Insight and Analysis at the Confluence of Water Policy, Agriculture
and the Environment
About Water Policy Economics
Water Policy Economics offers economic and policy consulting on a wide range of issues with emphasis on the intersection of water supply, irrigated agriculture, conservation policy and the environment. My objective is to provide analysis and insight based on data, knowledge and expertise, to better inform public and private sector clients with timely and comprehensive analysis to improve decisions and outcomes. There are certain advantages to having a Maryland location, near Washington DC, but services may be provided where needed.
The Principle Consultant
Noel Gollehon, Ph.D., is an economist with decades of experience in the water and agricultural field ranging from moving sprinkler pipe on the farm to the process for Federal water infrastructure investments. With 10-years of university research experience followed by 32-years as a USDA economist, Dr. Gollehon has a strong analytical base, a federal policy perspective, and broad portfolio of expertise to apply to your situation.
Dr. Gollehon has a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, with an emphasis in Natural Resource Economics and Farm Management proceeded by both a B.S. and Masters from New Mexico State University in Agri-Business and Farm Management. Research activities at both institutions focus on the effect of water policy or water market influences on agricultural production and profitability.
He is a member of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA), American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Recently he served as an elected member of the National Board of Directors of AWRA followed by election to the National Treasurer of AWRA. He is also active at the local, state and national-level of Trout Unlimited, to both support environmental education and improvement and to improve his fishing opportunities. He is a dedicated fly fisherman whose preference is wade-fishing for cold-water species (trout, salmon, char) in flowing water.
Activities and Experience
Activities
A few highlights of my past professional activities will provide insight into the extensive scope of his past experience and portfolio of expertise:
- Advisor to USDA Office of the Secretary on irrigation and water use, especially on water policy issues, whether State of Federal Agency policy
- Contact for Agencies other than USDA (USGS, EPA, etc.) on agricultural water use and irrigation efficiency
- Identification and valuation of water-based ecosystem services
- Evaluation of Federal Farm Bill Conservation Policy and Programs
- Principle author of USDA policy on water resource investments that recognized environmental, social and economic tradeoffs in infrastructure investments
- Co-author of reports on the location and potential water quality concerns associated with livestock production
- Completed studies that required analysis of significant quantities of data (2 million records per period for 7 periods)
- Analyzed and commented on many proposed Federal “rules” or “actions” for official Agency transmittal to OMB on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Developed economic analysis used as a part of the “rule making” process for implementation of conservation provision of the Farm Bill
Experience
I recently retired form Federal Service with 32 years of experience as an economist in USDA. My entire career was spent examining the many facets of how economics intersects with Federal and state water policies, environmental services, water availability and supply, and how all this influences, and is influenced by, irrigated agriculture and agricultural water quantity and quality. As a result of this long-term commitment to an analytical focus, I can provide a level of insight beyond those that specialize in single disciple analysis.
Prior to my USDA career, I spent almost 10 years at New Mexico State and the University of Nebraska conducting independent, supervised almost exclusively grant-funded research. The research was mainly farm-level analysis using partial budgeting of irrigated crops to drive models (linear programming, dynamic programming, process and simulation) to evaluate the impacts of reduced water availability on the agricultural sector, but with implications for water-related eco-system services.
The middle 20 years of my career was at a research agency where I utilized statistical and process models to analyze irrigation water use and the decisions behind irrigation water applications. I also evaluated Federal policies during this period but with only a few exceptions the policy evaluation was ex post in nature.
The last 12 years was at a “Program Agency” responsible for developing and implementing farm conservation policy. Here my work shifted to conservation policy and program evaluation that was both ex ante and ex post. During this period, I provided expertise on economics, irrigation water use, and conservation policy to senior Agency Leaders.
Resources
Documents
Presentations
Publications
Noel Gollehon Ph.D.
Phone: 301-928-0151
eMail: noel@waterpolicyecon.com