The Sites Project Authority has formally selected Barnard Construction Co. to lead preconstruction planning for the long-planned Sites Reservoir, a major step forward for what would be the state’s largest new reservoir in decades. The decision comes as powerful unions and other stakeholders raised protests over labor hiring practices and broader concerns about the $6 billion project.
Under the contract, Barnard will support constructability reviews, cost estimating, schedule development and early contractor input as the project advances toward full construction planned for as early as late 2026. Authority officials said early contractor involvement is a best practice for managing cost uncertainty on complex, large-scale infrastructure projects.
Dozens of construction workers and union representatives protested outside and inside the Sites Project Authority meeting in Maxwell on Friday morning, voicing opposition to the selection of Barnard — a Montana-based, nonunion firm — for preconstruction services and potentially the full reservoir build. Protesters, including members of the Nor Cal Carpenters Union and other labor organizations, argued Barnard lacks strong local workforce ties, has a limited track record with union labor, and may struggle to meet local and Sacramento Valley hiring requirements.
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Union leaders said they fear the selection could undercut job opportunities for Northern California tradespeople and jeopardize quality, given concerns about workforce sourcing and past project performance elsewhere. Union officials urged the authority and state funders to reconsider and ensure strong labor commitments before moving forward.
The Sites board acknowledged the community disruption and said it remains committed to good neighbor practices as the project advances. Barnard officials called union criticisms misinformation, noting the company’s decades-long history of work in California.
The selection unfolds against a backdrop of longstanding opposition from environmental groups, tribes and fishing organizations concerned about ecological impacts on the Sacramento River watershed, fish species and cultural resources. Earlier legal challenges and protests have marked the reservoir’s environmental review and permitting phases, adding complexity to the project’s timeline.
Despite the opposition, authority leaders said advancing preconstruction planning is critical to keeping the project on track to help capture high winter flows for use during drought periods. Final investment decisions, funding commitments and key regulatory approvals remain ahead as readiness for full construction continues to be shaped by technical, fiscal and political factors.
