Meet the Water and Resource Conservation Staff

Paul Gosselin, Director

Paul Gosselin joined Butte County in November, 2007, as its third Director of Water and Resource Conservation. The Department manages the County's State Water Project Table A allocation, investigates and reports on groundwater conditions, administers Chapter 33, implements the Groundwater Management Plan, fosters regional partnerships and other water resource activities. Prior to joining Butte County, Paul was Chief Deputy Director for the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. From 1989 to 1993 he was the Director of Regulatory Services for the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture. Paul received a Bachelors degree in biochemistry and a Masters degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. 

Contact Paul by phone at 530.552.3590.

Christina Buck, Assistant Director

Christina Buck first worked for Butte County Water and Resource Conservation as a student intern during the summers of 2005 and 2006. She returned in 2012, as the Water Resources Scientist and became Assistant Director in 2018.  She leads projects to develop data and tools to support SGMA implementation and the development of Groundwater Sustainability Plans for the subbasins within Butte County.  Recent work includes participating in studies to better understand groundwater conditions and recharge, updates to the Butte Basin Groundwater Model, and regional coordination through the Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.  Prior to working for the County, she conducted graduate work at UC Davis participating in a variety of projects related to hydrogeology and groundwater-surface water interaction, water resources management, and field studies. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Hydrology from UC Davis and a Ph.D. in Hydrologic Sciences also from UC Davis. 

Contact Christina by phone at 530.552.3593.

Kelly Peterson, Water Resources Scientist

Kelly Peterson joined Butte County Water and Resource Conservation as their Water Resources Scientist in March, 2018. Kelly has a diverse background in water quality and quantity, natural resource and agricultural restoration projects, wetlands delineations, and various wildlife and habitat surveys.  For the past several years, she has been conducting state and environmental permitting and environmental compliance for projects throughout northern California.  Previously, she was the District Manager for the Butte County Resource Conservation District.  During her tenure at the Butte County RCD, she provided leadership on projects benefiting Butte County landowners.   Kelly has extensive experience with state and federal grants from her work with the Butte RCD, Western Shasta RCD and the Chico State Research Foundation.  She is active in the Forest Ranch Fire Safe Council.   She received a Bachelors degree in Natural Resource Planning and Interpretation from CSU Humboldt and a Masters degree in Environmental Science from CSU Chico.   

Contact Kelly by phone at 530.552.3588.