Press Release: Sites Reservoir Awarded $30 Million in New Federal Funding

Sites Reservoir Awarded $30 Million in New Federal Funding

Sacramento, CA – Sites Reservoir was awarded an additional $30 million in federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. With this new investment, the total contribution from the United States Bureau of Reclamation to Sites Reservoir is $244 million.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our federal partners,” said Fritz Durst, chairman of the Sites Project Authority. “These investments exemplify the spirit of collaboration that’s been a hallmark of Sites Reservoir. We have local, state and federal interests working together to create a new, resilient water supply for people, the environment, farms and businesses.”

Sites Reservoir is being paid for by the beneficiaries of the project, who represent millions of Californians, thousands of acres of farmland, and agencies collaborating to increase water resiliency while protecting the environment. Federal and state partners have invested through federal infrastructure laws and through California’s Proposition 1 to ensure public benefits are included in the project, such as water dedicated to the environment and recreation.

“Water is essential to every community – for feeding families, growing crops, powering agricultural businesses and sustaining wildlife,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “Our investment in these projects will increase water storage capacity and lay conveyance pipeline to deliver reliable and safe drinking water and build resiliency for communities most impacted by drought.”

Sites Reservoir will increase California’s water supply by providing 1.5 million acre-feet of additional water storage capacity, which will make our statewide water management system more flexible, reliable, and resilient. Sites is an off-stream reservoir that would capture and store stormwater flows from the Sacramento River – after all other water rights and regulatory requirements are met – for use by California communities, farms, and businesses when it is so desperately needed. Specifically, Sites can provide water during drought years by saving it when it’s abundant from wet years and major storm events.

Sites Reservoir has broad statewide support from cities, counties, water agencies, and irrigation districts throughout the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area, and Southern California which are working together to advance the project. The Sites Reservoir Project is locally led by the Sites Project Authority which is made up Sacramento Valley water districts, cities, and counties.

Sites is an off-stream reservoir proposed north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where it would provide unique water supply and environmental benefits during dry periods, especially during extended drought. Additional information can be found at sitesproject.org or on Facebook and Twitter at @SitesProject.

Download a PDF of this news release here.