California Water Commissioner Daniel Curtin and his wife Darlis in Trinidad, Calif.

Five Questions with Commissioner Dan Curtin

California Water Commissioner Daniel Curtin was originally appointed to the California Water Commission by Governor Schwarzenegger. 

He has served as director for the California Conference of Carpenters since 2001 and previously held the same position from 1992 to 1999. In between, he served as chief deputy director for the Department of Industrial Relations.

He also serves on the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board of Directors and formerly served on the Economic Development Commission, the Industrial Welfare Commission and the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors. 

1. What is the most important challenge the state faces when it comes to water?

The four pillars of California’s water supply – the Bay Delta, the Sierra snow melt, our vast underground aquifers, and the Colorado River – all have major problems. Climate change has altered our main water supply, the Sierra snowmelt. Adapting to that change will be our biggest challenge.

2. What is the essential ingredient to advancing needed adaptations in state water management?

Money and coordination of priorities among the numerous and complex governing structures of our local, regional, and state water management.

3. What’s one thing you hope the people of California know about water?

That water doesn’t come from the tap … the vast infrastructure and increasingly fragile sources of water need to be protected and modernized.

4. What’s one thing you want people to know about the Commission, and the most significant way it can help shape water policy? 

That it’s largely an advisory body designed to solicit public concerns about water issues … large and small. Most significant way to help shape water policy … complete the water storage assignment mandated by Prop 1 passed in 2014.

5. Tell us a little about your work with the California Conference of Carpenters.

Public policy associated with protecting the safety, working conditions, and wages of our members, and providing more job opportunities through infrastructure development, transportation, energy, water development, and the like.

Bonus question: What is your favorite body of water in California?

Lake Tahoe … hands down.