The board voted to withdraw from a state construction cost accounting program after determining it wasn't suitable for the district, reversing policy changes made in 2023. DWR issued a second consecutive inadequacy letter regarding the district's annual groundwater report, citing deficiencies in water quality monitoring and plan implementation. The district secured nearly $1 million in federal NRCS funding for pipeline infrastructure projects after completing required cultural resources...
The district is no longer pursuing its collaborative groundwater management approach after three partner agencies were not interested to participate in cost-sharing for domestic well mitigation, opting instead for an individual proximity-based program (each district responsible for wells in their district) estimated at $1.5 million. Despite challenging dry conditions, the district successfully delivered nearly 150,000 acre-feet this water season, which staff characterized as surprisingly "average." Board members expressed growing frustration over groundwater overdraft issues, particularly as they see other agencies also contributing to the problem have not stepped up to the standard MID expects, while wells continue to fail.
