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| Leasa Cleland | 
e-mail
Leasa |
| EDUCATION: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 1985 |
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MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Alameda County Water District (ACWD)
• Developed and directed one of the industry's first Integrated Resources
Plans (IRP) resulting in moving ACWD from traditional facilities planning
to more holistic integrated resources planning. ACWD's IRP served as a blueprint
for progressive water supply planning in California and across the U.S.
• Created the District’s first Water Resources Planning Division,
managing a $36.5 million IRP program, resulting in decreased dependency on
imported supplies through some of the industry's first water transfer and
groundwater banking projects, expansion of cost-effective conservation programs,
and improved communications with the public.
• Initiated negotiations with Alameda Creek Watershed upstream wastewater
dischargers resulting in a
Memorandum of Understanding for mitigation of impacts and an unexpected payment
of $10 million to ACWD for desalination projects.
• Developed a water quality protection policy establishing mitigation
requirements for any party negatively impacting Alameda Creek water quality.
Succeeded in negotiating and obtaining interagency agreements under politically
charged circumstances.
• Succcessfully negotiated some of the first water banking and water
transfer agreements which resulted in a significant increase in water supply
reliability during dry years.
Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD)
• Initiated development of a Geographic Information System (GIS), soliciting
and receiving government funding to use the GIS for Santa Ana Creek Watershed
cooperative water quality management.
• Developed an experimental program to create a wetlands using treated
wastewater, resulting in environmental enhancement and reducing the need for
treatment facilities.
U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)
• Developed drafts of legislation giving the BOR authorization and funding
for participating in agency planning investigations, helping the BOR to change
its mission from a facilities building agency to a water management agency.
• Initiated formation of the Southern California Regional Wastewater
Reclamation Program, the first government funded program to assist agencies
in a regional approach to wastewater reuse.
• Co-authored report on legal and institutional arrangements affecting
operation of the State Water Project, Colorado River Aqueduct, and basin planning
in the Santa Ana River Watershed.
EXPERIENCE
Assistant to the General Manager, 1999 to 2000, Alameda County Water
District, Fremont, CA.
Provided counsel to the General Manager and Board of Directors regarding water
resource policy development and implementation. Planned, directed and reviewed
related planning activities. Led District efforts in responding to CALFED
Bay-Delta Program activities, including meeting with local and state legislators
and business leaders to discuss concerns. Assessed proposals and policy/legislative
trends affecting the District’s water supplies.
Represented the District in a variety of water resource issues, including
negotiation and administration of environmental mitigation and water supply
contracts with federal, state, and local agencies.
Water Resources Planning Manager, 1995 to 1999, Alameda County Water
District, Fremont, CA.
Headed the Water Resources Division, which included resources planning, water
conservation, and public
education and information. Directed implementation of the District’s
IRP. Represented the District in regional and state-wide technical and policy
committees focusing on water supply and conservation issues. Assessed policy/legislative
trends and potential for obtaining loans and grants. Presented project strategies
and recommendations to the Board of Directors, professional and community
groups, and the media.
Water Resources Planning Program Manager, 1992 to 1995, Alameda County
Water District, Fremont, CA.
Managed the Strategic Planning/Capital Improvement Program which included
multi-element supply and demand forecasting, optimization modeling, and development
of future supply-side, demand-side, and operational programs. Evaluated future
resource scenarios which included desalination, water reclamation, groundwater
and surface water storage, operational changes, and conservation programs.
Senior Planner, Water Resources Development and Research, 1991 to 1992,
Eastern Municipal Water District, San Jacinto, CA.
Directed work of interdisciplinary staff and consultants in a variety of water
resources management programs and research projects. Presented project plans,
strategies, and recommendations to Boards of Directors, City Councils, and
public interest groups.
Team Leader, Planning Division, 1987 to 1991, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation,
Boulder City, NV.
Served as project team leader on regional planning investigations and development
of decision support systems. Served as Lower Colorado Regional Facilitator
specializing in conflict resolution and teamwork development.
Civil Engineer, Planning Division, 1986 to 1987, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation,
Boulder City, NV.
Developed technical, social, and economic aspects of preliminary and feasibility
level engineering projects. Prepared EIS/Rs, performed geologic and hydrologic
field investigations, operated various groundwater, surface water, and contaminant
transport models.
Geophysical Engineer, 1985 to 1986, Digicon Geophysical, Houston, TX.
Performed geophysical data processing and interpretations. Tested new processing
methods and computer programs, represented the company in client meetings
and assisted in development of new business.
EDUCATION
U.C. Berkeley, 1994
Berkeley, CA
Continuing Education Planning Decision Support System Models
U. C. Riverside, 1991
Riverside, CA
Continuing Education California Water Law
S. D. School of Mines and Technology, 1985
Rapid City, SD
Bachelor of Science Geological Engineering
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- California Urban Water Agencies: Board of Directors (Alternate to the General Manager), Planning Directors Committee (Chair)- State Water Contractors: Board of Representatives, Contract Negotiating Committee
- Alameda Creek Watershed Management Steering Committee (Chair)
- Bay Area Water Users Association: Water Supply Committee (Chair)
- Zone 7 Groundwater Management Advisory Committee (Chair)
- Bay Area Water Resources Council (Chair)
- California Urban Water Conservation Committee
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