About The Office of the Engineer
The Office of the Water Engineer is directed by the Board and is tasked with developing and implementing procedures to issue, change, and enforce water rights on the Flathead Reservation.
meet the staff:
Water Engineer
This position is currently vacant.
Amanda Berens - Water Resource Specialist (II)
(406) 201-2532, EXT 406
aberens@frwmb.gov
Amanda Berens began working for the Office of the Engineer in February of 2025 as a Water Resource Specialist. She received her B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries as well as a B.S. in Forest Management, and a certificate in GIS. She then proceeded to get a M.S. in Professional Wildlife Biology and Conservation Management from Unity Environmental University. She has previously worked for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in several positions including working in Washington D.C. for the fisheries department, a USFWS Youth Conservation Corp leader, a technician at Creston National Fish Hatchery, and a wildlife biologist at the National Bison Range. She has also worked for the United States Forest Service as a DNA extraction Technician as well as spent some time in Costa Rica studying leatherback sea turtles. Amanda spends her free time bird watching with her two kids, spending time with her dog, and enjoys spending time taking care of her aquariums.
James Frakes - Hydrologist (I)
(406) 201-2532
jfrakes@frwmb.gov
James Frakes began working for the Office of the Engineer in October 2022 as a Water Conservation Specialist and was promoted to a hydrology position in 2023. He received his B.S. in Aquatic Wildlife Biology and his M.S. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Montana, Missoula. He is also a cofounder of a non-profit organization, The Salmonfly Project.
Cristy Brooks - Water Resource Specialist (I)
(406) 201-2532, EXT 403
cbrooks@frwmb.gov
Cristy Brooks is a long time resident of the Flathead Reservation, moving here from Washington in 2006. In the summer of 2022, she joined the Office of the Engineer of the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board as the Compliance Technician/Administrative Assistant. Cristy has a background in Business and Administration, Personnel, Benefits, Accounting, Finance Management, Payroll, Contract and Grant Management and Compliance.
Dustin Walters - Hydrologist (II)
(406) 201-2532, EXT 405
dwalters@frwmb.gov
Dustin Walters began working for the Office of the Engineer in July of 2025. Dustin received his MS degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Montana in 2002 with an emphasis in Soil Science. Dustin then worked for the Forest Service for the next 23 years as both a soil scientist and hydrologist. Dustin worked across the Western US from Alaska to Arizona and was stationed in Missoula for the past 16 years. Dustin spends his free time with his two children and engaging in several hobbies including: skiing, mountain biking, woodworking, tango dancing, running, hiking, and gardening.
Sidney Palmer - Water Resource Specialist (II)
(406) 201-2532, EXT 404
spalmer@frwmb.gov
Sidney Palmer began working for the Office of the Engineer in April of 2024 as a Water Resource Specialist. Raised in Challis, Idaho, she got her B.S. in Environmental Policy at Boise State University. She then went to work for a molybdenum mine and the Idaho Department of Water Resources before joining the Office of the Engineer. She recently received her Masters in Natural Resource Management with the Salish Kootenai College. She is also working with a Boise State University research team to determine the benefits of opening a master’s degree program within environmental mining. Sidney was also a competitive epee fencer in college and now enjoys white water rafting, skiing, fly tying and fly fishing.
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Rhonda Botten - Finance Director
(406) 201-2532, EXT 402
rbotten@frwmb.gov
Rhonda Botten joined the Flathead Reservation Water Management Board as Finance Director in May 2024, overseeing financial operations, budgeting, reporting, and payroll with a strong commitment to transparency and public service. She brings a diverse professional background spanning the public, private, and tribal sectors, with experience as an accountant, office manager, admin agent, and emergency operations supervisor. Proficient in QuickBooks and other financial systems, Rhonda has a proven track record of developing financial processes, managing complex budgets, and coordinating efforts across local, state, tribal, and federal agencies. Her dedication to service is demonstrated through her leadership in a major disaster response effort-the Oso Mudslide, the deadliest mudslide in U.S history-where she played a crusial role in recovery operations and earned a Certificate of Merit for her contributions. Rhonda’s expertise in fiscal management, office administration, and interagency collaboration makes her a vital asset to the Water Management Board’s mission. Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys photographing Montana’s stunning landscapes and wildlife. She also tends to her homestead, where she keeps goats and horses and raises minature Hereford cattle-fully embracing the rewards of country living.