Governor-elect Katie Hobbs has retained Tom Buschatzke as director of the Department of Water Resources and as the state’s chief water officer at a time when water is a top concern in Arizona. increase.
Buschatzke is one of five appointments announced Wednesday by Hobbs, who continues to build his cabinet ahead of his inauguration on Jan. 2.
“Creating a resilient Arizona means addressing some of the most difficult issues we face as a state,” she said in a statement. “We need these leaders to address the burgeoning water crisis, protect natural resources, and build her 21st-century clean energy economy that puts Arizona on a path to long-term prosperity.”
Buschatzke has 40 years of experience in water matters and was appointed head of the state’s water agency in 2015 by Gov. Doug Ducey. He has helped craft key state water legislation in recent years, including the 2019 Drought Emergency. plans and his $1 billion investment in water projects this year.
Hobbes is also sticking with two other nominees appointed during the Ducey era in the natural resources field, and has appointed three newcomers to state government to other positions.
Hobbs has appointed attorney Karen Peters to head the State Department of Environmental Quality. Peters currently serves as Deputy Mayor of the City of Phoenix. With her 30+ years of experience in environmental and water laws and policies, she has written laws and regulations to protect Arizona’s rivers, streams and groundwater, detailed soil pollution remediation, and protected air quality. supported.
Cynthia Zwick will become the new Director of the Housing Utilities Consumers Administration advocating for consumers in utility rate cases before the Arizona Corporation Board. Zwick is currently an Executive Director of WildFire, a nonprofit working to end poverty in Arizona.
During its 19 years at Wildfire, Zwick has intervened in toll litigation, promoting affordable tolls and helping disadvantaged people with weather and energy bills. He will be assigned to RUCO from February 6th.
Tom Torres is Mr. Hobbes’ appointment to run the Forestry and Fire Management Division. Torres is his 33-year veteran with the U.S. Forest Service, working in western states, most recently Arizona, where he has been for 10 years.
With experience in managing wildfires and restoring forests, two critical issues in the Arizona wilderness, he brings a background to developing partnerships and organizational leadership to the agency.
Bob Broscheid will continue as Director of the Arizona State Parks and Trails Office. Ducey appointed him to the post in 2019. Prior to joining the Parks Service, he was the Deputy Director of the Game and Fish Division in Arizona and, before that, the Executive Director of Parks and Wildlife in Colorado. He is a trained biologist.
Ty Gray will serve as Director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department since the Game and Fish Commission appointed him in 2017. The job is set by the Commission, not the Governor. increase. Game and Fish, throughout Arizona he oversees the management of over 800 species of wildlife, issues fishing and hunting licenses, and offers his recreational activities outdoors.
All nominees, except Gray, must be confirmed by the state Senate. Appointees may serve up to one year without confirmation.
Please contact the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com follow her on twitter @maryjpitzl.
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