Stay on top of SGMA

LAFCO annexation remains pending completion of the MSR, which staff said is waiting on a final accounting report; after annexation, the district expects to pursue a Prop 218 fee study for the expanded district. Recharge season was described as the most productive on record, with Rooney delivering ~150 acre-feet and Tiger estimated at roughly double that before cutoff dates passed.

Environmental review for the district's conservation program is officially underway, covering a broad range of on-farm and infrastructure water-saving practices. An expired NRCS watershed plan is being appealed after staff reported conflicting NRCS correspondence and a suggestion to pursue a different conservation program. Federal post-2026 Colorado River operations may revert to pre-2007 guidelines, strengthening PVID's senior-rights position and potential interstate transfer options.

Initial CVP allocation opened at 15%; staff expects it to rise as March pumping data and conditions evolve. Reclamation announced $540M in California non-reimbursable funding under the Big Beautiful Bill (incl. $235M DMC, $200M Friant-Kern, $50M San Luis Canal, $40M Shasta planning). Board suggested staff to draft land-stewardship-linked allocation rule changes; a draft could return April or May.

Board voted 3-2 against solar at Wells 17/33/34, citing operational risk, conservation-driven runtime uncertainty, tight ITC timelines, and staff capacity. SGMA reports showed strong conditions: Indio added 137,000 AF in WY 2024-25; Mission Creek added ~4,900 AF with long-term storage averages near zero (balanced).

Water updates covered new reservoir designs and a critical AAC siphon bypass plan protecting over 100,000 acres. A director raised concerns automated gates may cut deliveries by 20%, and staff said they have not verified reductions but will check G Lateral. Power staff reported on repower/transmission work and the approved 8,000‑pole program; RICE supply chain risks noted.