News Release Archive

Federico Barajas Selected as Deputy Area Manager for Reclamation’s Central California Area Office

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, MP Region Public Affairs Officer, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: July 31, 2013

FOLSOM, Calif. – David Murillo, Regional Director for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Region, announces the selection of Federico Barajas as Deputy Area Manager for the Central California Area Office, based at Folsom Dam, 23 miles east of Sacramento. Barajas comes to the position from Reclamation’s Bay-Delta Office where he held the position of Deputy Area Manager.

“During his tenure with Reclamation, Federico Barajas has provided program direction and management oversight for a number of complex projects in connection with sensitive water resource issues. His experience will be a great asset in his new leadership position at the Central California Area Office,” stated Regional Director Murillo.

Barajas began his Reclamation career in the Mid-Pacific Region in 1991 as a Project Manager in the Planning Division, managing and directing multiple long-term water resources projects throughout the Region for more than 10 years. His positions since that time have included manager for the San Luis Drainage Collaborative Resolution Program, Special Assistant to the Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Water & Science, Regional Liaison for Reclamation’s Commissioner's Office, and Special Assistant to the Regional Director.

As Deputy Area Manager for CCAO, Barajas will assist in managing Reclamation programs and facilities in the central part of California. CCAO encompasses twelve counties and includes the Central Valley Project’s American River Division (Folsom Dam, powerplant, and reservoir; Nimbus Dam and powerplant; and Lake Natoma), the Auburn-Folsom South Unit (the Auburn Dam project lands and Folsom-South Canal), the Eastside Division (New Melones Dam, powerplant and reservoir on the Stanislaus River) and the Solano Project (Monticello Dam, Lake Berryessa, Lake Solano and the Putah South Canal).

CCAO also manages recreation at Lake Berryessa and New Melones Lake and has a long-term managing partnership agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation for recreation management at Folsom Lake, Lake Natoma and the Auburn Recreation Area.

Barajas is a graduate of the Reclamation’s Leadership Development Program and the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He resides in Sacramento with his wife and their two children.

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