How Relevant is the Rain? Ask the Experts

    VENTURA, CA, March 23, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A panel of regional water experts will share insights on the impacts of rain, drought and the political climate at Half Full or Half Empty: Managing Water Conflicts and Encouraging Collaboration, on April 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ventura County Museum Plaza Pavilion, 100 East Main Street, Ventura. Sponsored by Ventura-based law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson, this event is presented as part of FCOP's community series, Engage & Enlighten. The evening features a panel discussion on the water issues confronting Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Speakers include Joshua Haggmark, water resources manager for the city of Santa Barbara, Matthew Fienup, director of California Lutheran University's Center for Economic Research and Forecasting, and Susan Mulligan, general manager, Calleguas Municipal Water District.

"As a law firm representing clients across many industries with environmental and natural resource matters, we see the need for innovation and collaboration when it comes to finding efficient, fair and effective long-term solutions to our region's water challenges," said Michael Velthoen, FCOP managing partner. "We are looking forward to hearing Susan, Joshua and Matthew evaluate the current thinking on protecting, conserving, managing and enhancing our local water resources and the outlook for the future."

Mulligan is a native of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Stanford University and a master's degree in business administration from UCLA. She is a registered Professional Engineer and a Grade 5 Water Treatment Plant Operator. Since 2010 she has been general manager at Calleguas with the goal of providing water reliability in an economically and environmentally responsible manner.

Fienup is an economist with a master's degree in economics from the University of California Santa Barbara, and is finishing his Ph.D. in environmental economics at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at UCSB. His specialty is applied econometric analysis and the economics of private land use. Fienup is also active in the issues surrounding urban growth restriction and groundwater management policy in Ventura County.

Haggmark, a registered Civil Engineer and the water resources manager for the City of Santa Barbara, oversees both water and wastewater operations for a population of 93,000. He has been active in the management of the City's diverse water supply portfolio, which includes operation of its own Gibraltar Dam and Reservoir, surface water from Lake Cachuma, groundwater wells, state water, groundwater banking, supplemental water purchases, recycled water, desalination and water conservation. An alumnus of California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, Haggmark has worked for the City of Santa Barbara for over 15 years, and has been actively involved in the reactivation of the City's Charles E. Meyer Desalination Facility in response to the current drought.

The Engage & Enlighten event is free and open to the public, however reservations are required. RSVP to [email protected] or call (805) 659-6800.

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