News Release Archive

Public meetings for Sites Project draft environmental review documents

Media Contact: Erin Curtis, 916-978-5100, eccurtis@usbr.gov

For Release: November 30, 2017

WHO: The Sites Project Authority (Authority) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) are hosting two public meetings to solicit input from the public, Tribes and agencies on the Draft Environmental Impact Report/ Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIR/EIS) for the Sites Project.

In preparing the Draft EIR/EIS, the Authority serves as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, and Reclamation as the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act. Reclamation is also the lead agency for the Federal Feasibility Investigation and is a cost sharing partner with the Authority to determine the federal interest and role in the project.

WHAT: The Draft EIR/EIS provides information about the potential environmental effects and mitigation measures associated with constructing and operating the Sites Project. The public has an opportunity to weigh-in on the contents of the Draft EIR/EIS to ensure the full range of issues related to project implementation are identified and addressed.

The two public meetings on the Draft EIR/EIS will begin with an open house where staff will be available to provide information and answer questions about the environmental review process and documents. Public comments will then be taken after a brief presentation.

Written comments will be accepted at each meeting, and written and electronic comments can be submitted through January 15, 2018:
Email to: EIR-EIS-Comments@SitesProject.org

Mail to:
Draft EIR/EIS Comments
Sites Project Authority
P.O. Box 517
Maxwell, CA 95955

WHEN: Public meetings will be held on:

Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Thursday, December 7, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE:

Tuesday, December 5th (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Embassy Suites
100 Capitol Mall, Old Sacramento Ballroom
Sacramento, CA 95814

Thursday, December 7th (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Sites Project Authority Office
122 Old Highway 99 West
Maxwell, CA 95955

The Sites Project represents decades of planning and evaluations to optimize water supplies and deliveries throughout California and provide direct and real benefits to instream flows and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem. The Authority has spent the last seven years working toward this goal by engaging the public, stakeholders, state and federal agencies and landowners, conducting feasibility studies and now, furthering the required environmental planning process.

For more information about the Draft EIR/EIS, visit https://www.sitesproject.org/environmental-review/ . For questions about the Sites Project or the meetings please contact: Janet Barbieri, Sites Project Authority, at 530-919-9306 or Mike Dietl, Reclamation, at 916-978-5070.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.