California Construction News staff writer
The Bureau of Reclamation has issued the Record of Decision for the Sites Reservoir Project, a major off-stream water storage project west of the Sacramento River, officials said Tuesday.
The decision certifies that the project meets all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, which ensures federal infrastructure projects account for potential environmental impacts. The approval also confirms compliance with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historic Preservation Act, the Sites Project Authority said.
The 1.5 million acre-foot reservoir is designed to capture water during wet periods for use in dry years, supporting communities, agriculture and environmental needs across California. For the first time, the project would provide water specifically dedicated to supporting native wildlife and habitats during droughts, officials said.
“This milestone decision reflects years of rigorous analysis, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing a project that balances our water supply needs with protecting the environment,” said Fritz Durst, chair of the Sites Project Authority Board of Directors.
The decision follows federal operational improvements implemented under Executive Order 14181, which aimed to expand water supply reliability and streamline federal water projects. The Bureau of Reclamation said those measures helped deliver more than 200,000 acre-feet of additional water to the Central Valley Project in 2025.
Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Authority, said the environmental approval allows the agency to move toward construction while ensuring compliance with federal standards. “With this additional environmental approval, we can now leverage all available construction funding and are focused on moving with intensity and purpose toward construction, so Californians will realize the needed benefits of Sites Reservoir,” he said.
The project has been studied for decades and is intended to increase California’s water and climate resiliency while supporting long-term environmental protection. Planning and coordination with state, local and tribal partners will continue before construction begins.
For more information, please review the Record of Decision.
