President Bush has announced his intention to nominate native Nevadan Robert W. Johnson to head the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. He would replace Utahn John W. Keys II of Moab, who retired earlier this year.

Johnson has been serving since 1995 as the bureau's director of the Lower Colorado Region, which encompasses southern Nevada, southern California, most of Arizona and small portions of southern Utah and New Mexico.

The Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the country, and second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the West. It is best known for the dams (such as Hoover and Flaming Gorge), power plants and canals it constructed in 17 western states.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne praised Johnson Friday, saying his "three decades of experience in managing major water issues in the West and his outstanding leadership qualities make him an excellent choice."

Kempthorne said Johnson has initiated and directed significant changes in management of the Colorado River, including the first water-sharing agreements between California, Arizona and Nevada and the first water-supply guidelines to put California on a path to reducing its use of Colorado River water.

Johnson has worked for Reclamation since 1975. Johnson has also previously won the President's Meritorious Executive Award.