Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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An unusually dry spring has produced record-low snowpack and Kings River April–July runoff projected at 46–60% of average. FID started irrigation mid-March to avoid spills and expects deliveries through July, prioritizing direct deliveries over recharge. FID reported its own storage bucket is at ~141,000 acre-feet (near max), while Pine Flat Reservoir holds ~832,000 acre-feet out of 1 million. The Board Prepares for Prop 4 SGMA Funding (~$350M Statewide)
Golden mussels continue spreading through Cross Valley Canal pools 1–8, prompting approval of a $500,000 budget amendment for a vulnerability assessment and treatment plan; pools are currently dewatered with zero inflows or deliveries ongoing. A feasibility study for Kern Fan Alternative No. 5 is progressing, with a draft report expected in early May and a follow-up workshop planned for mid-to-late May.
True-Up invoices issued March 23 are due May 7, including any modification requests or appeals; accounts with pending modifications will receive a reissued invoice with a new payment window. The 2026 self-reporting period for fallowing and cover cropping is expected to open late April/early May, with staff proposing an extended July 31 deadline for this year only, though crops must still be removed by June 30 to qualify.
Staff recommended a FY 2026-27 ag groundwater rate of $46.50/AF, supported by an ~$16M open space credit covering 90%+ of full cost. South County Zone W5/W7/W8 charges are proposed to rise 6.6%–9.4%, driven by capital projects including the Anderson Dam seismic retrofit. No vote was taken; the public hearing was continued to April 28, 2026.
Directors requested more conservative well assumptions ahead of the May 27 hearing. Non-revenue water at 9% was flagged as a concern, with staff offering to share M36 audit details. The Board adopted Resolution 2026-05 updating Regulations 8 and 12, removing “where available” from recycled-water language, requiring board approval for waivers, and adding enforcement flexibility. CDM Smith’s draft 2025 UWMP shows reduced buildout demand and surplus under drought scenarios;
