LaMalfa, Garamendi introduce bill boosting Sites Reservoir

Two north state congressmen have introduced joint legislation to help get Sites Reservoir built.

The proposed reservoir west of Maxwell in Colusa and Glenn counties has been under review for decades, and could get some state funding under Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion water bond approved by voters in 2014.

But the status of necessary federal and state approvals will determine which projects actually get funds.

The bill announced Friday by Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, and John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, would accelerate the federal review of Sites Reservoir and improve its chances.

H.R. 1269 would also authorize the federal government to be involved in construction of the project should it be found feasible.

“Sites Reservoir will provide more storage per dollar invested than any other proposed project in the state,” said LaMalfa in a press release. “This will help to ensure that we have adequate storage to capture more water during the wet season and allow us to use that water effectively during times of future drought.”

“Sites Reservoir is one of the most useful, cost-effective water infrastructure projects California could build,” said Garamendi. “The recent feast-or-famine water years should remind us all of the importance of building safe, environmentally friendly long-term storage that can take advantage of wet years and help provide for our water needs during drier periods.”

Sites would be an off-stream 1.8 million-acre-foot reservoir that is anticipated to provide 500,000 acre-feet of new water each year. As planned, the lake would be filled with winter runoff from streams flowing into the northern Sacramento Valley, many of which are not controlled by dams.

A joint press release said the new water could:

• Restore operational flexibility to the entire state’s water system.

• Meet the co-equal goals identified in the 2009 Delta Reform Act.

• Dedicate water for fishery and flow purposes.

• Contribute flows for delta water quality purposes.

• Mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Contribute to the state’s renewable energy goals.