Sites Reservoir Project (California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2022-006-02 (ITP))

Sites Reservoir Project (California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2022-006-02 (ITP))

The Project consists of the construction of a new off-stream surface water reservoir with a capacity of approximately 1.3-1.5 million acre-feet. The Project will use existing infrastructures to divert unappropriated flow from the Sacramento River at Red Bluff and Hamilton City and convey the water to a new off-stream reservoir west of the community of Maxwell, California. New and existing facilities will move water into and out of the reservoir, with ultimate release back to the Sacramento River system via existing canals and a new pipeline located near Dunnigan, California. The Project will require modifications to the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District system and the Tehama-Colusa Canal to move water into and out of the reservoir. Water conveyance between Sites Reservoir and the canals and Dunnigan pipeline will be facilitated by an existing and one new regulating reservoir and two new associated pumping/generating plants. New electrical substations will connect the pumping/generating facilities and their associated electrical switchyards to an existing overhead power line. Three new recreation areas will also be constructed around the new Sites Reservoir. New roads will be constructed to provide access to Project facilities and recreation areas, and some existing roads will be relocated or improved. Construction of Sites Reservoir will also necessitate construction of a bridge or bypass road to connect Maxwell with the community of Lodoga. The Project is expected to result in incidental take of giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), tricolored blackbird (Agelaius tricolor), and Crotch’s bumblebee (Bombus crotchii) which are designated as a threatened species under CESA. The Project will result in impacts up to 37 acres of giant garter snake habitat, including temporary impacts up to 17 acres and permanent impacts up to 20 acres of giant garter snake habitat. The Project will result in impacts up to 14,526 acres of Swainson’s hawk habitat, including temporary impacts up to 1,235 acres and permanent impacts up to 13,291 acres. The Project will result in impacts up to 4,515 acres of tricolored blackbird habitat, including temporary impacts up to 360 acres and permanent impacts up to 4,155 acres. The Project will result in impacts up to 15,086 acres of Crotch’s bumble bee habitat, including temporary impacts up to 1,218 acres and permanent impacts up to 13,868 acres. The ITP referenced above, as issued by CDFW, authorizes incidental take of species listed under CESA that may occur as a result of Project implementation.

Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Yolo

Northern California

Colusa, Glenn, Tehama, Yolo