Thursday September 19, 2024
Fox 26 News—
The California State Water Board announced Monday that the Sites Reservoir project failed to secure federal approval. State officials believe it is just a setback that can be rectified.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rejected the current plan for the estimated $4 billion project in Northern California meant to help the state’s ongoing doubt by capturing water during the rainy season. The reservoir is designed to hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, which would be enough for about 3 million homes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied the plan because of disagreements between governmental agencies, including the State Water Resources Control Board, Sites Project Authority, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The water board’s letter to the Sites Authority, effective Monday, stated that the application for certification was denied without prejudice.
“State Water Board staff will continue to review plans and materials, and work with [the corps] and the authority towards the goal of expeditiously acting on the request for certification for this project once a subsequent certification application…