Maya R. Ferry Stafford

Maya Ferry Stafford provides legal counsel on endangered species issues for the State Water Project; the planning and implementation of Delta water supply; water rights and water quality matters; ecosystem restoration projects; and watermaster issues. She is Department of Water Resources’ lead attorney for long-term State Water Project operations, including compliance with existing permits and securing regulatory authorizations. Ms. Ferry Stafford manages work on these topics within the Office of General Counsel, guiding junior attorneys on assignments, ensuring legal work product is timely and useful, and coordinating with attorneys handling other matters on cross-over issues. She is the Department’s legal representative on long-term operational issues at meetings with other agencies, litigation counsel, and the public, where she ensures that the Department’s interests are protected.

Ms. Ferry Stafford received her J.D. from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College with a certificate in Environmental & Natural Resources Law, and a BS in Biology from the University of Washington. Before she became a public servant with the State, her legal career included working at a private law firm in its water law practice group and as a clerk to an administrative law judge for power marketing matters at the Bonneville Power Administration.