Who is Thomas Birmingham? A quick guide to one of California’s most powerful water czars

Thomas Birmingham, general manager of California’s powerful Westlands Water District, described as the largest agriculture water district in the country, announced he will retire at the end of 2022. Four “change coalition” candidates last month won seats on the agency’s nine-member board. They join two other like-minded members, promising a shift from what has been called Birmingham’s “polarizing” approach to water policy in the Central Valley under his two-decade tenure. Here’s a brief rundown.

Thomas Birmingham

In a nutshell: Age, 67. Born in Yreka, just south of the California-Oregon border. Graduate of UCLA and McGeorge School of Law. Lives in Land Park in Sacramento.

Known for: Birmingham was outside counsel for Westlands from 1986 to 2000, then both general counsel and general manager from 2000 to 2016 when his job was split to general manager alone. His contract was extended last year until 2024, but he has decided to retire instead. He is seen as a powerful force in political lobbying for farmers’ water access and as a foe of environmental restrictions that would curb it.

Money: In 2020, Birmingham earned $442,196 in pay and $55,633 in benefits for a total package of $497,829, according to Transparent California, which tracks compensation for public employees.

In his words: “I’ve never understood why Westlands gets such a bad rap. I mean, as an example, ... one of the myths is that Westlands is dominated by large corporate agri-business. I don’t know what is inherently wrong with a corporation conducting business. But... I know from personal knowledge that the people who farm in Westlands Water District are family farmers, in every sense of the word. They are incredibly philanthropic, they are generous, and they’re all, with maybe some very limited exceptions, they’re all decent human beings who are genuinely interested in doing the right thing.”

Westlands Water District

In a nutshell: Formed in 1952 and headquartered in Fresno, it covers 1,000 square miles (about the size of Sacramento County) of farmland in western Fresno and Kings Counties, with federal contracts to provide water to 700 family-owned farms averaging 875 acres. The overall coverage is about 600,000 acres.

Known for: The water district is responsible for distributing water through the Central Valley Project, the complex system of dams, canals , pipes and water delivery systems, operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. It’s reputation is in advocating strongly for farmers and ag needs and at being at odds with environmentalists, fishing advocates and Native American tribes.

Money: According to the agency’s financial reports, it had a budget of nearly $320 million.

In their words: Director Daniel Errotabere, president of Westlands from 2002-2005 and again from 2020-2021 : “I know his top priority now is representing Westlands, I do appreciate the breadth of knowledge he brings to the table. Tom and I don’t always see eye to eye, but I’ve known him for 15 years, and I do appreciate the experience and concern he brings to the debate.”

In others’ words: “I have tremendous personal respect for Tom, but Westlands has pursued an approach that holds the rest of the state hostage,” Timothy Quinn, the vice president of state water project resources for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the state’s largest urban water district, told SF Gate. “To deal with environmental demands, most of the state’s urban and agricultural contractors have made revolutionary changes in the way they manage water. But Westlands is simply continuing the war with the environmentalists. We don’t agree with that strategy.”

This story was originally published December 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM.