Reclamation names new chief

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Reclamation now has a Nevadan at its helm.

Robert W. Johnson became the bureau's commissioner Tuesday, replacing Utahn John W. Keys II of Moab, who has retired. The Senate confirmed his nomination on Sept. 29.

Best known for managing Flaming Gorge and Hoover dams, as well as other hydroelectric power plants, the Bureau of Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the country and second-largest producer of hydroelectric power in the West.

Prior to becoming commissioner, Johnson had been the bureau's Lower Colorado regional director since 1995. He oversaw the management of the last 700 miles of the Colorado River, Hoover Dam and numerous other activities in southern Nevada, Southern California and Arizona, and small portions of southern Utah and New Mexico.

In that position, Johnson worked on significant water-management changes that included 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.

"Bob brings a wealth of experience on Western water issues to this job," said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Mark Limbaugh in a statement. "His experience and leadership in working with multiple parties to develop consensus solutions to these difficult issues will serve him well as Reclamation's commissioner."

Johnson has worked for Reclamation since 1975 and is the 20th person to have led the federal agency.

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