State Board to Consider Resolution on Sites Reservoir Funding

Efforts to expand surface water storage north of the Delta could get a shot in the arm Aug. 16 when the State Water Resources Control Board considers a resolution regarding the proposed Sites Reservoir.

The Department of Water Resources has proposed to award $1.75 million in Proposition 204 funding to the Sites Joint Powers Authority to complete environmental documents as part of the North-of-the-Delta Offstream Storage Investigation project. DWR has asked the State Board to determine whether the project will assist with meeting water quality goals and other objectives under the board’s Water Quality Control Plan.

DWR has determined that the project meets the intent of Proposition 204 and has the ability to improve operational flexibility in the system, provide supplemental flows to improve Delta water quality, and contribute to meeting other objectives.

If the State Board agrees with the determination, the Sites JPA will use the funding to complete the environmental review in cooperation with DWR and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The JPA is composed of Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, Reclamation District 108, Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority, Maxwell Irrigation District, Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Glenn County and Colusa County.

The project will evaluate several alternatives, including the proposed off-stream reservoir near Maxwell in north-central Colusa County and south-central Glenn County.

The State Board’s draft resolution can be found here.

More on the North-of-the-Delta Offstream Storage Investigation is available here and here.