Hundreds gathered at the State Capitol Monday to demonstrate their support for building Sites Reservoir. Many came to speak in support of Assemblyman Gallagher’s and Senator Nielsen’s Assembly Bill 311.
"Water is essential to our everyday lives," said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber). "We are doing this for our children and their children. Planning for access to clean water is essential to the prosperity of future generations.”
“If the Legislature is willing to grant the Sacramento Kings arena expedited environmental review, then surely we should grant it to crucial water storage projects, which benefit all Californians,” said Assemblyman James Gallagher, R-Nicolaus. “Once Water Bond funds are allocated, the last thing we need are more delays. We must take action now to increase our storage capacity, and I am hopeful that the Legislature will listen to the voices of the many people who showed up at the State Capitol today to support expedited construction of these vital projects.”
Farmworkers, farmers and community leaders joined North State lawmakers to call for a fast tracking of water storage projects like Sites Reservoir as stated in AB 311.
Specifically, AB 311, if passed into law, would help streamline the bureaucratic and cumbersome regulations process to build above-ground water storage facilities. AB 311 would ensure a more speedy construction timeline once the funding is allocated in December 2016. This measure is similar to a bill passed in 2013 that help expedite the construction of a new sports arena in Downtown Sacramento.
Nielsen and Gallagher believe that building Sites Reservoir is equally, if not, more important to our region as the Kings arena.
Gary Merlo, a third generation family farmer, echoed his support for the construction of Sites Reservoir.
“Too many farmers have been cut off completely from any water allocation for the past two years. We cannot continue on without access to clean water. The impact has been devastating to our family farm and our employees.”
Senator Nielsen represents the Fourth Senate District, which includes the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba. To contact Senator Jim Nielsen, please call him at 916-651-4004, or via email at senator.nielsen@sen.ca.gov.
Assemblyman James Gallagher represents the Third Assembly District, which encompasses all of Glenn, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties as well as portions of Butte and Colusa counties. To contact Assemblyman Gallagher, please call him at 916-319-2003, or via email at assemblymember.gallagher@
