Proposed Sites Reservoir Public Scoping Meetings Held

Two public scoping meetings were held this past week by the Sites Joint Powers Authority to gather comments from stakeholders and the public about the environmental review process for the proposed Sites Reservoir project (Sites).  The first was held in Sacramento on Wednesday, and the second was held in Maxwell on Thursday.  The question most often asked of the various Authority representatives involved if and/or how Sites might have affected the state’s water delivery infrastructure in light of the recent Oroville Dam issue.  

In short, at best a marginal improvement in stored water of approximately 5800 acre-feet and an equally nominal “relief” of the pressure on downstream levees.

The environmental review process is an application requirement for the state's Water Storage Investment Program created by Proposition 1, which will provide money to selected water storage projects throughout the state.  The JPA will act as the lead agency in preparing the environmental impact report in partnership with the Department of Water Resources.  The Bureau of Reclamation is the lead agency in conducting the federal feasibility study for the project.  Reclamation is a cost-sharing partner with the JPA to determine the federal government's interest and role in the project.

JPA staff and Reclamation staff were available to answer questions and provide information at both meetings. Written comments from the public will be accepted at both meetings and through March 2, 2017.

Detailed information about the scoping process and the Sites Project can be accessed here.  For questions regarding the project or meetings, call Janet Barbieri with the JPA at (530) 919-9306, or Mike Dietl with Reclamation at (916) 978-5070.