Duane Smith, OWRB Executive Director

DUANE A. SMITH has served as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) since 1997, after having begun his career at the Board in 1978. He has comprehensive knowledge in the administration of Oklahoma’s Groundwater and Stream Water Law and the management of state water resources through the water rights appropriation process. The OWRB administers the State of Oklahoma’s $1.7 Billion Dollar Financial Assistance Program assisting 67% of Oklahoma communities and rural water districts in the construction of infrastructure projects that provide state citizens with good quality water. Other significant programs administered under Mr. Smith’s direction include hydrologic studies, licensure of water well drillers, floodplain management and dam safety, and the state’s monitoring program designed to document beneficial use impairments and detect water quality trends. A significant effort begun in 2007 under Mr. Smith's leadership is the Update of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, a 5-year planning project designed to formulate a 50-year water needs assessment and management plan to meet Oklahoma's future water needs. Mr. Smith is Chairman of the Western States Water Council, and serves on several other state and national water-related organizations. Mr. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma.

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