Of Counsel
Gary M. Gold
Gary M. Gold is an attorney and engineer with nearly two decades of experience in natural resources. Drawing on his interdisciplinary background, Gary guides public agencies and Tribal Nations through complex legal and regulatory environments with particular expertise in the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, other federal laws governing natural resources.
Gary previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior where he played a key role in negotiating settlements to resolve water rights claims and in advancing construction of water infrastructure including the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project.
Gary started his career as a Water Resources engineer at Austin Water Utility in Texas. As an attorney, he has worked on regulatory compliance matters for Salt River Project in Arizona and served as a natural resources advisor to U.S. Senators on both sides of the aisle. Gary is also a former National Science Foundation Research Fellow.
- Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, U.S. Department of the Interior
- Natural Resources Attorney, Salt River Project (Arizona)
- Policy Advisor to U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema
- Water Law Fellow, U.S. Senator Jeff Flake
- Water Resources Engineer, Austin Water Utility, Texas
- Research Fellow, National Science Foundation
Publications
- “An Antifragile Approach to Water Scarcity,” The Water Report, June 16, 2025
- “What’s Changing in U.S. Water Policy? Key 2025 Updates to Environmental Rules,” The Driller, May 5, 2025
- “It’s not all zero-sum: Tribal water settlements can be a win-win solution in Arizona,” The Arizona Republic, Dec. 2020
- “The Energy-Water Nexus: An Analysis and Comparison of Various Configurations Integrating Desalination with Renewable Power,” Resources Scientific Journal, April 2015
Presentations
- "Navigating NEPA and ESA Compliance in a Changing Landscape," IMLA Environmental Law/Compliance Webinar, Jan. 27, 2026
- "Sealing the Deal: Law, Policy, and Partnerships in Tribal Water Agreements," Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law D.C. Brown Bag Lunch, Sept. 26, 2025
- “No Harm, No Foul: Services Propose Rescinding ‘Harm’ Definition in ESA Regulations,” National Water Resources Association D.C. Conference, May 2025
- “Tribal Water Rights and the Colorado River Basin,” University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center Seminar, Oct. 2024
- “A Bureau of Reclamation Perspective on Tribal Water Rights and the Colorado River Basin,” Secretary’s Indian Water Rights Office Team Chair Conference, Oct. 2024
- “Tribal Water Rights and the Colorado River Basin,” Arizona Water Law Conference by CLE International, Aug. 2024
- “Tribal Water Rights Settlements: a Nexus of Law, Policy, and Engineering,” University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center Seminar, May 2024
- “A U.S. Department of the Interior Perspective on Tribal Water Rights Settlements,”Arizona Water Law Conference by CLE International, Aug, 2023
- “Perspective from the U.S. Department of the Interior,” Association of California Water Agencies D.C. Conference, Feb. 2023
- “Federal Issues Forum,” Association of California Water Agencies Fall Conference, Nov. 2022Association of California Water Agencies Spring Conference, Federal Affairs Committee, May 2022
- “Colorado River at a Crossroads,” California Lawyers Association Environmental Law Conference, Oct. 2022
- “Arizona Caucus Legislative Update,” Colorado River Water Users Association Annual Conference, Dec. 2019
