Governor appoints new Natural Resources chief

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday announced the appointment of Lester Snow as secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency.
The governor also thanked Secretary Mike Chrisman for his years of service. Chrisman is retiring Feb. 1. His statement follows:

"Throughout the course of my administration, Lester has used his high-level expertise in public resource management to protect California's water supply. With his skills and knowledge, Lester served a key role in developing the historic comprehensive water package to reform and rebuild our state's water infrastructure that will benefit future generations of Californians.  I am confident that he will bring that same level of commitment and dedication to managing the agency in this new role and I look forward to working with him to preserve California's invaluable natural resources.

"For the past seven years, Mike has worked tirelessly with me to safeguard our state's precious natural resources and I am grateful to him for his service to the people of California. He is a dedicated public servant and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Snow has over 30 years of experience working in public water resource management. Since 2004, he has served as director for the California Department of Water Resources."

 Snow, 58, of Fair Oaks, earned a Master of Science degree in water resources administration from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in earth sciences from Pennsylvania State University. This position requires state Senate confirmation. Snow is a Democrat.

California's Natural Resources Agency is responsible for the state's natural resource policies, programs and activities. It oversees 25 departments, commissions, boards and conservancies. From water and wildlife management and conservation to wildland fire protection, energy, ocean and coastal policy, land stewardship, climate change adaptation, sustainable living, and the promotion of outdoor recreation, the agency oversees most all of the state's functions designed to protect California's natural resources.

The governor also announced the appointment of Mark Cowin as director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the appointment of John McCamman as the director of the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

Mark Cowin, 51, of Sacramento, has served DWR for 29 years in various positions, most recently as deputy director of integrated water management for the Department of Water Resources since 2007, where he has overseen DWR's flood management and dam safety programs, implemented integrated regional water management, coordinated DWR's efforts related to climate change, and updated and implementing the California Water Plan. This position requires senate confirmation. Cowin is a Democrat.

DWR protects, conserves and develops the state's water supply. DWR forecasts future water needs, evaluates and inventories existing water supplies and explores conservation and storage options to meet the needs of the state's growing population. DWR is also responsible for maintaining and repairing levees in the Central Valley and responding to flood emergency situations.

McCamman, 56, of Sacramento, has since 2006 served as chief deputy director of DFG where he has been acting director since November 2009 and previously from 2007 to 2008. This position requires state Senate confirmation. McCamman is a Republican.

DFG, part of the Natural Resources Agency, manages nearly 969,911 acres of wildlife habitat, including 108 wildlife areas and 123 ecological reserves. The department manages state's diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and habitats for their ecological values and enjoyment by the public. The department also manages oil spill prevention programs and enforces environmental laws such as the California Endangered Species Act.