New environmental documents for Sites Reservoir available for public comment

The Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority released the Sites Reservoir revised/supplemental draft environmental documents last week, triggering a 60-day public comment period for the proposed project.

“We are pleased to partner with Sites Project Authority on this unique off-stream storage project to create much-needed water storage in California,” Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant said in a statement. “The multi-beneficial Sites Reservoir would provide operational flexibility and more reliable water delivery to benefit California farms, communities and the environment.”

Also known as the North of Delta Offstream Storage project, the water storage facility will be designed to capture and store storm water and flood flows from the Sacramento River in a 1.3-to-1.5-million-acre-foot reservoir in rural Colusa and Glenn counties in Northern California.

“We’ve been working diligently and thoughtfully during the past year to develop and refine a proposed water storage project that meets the needs of people and farms, while providing maximum benefit to the environment,” said Fritz Durst, chair of the Sites Project Authority. “And there is no time like the present, in a year when we are experiencing relentless drought, for us to advance a reservoir project that will make us more resilient in the face of harsh, dry conditions.”

Two virtual public meetings have been scheduled to review the proposed alternatives and accept public comments:

• Wednesday, Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m., Zoom webinar, https://sitesproject.org/environmental-review/
• Thursday, Dec. 16, 9-11 a.m., Zoom webinar, https://sitesproject.org/environmental-review/

Written comments must be received by close of business Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, and may be received at the virtual meetings, emailed to [email protected]; mailed to Sites Project Authority, P.O. Box 517, Maxwell, CA  95955, or Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2830, Sacramento, CA  95825.