H STUDIO A+D

gis DEPT

Senior GIS Consultant
Lora K. McKusick, GISP, Senior GIS Consultant, has over 30 years of professional experience

using GIS (Geographic Information Systems).  Lora is a certified GIS professional (GISP).


Lora has done extensive GIS analysis regarding Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

hydroelectric studies, agriculture, land ownership, and water rights.  She has provided 

GIS analysis in support of water rights litigation and negotiations on behalf of several

Native American tribes in California, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.  On

many of these engagements, Lora's various roles have included GIS expert witness, GIS fact

witness and GIS litigation consultant.  Most recently, Lora has been involved with developing

water rights databases, maps and claim forms to support the filings of water rights claims.


Lora's educational degrees include the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Washington State University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Washington State University


​​Professional Certifications

  • GIS Professional (GISP)


Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services include:

  • Geospatial Mapping Services
  • GIS Consultation
  • GIS and Database Management
  • Water Rights Databases, Maps and Claim Forms
  • GIS Expert Witness specializing in Water Rights Litigation & Negotiation support on behalf of Native American Tribes


Recent GIS Projects

  • Reserved Water Rights for the Crow Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Montana
  • Reserved Water Rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Montana
  • Reserved Water Rights for the Flathead Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Montana
  • Technical Assistance and Analysis from Lost Water and Land for Water Rights Negotiations, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, California
  • Reserved Water Rights for the Lummi Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Washington
  • Reserved Water Rights for the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Idaho and Nevada
  • Reserved Water Rights for the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Idaho
  • Pelton-Round Butte Hydroelectric Projecct (FERC No. 2030) Relicensing Study, Warm Springs, Oregon
  • Licensing Conditions Related to the Cushman Hydroelectric Project's impact on the Skokomish Indian Reservation, Washington
  • West Enfield Operations Modification Assessment, Maine
  • Annual 10(e) Charges for the Wisconsin River Headwaters Project (FERC No. 2113), Michigan
  • Licensing Conditions and Annual Charges Related to Milford Hydroelectric Project FERC Application, Maine
  • Annual 10(e) Charges for the St. Louis River Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2360), Minnesota