Board Member Spotlight
Jason Kuchnicki
The Nevada Water Resources Association is pleased to welcome Jason Kuchnicki to the Board of Trustees. Jason has led a steadfast and impactful career with the Bureau of Water Quality Planning (BWQP) and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) since 2021. In his 25 years, he has worked as an Environmental Scientist in the Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program which administers the 319(h) Grant, a statewide competitive grant for the implementation of projects to improve water quality. He served as the Nevada lead for development of the Lake Tahoe Total Maximum Daily Load, a plan and program to restore historic clarity within Lake Tahoe.
Jason currently serves as the chief of the BWQP, the mission of which is to safeguard and improve Nevada’s surface water quality through dedicated monitoring, assessment, and management programs to benefit Nevada’s natural environments and communities. BWQP’s programs and functions include: (1) setting water quality standards to protect beneficial uses of surface waters in the state; 2) operating statewide monitoring program that measures the chemical, biological, and physical characteristics of surface waters of the state; 3) assessment of surface waters including the determination of waterbody impairments; 4) water quality restoration plan development; nonpoint source pollution management and 319(h) Grant Funding Opportunity administration; harmful algal bloom (HAB) detection and monitoring; and 401 water quality certification.
Mr. Kuchnicki’s academic and extracurricular background tells a story of an early NWRA connection. In 1994, Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Kent State University and a Master of Science in Hydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2001. As a freshly enrolled student in the Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences in 1998, Jason first became involved with Nevada Water Resources Association. Since then, throughout his career with BWQP, his team has participated in NWRA conferences and symposiums, both attending and presenting on water quality issues. Most recently, BWQP has been discussing the value of engaging more deeply with organizations and professionals who focus on water quality statewide. These conversations reinforced Mr. Kuchnicki how important it is for water quality to have a strong presence within NWRA and ultimately inspired him to run for the Board.
As a newly appointed member of the NWRA Board of Trustees, Jason’s looks forward to his primary goal of elevating the importance of water quality within the Nevada Water Resources Association. He aims to ensure that water quality considerations are fully integrated into the organization’s programs, discussions, and professional development eƯorts so that they stand alongside water supply and resource management as core priorities.
Outside of his professional commitments, Jason is a father of three and an active outdoor enthusiast. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, snowboarding, mountain biking, and rock climbing. He brings passion and experience to the NWRA world, and we are thrilled to have him on board. “I have been a dedicated public servant for much of my life,” he shares. “I am honored for the opportunity to continue that service through the Nevada Water Resources Association. As a board member, I look forward to contributing to NWRA’s mission and working collaboratively to support Nevada’s water professionals and the communities we serve.”
