Press Release: Sites Reservoir on a Regulatory Fast Track with State’s Permitting Reforms
Sites Reservoir on a Regulatory Fast Track with State’s Permitting Reforms
Maxwell, Calif. – The Sites Project Authority would like to commend and thank Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature for working together to pass a critically important infrastructure streamlining package that will allow eligible projects certified by the Governor to use a streamlined approval process to get essential infrastructure into construction and operation for the benefit of all Californians. All seven of the Proposition 1 water storage projects are eligible, including the Sites Reservoir Project.
In May, Governor Newsom introduced proposals to streamline permitting and project review for critical infrastructure projects, like Sites Reservoir, that would help meet the state’s needs to provide new, climate-resilient water supplies.
“We are grateful to Governor Newsom and the State Legislature for their leadership on such a challenging aspect of our regulatory process,” said Jerry Brown, Executive Director of the Sites Project Authority. “Their actions to incorporate these policy changes will expedite securing our water supplies to become more resilient to a changing climate. These actions strike the right balance—time saved and costs reduced for delivery of critically important water projects like Sites, while still providing our communities and environments proper safeguards.”
The passage of these critical legislative proposals adds even more momentum to the Sites Reservoir project, which is nearing key milestones, including a consideration of a water right permit by the State Water Resources Control Board and the certification of its Final Environmental Impact Report/Statement.
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 www.sitesproject.org or on Facebook and Twitter at @SitesProject.