What you need to know: Governor Newsom today issued a statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that it had released more than $315 million of obligated money to create new water storage at the future Sites Reservoir and at the existing San Luis Reservoir. 

SACRAMENTO - On Feb 25, 2025, Governor Newsom celebrated the release of funding by the Trump Administration for the state’s Sites Reservoir Project and the existing San Luis Reservoir

“We are grateful for this shared priority with the Trump Administration as we move forward together to build critical infrastructure to improve water storage.” - Governor Gavin Newsom

The Sites Reservoir will capture water during wet seasons and store it for use during drier seasons – holding up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, enough to supply over 4.5 million homes for a year. It has received a total of $46.75 million in early funding from the state. In all, Sites is eligible for $875.4 million of Proposition 1 funding. The total project cost is estimated at $4 billion. Governor Newsom streamlined the project late last year, defeating a CEQA legal challenge and preserving that victory on appeal. Today’s funding was awarded during the Biden administration and released by President Trump today. More information about the project can be found at build.ca.gov.