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Stephen K. Hall, a respected water leader who played a central role in some of the biggest achievements in recent California water policy history, died Tuesday, Jan. 19, after a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. He was 58.

Hall served as ACWA's executive director from 1993 until his retirement in 2007. During his 30-year career in water, he worked to bring diverse interests together and advance policies to address the state's water supply challenges.

A consensus builder who was at the forefront of the water community's work to find solutions, Hall is credited with helping to break long-running gridlock and forge agreements that laid the groundwork for the landmark Bay-Delta Accord signed in 2004. He played a primary role in the so-called "three-way" negotiations that led to the creation of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program and paved the way for passage of Proposition 204 of 1996 and Proposition 13 of 2002.

He was also a tireless advocate for ACWA member agencies, appearing before legislative hearings in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. on issues ranging from the Bay-Delta to local government reform to endangered species and drinking water quality.