USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Science, Society, Solutions
Water Availability

Second in the 2004 "Science, Society, Solutions" series

Find out how the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners are working together to enhance our knowledge of water resources.

Other Science, Society, Solutions Briefings

Friday, May 21, 2004 10 a.m. Rayburn House Office Building Room 2325 Washington, DC PDF (7.5 MB)

Speakers:   (Speaker Biographies) Mr. Jess Weaver U.S. Geological Survey Mr. J. Randy Young Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission Mr. David M. Word Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Water is essential to human life, to industry and agriculture, and to the health of our natural environment. Water availability, while a long-time issue in the West, is becoming evermore critical in the East and throughout the country. Decision-makers need reliable and impartial information about our Nation´s resources.

Directions to Rayburn House Office Building:

East on Rt. 66 over the Roosevelt Bridge; right on Independence Avenue. Follow Independence past the construction of the Botanic Gardens; right on Canal Street (2 blocks); left on D Street. Pay parking is on the right between D Street and Canal Street.

Jess Weaver

Jess D. Weaver is the USGS Regional Executive for Water in the Southeast Region, Norcross, Georgia. Weaver began his career with the USGS in 1980 as a hydrologic technician in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1985 after being promoted to the position of hydrologist, Mr. Weaver moved to the Arkansas District where he worked in the Scientific Investigations Program. In 1988, Mr. Weaver returned to Tennessee to serve first as Subdistrict Chief in Knoxville, Tennessee, and then as Assistant District Chief for Hydrologic Data in Nashville. In 1995, he transferred to Montgomery, Alabama, to assume the position as Alabama District Chief. In 2000, Mr. Weaver was selected as the District Chief for Texas. Weaver served in this position until his selection as the Regional Executive in 2003. Mr. Weaver holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering and a M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Tennessee.

Randy Young

J. Randy Young, P.E., is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Young has been with the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission since 1971. In 1985, Mr. Young was named the gubernatorial appointee as Executive Director with responsibility for State programs in nonpoint source pollution abatement, soil conservation, water resources planning and development, water rights, floodplain management, financial assistance, and dam safety. Prior positions include Deputy Director/Chief Engineer, Water Resources Engineer II, and Water Resources Engineer I. Young is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Arkansas. Mr. Young received a B.S. in Agriculture Engineering and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Arkansas. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Water Resources Association, National Ground Water Association, and Interstate Council on Water Policy.

David Word

David Word is the Assistant Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. EPD is a 900-person organization and is the primary environmental regulatory agency in Georgia. David has been with EPD for 30 years, the past 12 years in the position of Assistant Director. Prior to this position, he served as Chief of EPD´s Water Protection Branch and, prior to that, Chief of the Water Resources Branch. David received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Duke University and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland. He is a registered Professional Engineer.

For more information about this topic or the briefing series, please contact the USGS Office of Communications.