Billions of taxpayer dollars are proposed to build more water storage in the state. Three of the proposed projects would actually cost at least $8 billion, but they would only increase our state’s water supply by less than 1%. Simultaneously, Congressmen Tom McClintock, David Valadao and Devin Nunes support all three of them and are working to roll back any state and federal laws that delay or prevent these dam’s construction.

To receive funding from the California Water Commission this June, projects must demonstrate public benefit. We are most concerned about Centennial Dam on the Bear River, Temperance Flat Dam on the San Joaquin River and Sites Reservoir near the Sacramento River. All 3 projects received abysmal public benefit scores for ecosystem improvement, water quality improvement, flood control, emergency response, and/or recreation.

We think these projects are too expensive and environmentally destructive. We’re working to ensure this funding goes to effective and less destructive projects that focus on recharging depleted groundwater.