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David Christophel, Trustee

Position: Assessment Seat
Term: 2017-2021
May contain: accessories, glasses, accessory, person, human, face, and head

AB 1234 Certificate of Completion
 

David has served on the Reclamation District Board of Trustees since June of 2001.

A wildlife and fisheries biologist by training, he holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in biological sciences from California State University, Sacramento.

For 18 years, David was employed by CH2M HILL, an international engineering and environmental consulting firm, where he served as a Principal Project Manager. In this role, David worked on numerous environmental projects for clients such as the California Department of Water Resources, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, CALFED, Imperial Irrigation District, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In support of the California Department of Water Resources, he assisted in the aligning and integrating flood management and facility improvements with the environmental conservation strategy that will be incorporated into the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan.

Of David’s projects, one close to home stands out. As the consultant Program Manager for the Upper Yuba River Studies Program, David led development and implementation of a comprehensive study to assess the feasibility of introducing threatened spring-run Chinook salmon and steelhead into the upper Yuba River upstream of Englebright Dam, a 260-foot-high concrete structure. The study program was developed in consultation with a 55-member stakeholder group that provided input into the process. David led a team of scientists, economists, and engineers conducting studies in fisheries and fish habitat, sediment transport, flood risk, water supply and hydropower, water quality, and economics.

David’s scientific perspective and understanding of the more complex environmental issues, including habitat conservation planning and restoration in the Natomas Basin is highly valued on the Board of Trustees of Reclamation District 1000.

In addition to the Reclamation District 1000 Board of Trustees, David served for several years as a Director on the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency Board, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Natomas Basin Conservancy.

David is a third generation resident of Natomas, and he and his wife continue to live in the community where they raised their two daughters.