The Efficiency Conservation Definite Plan Team
The Efficiency Conservation Definite Plan project represents one of the most ambitious efforts undertaken by the District in decades. To successfully take on this challenge, the District—led by IID Executive Program Manager John Eckhardt—has pulled together a team of outside and Imperial Valley professionals capable of designing a voluntary conservation program that is practical, effective, technically sound, and responsive to local needs.
Virtually every member of the team—referred to as the Efficiency Conservation Definite Plan Team (Team)—has worked previously in the District, is familiar with the Imperial Valley’s unique conditions and is committed to putting in the hours necessary to craft a plan that can credibly deliver the necessary on-farm and systems efficiency savings. Below is a brief introduction of the key Team members.
- John Eckhardt is responsible for overseeing all facets of the Quantification Settlement Agreement, including development and implementation of the Definite Plan. Tina Anderholt Shields, Assistant Water Department Manager, serves as Eckhardt’s deputy.
- Davids Engineering, Inc., which serves as lead consultant with Keller-Bliesner Engineering, has provided water resources engineering services to irrigation districts and resource management agencies since 1993. The Company has worked frequently on IID projects.
- Keller-Bliesner Engineering, LLC, specializes in providing engineering services relating to irrigated agriculture. In the last 25 years, the company has completed well over 150 projects in 20 states and several foreign countries. It has worked with IID since 1993.
- Colorado State University, Water Resources Planning and Management Division, is the developer of MODSIM, the canal/farm-gate network analysis component of the Imperial Irrigation Decision Support System (IIDSS).
- CONCUR, Inc., specializes in strategic planning, stakeholder involvement and conflict resolution. Over the past 17 years, CONCUR has assisted water agencies, growers and communities striving to develop sustainable water infrastructure and conservation initiatives.
- DAVEY-CAIRO ENGINEERING, INC., (DCE) is an established local firm specializing in agricultural and water resources engineering. DCE engages in planning, design and operation of irrigation and drainage facilities.
- GEO/Graphics, Inc., provides geographic information systems (GIS) and cartographic services to public and private organizations throughout the western United States.
- Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) was established in 1989 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The Center provides consultation, training and research to promote improvement of irrigation performance throughout the world.
- Western Resource Economics provides economic expertise to federal, state and local agencies. The firm specializes in agricultural economics, water resources and quantitative analysis.