Todd H. Votteler

"Do unto those downstream as you would have those upstream do unto you"

-WENDELL BERRY

Todd H. Votteler, Ph.D. is an experienced environmental professional with expertise in conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Geography from Texas State University and has also earned certifications in Integrated Water Management, Water Reforms & Governance, and Water Diplomacy. He is the co-founder and the Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Water Journal, the Editor-in-Chief of Texas+Water, and the host of Talk+Water podcast. He is also the President of Collaborative Water Resolution and a Partner at Four Worlds Consulting, where he helps stakeholders resolve water and environmental conflicts.

Todd has extensive experience in executive management, research, and negotiation, having worked as an Executive Manager for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, Executive Director for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust, and Federal Special Master for the U.S. District Court. Todd is skilled in writing and public speaking and has contributed to Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine.

Area of Focus

Helping stakeholders resolve water and environmental conflicts, through conflict resolution, mediation, analysis, and training.

Strong interest in sharing knowledge and promoting awareness of the intersection of water and environment issues.

Professional Activities

CURRENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Texas+Water is an online co-publication of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, the Texas Water Journal, and the Texas Water Resources Institute at Texas A&M University. Texas+Water provides timely information on the spectrum of Texas water issues including science, policy, and law.
Every month through Q&A+Water interviews an individual(s) contributing to water management in Texas and United States.
Talk+Water podcast, 42 episodes thus far featuring discussions with individual(s) across the globe about a range of water issues.

Facilitation/mediation for the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District’s (LPGCD) stakeholder committee (April 2023 to present). Stakeholder recommendations could include improving LPGCD rules on pumping limits; historic use; curtailment (indicators and processes for temporary decrease in production); sustainable groundwater use; correlative rights; improvements to the LPGCD permit application process; and evaluation of other LPGCD rules.
Texas Water Markets: Opportunities for Efficient Water Allocation, for Texas 2036 (February 2022 to present).
Retained search for Senior Water Resources candidate for Anchor QEA, LLC (2020).
Faculty Member, The National Judicial College’s Diving The Waters – Fundamentals of Water Law & Science, The National Judicial College, Reno, NV (May 17 – 18, 2018).
Co-Trainer, Fellows Program at UT Austin School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, Austin, TX (September 5 – 7, 2018).

Focused on mediation and facilitation in groundwater and surface water conflicts as well as environmental disputes.
Providing training through workshops to manage and resolve water and natural resources disputes.
Co-Trainer, workshop on Water Conflict Management & Transformation with Dr. Aaron Wolf, American Water Resources Association Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD (November 4, 2018).
Co-Trainer, workshop on Water Conflict Management & Transformation with Dr. Aaron Wolf and Dr. Todd Jarvis, 2020 Virtual Annual American Water Resources Conference, American Water Resources Association (November 8, 2020).

The Texas Water Journal is an online, peer-reviewed journal devoted to the timely consideration of Texas water resources management, research, and policy issues from a multidisciplinary perspective that integrates science, engineering, law, planning, and other disciplines. It also provides updates on key state legislation and policy changes by Texas administrative agencies. Guest editor for July 2019 AWRA Water Resources IMPACT, “Water, Texas Style,” https://tinyurl.com/y59abxmw.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE [professional and academic]

Previously, Executive Manager of Science, Intergovernmental Relations & Policy. Prior to that Director of Water Policy.
Developed local, state, and federal water and environmental policies for the GBRA through the Texas Legislature and the U.S. Congress.
Project Manager for $2.1 million Whooping Crane study conducted by Texas A&M University and a dendrochronological study reconstructing climatic conditions in south and central Texas in collaboration with the University of Arkansas and the UT Austin.
Developed a landmark MOU between GBRA, Ducks Unlimited, the San Antonio Bay Foundation and Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust.
Steering Committee Member of the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program (EARIP) that produced settlement in decades of dispute over the Edwards Aquifer.
Member of the Implementing Committee for Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan that oversees the management plan and agreement resulting from the EARIP (see http://eahcp.org/).
Member of the San Antonio Water System Aquifer Storage and Recovery Regional Advisory Group.
Negotiated a partnership between GBRA and The Aransas Project, which pursued ESA litigation on behalf of Whooping Cranes against Texas during The Aransas Project v Shaw et al. (see http://www.gbra.org/news/2016/112901.aspx).
Negotiated a partnership between GBRA and The Texas Environmental Flow Working Group.
Supervised employees for four 501c3 organizations:
- Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust (gbrtrust.org);
- San Antonio Bay Foundation (http://www.sabay.org/);
- Gorge Preservation Society (canyongorge.org); and
- Guadalupe River Foundation
Regularly worked with the news media.

Represented the interests of businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and governmental entities from communities along the Guadalupe River and its associated tributaries.

Created and directed a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.
Promoted the conservation, stewardship, as well as sustainable use land- and water-use practices within the Guadalupe River watershed.
Secured $1.5 million+ for projects such as wetlands conservation in Aransas Bay to conservation easements and land donations.
GBRT permanently protected over 11,000 acres through conservation easements and fee simple purchases through 2017.

Created a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with a voluntary board devoted to the protection and preservation of the San Antonio Bay and the Guadalupe Estuary systems and its immediate environs through education, coastal research, and various conservation programs.

Appointed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lucius D. Bunton III in Sierra Club v. San Antonio, et al. Endangered Species Act (ESA) litigation concerning aquatic species dependent upon spring discharge from the Edwards Aquifer.
Created regional drought/conservation management plan for the Edwards Aquifer region that includes the City of San Antonio, Texas

S. District Court, Western District of Texas, Sierra Club, et al. v. Bruce Babbitt, et al., ESA litigation concerning aquatic species dependent upon spring discharge from the Edwards Aquifer.
Assisted the Court Monitor, Joe G. Moore, in researching and preparing the 1994 and 1995 drought management plans for the Edwards Aquifer and a regional habitat conservation plan.

Provided regulatory support regarding floodplains, wetlands, and endangered species for Department of Energy.

Conducted environmental assessments.

Developed risk assessment methodology for wetlands threatened with development.
Reviewed Section 404 permits.

Education

Ph.D., Geography (Environmental Geography). Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas (2000)

M.S., Natural Resources (Natural Resource Management, Planning, & Policy). School of Natural Resources & Environment, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Focus environmental conflict management & negotiation skills (1989)

B.S., Natural Resources (Forestry and Geology). The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee (1986)

Professional Training

Integrated Water Management – International Water Centre, Brisbane, Australia: May – June 2018.

Water Diplomacy – United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Geneva, Switzerland: November – December 2017.

Water Reforms and Governance – International Water Centre, Brisbane, Australia: August – September 2017.

Udall Certificate in Environmental Collaboration (80 Hours) – U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution:

205: Collaboration with Native Nations and Tribal Consultation, Seattle, WA: August 28 – 29, 2018.
501: Collaboration Leadership for Environmental Professionals, Arlington, VA: Registered for October 5 – 6, 2016.
410: Advanced Multi-Party Negotiation of Environmental Disputes, Arlington, VA: September 7 – 8, 2016.
101: Managing Environmental Conflict, Denver, CO: August 3 – 4, 2016.
210: Collaboration in NEPA, Arlington, VA: May 4 – 5, 2016.
301: Facilitation Fundamentals, Denver, CO: August 27 – 28, 2013.

Mediation Intensive Training (40 Hours) – Understanding Conflict, Bailey Farms Millwood, NY: November 30, 2011 –December 4, 2011.

Assessing Instream Flows – Integration and Interpretation of Study Results Instructor: Dr. Thomas Hardy, Utah State University. Course taught at Texas State University, River Systems Institute: March 27-28, 2008.

Instream Flows 101 – Instructor: Dr. Thomas Hardy, Utah State University. Course taught at Texas State University, River Systems Institute: March 20-21, 2008.

Graduate of the Governor’s Executive Development Program – An education program for executives in Texas state agencies and universities. The program is a collaboration between the Texas Governor’s Office and Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin (2007).

40 Hour Mediation Training –Dispute Resolution Center, Austin, TX: May, 1993.

Professional Memberships

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

Whitefish Lake Institute, Member of the Board of Directors, Whitefish, Montana (2023 – Present).
Permanent Forum of Binational Waters, Advisory Council Member, College Station, Texas (2020 – Present).
Texas Land Trust Council, (2020 – Present). Previously elected to Council in 2006 and served as Chairman (2011 to 2014).
Austin Technology Incubator, The University of Texas at Austin (2019 – 2022).
Texas Water Research Network, Leadership Team (2017 – 2019).
Advisory Council, The University of Texas at Austin, Environmental Sciences Institute, Jackson School of Geosciences (2011 – 2021).
Liberal Arts Advisory Board, Texas State University (2009 – 2017).
Water Initiative Steering Committee, The University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences (2007).

EXTERNAL FUNDING [since 2001]
[Total: $9 million in grants and in-kind contributions]

Funding obtained as Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Water Journal:

$10,000 for operations from Lyda Hill Philanthropies (2023).
$10,000 for operations from Water Foundation’s Texas Wellspring Fund (2023).

Funding obtained as Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority employee:

$2,100,000 for Whooping Crane study by Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, San Antonio River Authority, and San Antonio Water System.
$125,000 for dendrochronological study with the University of Arkansas.
$75,000 grant from the Mitchell Foundation for the development of a stakeholder process under the agreement between the GBRA and The Aransas Project (2016).

Grants and In-Kind Donations Received by the Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust during my tenure as Executive Director:

$2,457,000 Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Land Easements grant program Dreamcatcher Ranch purchase of development rights (2016).
$378,000 Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Farm & Ranch Lands Conservation Program grant for Dreamcatcher Ranch purchase of development rights (2016).
$250,000 grant from Meadows Foundation for Dreamcatcher Ranch purchase of development rights (2015).
$2,104,000 in-kind donation of land (Plum Creek Wetlands Preserve) from the Texas Department of Transportation (2015).
$252,000 in-kind donation of land from Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority for Hog and Schwings Bayou’s Preserve (2008).
$200,000 in-kind donation of land from Dow Chemical for Hog and Schwings Bayou’s Preserve (2008).
$104,800 Meadows Foundation grant for GBRT Conservation Director (2007).
$208,783 in-kind contribution from Tetratech Corporation construction services for ANWR Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2007).
$205,000 in-kind contribution from Alcoa Corporation of 10,000 cubic yards of soil for ANWR Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2007).
$213,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the ANWR Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2007).
$398,627 from Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act for land purchase in Guadalupe River Delta (2007).
$12,050 grant from the Formosa Plastics Environmental Endowment Fund Trust for the ANWR Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2007).
$37,228 grant through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for the ANWR Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2007).
$11,000 USFWS grant to control invasive aquatic species and remove a sandbar at the mouth of the old Guadalupe River channel in the Guadalupe Delta (2007).
$45,000 grant through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act for the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) Myrtle-Foester Whitmire Unit (2005).

Teaching Experience

*Denotes courses developed

*Groundwater Resources (Geography 5395) with Dr. Robert Gulley. Department of Geography, Texas State University (Fall 2013, 2014): Groundwater accounts for 60% of the reported water use in Texas. Students will begin with basic instruction on principles of groundwater and water law, particularly groundwater law. However, the primary focus of the course is on the development of management policies and regulations of groundwater, successes and shortcomings. Texas groundwater management will be featured but groundwater management issues for other areas of the United States will also be discussed. Professionals involved in water resources will provide guest lectures on their area of expertise.

*Government Policy Impacts on Aquatic Resources (Biology 7312/5319) with Dr. Walter Rast. Department of Biology, Texas State University (Spring 2006): This course examines the development, goals and impacts of policy and policy decisions made at the local, national and international level directed to water resources and related environmental and socioeconomic issues. Laws, regulations and agreements directed to water-related environmental issues on the national and international level, as well as those relating to water resources in Texas, will be introduced and examined within a classroom discussion forum. Class members will participate in case studies of other relevant policy instruments, and it is anticipated that students with an interest in water-related environmental issues and their analysis and resolution, whether as agents of government, consultants, or as academicians, will benefit from exploration of the subject matter presented.

*Environmental Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Water and Watersheds (Biology 5319) with Pro. Joe G. Moore, Jr. Department of Biology, Texas State University (Spring 2002): This course examines the resolution of environmental disputes related to water and watersheds. Various means of environmental dispute resolution will be presented such as consultation, facilitation, mediation, arbitration, etc., as well as the ultimate course when all else fails – litigation. Class members will participate in case studies of other disputes and mock environmental dispute resolution activities. Students with an interest in water-related environmental issues and their resolution, whether as agents of government, consultants, or the court system, will benefit from an exploration of the subject matter presented.
Water Policy (Geography 4341). Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University (Fall 2023): This course covers the evolution of water policy from the awareness of issues, through the political and legal process, to the implementation of specific plans, programs, and facilities. The goal of this course is to introduce the student to the framework within which water policy decisions are made and guide focused policy research and counseling in the context of current local, state, and federal environmental existing law and policies affecting water resources from a client-driven perspective. The course will provide background on significant historic and emerging water conservation, protection, and development issues. Course modules will combine an examination of existing legal and regulatory frameworks and principals involved in policy resolution on issues discussed.

Presentations & Webinars

*Invited Presentation

*”Texas Water Security,” Webinar: Norman Borlaug Youth in Agriculture Program, March 20, 2023.

*”Texas Water & Climate Notes,” Webinar: Climate Change and Sustainability, San Antonio League of Women Voters, November 19, 2022.

*“Texas Water: A Review and Outlook on Water Use and Markets,” North Texas Water Conservation Symposium, Coppell, TX, November 17, 2022. [100^th presentation]

*”Texas Water: A Review and Outlook,” Comal County Conservation Alliance, New Braunfels, TX, November 9, 2022.

*”Texas Water: A Review & Outlook,” Highland Springs Independent Living, Government Affairs Group, Dallas, Texas, October 7, 2022.

*Keynote, ”Texas Water Markets: Attitudes, Research and Potential,” Texas Groundwater Conference, American Groundwater Trust, Austin Southpark Hotel, Austin, Texas, June 2, 2022.

*“Texas Water: A Review and Outlook,” EarthX Farm, Ranch, Forest Symposium, EarthX2022, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, April 22, 2022.

*“Transforming Water Conflicts Across Boundaries,” Northwest Collaborative Futures Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, October 22, 2021.

*“Texas Water Issues (Lions), Water Conflicts (Tigers) and Water Communication (and Bears, Oh My!)”, Fall Environmental, Water Resources, and Coastal Engineering Graduate Seminar Series, Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, October 4, 2021.

*“The Legislature + Water”, (with Robert Mace) Texas Water Research Network Virtual Spring Meeting, May 19, 2021.

Workshop on “Water Conflict Management & Transformation”, with Dr. Aaron Wolf and Dr. Todd Jarvis, 2020 Virtual Annual American Water Resources Conference, American Water Resources Association, November 8, 2020.

*”My Trip to China” & ”The Texas Water Journal and Texas+Water”, Blue Bag presentation at the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, March 10, 2020.

*”The Rio Grande Water Conflict”, Biogeography (via Skype), Minot State University, Minot, ND, February 28, 2020.

*“Texas’ Edwards Aquifer Dispute: How a Water Market Helped to Resolve a Collision Between the ESA, Groundwater Law, and Private Property Rights,” guest lecture for Professor Rudy Rosen’s class, Water Laws, Rules and Policies, San Antonio, TX, Texas A&M University – San Antonio, February 20, 2020.

*Keynote, “Texas’ Edwards Aquifer Dispute: How a Water Market Helped to Resolve a Collision Between the ESA, Groundwater Law, and Private Property Rights,” Keynote address, Nevada Water Resources Association, Las Vegas, NV, Tuscany Suites and Casino, February 11, 2020.

*”The Texas Water Journal and Texas+Water”, Water and the Media Workshop, International Water Rights Forum, Hohai University School of Law, Nanjing, China, November 14, 2019.

*Keynote, ”The Rio Grande Water Conflict”, International Water Rights Forum, Hohai University School of Law, Nanjing, China, November 14, 2019.

*”The Rio Grande Water Conflict”, The Johns Hopkins University Center for Chinese and American Studies, Nanjing, China, November 13, 2019.

*“Texas Water: Past, Present and Future,” Austin Technology Incubator, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, May 21, 2019.

*American Water Resources Association Webinar: “Texas’ Edwards Aquifer Dispute: How a Water Market Helped to Resolve a Collision Between the ESA, Groundwater Law, and Private Property Rights,” March 13, 2019, 1:00-2:00PM EST.

Workshop on “Water Conflict Management & Transformation”, with Dr. Aaron Wolf, American Water Resources Association Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, November 4, 2018.

*Faculty Member for The National Judicial College’s Diving The Waters – Fundamentals of Water Law & Science, The National Judicial College, Reno, NV, May 17 – 18, 2018.

Panels and Presentations:
- Water Adjudication Practice: Many Ways that Water Litigation Arises
- Water Adjudication Practice: Working Through the Issues
- Adjudicating Science in Water Litigation
- Federal-State Relationships: Judges, Agencies, Stakeholders

*Understanding the Complexities of Surface Water: Moderator of “Understanding the Legal Complexities”, Panelists, TCEQ Commissioner Toby Baker, Doug Caroom, and Trinity River Authority General Manager Kevin Ward, Rethinking Texas Water Policy, President George Bush Presidential Library, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, April 6, 2018.

*”Mediation Over Litigation in Water Disputes”, 4^th Biennial Texas Panhandle Water Conservation Symposium, Amarillo Convention Center, Amarillo, TX, February, 28, 2018.

*”Ongoing and Emerging Endangered Species Issues in the Texas Guadalupe River Basin”, University of Oregon School of Law, Eugene, OR, February, 9, 2018.

*”Ongoing and Emerging Endangered Species Issues in the Texas Guadalupe River Basin”, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN, December, 9, 2017.

*”Ongoing and Emerging Endangered Species and Water Issues in the Guadalupe River Basin”, CLE Federal Wildlife Law, Omni Hotel at Southpark, Austin, TX, October 17, 2017.

*“Decoding Climate Change Panel”, UT Undergraduate Research Journal. The University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences, Austin, TX, October 5, 2017.

*”Can Policy Save Us?”, panel at CLE Texas Water Law, Witte Museum, San Antonio, TX, October 3, 2017.

*”Resolution of The Aransas Project (TAP) v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: The TAP-Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Agreement”, CLE Texas Coastal Law: Legal Issues, Permitting & Conservation. JW Marriott, Houston, TX, June 9, 2017.

*”The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority: Who We Are, What We Do”, Central Texas Freshwater Mussel Work Group Meeting, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Stephen F. Austin, State Office Building, Austin, TX, March 24, 2017.

*”The Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust: Land and Water Conservation through Land Trusts”, Kerrville Rotary Club, and later that day, Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Kerrville, TX, March 22, 2017.

*”Cooperative Approaches to Managing Water and Rare Species in the Guadalupe Basin”, Coastal Watersheds, Joint course of The University of Texas Law School and Marine Sciences Institute, Austin, TX, February 21, 2017.

*”Land and Water Conservation through Land Trusts”, Planning for Growth in Comal County, McKenna Events Center, New Braunfels, TX, February 2, 2017.

*“Resolving Conflicts Over Water for Humans and Nature: TAP – GBRA Agreement”, 8^th National Summit on Coastal and Estuarine Restoration, Restore America’s Estuaries, Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel, New Orleans, LA, December 12, 2016.

*“The GBRA and TAP White Paper”, with Jim Blackburn, Attorney, The Aransas Project, 2016 Hill Country Water Summit, New Braunfels Convention/Civic Center, New Braunfels, TX, December 8, 2016.

*Edwards Aquifer panel at the quarterly meeting of the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee, Courtyard Marriott, Omaha, NB, August 10, 2016.

*Avoiding Disaster Conference, “Ecological Services, Habitat and Water: Exploring the GBRA – TAP Agreement.” Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation for Disasters Center, Rice University, Houston, TX, April 26 – 27, 2016.

*American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. 34^th Water Law Conference. Interstate Water Management of a Hidden Resource, “The Edwards Aquifer Dispute and Ultimate Resolution.” Hyatt Regency, Austin, TX, March 29, 2016.

*World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Technical Session: Recent Texas Droughts II, “A Grim Warning from 1715: Tree Rings, Droughts and Our Water Supply”, J.W. Marriott, Austin, TX, May 19, 2015.

*Panel on “Climate Change, Drought & New & Potential Listings: Implications for an Increasingly Thirsty State”, 2015 TELJ Symposium, “This Land is Our Land: Reconciling Federal, State & Local Conservation & Land Use Goals.” The University of Texas School of Law – Francis Auditorium, April 24, 2015.

*“Water Supply and Drought”, CLE State Bar, 16^th Annual Changing Face of Water Rights, Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa, San Antonio, TX, February 27, 2015.

Moderated the 3rd Texas Water Journal Forum, “The Edwards Aquifer Dispute: A View from the Trenches”, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, January 20, 2015.

“A Bridge Over Troubled Waters: Resolving the Edwards Aquifer Dispute”, Conflict Over Water & Building Bridges with Water, Center for Conflict Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies, November 7, 2014, CA.

Moderated the 2nd Texas Water Journal Forum, “Water Conservation”, hosted by the Campus Environmental Center at The University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences Building, Austin, TX, April 22, 2014.

*“Water Markets: Challenges and Opportunities”, The University of Virginia, Inaugural World Water Day, March 21, 2014, Charlottesville, VA.

*“The ESA at 40: Challenges and Opportunities”, Family Farm Alliance, Annual Meeting and Conference, February 21, 2014, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV.

Moderated the panel, “Water Policy in Texas: Implications for Landowners and Easement Holders”, 2014 Statewide Land Conservation Conference, Hosted by the Texas Land Trust Council, February 26-28, 2014, Austin Airport Hilton, Austin, TX.

*“Texas Water: Past, Present and Future.” Mary K. Craig Class at Dallas Woman’s Club, Dallas, TX, January 8, 2014.

Moderated the Inaugural Texas Water Journal Forum, “Water, Politics and Drought,” hosted by the Environmental Sciences Institute at The University of Texas at Austin, Liberal Arts Building, Austin, TX, Nov. 21, 2013.

*Presentation on the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, Lower Flint River Basin Habitat Conservation Planning Project, Stakeholder Advisory Committee & Technical Advisory Committee, Riverfront Resource Center, Albany, GA, November 19, 2013.

*“Update on Texas Drought”, National Water Resources Association, Wyndam San Antonio Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX, November, 14, 2013.

*“State Advocacy”, Texas Land Trust Council, 2013 Land Trust Assembly Agenda, LCRA Riverside Conference Center; Bastrop, TX, October 25, 2013.

*“Texas Water: Past, Present & Future”, Texas AWWA Capitol Area Chapter, Abundant Energy + Vanishing Water, Austin Water Utility’s Center for Environmental Research, Austin, TX, October 24, 2013.

*“The Texas Water Journal”, presenter and session moderator, 2013 National Ground Water Association Summit, Hyatt Regency, San Antonio, TX, May 1, 2013.

*“Politics of Groundwater: When Populations, Politics, and Critters Collide”, panelist, 2013 National Ground Water Association Summit, Hyatt Regency, San Antonio, TX, April 29, 2013.

*“Water Management Districts and Land Trusts, Two Programs that Complement Each Other”, Texas Water Conservation Association 69th Annual Convention, The Sheraton Austin Hotel, Austin, TX, March 7, 2013.

*“The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: At Long Last an Agreement After 50 Years of Fighting,” Ecosystem Science and Management Department Seminar, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, March 5, 2013.

*“Challenges in Meeting Regional Conservation Goals: Report from the Front Lines,” panel member, 2013 Texas Ag Water Forum: Conservation & Efficiency, Austin Sheraton Hotel, Austin, TX, February 25, 2013.

*”Intersection of the SB 3 Environmental Flows Process and the Whooping Crane Lawsuit,” Todd Votteler and Todd Chenoweth, Austin Bar Association Environmental Law Section, Austin, TX, November 1, 2012.

*“Drought: Looking Back and Planning Ahead,” Texas Groundwater Summit 2012, Hosted by the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Austin, TX, August 29, 2012.

*“Challenges to Water Resource Management Under the ESA: Strategies and Tools to Address Unprecedented USFWS Action” (Substitute Panelist), Texas Water Conservation Association, 2012 Mid-Year Conference, Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott, Horseshoe Bay, TX, June 15, 2012.

*“Water Demands and Sectors Most at Risk” (Panel Discussion), 2012 Texas Water Summit: Securing Water for Texas’ Future, AT&T Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, May 21, 2012.

*“Past Droughts and Future Water for the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Region,”

The Inaugural Kent Butler Summit on the Future of the Barton Springs Zone of the Edwards Aquifer, Hosted by the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX, May 3, 2012.

*“Extended Chronology of Drought in South Central, Southeastern and West Texas, and Notes About Current State of Water Resources,” Brown Bag Presentation, Executive Staff, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Austin, TX, March 20, 2012.

*“Land Trust Innovations Multi-Organization Partnerships: GBRA, GBRT, SABF & DU MOU,” 2012 Statewide Land Conservation Conference, Hosted by the Texas Land Trust Council, Airport Hilton, Austin, TX, February 23, 2012.

*“Extended Chronology of Drought in South Central, Southeastern and West Texas”, First Water Forum, Center for Integrated Earth System Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, February 13, 2012.

*“Beyond the Ivory Tower: Geography Careers in the Business, Government, and Nonprofit Sectors”, Association of American Geographers Southwest Division Annual Meeting, The University of Texas, Austin, TX, November 10, 2011.

“The Texas Water Journal,” New Forms and Venues for Exchanging Water Information,

14^th World Lake Conference, Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX, November 2, 2011.

*“Drought: What, Where, Why and When…will it end?” First of the Texas Water Symposium co-sponsored by Schreiner University, Texas Tech University, Texas Public Radio and the Hill Country Alliance, with John Nielsen-Gammon, Bruce MCarl, and John Baccus, Junction, TX, October 13, 2011.

*“Modeling Potential Economic Impacts of Environmental Flows in the Guadalupe River Basin,” with David Sunding and Brian Perkins. Fall Meeting Texas Water Conservation Association, Crowne Plaza Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX, October 13, 2011.

“Integrating Science and Policy in the Decisionmaking of the Texas Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program,” 2011 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 11, 2011.

*“Discussion on the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program,” with Robert Gulley, Calvin Finch, Rick Illgner, and Colette Barron, Texas Water Conservation Association, 66^th Annual Convention, Sheraton Hotel, Austin, TX, March 3, 2011.

*Keynote Speech, Austin College Public Administration Symposium, Wright Campus Center, Sherman, TX, November 18, 2010.

*“Past Climate South Central Texas”, with Malcolm K. Cleaveland, Ph.D., University of Arkansas, Fall Meeting of Texas Water Conservation Association, Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, TX, October 14, 2010.

*“Texas Land Trusts and Land Trust Accreditation”, 2010 Statewide Land Conservation Conference, Hilton Austin Airport, Austin, TX, April 29, 2010.

*“Climate Change and Impacts on Floods, Weather and Drought in Texas: What Controversy?” Part of the 2009-2010 Texas Water Symposium Series broadcast on Texas Public Radio with Robert Mace and Katherine Hayhoe. Llano River Field Station, Texas Tech University, Junction, TX, January 28, 2010.

“Incorporating climate change science in the Endangered Species Act Recovery Implementation Program for Texas Edwards Aquifer”, NOAA’s 34th Climate Diagnostics and Prediction Workshop, Monterey, CA, October 28, 2009.

*“The Guadalupe Blanco River Trust and the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority: Creating and then working with a Non-Profit Conservation Partner”, Texas Water Conservation Association 65^th Annual Convention, Sheraton Austin Hotel, Austin, TX, February 26, 2009.

*“The Edwards Aquifer: A Texas-Style Water War & the Endangered Species Act.” 16^th Annual Endangered Species Act Conference, The Seminar Group. Washington State Convention and Trade Center, Seattle, WA, January 27 – 28, 2009.

*“Cooperative Conservation.” Creating Conservation Partnerships to Enhance Military Readiness, Aggie Park and Banquet Hall, San Antonio, TX, August 19, 2008.

*“Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Edwards Aquifer Dispute, But Were Afraid to Ask”, Plenary Speaker, 2008 Texas Geography Student Research Symposium, Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, April 4, 2008.

*“The Edwards Aquifer & You.” Water Symposium ’06, Kay Harrison Auditorium, New Braunfels, TX. October 21, 2006.

*“Current Issues Driving the Evolution of Texas Water Policy,” Keynote address. 2006 Texas Water Monitoring Congress. University of Texas at Austin, J.J. Pickle Center, Austin, TX. September 13, 2006.

*“The Edwards Aquifer and the Guadalupe River,” What’s on Tap for South Central Texas? A Water for People and the Environment Conference. Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. September 9, 2006.

*“The Edwards Aquifer and the Guadalupe River,” 2006 Conference on the Edwards Aquifer, Witte Museum, San Antonio, TX, April 4, 2006.

*“The Texas Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan, the 50 Year State Water Plan, and the Drought of Record,” Nevada Water Resources Association Annual Meeting, Mesquite, NV, February 23, 2006.

*“Conference Dedication to Joe Moore,” Flows for the Future: 2005 Environmental Flows Conference. Sponsored by the River Systems Institute, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, October 31 – November 1, 2005.

*“The Edwards Aquifer and Guadalupe River Basin: Harbinger of Things to Come? Achieving Statutory Limits, HCPs, Takings Litigation, and Other “Hot Button” Issues Pending in and Around the Edwards Aquifer and Guadalupe River Basin,” CLE International, Texas Water Law, Hyatt Regency, Austin TX, September 20, 2005.

*“Water Conservation Issues in the Guadalupe River Basin,” Texas Council Soil and Water Conservation Society Meeting. Doubletree Hotel, San Antonio, TX, June 16, 2005.

*“Texas Land Trusts: Helping Landowners to Conserve Their Land and Water,” Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Environmental Trade Fair & Conference. Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX, May 2, 2005.

*“A Relationship Between Restrictions on Interbasin Transfers of Surface Water and the Proliferation of Large Groundwater Supply Projects?” Texas Groundwater 2004, Unique Groundwater Issues. State Capitol Annex, Austin, TX, November 18, 2004.

*“Interbasin Transfers of Surface Water in Texas: Viable Solution, or Bureaucratic and Political Nightmare?” (Revised and expanded version of Texas A&M lecture). American Water Resources Association Annual Conference, Session 12: Transboundary Water Issues. Sheraton World Resort, Orlando, FL, November 1, 2004.

*“Interbasin Transfers of Surface Water: Viable Solution, or Bureaucratic and Political Nightmare?” Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, January 30, 2004.

*“When the Water Runs Dry: Consumption and Survival,” Water Law Panel at Environment 2002: Law, Science and the Public Interest. Sponsored by the Tulane Environmental Law Society & Tulane Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, Tulane Law School, New Orleans, LA. March 8 – 9, 2002.

“Springflow v. Index Well Levels: An Analysis of the Initiation of Edwards Aquifer Drought Management Plans to Protect Spring Discharges,” Texas Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, March 2, 2001.

*“State Water Law, the Endangered Species Act, Private Property Rights and the Sustainable Development Movement all Collide in a Transboundary Dispute Over the Texas Edwards Aquifer,” Ground Water: A Transboundary, Strategic and Geopolitical Resource, Special Session: The Impact of Political Boundaries on Ground Water Studies, Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers Annual Meeting and Conference. Las Vegas, NV, December 13-14, 2000.

“A Drought Management Forum,” sponsored by the Guadalupe – Blanco River Authority an the Edwards Aquifer Research and Data Center at Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, August 17, 2000.

“Water from a Stone: The Limits of the Sustainable Development of the Texas Edwards Aquifer,” Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, April 8, 2000.

“Water for Texas: 2000 and Beyond,” Panel discussion at the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, October 22, 1999.

“Springflow v. Index Well Levels: An Analysis of the Initiation of the Edwards Aquifer Authority’s 1999 Critical Period Management Plan,” Presentation made at the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, October 22, 1999.

*“The Little Fish that Roared,” Texas Water Resources Institute Watershed Working Group. Presentation broadcast over the Trans Texas Video Network, March 22, 1999.

“Water Supply Alternatives for the Edwards Aquifer Region,” Presentation made at the Southwestern Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Baton Rouge, LA, October 29, 1998.

*“Background and Status of the Struggle over the Edwards Aquifer,” Water in Twentieth-Century Texas: The Edwards Aquifer, Presentation made at the Annual Meeting of the Texas State Historical Association, Austin, TX, March 8, 1997.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS [for undergraduate/graduate courses]

University of Texas at Austin (Jackson School and Law School);
University of Texas at San Antonio;
Austin College;
Texas Lutheran University;
Trinity University;
Texas State University Department of Geography;
Texas A&M University (Institute of Oceanography at Galveston and Department of Ecosystem Science and Management);
The University of the South;
Texas A&M University – San Antonio;
Minot State University; and University of Oregon School of Law.

Awards

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award – Texas State University College of Liberal Arts, San Marcos, TX, 2022.

Silver Star –Department of Geography, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 2019.

Fellow – The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 2018.

Partners in Conservation Award – U.S. Department of the Interior. Group award by Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell to those who participated in the Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program, Washington, D.C., 2013.

Department of Geography Distinguished Alumnus Award – Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 2012.

Honorable Mention, UCOWR Dissertation Award – Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR), 2002.

Winner of Ph.D. Student Paper Competition Award – Association of American Geographers, Water Resources Specialty Group, 1999.

The University of Texas at Austin

Funding for endangered species study along the Texas-Mexico border (1993 – 1994).
Graduate Stipend from the LBJ School of Public Affairs (1992 – 1994).

The University of Michigan

Naturalist-Ecologist Training Program Fellow, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, University of Michigan Biological Station (1989).

Edna Bailey Sussman Environmental Internship Scholarship (1988).
Graduate Stipend from the School of Natural Resources (1987).

The University of the South (Sewanee)

Member of the Order of the Gownsmen (academic achievement) (1984 – 1986).
Tonya Public Affairs Scholarship (1985).

Clients

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
American Water Resources Association
Texas 2036
Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District

Canyon Regional Water Authority
Arizona Chapter of the Environmental Defense Fund
Whitefish Lake Institute
Anchor QEA

Books & Articles

Publications

(peer-reviewed, technical, and general)

“Hands Across the Water: How the 57-Year Dispute Over the Texas Edwards Aquifer Began, Persisted, and Was Resolved,” Water, under review. [50^th publication]

“Is Texas preparing for the right drought?” The Texas Tribune sponsored content, June 16, 2022.

“If you think the Texas electrical grid is fragile, take a look at our water infrastructure,” Opinion, The Dallas Morning News, October 18, 2021.

“The state of Texas water infrastructure,” The Texas Tribune sponsored content, August 30, 2021.

“Water, Texas Style: An Introduction,” AWRA Water Resources IMPACT, “Water, Texas Style,” July 2019, pp. 7 – 8.

“Water, Texas Style,” Guest Editor, AWRA Water Resources IMPACT, July 2019, (https://tinyurl.com/y59abxmw).

Book Review: “Advances in Groundwater Governance”, reviewed by Robert E. Mace & Todd H. Votteler, Groundwater, 57, no. 2: 197–198 (2019).

“Texas Surface Water and Whooping Crane Dispute,” The Water Report, June 15, 2017, Issue # 160, pp. 1 – 7.

Votteler, Todd H., & Gulley, Robert L., “The Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan: Resolution to Over 50 Years of Water Dispute,” The Water Report, June 15, 2014, Issue # 124, pp. 1 – 10.

Op-Ed, “Saving Texas water with land trusts”, Opinion, The Houston Chronicle, April 22, 2013, B9.

Book Review, “River of Contrasts: The Texas Colorado River”, aether, Fall/Winter 2012, pg. 42 – 43 (http://tinyurl.com/9lzp2se).

Op-Ed, “Texas land trusts help ensure state’s landscapes are preserved”, Opinion, The Houston Chronicle, April 22, 2012, B19.

Op-Ed, “Land trusts protect Texas”, Viewpoints, The Austin American-Statesman, April 22, 2012, E6.

Cleaveland, Malcolm K., Todd H. Votteler, Daniel K. Stahle, Richard C. Casteel, & Jay L. Banner, “Extended Chronology of Drought in South Central, Southeastern and West Texas,” Texas Water Journal, Vol. 2, Iss. 1 (2011): 54 – 96.

Votteler, Todd H., “The 1968 Texas Water Plan,” Irrigation Leader, October 2011: Vol. 2, Iss. 9 (2011): 21.

Griffin, Ronald C., ed. Water Policy in Texas: Responding to the Rise of Scarcity, Chapter 5, “The Edwards Aquifer: Hydrology, Ecology, History and Law.” Resources for the Future, Washington, D.C., 2011.

Votteler, Todd H., “Whitmire Wetlands,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, February, 2009: vol. 67, no. 2 (2009): 10.

Gulley, Robert L. & Todd H. Votteler, “Resolving ESA-Water Conflicts: The Edwards Aquifer Recovery Implementation Program,” The Water Report, December 15, 2008, Issue # 58, pp. 1 – 8.

Votteler, Todd H., “The Edwards Aquifer: ESA-Driven Management,” Southwest Hydrology, July/August, 2008: vol. 7, no. 4 (2008): 22 – 23, 32.

Votteler, Todd H., “Trust Supports Canal Work at Whitmire Unit,” GBRA River Run, Summer 2007: 13.

Votteler, Todd H., “Legislature Passes and Governor Signs Major Water Legislation,” GBRA River Run, Summer 2007: 5 – 7.

Votteler, Todd H., “Reading the Rings,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, March, 2007: vol. 65, no. 3 (2007): 15.

Votteler, Todd H., Kathy Alexander, & Joe G. Moore, Jr. “The Evolution of Surface Water Interbasin Transfer Policy in Texas: Viable Options for Future Water, Water Grabs, or Just Pipe Dreams?” Texas Environmental Law Journal, vol. 36, no. 3, (2007): 125 – 163. (http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/votteler.html)

Moore, Joe G., Jr. & Todd H. Votteler, 2004, “Management of the Edwards Aquifer; A work in progress?, in Edwards Water Resources in Central Texas: Retrospective and Prospective”, South Texas Geological Society and Austin Geological Society Symposium, San Antonio, TX, May 21-22, 2004, 34 p.

Votteler, Todd H., “Raiders of the Lost Aquifer? Or, the Beginning of the End to Fifty Years of Conflict over the Texas Edwards Aquifer,” Tulane Environmental Law Journal, vol. 15, no. 2, (2002): 257 – 334. (http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/votteler.html)

Mace, Robert E. & Todd H. Votteler, “The Edwards Aquifer: Water, Policy, and Science in Transition,” Karst Waters Institute, Proceedings of the symposium Karst Frontiers: Florida and Related Environments, Special Publication 7, Gainesville, FL, March 6 – 10, 2002: 153 – 156.

Votteler, Todd H., “Flood,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, March, 2002: vol. 60, no. 3 (2002): 38 – 53.

Votteler, Todd H., “Guest Commentary: Guadalupe River Diversion Could Signal an End to Regional Water Conflict,” The Water Strategist, December 2001: 11 – 14.

Votteler, Todd H., “Water Boondoggles: The Biggest Little Water Plan in Texas,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, January, 2001: vol. 59, no. 1 (2001): 9 – 10.

Earl, Richard A. & Todd H. Votteler, “Major Water Issues Facing South – Central Texas,” Texas Water: 2000 and Beyond, Texas A&M University, September 2000, pp. 34.

Votteler, Todd H., “Droughts,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, July, 2000: vol. 58, no. 7 (2000): 16 – 25. (http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/votteler.html)

Votteler, Todd H., Water from a Stone: The Limits of the Sustainable Development of the Texas Edwards Aquifer. Doctoral Dissertation, Southwest Texas State University, Chair Prof. Joe G. Moore, Jr., March 15, 2000, pp 468.

Votteler, Todd H., “Texas Supreme Court Retains Rule of Capture,” Texas Parks & Wildlife, July, 1999: vol. 57, no. 7 (1999): 10.

Votteler, Todd H., “The Little Fish that Roared: The Endangered Species Act, State Groundwater Law, and Private Property Rights Collide over the Texas Edwards Aquifer,” Environmental Law, vol. 28, no. 4, (1998): 845 – 879. (http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/votteler.html)

Votteler, Todd H., “The Conjunctive Use Of Ground And Surface Water In The Edwards Aquifer Region,” Papers and Proceedings of the Applied Geography Conferences, Andrew Schoolmaster, ed., Louisville, KY, October 21 – 24, 1998, pp. 370-376.

Votteler, Todd H., “The Drought of Record, the Edwards Aquifer, and San Antonio’s Water Future,” Business S.A., September, 1998: 5, 7, 43.

Votteler, Todd H., & Joe G. Moore, Jr., “The Use of Masters in Environmental Litigation,” American Bar Association, Natural Resources & Environment, vol. 12, no. 2, (1997): 126 – 132.

Votteler, Todd H., & Tom A. Muir, “Wetland Protection Legislation,” U.S. Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 2425, National Water Summary on Wetland Resources, Washington D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1996, pp. 57 – 64. (http://water.usgs.gov/ public/nwsum/WSP2425/legislation.html)

Votteler, Todd H. 1996 Emergency Withdrawal Reduction Plan for the Edwards Aquifer. Prepared for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, The Honorable Lucius Bunton, Presiding, August 23, 1996, pp. 37. After a public comment period the Court adopted the plan on August 23, 1996, for implementation. The full text of the Plan was published by San Antonio Express-News on August 26, 1996, 9A – 14A.

Moore, Joe G., Jr., & Todd H. Votteler, Draft Habitat Conservation Plan for the Edwards Aquifer (Balcones Fault Zone – San Antonio Region), Prepared for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, June 23, 1995, pp. 321.

Moore, Joe G., Jr., & Todd H. Votteler, Revised Emergency Withdrawal Reduction Plan for the Edwards Aquifer. Prepared for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, The Honorable Lucius Bunton, Presiding, March 31, 1995, pp. 53.

Votteler, Todd H., “Mexico Seeks to Link the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway with an Intracoastal Canal of their Own,” Environmental Law Institute, National Wetlands Newsletter, vol. 16, no. 6 (1994): 10 – 11.

Votteler, Todd H., & others. A Review of Selected Issues Affecting Protected Habitats Along the Texas and Mexico Border. Prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Protection and Recovery Policy Analysis Program, September 1994, pp. 202.

Moore, Joe G., Jr., & Todd H. Votteler, Emergency Withdrawal Reduction Plan for the Edwards Aquifer. Prepared for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, The Honorable Lucius Bunton, Presiding, August 1, 1994, pp. 87.

Votteler, Todd H., The U.S. Department of Energy’s Floodplain/Wetlands Review. Society of Wetlands Scientists 13th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA., June 1992, pp. 8.

Votteler, Todd H., Wetlands Update. Founder and editor of the Wetlands Update, a bimonthly publication devoted to expanding knowledge about wetlands within the Department of Energy and the national laboratory system (July 1991 – June 1994).

Votteler, Todd H., The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Wetlands Protection Program and the Development of the Wetlands-At-Risk Assessment Methodology. Masters Thesis, The University of Michigan, Chair Professor Steve Yaffee, December 1989, pp. 91.

Votteler, Todd H., The Relationship Between Plant Distribution and the Depths of Water and Peat at Smith’s Fen. Naturalist-Ecologist Training Program, The University of Michigan Biological Station, Pellston, MI., August 8, 1989, pp. 19.

Votteler, Todd H., Wetlands-At-Risk: A Technique for Determining Vulnerability and Threat. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands Protection, Washington, D.C., March 1989, pp. 77. (unpublished)