With state allocation set, Sites Reservoir officials begin securing more funding

next phase.

The Commission announced Tuesday that Sites could expect $816 million in state funding.

“We are pleased to reach this milestone,” said Jim Watson, general manager of the Sites Project Authority. “We look forward to working with the commission on the next step, which is to advance the project. We will continue working with our members on starting that next phase of work.”

The funding from the commission – the largest portion of Proposition 1 funding assigned to any of the projects vying for the $2.7 billion available for water storage projects – will give the state a portion of the water stored in the reservoir to be used for refuge water supplies, Delta smelt, recreational opportunities and localized flood control.

In addition to the $816 million in encumbered funds, the Commission noted the authority could get $40.8 million in early funding to help finance environmental analysis and acquire the necessary permits to construct and operate the project – Phase 2. Watson said that process should take two to Calendar ............ Classifieds ......... Comics ............ Crossword ....... Dear Abby ......... Forum .............. Nation...a6,a7,a8 Obituaries ....... Police Blotter ..... Scoreboard ....... Sports ................ State ........... Sudoku ........... Weather ..........