Contact Information: Contacts: Jennifer Persike ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs 916/441-4545 916/296-3981 (cell)
Former ACWA Executive Director Steve Hall Dies at 58
Respected Leader Played Key Role in Bringing Diverse Water Interests Together
| Source: Association of California Water Agencies
SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - January 20, 2010) - Stephen K. Hall, a respected water leader
who played a central role in some of the biggest achievements in recent
California water policy history, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, after a lengthy
battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou
Gehrig's disease. He was 58.
Hall served as executive director of the Association of California Water
Agencies from 1993 until his retirement in 2007. During his 30-year career
in water, he worked to bring diverse interests together and advance
policies to address the state's water supply challenges.
"Steve Hall made a lasting mark as a water professional," ACWA President
Paul Kelley said. "He brought a unique brand of leadership to the table
when it was needed most and forged relationships that transcended political
and ideological circles. Steve's ability to bring people together was a
determining factor in some of the key water successes of our time."
Timothy Quinn, who succeeded Hall as ACWA's executive director in 2007,
called him a tireless advocate for a comprehensive water policy for the
state. "Steve spent decades fighting for solutions that work for farms,
cities and the environment. I'm honored to have worked beside him for many
of those years. His contributions helped set the stage for the historic
water legislation enacted last fall."
Hall is survived by his wife, Pamela; two grown children, Jennifer and
Adam; and three grandchildren. He is also survived by his parents, Wayne
and Lois Hall; his brother, Mark; and his sister, Anita.
A consensus builder who was at the forefront of the water community's work
to find solutions, Hall is credited with helping to break long-running
gridlock and forge agreements that laid the groundwork for the landmark
Bay-Delta Accord signed in 2004. He played a primary role in the so-called
"three-way" negotiations that led to creation of the CALFED Bay-Delta
Program and paved the way for passage of Proposition 204 of 1996 and
Proposition 13 of 2002, which provided funding for water management
projects and programs statewide.
On drinking water issues, Hall was also a strong advocate for science-based
regulations that protect public health in a cost-effective manner. He
testified numerous times before the state Legislature, Congress and
regulatory bodies on contaminants such as MTBE, arsenic, radon and
perchlorate.
Hall was actively involved in local government issues such as property tax
revenue shifts and governance. He was a key player in protecting the fiscal
stability of special districts as well as in achieving meaningful reform of
special district governance legislation.
He was also a leading advocate for strategies to address invasive species,
reform the federal Endangered Species Act, and resolve water supply and
ecosystem problems in the Delta.
Early in his tenure with ACWA, Hall directed a strategic planning process
known as Vision 2000 that led to creation of a regional structure for ACWA
and a more streamlined Board of Directors. The changes paved the way for
ACWA to become a more activist organization with a sharper focus on
regional and grassroots outreach. He also oversaw establishment of ACWA's
Regulatory Affairs Department and expanded the association's regulatory
advocacy.
More recently, Hall led a year-long effort to develop ACWA's recent water
policy document, "No Time to Waste: A Blueprint for California Water."
Developed with input from local water leaders throughout the state, the
document recommended a comprehensive suite of actions and investments to
ensure California has the water supply system it will need in the coming
decades. It also served as the basis of the "California's Water" series for
public television produced by Huell Howser and underwritten by ACWA
members.
Even after his retirement in 2007 as the effects of ALS made it difficult
to work, Hall continued to advocate for legislation on ALS at the state
Capitol. His motto became, "As much as I can for as long as I can."
Over the course of his career, Hall served in a variety of appointed and
advisory capacities to Governors Deukmejian, Wilson, Davis and
Schwarzenegger. He served on the boards of directors of the California
Water Institute and the California Infrastructure Coalition. He also served
on the State Reclamation Board, the UC Davis Land, Air and Water Advisory
Committee and the California Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee.
Born in Greenland in 1951, Hall began his water career in 1976 as manager
of the Tulare Lake Drainage District. In 1985, he was tapped to serve as
executive director of the non-profit Land Preservation Association, where
he became well versed in the issues of agricultural drainage and the search
for solutions on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.
He became executive director of the newly formed California Farm Water
Coalition in 1989 and quickly made a name for himself as a dynamic speaker.
He was sometimes paired on the speaking circuit with Cadillac Desert author
Marc Reisner, providing an effective counterpoint to the late writer's
assertions about agricultural water use.
Hall earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and economics from California
State University, Fresno in 1973. He graduated from the California
Agricultural Leadership Program in 1982.
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are
responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more
information, visit www.acwa.com.