Senior Sequence

Sage: John Robertus

Location: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board offices
Date: July 11th, 2007

John Robertus speaks about the many issues he deals with as an executive officer at the San Diego Water Quality Control Board. He speaks about the four essential keys to running an efficient regulatory agency, explains what regulatory science is and why it is important, and gives examples of effective integrated watershed management. He also describes the importance of public input, education, and involvement. John also reviews San Diego as a whole and compares it to other California cities with regards to watershed management.

Interview Questions:

1. Introduction of John Robertus | View Video |

2. What is regulatory science? How do you see it playing a role at the SDRWQCB | View Video |

3. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned during your work as an environmental steward? | View Video |

4. You speak about the “Third Wave” in environmental policy. What is that? How important public input? | View Video |

5. How important is public education about water quality and conservation? | View Video |

6. What are some bridges and barriers to realizing integrated and whole systems approaches to environmental stewardship? | View Video |

7. Fragmented jurisdiction | View Video |

8. Examples of watershed management | View Video |

9. What areas of San Diego are you most concerned about from a water quality perspective? Why? What are the most important technical and legislative issues right now (TMDLs, Non-point source pollution)? | View Video |

10. Does mitigation that takes place in San Diego work? How do we know? How can we improve mitigation –especially in critical areas such as wetlands? | View Video |

11. How much do you rely upon science coming out of our region’s research universities? What kinds of research would you like to see done now? Can you suggest a few topics for students and faculty? | View Video |

12. Why would a Masters in regulatory science be and important thing a university should offer? | View Video |

13. How can students get involved with the SDRWQCB or in water management in general? | View Video |

14. How does San Diego stack up when compared to the other RWQCB in the state of California? | View Video |

15. Have you thought about the impacts of global climate change? A lot of attention is focusing on that right now, does it factor into anything you do at the SDRWQCB? | View Video |