Biography

Robert  Shibatani, as a watershed hydrologist, worked on various hydrological research projects during the 1980's including those for the United Nations Educational Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Atomic Energy of Canada (Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories), Ontario Ministry of the Environment (Acid Precipitation in Ontario Study), Dorset Research Station, University of Toronto, University of Alberta, and Trent University’s Watershed Ecosystem Program.  He worked on the effects of transboundary airborne pollutants (between the U.S and Canada/Europe) on runoff hydrology (watershed processes affecting acid shock in northern latitude Precambrian lakes), a late 70’s international environmental focus that preceded the current interest in another transboundary air pollutant, GHGs, by several decades.


After completing graduate work in physical hydrology, Robert Shibatani spent five-years in the corporate Environmental Law Practice Group of Fasken & Calvin (Fasken Martineau, internationally) in Toronto, before coming to California as a Regulatory Specialist for BEAK Consultants in 1993.  At BEAK, he focused exclusively on water projects.  He held several project manager and senior manager positions, and was one of the original founding members of Surface Water Resources Inc. (SWRI) in 1996, becoming the Vice President of SWRI's Environmental & Regulatory Program in 1999.  Robert Shibatani was a Principal for California Water Resources with Stantec Consulting in 2003 and most recently was a Consulting Hydrologist, Water Industry Advisor for PBS&J.

Robert Shibatani is an accomplished public spokesperson, traveling regularly on the California speaker circuit.