WASHINGTON, D.C. — The appointment of Jaime Pinkham, executive director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, will bring critical experience and perspective to the Army Corps of Engineers as the next principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. The National Wildlife Federation welcomed Pinkham’s appointment and said it underscored the Biden Administration’s commitment to managing America’s water resources to protect people and wildlife.

“The Army Corps of Engineers has an essential role in managing America’s rivers, wetlands, floodplains, and coasts to make communities and the nation’s wildlife more resilient to climate change,” said Jessie Ritter, director of water resources and coastal policy for the National Wildlife Federation. “Jamie Pinkham has the experience and perspective needed to guide the Army Corps of Engineers as it works to improve the health of the nation’s waters and invest in natural solutions to protect communities and wildlife alike.  We look forward to working with him and the Biden Administration to achieve these critical goals.”

Pinkham is a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe and has worked on a range of wildlife and water issues critical to the National Wildlife Federation, including salmon recovery in the Columbia River Basin and wolf recovery in Idaho.  Pinkham also has been a leading advocate for strengthening and reforming Tribal governance structures to help Indigenous communities exercise their sovereignty.