How to resolve AdBlock issue? Following a Tuesday closed session, the board announced that Scott De Leon had agreed to serve as interim Water Resources director ahead of a full recruitment for the job.
“Our board is grateful that Scott has stepped forward and accepted this interim assignment,” said Board Chair and District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott. “The diversity and complexity of Lake County’s water resource management needs is unique, and Scott is a strong leader who appreciates the many facets of the role of Water Resources director.”
David Cowan, who has served as Water Resources director since last June, told Lake County News that he’s accepted a watershed manager position in his home state of Texas.
“It's a good opportunity professionally and closer to the grandkids,” he said.
Cowan has a Master of Science degree and aquatic biology, and more than two decades of experience in key areas such as aquatic biology and fishers, water program management and watershed protection.
During his tenure, he's made improvements to Highland Springs Park and last week he took to the board a revised agreement with the state for $15 million needed to advance the Middle Creek Restoration Project, which is critical to restoring Clear Lake.
De Leon has previous experience with Water Resources, as at one time it had been a division under the Public Works Department.
“Scott was appointed on an interim basis, to allow progress on critical priorities while a recruitment is undertaken,” county spokesman Matthew Rothstein told Lake County News.
In fiscal year 2016-17, the Board of Supervisors made Water Resources a freestanding department, later hiring Phil Moy as its first director in January 2017. Cowan, who had been working with Moy, succeeded him after his departure last year.
Rothstein said the details of the county's planned recruitment for a new Water Resources director are being worked on and should be determined soon, but a specific timeline isn't yet available.
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