Photo of Ernest A. Conant

Ernest A. Conant
Regional Director, Interior Region 10: California-Great Basin

Commissioner Brenda Burman named Ernest A. Conant Regional Director of the California-Great Basin on Jan. 17, 2019. Conant has nearly 40 years of water law experience and previously served as senior partner of Young Wooldridge, LLP.

“Ernest has been at the forefront of California water for nearly four decades, advocating for water for both agriculture and municipalities,” said Commissioner Burman. “His experience with California water will serve the region well as we continue to develop new, innovative strategies to meet the needs of water users.”

As Regional Director,, Conant will manage one of the nation's largest and most complex water projects, the Central Valley Project, as well as Oregon's Klamath Project; Nevada's Newlands, Humboldt, Washoe and Truckee Storage projects; and California's Cachuma, Orland, Santa Maria, Solano and Ventura River projects.

Most recently, Conant served as chair of the Water/Special Districts/Environmental Law Practice Group for Young Wooldridge where he was involved in negotiating major water agreements and has led water banking and other storage initiatives.

Mr. Conant earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1975 from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine University in 1979.

Last Updated: February 13, 2019

Click on image for high resolution image.