Simmons named Executive Director of KWUA

Longtime KWUA attorney, Paul Simmons named new Executive Director of the Klamath Water Users Association. April 9, 2019
(Image, Brian Gailey / Klamath Falls News)

Klamath Falls, Ore. - The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) announced last night at their annual meeting, the selection of Paul Simmons as its new Executive Director. Simmons has worked for KWUA as its attorney for over two decades. The KWUA board of directors made its decision last week, after work by a committee that assisted the full board in the hiring effort.

“Paul is widely respected and well known in the Klamath Basin water community and throughout the Western Water states”. said KWUA President, Tricia Hill. “His historical knowledge of the Klamath Basin issues, his background and integrity make him an ideal fit for our organization.”

Hill stated that now is a critical time for moving KWUA forward and Paul’s understanding of local issues, laws and people will be an incredible asset that will not only benefit the association, but all water users in the Basin”. Historically past directors need a ramp up in understanding the local and legislative issues that face Executive Directors in this fields. “The fact that Paul has been intertwined in the issues affecting our water supply and he can lead the organization is invaluable” stated Hill.

Paul has served as KWUA’s attorney for water and environmental issues for over 20 years. He is a founder of Somach, Simmons & Dunn, a 23-attorney water and environmental law firm with offices in Sacramento, Boulder, CO and Washington, DC. Paul was raised in northwest Missouri, where his family produced corn and soybeans and livestock. After his graduation with honors from Cornell Law School, he worked for the Department of Agriculture in DC before moving west. As an attorney specializing in water rights and environmental issues, he has worked not only in the Klamath Basin but throughout California and in Nevada as well.

Following Scott White’s resignation as KWUA executive director, Paul agreed to fill the spot on an interim basis. Recently he has agreed to occupy the role for good. He will remain an employee of his firm but will be singularly focused on KWUA business as executive director and counsel. Paul’s wife Michele is a former commercial real estate attorney whose passion for agriculture led her to become the director of an organization having the mission to conserve agricultural land permanently in their home county. Simmons said he is looking forward to stepping in and continuing to guide the organization to the resolution of Klamath’s tough water issues. “I can’t think of a better or more important place to put all my energy. KWUA has a great board and team in place and I want to make a difference for its members”.

KWUA is a non-profit private corporation that has represented Klamath Reclamation Project farmers and ranchers in its current form since 1953. The Association’s membership includes rural and suburban irrigation districts, other public and private entities and individuals who operate on both sides of the California-Oregon border. These entities and individuals typically hold water delivery contracts with the United States Bureau of Reclamation. The Klamath Project is home to over 1200 family farms and ranches and encompasses over 170,000 acres.

Press release provided from the Klamath Water Users Association.