J. Michael Jess
Hi, I'm Michael Jess, associate director of the UNL Water Center and senior lecturer in the School of Natural Resources.
I'm primarily associated with the water science major, the hydrologic sciences graduate specialization and the human dimensions program area. My expertise in Nebraska's water resources policy and hydrology.
I teach several seminars related to water policy and local government of natural resources. One in particular is focused on water law in conjunction with the UNL School of Law. I also coordinate the efforts of the UNL Water Center and the Nebraska Water Conference Council in producing the various water conferences and the annual summer Water and Natural Resources Tour.
I serve as the UNL member of the Water Well Standards and Licensing Board, which oversees sanitation, construction and continuing education regulations for the drilling of water wells in the state. I also provide technical counsel to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in its reviews of state-mandated groundwater management plans prepared by the state's natural resources districts. In addition, I frequently speak on water policy issues for outreach and extension events statewide.
Prior to coming to UNL, I was director of the Nebraska Department of Water Resources from 1981 to 1999. That department has since been combined with the former Nebraska Natural Resources Commission to form the state DNR. During that time, I also served as administrative law judge for more than 150 disputes among water users in Nebraska. I was also chairman of the Nebraska Boundary Commission and successfully negotiated joint boundary compacts with South Dakota and Missouri. Prior to that, I was deputy director of the DWR from 1975-1981 and staff hydrologist for the Illinois State Water Survey from 1972-1975.
I have a bachelor's and masters in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Personnel Information
| Name | J. Michael Michael Jess |
| University Title | Professor |
| SNR Title | Water Center Associate Director |
| Additional Title | Asst. Director Water Center |
| Address | 503 Hardin Hall, Lincoln NE 68583-0995 |
| Phone | 402-472-7570 |
| Fax | 402-472-2946 |
| mjess3@unl.edu | |
| Related Websites | n/a |
Go to Mike's Full Profile
Key Publications
- Jess, J. Michael, 2003, Water transfers and marketing in Nebraska: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Conservation and Survey Division Earth Science Notes No. 5.
- Jess, J. Michael, 2000, Satisfying Contemporary Water Needs B Reflections on Market Drive Water Rights Exchanges: Nebraska Tax Research Council, Inc.
- Jess, J. Michael, 1985, Nebraska State-led O'Neill Unit Alternative Study: Nebraska Department of Water Resources.
- Jess, J. Michael, 1970, Use of Groundwater for Irrigation, Seward County, Nebraska: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Conservation and Survey Division Water Survey Paper No. 25.
