SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The State Water Resources Control Board released a draft water right decision and permit for the proposed Sites Reservoir, inviting public review and comments.
The reservoir is planned to store and divert 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Sacramento River for agriculture, municipal use, and wildlife preservation.
The Sites Project Authority applied for a water right permit in May 2022. Following a protest period, the board’s Administrative Hearings Office reviewed the application, involving 21 parties and 60 witnesses over 32 hearing days.
The draft decision includes conditions to limit annual diversions to 986,000 acre-feet, align with Bay-Delta watershed planning, and protect fisheries. Existing infrastructure will divert water near Red Bluff and Hamilton City, with new facilities in Glenn and Colusa counties.
Public comments are open until May 22, after which the draft may be revised. A second comment period will follow before the final decision.
A water quality certification application is also pending for the project.