Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Demand management planning remains in early information-gathering stages, with no decisions made and a more detailed update expected next meeting. Kern Tulare's letter criticizing EWMA demand-management progress prompted EWMA and counsel to respond; Kern Tulare said EWMA can act now and noted it is protesting EWMA's local agency formation commission. The board voted to hold one combined special meeting on June 15.
Staff reviewed options to increase San Pedro Ponds recharge (capacity 4,700 AFY but currently less than 500 AFY) limited by nearby septic systems. FY2025 conservation savings were 87,392 AF (near 90% of the 2030 target), but annual gains slowed; staff will update the model/plan via an RFP. Members discussed the need for better data on large commercial/industrial water use (including data centers) to inform future policy discussions.
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.
