New director named for Arizona Dept. of Water Resources

A news release from Governor Doug Ducey's office today announced the appointment of Thomas Buschatzke [photo credit, ADWR] as Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR).

Mr. Buschatzke has been assistant director for the department's Water Planning Division since 2011 overseeing Colorado River management, active management Areas, active management area planning and data management, assured and adequate water supply and recharge permitting, and statewide planning and tribal liaison functions.  In this role, Mr. Buschatzke is responsible for planning and policy programs for the management of the state's water supplies. He also manages multiple regulatory and permitting programs and ADWR's water conservation and drought management efforts.

Mr. Buschatzke previously served as a water resources manager for the City Manager's Office in Phoenix (2002-11); a hydrologist in the civil division for the city of Phoenix law department (1988-2002); and a water resources supervisor for the Department of Water Resources (1982-1988).
He has served on University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center External Advisory Committee and the Water Sustainability Program External Advisory Committee; the American Water Resources Association; the American Water Works Association; and the Colorado River Water Users Association.

Mr. Buschatzke received a Bachelor of Science in Geology from SUNY Cortland in 1977.

 Tom
replaces Mike Lacey who was appointed by Gov. Brewer.