News Release Archive

Reclamation welcomes Paquin as area manager for Snake River Area Office

Media Contact: Christine Schuldheisz, 208-378-5212, cschuldheisz@usbr.gov

For Release: June 11, 2020

BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Reclamation announces the selection of Melanie “Lanie” Paquin as area manager for the Snake River Area Office in Interior Region 9: Columbia–Pacific Northwest. Paquin will oversee all aspects of the management, development and protection of water and related resources in the Snake River drainage basin. She will manage Reclamation projects in eastern Oregon, most of Idaho, and western Wyoming.

“Lanie brings a wealth of experience as a manager and leader,” said C–PN Regional Director Lorri Gray. “Her knowledge of the Snake River basin issues, as well as the relationships she has developed with our partners and stakeholders, will be a great asset to the area office,” added Gray.

Prior to her new assignment, Paquin served as the regional environmental services program manager where she led implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws and regulations. Prior to this work Paquin served as deputy area manager for the Snake River Area Office. Paquin began her Reclamation career in 2002 as a geographic information systems specialist and quickly rose to a leadership position as GIS program manager. She also served as a regional liaison to the Reclamation Commissioner’s Office in Washington D.C.

“I'm very excited to rejoin the Snake River Area Office team and work with Reclamation's partners and stakeholders,” said Paquin. “I look forward to collaboratively addressing water resource challenges and opportunities across the basin.”

Paquin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Science degree in geography from Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. She will begin her new role June 22.

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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.