Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Irrigated acreage fell to 109,571 acres, reaching the plan's acreage-based sustainability target ahead of schedule, though demand must still be confirmed against supply. The district anticipates a 30% SWP allocation and limited banking activity, with no non-contract water available this year. Golden mussel detections are spreading; grower notice letters and treatment options are under review.
Surface water supplies are projected to last only through about the first week of July, with roughly 120,000 acre-feet of usable supply remaining at current delivery rates (~2,000 AF/day). The board approved Resolution 2026-01, preserving the option for tax-exempt bond financing and reimbursement of capital expenditures. Board members also discussed preparing a second reverse auction for recharge basin land acquisition, potentially launching this summer.
A mandatory well registration policy was approved, tying good standing to allocation eligibility and management tool access. Bulletin 118 modeling found groundwater levels below critical head at 4 of 6 modeled sites in the Kaweah Sub-basin; the first DWR subsidence meeting is targeted for July (date TBD). Kaweah–Tule groundwater banking work continues with Southern California partners, with a Phase 1 report expected June/July 2026.
The board approved continuing Metropolitan's water standby charge for FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28, a resolution supporting a Proposition 4 funding application for reuse testing facility improvements, and a $26,679,800 seismic upgrade contract for the Weymouth Administration and Control Building. A watermaster representative said the golden mussel issue is challenging groundwater replenishment for nearly 2 million residents.
The board reviewed an early draft five-year budget proposing ~$27.39/acre fixed and ~$14/AF variable fees for 2026, pending a Prop 218 weighted-acreage ballot election with initial outreach starting around June. All five Tulare Lake sub-basin GSAs agreed to submit a single coordinated Groundwater Sustainability Plan targeting Q1 2027, with a groundwater flow model update due November 2026. No votes were taken on the budget; staff will refine figures for the upcoming Engineer's Report.
