California’s Sites Reservoir project hits troubled waters in permitting process
The California state water board on Monday formally announced that the Sites Reservoir project failed to get federal approval, a situation they say isn’t permanent and can be rectified. The rejection by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the latest setback for the estimated $4 billion project in Northern California that would capture water during the rainy season. Officials have said the reservoir would hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, or enough for 3 million homes a year. The denial stems from a back-and-forth over documents between governmental agencies, including the State Water Resources Control Board, Sites Project Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The denial is effective Monday (Sept. 16), the day the water board sent its letter to the Sites Authority.
Related storage and infrastructure news releases:
- State Water Resources Board letter: Denial without prejudice of water quality ceritfication for Sites Reservoir Project
- Utah State University news release: Holding water: Redefining reservoir rules to make room for environmental stability
- U.S. Senator Alex Padilla news release: Padilla applauds over $2 billion available for California dam safety
