Proposition 1 Water Storage Investment Program: Funding the Public Benefits of Water Storage Projects
Proposition 1 of 2014 dedicated $2.7 billion for investments in water storage projects. The California Water Commission is administering the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) to fund the public benefits associated with these projects.
In July 2018, the Commission made maximum conditional eligibility determinations (MCEDs), which is the amount of Proposition 1 funding available to a given project, for eight projects that collectively would boost California’s water storage capacity by 4.3 million acre-feet. The projects range from expanding existing reservoirs to boosting groundwater storage to building 21st century surface storage facilities. Since July 2018, one project withdrew from the WSIP and the Commission adjusted the remaining projects' MCEDs.
Through a rigorous selection process, the Commission chose the eight projects based on the public benefits their projects will provide, such as flood control, ecosystem improvement, water quality improvement, emergency response and recreation. Applicants must now complete the remaining Proposition 1 requirements, including final permits, environmental documents, contracts for the administration of public benefits, and commitments for non-Proposition 1 funding.
Throughout this process, the Commission will continue to meet with the applicants, state agencies and stakeholders to review the status of each project. Once an applicant has obtained all the necessary permits, documents and contracts, the Commission will hold a final award hearing.
The table below shows the $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funds broken down by Maximum Conditional Eligibility Determinations (MCED) and administrative costs.
| Project | 2018 MCED | 2021 MCED | Early Funding* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chino Basin Conjunctive Use Program | $206,900,000 | $212,072,500 | $8,919,000 |
| Harvest Water Program (previously called South County Ag Program) | $280,500,000 | $287,512,500 | $14,375,625 |
| Kern Fan Groundwater Storage Project | $67,537,315 | $87,801,500 | |
| Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Project | $459,000,000 | $470,475,000 | $22,950,000 |
| Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project | $484,550,000 | $496,663,750 | $24,200,000 |
| Sites Project | $816,377,686 | $836,787,128 | $40,818,884 |
| Temperance Flat Reservoir Project | $171,330,000 | ** | |
| Willow Springs Water Bank Conjunctive Use Project | $95,405,999 | $126,372,250 | $4,770,300 |
| Subtotals | $2,581,601,000 | $2,517,684,628 | $92,739,184 |
| Statewide bond costs (Treasurer's office) | $54,000,000 | ||
| Program delivery (State operations) | $64,399,000 | ||
| Possible second solicitation | $63,916,372 | ||
| Total Proposition 1 funds | $2,700,000,000 |
*Early funding amounts are included in MCEDs.
**Temperance Flat Reservoir Project withdrew from the WSIP.
The California Water Commission’s WSIP is accepting screening information for water storage projects that provide public benefits as defined by Proposition 1, Chapter 8. Proposition 1 includes a statutory deadline of January 1, 2022, by which time project proponents must have completed a feasibility study, have draft environmental documentation made available for public review, have received commitments for at least 75 percent of the non-public benefit cost share of the project, and have their project found feasible by the Commission. Any project submitted would need findings by the Commission no later than the December 2021 regularly scheduled Commission meeting. It is recommended and encouraged that project proponents submit screening proposals to Commission staff no later than October 22, 2021. If the Commission moves forward with additional regulations and a second solicitation, only projects successful in the screening process would be eligible to apply.
For information about other State funding opportunities, please visit the Department of Water Resources' Grants and Loans page or the California Financing Coordinating Committee website.