Mike Lacey, Principal Hydrologist, Member

Mike can trace his interest in water resources and earth science back to grammar school science fairs where he constructed a three-dimensional cross-section of the earth and a rudimentary sand and activated charcoal filter in 7th and 8th Grade, respectively.  That interest was honed through his undergraduate and graduate education in Physical Geography (BA - University of Delaware, MA – Arizona State University). 

He began his career as a research Hydrologist with the USDA-Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station where he was responsible for the instrumentation and monitoring of numerous small catchments for a slope erosion and sediment yield study conducted on three watersheds in different ecotypes in Central and Eastern Arizona.  This three year stint provided invaluable lessons in scientific methods and the importance of understanding the fundamental nature of the raw data an earth scientist is analyzing. 

Mike then worked in the Adjudications Division of the Arizona Department of Water Resources (2 years), initially conducting claimant reviews in the San Pedro Watershed and then as part of a team preparing technical submittals to the courts conducting the General Adjudications of both the Gila and Little Colorado River Systems. 

Since his departure from ADWR in 1989, Mike has been in private consulting, conducting hydrologic studies, forging public policy, and securing regulatory permits for public and private sector clients.  He is the founding member of 2 consulting firms and has expertise in hydrology, well drilling and groundwater supply development, groundwater recharge investigations and facility development, wastewater reuse, land and water resource investigations, fluvial geomorphology, climatology, water resource evaluations, and water rights assessments.  He spends much of his practice at the intersection of science, technology, law and public policy. 

Mr. Lacey is a proud husband and father of two daughters.  He enjoys many activities, including:  cooking, wine, woodworking/home improvements, golf and skiing. 

E-mail Mike: mjlacey@flusol.com