From Agri-Pulse -California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot says the Sites Reservoir Project is “on a pretty good pathway” for advancing through the environmental permitting process.

Speaking at the Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues Summit in Sacramento last week, Crowfoot explained that the Department of Fish and Wildlife within his agency has been evaluating potential impacts that the reservoir proposal could have on endangered and threatened species and its adherence to the California Environmental Quality Act. The next big step is for the Sites project authority to address any complaints from water right holders at the State Water Resources Control Board—a “typically slow process.” Crowfoot’s Department of Water Resources is working with the Sites team to expedite that process, enabling the board to more quickly provide a water right to the project. Crowfoot has been holding “deep dive” meetings to help all seven Proposition 1 projects keep to the timeline and limit risk. (more)