FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The US Department of Agriculture announced that it was loaning $449 million to the Sites Reservoir Project.
Funds will be used to build the interconnection facilities to move water in and out of Sites Reservoir.
The announcement was made Tuesday by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, along with U.S. Congressmen David G. Valadao, Doug LaMalfa, Jeff Denham, and Assemblyman James Gallagher.
The project will increase the flexibility of California’s water supply infrastructure.
Congressman David G. Valadao issued the following statement:
“Since I was elected I have fought to ensure Californians across the State have access to a clean, reliable water supply. Part of that solution includes the completion of the Sites Reservoir which I have always worked to ensure funding for the project was included in Appropriations legislation passed by the House of Representatives. Today’s announcement from USDA will help ensure the completion of this critical project.”
It’s California first new water storage project in decades.
The Maxwell Water Intertie will connect the Glenn-Colusa Canal with the Tehama-Colusa Canal to move water in and out of the reservoir.
The project will enable more water storage during wet years in preparation for dry years, and help to serve a population that has grown to nearly 40 million.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’S Liz Kern:
