and providing elected officials the necessary tools to support infrastructure funding. Honored as the 2010 Texas Engineer of the Year, Boyd has over 25 years of experience in ci...2021-08-221h 08
Talk+Water#32, Christina Babbitt - Groundwater Sustainability in CaliforniaSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Christina Babbitt, senior manager of the California Groundwater Program at Environmental Defense Fund. She is working to advance and scale groundwater sustainability policies and practices across California’s Central Valley and beyond. In these efforts, Babbitt works to build partnerships and collaboration among the agricultural community, NGOs, agencies and water districts. She also contributes technical expertise on water governance structure and design and is a member of the steering committee of the California Water Data Consortium. Babbitt's past research has focused on sustainable water resources ma...2021-01-2727 min
Talk+Water#31, Monte Mills - Indian Water Rights IssuesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Monte Mills, Associate Professor and Director of the Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic at the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana. Mills teaches a variety of Indian law courses and works with clinical students on a range of legal matters in the Indian Law Clinic. His research and writing focuses on the intersection of Federal Indian Law, Tribal sovereignty and natural resources. Recently, Mills coauthored “A Third Way: Decolonizing the Laws of Indigenous Cultural Protection,” which was published by Camb...2020-12-2945 min
Talk+Water#30, Abigail André - Environmental Law & the New U.S. Supreme CourtSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Professor Abigail André, an environmental litigator with over a decade of experience enforcing the Clean Water Act. She recently joined the staff of Vermont Law Schools’ Environmental Advocacy Clinic after ten years of environmental litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Environmental Enforcement Section, where she led a diverse docket. From 2010 to 2016 Professor André helped litigate the case against BP and others arising from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which led to the largest environmental damage settlement in U.S. h...2020-11-2543 min
Talk+Water#29, Rosario Sanchez - The Rio Grande & U.S. - Mexico Transboundary AquifersSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Rosario Sanchez, a senior research scientist for the Texas Water Resources Institute at Texas A&M University. Dr. Sanchez works on the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act Program to integrate research and data on transboundary aquifers between Mexico and Texas. Rosario is also the Executive Director of the Permanent Forum on Binational Waters.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2020-10-2856 min
Talk+Water#28, Sharon Megdal - Wicked Water Problems and Colorado River IssuesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Sharon B. Megdal, Director of The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, which is a Cooperative Extension center and a research unit in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Her work focuses on water policy and management, on which she writes and frequently speaks.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2020-10-1254 min
Talk+Water#27, Mitch Tobin - Water Journalism in Western U.S.Send us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Mitch Tobin, Director of The Water Desk, which is an independent journalism initiative at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Center for Environmental Journalism that focuses on Western water issues and the Colorado River Basin. From 1998 to 2006, Tobin covered water, environmental, and other issues for the Napa Valley Register, Tucson Citizen, and Arizona Daily Star. His 2010 book, Endangered: Biodiversity on the Brink, examines the impact of the Endangered Species Act and won a gold medal in the Independent Book Publisher Awards.Take a de...2020-09-2638 min
Talk+Water#26, Joe Underhill - River Semester, Students Paddle Down the Mississippi RiverSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Joe Underhill, Associate Professor of Political Science and Program Director of the River Semester (https://www.augsburg.edu/river/), Environmental Studies Program and Human Rights Forum at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Underhill studied philosophy, history, literature, politics and environmental studies as an undergrad and received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan. He has been teaching and engaged in environmental politics for the last 30 years, from the Hudson River to San Francisco Bay and now on the Mississippi River...2020-08-2846 min
Talk+Water#25, Joshua Newton - Josh's Water Jobs and the Water Job MarketSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Joshua Newton, an independent consultant and expert in global water political processes, governance and stakeholder engagement. Newton utilizes his knowledge of the international water community to help institutions develop their institutional strategies and drive political processes related to water. He is also the founder of Josh’s Water Jobs, connecting young professionals with job opportunities and promoting career development. This interview was recorded on April 24, 2020.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2020-07-1326 min
Talk+Water#24, Ken Kramer & Jennifer Walker - Texas Water Conservation Scorecard 2020 ReportSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Ken Kramer and Jennifer Walker about the newly released Texas Water Conservation Scorecard 2020 Report, which provides an in-depth analysis and ranking of the water conservation efforts of more than 350 water utilities in Texas. Dr. Ken Kramer is the volunteer Water Resources Chair for the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. He retired in 2012 after over 23 years as the first Lone Star Chapter Director and a previous seven years as a contract lobbyist for the Chapter. Kramer has served on numerous state and regional...2020-06-2555 min
Talk+Water#23, Joel Scata - Climate Change and FloodingSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Joel Scata, Water and Climate Attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, about his recent article published in the Spring 2020 edition of the American Bar Association’s Environmental Law Magazine that outlines the need for a new federal flood protection standard to ensure federally-financed infrastructure is better prepared for and adapted to flooding exacerbated by climate change. Scata works to develop federal and state policy solutions to address the impacts of climate change. In particular, he focuses on addressing sea level rise and extreme weather ev...2020-06-1733 min
Talk+Water#22, Katharine Hayhoe - Climate Change and Water ResourcesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Professor in the Public Administration program at Texas Tech University and Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech, part of the Department of the Interior’s South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Dr. Hayhoe’s research focuses on developing and applying high-resolution climate projections to evaluate the future impacts of climate change on human society and the natural environment. She has published over 125 peer-reviewed abstracts and publications and served as lead author on key reports for the U.S. Global Chan...2020-05-271h 03
Talk+Water#21, Benjamin Cook - Megadroughts and Climate ChangeSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Benjamin Cook, Adjunct Research Scientist at the Earth Institute’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. In addition to his position at Lamont, Cook also serves as a Research Physical Scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York where he researches drought, hydroclimate, and interactions between the land surface and climate system. Cook holds a B.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry as well as an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the Un...2020-05-1930 min
Talk+Water#20, Larry Stevens - Springs the Often Overlooked Water & Biological ResourceSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Larry Stevens, Curator of Ecology at the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Director of the Springs Stewardship Institute. He received his Ph.D. in Zoology from Northern Arizona University in 1989, and served as the ecologist for Grand Canyon National Park from 1989 to 1994. Well respected in the field of ecology, Dr. Stevens was the editor for Red Lake Books, has served on many ecological councils in Arizona, conducted research on biogeography, springs ecology and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals.Take a deep dive...2020-04-2853 min
Talk+Water#19, Michael J. McGuire - Coronavirus & Water Special ProgramSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dr. Mike McGuire about the coronavirus and drinking water. As President of Michael J. McGuire, Inc. he has worked for drinking water utilities and consulting firms advising water utilities his entire career. He has worked for the Philadelphia Water Department, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and national consulting engineering firms. McGuire has received the following awards from the American Water Works Association; the George Warren Fuller Award, the A.P. Black Research Award and the Abel Wolman Award of Excellence. He was elected...2020-04-0825 min
Talk+Water#18, Stacey Allison Steinbach - The Texas Water Conservation AssociationSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Stacey Allison Steinbach, General Manager of the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA). Steinbach joined TWCA in June 2015. She previously worked as a utility district attorney in private practice, as a staff attorney for the Texas General Land Office and most recently as the Executive Director of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. She holds a bachelor of science in biology and ecology from Baylor University, a master of science in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University, and a juris doctor with honors...2020-03-3141 min
Talk+Water#17, Margaret Martens and Susan O’Grady - The Water Systems Council & Xylem WatermarkSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Margaret Martens from the Water Systems Council and Susan O’Grady from Xylem Inc. Margaret Martens is the Executive Director of the Water Systems Council, a national nonprofit organization solely focused on household wells and small water well systems. In addition, she serves as Program Director for the Water Well Trust, the only national nonprofit helping Americans get access to a clean, safe water supply. Susan O’Grady is Director of Marketing, Residential and Agriculture at Xylem Inc., and has more than 20 years of experience in t...2020-02-2625 min
Talk+Water#16, Robert Mace & Sharlene Leurig - Comanche Springs ReawakeningSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Robert Mace and Sharlene Leurig about a new study that is exploring the science behind Comanche Springs’ recent reawakening and the efforts that could help Fort Stockton reclaim its title as the Spring City of Texas. Once one of the five largest springs in Texas, Comanche Springs ceased flowing in the 1950s due to significant groundwater pumping upstream from the springs. Over the last decade, however, the once-quiet springs have begun flowing again in the late winter months. The Meadows Center for Water and the En...2020-01-2936 min
Talk+Water#15, Dresden Farrand - The American Water Resources AssociationSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Dresden Farrand, Chief Executive Officer of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA). Prior to joining the AWRA team, Farrand was the vice president of membership and chapter development for the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC), a national trade association, where she created strong new sources of revenue and organizational growth. Her other association successes include building programs and services, increasing membership and fostering high performing teams that put members at the center of their work. She is a certified association executive (CAE), and holds a...2019-12-1644 min
Talk+Water#14, Sarah Rountree Schlessinger - The Texas Water FoundationSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Sarah Rountree Schlessinger, Executive Director of the Texas Water Foundation. Schlessinger previously worked in groundwater policy and regulation, and has experience with international non-profits with interest in water policy. She currently serves as an appointed member of the Water Conservation Advisory Council, and holds a Master of Science in Water Science, Policy and Management from the University of Oxford.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2019-11-2537 min
Talk+Water#13, Peter Lake - The Texas Water Development BoardSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Peter Lake, the Chairman of the Texas Water Development Board. Lake has served as a Board member of the Texas Water Development Board since December 15, 2015. Governor Greg Abbott designated him Chairman in February 2018.Lake has held a variety of financial roles across a number of industries. Previously, he acted as director of research and head of automated trading at Gambit Trading, a member firm of the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. In this capacity, he led the firm's market research initiatives...2019-10-2342 min
Talk+Water#12, Leah Martinsson - The Texas Alliance Of Groundwater DistrictsSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief Dr. Todd Votteler talks with Leah Martinsson, the Executive Director of the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts (TAGD). Leah joined TAGD as the executive director in March 2019. She recently relocated to Texas from Colorado, where she was a practicing water rights attorney for over 15 years. In her legal practice, she has represented the interests of a wide range of water users – from municipal water providers to agricultural well users.In addition to obtaining new water rights and protecting existing rights for her clients, Leah also participated in Colorado’s statewide wate...2019-09-1931 min
Talk+Water#11, Jennifer Bowles - The Water Education FoundationSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Jennifer Bowles, the Executive Director of the Water Education Foundation. The Water Education Foundation is a Sacramento based nonprofit organization that works to create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach. Prior to joining the Foundation in 2014, Jennifer was an award winning journalist covering western water issues. Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and history from the University of Southern California.Take a deep dive into the wo...2019-08-2643 min
Talk+Water#10, Clint Wolfe & Daniel Cunningham - Water University & Landscape Water ConservationSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Clint Wolfe and Daniel Cunningham about saving water by landscaping with native plants, rainwatering harvesting, and other topics. Clint Wolfe is the Program Manager for the Water University. Clint facilitates a team of water resources professionals to assist with research and outreach programming in the areas of water quality, water use efficiency and watershed planning. He is charged to work with local governments, state and federal agencies and other entities to develop programs dealing with water quantity and quality issues. Wolfe specializes in program development...2019-07-2956 min
Talk+Water#9 - Austin Technology Incubator's Water RiotSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with a panel about water and new startup technologies. The participants are led by Erin Keys who manages Water RIOT (Water Resiliency with Internet of Things) at the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), which is the deep technology incubator affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin (UT). With Erin are John Higley who is CEO of EQO, which has developed a zebra mussel monitoring and detection service; and Jim Brotherton, CEO of Hydroid, which has developed a smart water meter that saves money, conserves water and...2019-06-1849 min
Talk+Water#8, Rosario Sanchez - U.S. & Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment ProgramSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Dr. Rosario Sanchez, who is a Senior Research Scientist and Associate Graduate Faculty in the Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) at Texas A&M University. She is the Principal Investigator of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act Program funded by the USGS. Her work is to integrate, develop and create research and data on transboundary aquifers between Mexico and the United States, particularly with Texas. She has 15 years of academic and work experience on transboundary issues between Mexico and the United States and has been working...2019-05-201h 00
Talk+Water#7, Lara Fowler - Transboundary Water DisputesSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Lara Fowler, who is a mediator and an attorney focused on all things water, energy, and dispute resolution. Prior to joining Penn State in 2012, she worked on public policy issues for the Oregon Water Resources Department and practiced law Seattle. As a private practitioner, she helped facilitate discussions on water issues in Washington, California, and Oregon. She now holds a joint appointment as a Senior Lecturer at Penn State Law and the Assistant Director for Outreach and Engagement with Penn State’s Institute of Energy an...2019-04-1659 min
Talk+Water#6, Léna Salamé - Universities Partnership for Water Cooperation and DiplomacySend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Léna Salamé, who served in the United Nations’ system for 17 years as the strategic and operational coordinator of its programme on water conflict and cooperation. She played a central role in the development and promotion of the modern concept of hydro-diplomacy. She served in the United Nations’ system for 17 years as the strategic and operational coordinator of its programme on water conflict and cooperation. She played a central role in the development and promotion of the modern concept of hydro-diplomacy.Léna conceived around a 100 t...2019-03-2250 min
Talk+Water#5, Darren Thompson - San Antonio Water System & the Edwards AquiferSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Darren Thompson, who is the Director of Water Resources at the San Antonio Water System (SAWS). Darren has spent the past twenty-two years of his career at SAWS in various roles within the company. He began his career with SAWS as an intern in the Water Resources Department and now serves as Director, where he is responsible for the oversight of San Antonio’s long-term water supply. Darren attended the University of Texas at Austin where he received a bachelor’s degree in government. He late...2019-02-2058 min
Talk+Water#3, Lori Olson - The Texas Land Trust CouncilSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Lori Olson, who is the Executive Director of the Texas Land Trust Council. Lori has extensive experience in the field of land conservation and has worked with a number of land trusts across the country.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2018-12-0231 min
Talk+Water#2, Matt Weiser - Water Deeply & American Water JournalismSend us a textTexas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, talks with Matt Weiser, who is a former contributing editor at Water Deeply and helped launch the organization as its first managing editor in June 2015. Weiser has covered environmental issues in California for 30 years as a reporter, editor and freelance writer.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2018-11-1249 min
Talk+Water#1, Naveena Sadasivam & Zoe Schlanger - Shallow Waters, a Rio Grande CollaborationSend us a textTexas+Water introduces our podcast, talk+water. In our first installment Texas+Water Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Todd Votteler, discusses the recent nine-part collaboration between the Texas Observer and Quartz titled Shallow Waters with reporters Naveena Sadasivam and Zoë Schlanger.Take a deep dive into the world of water with those making waves.2018-10-1044 min