David Burt has joined the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians as Director of the Environmental Department.

Burt brings 30 years of environmental operations and program management experience to the position. He comes to Rincon from The Woodlands, Texas, where he was president of Environmental Operations for Lariat Environmental Solutions, Inc. Prior to that he developed the groundwater/ surface water and environmental management departments over a 23-year career at Waste Management, Inc.

“Much of my professional background has been in utilizing science to enhance the environment and reduce liability,” said Burt. “I’ve been directly involved in developing safety and risk management projects and corporate programs from concept to implementation.”

Burt explained that one of his strongest interests is in the field of groundwater and surface water science. “Hopefully this is one area where I can provide an important contribution to tribal government,” he said, citing the long standing water issues at Rincon and Pauma Valley and the legal battles of the San Luis Rey Indian Water Authority.

His environmental background includes training and regulatory leadership in both solid and hazardous waste; environmental risk reduction and monitoring; site assessment and remediation; and groundwater and surface water risk management.

The new environmental director also brings expansive experience to Rincon in the fields of environmental sustainability, water supply, and environmental management systems. Burt has worked with dozens of regulatory agencies as well as USEPA in regulation development and review, environmental guidance creation and implementation, and as an invited technical speaker and peer reviewer.

“We are very pleased to have David join tribal government,” said Human Resources Director Aaron English. “He will have a number of important responsibilities as he gets started in his new position, including developing the environmental department’s infrastructure and supporting the environmental needs of tribal government, the reservation, and surrounding communities.”

“As Director,” English added, “David will also be working closely with the Tribal Administrator, Attorney General’s office and Cultural Resources, as the department faces new environmental challenges and needs on the reservation.”

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to help Rincon achieve enhanced environmental performance and value,” Burt said. “I believe there is a lot we can accomplish for the Band and I look forward to engaging all stakeholders as we move toward a bright future for the environment, the reservation, and the community.”