News Release Archive

Reclamation Selects Brent Esplin as Montana Area Manager

Media Contact: Tyler Johnson, (406) 247-7609, 01/08/2013 00:00

For Release: January 08, 2013

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation's Great Plains Region has selected Brent Esplin as the Montana Area Manager in Billings, Mont. Esplin replaces Dan Jewell who is retiring after more than 36 years of federal service.

"Esplin is the right candidate for the job," said Great Plains Regional Director Mike Ryan. "His prior experience working at MTAO, along with his extensive background in management, water rights issues and working with Native American communities qualifies him to help solve water challenges of the future."

Prior to accepting the Area Manager position, Esplin served as the Deputy Area Manager for the Lower Colorado Region in Phoenix, Ariz. Esplin's career with Reclamation has included working with Native American communities to negotiate and implement water rights settlements, working with states to resolve interstate compact compliance issues, and negotiating water service and repayment contracts.

Esplin first came to Reclamation in 1997 serving as a Civil Engineer in the Montana Area Office. In addition to serving as the Deputy Area Manager for the Lower Colorado Region's Phoenix Area Office, Esplin also served as the Deputy Area Manager for the Nebraska-Kansas Area Office.

"I'm honored to be selected as the Montana Area Manager," said Esplin. "I look forward to the opportunities and challenges Montana faces in managing and developing the water resources of tomorrow."

Some of Reclamation's earliest projects were built in Montana. Work began on the Lower Yellowstone Project in 1905 just three years after the agency was created. Today there are 13 projects east of the Continental Divide - the portion of the state managed by the GP Region. There are 13 dams and reservoirs, nine diversion dams, 10 pumping plants and two power plants which provide a variety of benefits and meet multiple needs, including recreation.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

Montana Area Office Home Page