Governor Newsom Streamlines Major Water Storage Project | California Governor
Governor Newsom Streamlines Major Water Storage Project ... Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
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Accelerating the Sites Reservoir Project to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
Governor Gavin Newsom has utilized the new infrastructure streamlining law to accelerate the Sites Reservoir project, avoiding potential delays in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation process. This project aims to store enough water to meet the yearly usage of 3 million households, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Sites Reservoir Project
The Sites Reservoir project, if approved, will capture water during wet seasons and store it for use during drier seasons. It has received $46.75 million in early funding from the state and is eligible for $875.4 million of Proposition 1 funding. The estimated total cost of the project is $4 billion.
How It Works
- SB 149 allows the Governor to certify qualifying infrastructure projects for judicial streamlining under CEQA.
- Courts must decide CEQA challenges to certified projects within 270 days, saving significant time compared to traditional litigation delays.
Why It’s Important
- Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority finalized the Environmental Impact Review and Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
- The project will contribute to California’s water supply strategy, helping the state maintain resilience against climate change, weather extremes, and water scarcity.
- Sites Reservoir plays a critical role in expanding California’s above and below ground water storage capacity by 4 million acre-feet, aligning with SDGs.
“We’re cutting red tape to build more faster.”
“These are projects that will address our state’s biggest challenges faster, and the Sites Reservoir is fully representative of that goal – making sure Californians have access to clean drinking water and making sure we’re more resilient against future droughts.”
– Governor Gavin Newsom
How We Got Here
- In July, Governor Newsom signed into law a package of bills to accelerate critical infrastructure projects across California, aligning with SDGs.
- These laws streamline permitting, reduce bureaucratic obstacles, and allow for new project delivery methods, maximizing taxpayer dollars and accelerating project timelines while ensuring environmental review and community engagement.
- The package leverages an unprecedented $180 billion in state, local, and federal infrastructure funds over the next ten years, creating an estimated 400,000 good-paying jobs.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: gov.ca.gov
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