Water Year 2026 sustainable yield allocations were announced at 0.97 AF/acre under the ET method and 0.27 AF/acre under the extraction method, the first time the ET-based allocation has dropped below 1.0 AF/acre. Grower accounts are transitioning from Eastern Tule GSA to PID GSA's Basin Safe platform, expected to be fully operational by mid-January 2026. November land subsidence zone recommendations remain in draft and were not adopted by PID GSA.
Lake Millerton is well above flood control targets, and staff indicated a Class 2 allocation in the low single digits is likely this winter to reduce storage. The Board asked staff to begin separating GSA-related financial tracking around January 1 to clarify actual GSA costs and funding needs. The CEQA review for the Southeast Service Area Lateral Project runs through December 18, with a special public hearing planned after that.
Board officially retired all Tier 1 transitional water allocations of 45,311 AF as part of its transition out of Eastern Tule GSA’s Tier 1 program, while honoring a small remaining amount (roughly 200+ acre-feet) of prepaid allocations. A new logo was adopted to create a distinct visual identity for the GSA. Northwest Pipeline project is moving forward with the Grant Line turnout scheduled to shut down for installation, followed by additional work expected through end of January.
The board voted to eliminate all remaining Tier 1 water allocations by November 2025 and established a $500 per acre-foot penalty for groundwater overdraft, the maximum allowed under state law. Growers can still purchase available recharge water to avoid penalties, with the district continuing to offer water that hasn't sold out in recent years at current rates around $126 per acre-foot.
