Water Rights Staff Directory

 

Program Director:  Garland Erbele, Chief Engineer -- email
Secretary:  Gail Jacobson -- email


Address:                                  

PMB 2020

Water Rights Program                     Phone: (605) 773-3352
523 E Capitol                                  Fax: (605) 773-4068
Pierre SD 57501

 

Stop by for a visit? We are located in the lower level of the Joe Foss Building, Pierre SD.

 

Administrative section:

  Ron Duvall, Natural Resources Engineer -- email

  Eric Gronlund, Natural Resources Engineer -- email

  Genny McMath, Environmental Scientist -- email

  Karen Schlaak, Environmental Scientist -- email

 

The Administrative section is responsible for:

  • Permitting\Licensing\Cancellations\Transfers of Ownership
  • Water use reporting
  • Water Management Board agendas
  • Water rights record management
  • Legislation\rules

 

Engineering section:

  Tim Schaal, P.E., Natural Resources Engineer -- email

 

The Engineering section is responsible for:

  • Safety of dams inspections\rules
  • Review of surface water permit applications
  • Plans and specifications approval
  • Ordinary high\low water marks & lake outlet elevation investigations

 

Ground Water section:

  Jim Goodman, P.E., Natural Resources Engineer -- email

  Ken Buhler, Natural Resources Engineer -- email
  Hayes Haas, Natural Resources Engineer -- email
  Randy Anderson, Program Assistant I -- email
  Bill O'Conner, Natural Resources Technician -- email

 

The Ground Water section is responsible for:

  • Ground water monitoring network
  • Review of ground water permit applications
  • Observation well measurement
  • Well driller and pump installer licensing
  • Well construction standards
  • Technical assistance with water well drilling\plugging

 

Surface Water section:

  Mark Rath, Natural Resources Engineer -- email

  Aaron Tieman, Natural Resources Engineer -- email (Rapid City, SD)
  Michael DeFea, Natural Resources Engineer -- email

  Lynn Beck, Natural Resources Engineer -- email

 

The Surface Water section is responsible for:

  • Surface water monitoring network
  • Review of surface water permit applications
  • Missouri River mainstem reservoir management issues
  • Flooding\drainage issues