The Ground Water Protection Council presented the Mike Paque Distinguished Service Award to Wimberley’s Mary Musick at their 2024 Annual Forum in Nashville last week. The award was established by the GWPC Board to honor individuals who exemplify the organization’s mission of safeguarding the nation’s groundwater resources.
The service award is given periodically to state groundwater regulators who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to groundwater protection. This year, the award was presented to Mary Musick for her outstanding career and lasting impact on both state and national levels.
Mary Musick recently retired after a distinguished career. She served as Senior Water Policy Analyst for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality where she played a pivotal role in shaping groundwater protection policies. Musick also contributed to TCEQ’s predecessor agencies, including the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and the Texas Water Commission. Her leadership as Chair of the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee helped develop and implement the State Groundwater Protection Strategy, and she played a key role in safeguarding the Edwards Aquifer.
In addition to her extensive work at the state level, Musick actively participated in national groundwater protection initiatives, including her service on the USGS ACWI Subcommittee on Ground Water. Her contributions to the GWPC and the Ground Water Research and Education Foundation have been equally significant, with Musick serving as a board member and later as Senior Water Policy Advisor for GWPC from 2008 to 2023.
Amy Klei, GWPC President said, “Mary Musick’s lifelong dedication to groundwater protection makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award. GWPC is proud to honor Mary Musick for her tireless efforts in groundwater protection and her continued support of the GWPC mission.”
