UWCD is a public water agency responsible for conserving and protecting groundwater resources in Ventura County. Its facilities include Santa Felicia Dam-Lake Piru recreation area; spreading grounds in Saticoy, El Rio and Piru; an agricultural water delivery system; wholesale municipal water delivery system; and the Freeman Diversion. The district provides wholesale water to the city of Oxnard, Port Hueneme Water Agency (which includes the CBC and Point Mugu naval bases) and the Pleasant Valley County Water District, as well as several small mutual water companies.The Lake Piru recreation area attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, making it a top draw to the Santa Clara River Valley; it is targeted for multi-million dollar improvements to be funded by user fees. The Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau is working with Piru to develop the tiny city as a cultural tourist destination as well as draw recreational users of Lake Piru.Prior to joining UWCD, Wisehart was the legislative analyst with the Association of California Water Agencies, which she joined in 1985, also serving as the coordinator for Region 10 (San Diego and Orange counties). In addition, Wisehart served as staff to the State Legislative and Groundwater committees and Water Reuse Subcommittee.“Ms. Wisehart has the skills UWCD needs to effectively move the district forward into the 21st century,” said Board Member Sheldon Berger.
Wisehart appointed United Water Conservation District general manager
March 24, 2000
Santa Paula News
Described as having the skills to lead the agency into the 21st century, Dana L. Wisehart has been appointed General Manager of United Water Conservation District (UWCD), headquartered in Santa Paula.
The acting General Manager since January, Wisehart joined UWCD in June 1997 as the Deputy General Manager. She succeeds Fred Gientke, who retired as general manager on Jan. 7.Wisehart said she was pleased and “honored by the trust the Board of Directors has placed in me. My goal is to establish and maintain strong working relationships with our customers and constituents, and to ensure their water supply needs are being met.”Wisehart is active with the Santa Paula Rotary Club and was co-chair of the 1999 Christmas Basket Program that made a holiday celebration a reality for over 400 needy families in the city. She is also active with the Rotary Mentorship Program, a partnership between the club and Santa Paula High School.“We are fortunate to have the opportunity to appoint someone who has a thorough understanding of the district’s needs, functions and policies,” said UWCD Board President Daniel Naumann.Wisehart received wide support within not only the industry but from many others, he added. “Based on the over 40 written and verbal statements of support from top state, regional and local water officials, regulatory agencies, city representatives and constituents Ms. Wisehart has worked with, we are confident our constituents will be well-served.”Since joining UWCD, Wisehart has been responsible for developing and implementing interagency cooperative efforts. She recently led United’s strategic planning effort, which resulted in the establishment of a long range, constituent-based water resource planning process.
