The board formed a committee to expedite development of a groundwater banking policy for landowner-funded recharge facilities, responding to urgency from stakeholders ready to invest private capital. The district reported retiring nearly 19,000 acres and reducing demand by over 54,000 acre-feet since 2017, though supplemental water acquisition remains below targets. All monitoring wells showed groundwater elevations above minimum thresholds, demonstrating SGMA compliance.
The district's oversight has been formally transferred from the State Water Board back to DWR, initiating a 1-2 year review of the 2025 Groundwater Sustainability Plans. S&P maintained the district's bond rating citing strong financials, despite downward pressure across irrigation districts. The initial 2026 State Water Project allocation was set at 10%, higher than the typical 5% start due to wet October-November conditions.
Board approved a $16.9M investment in a 4-megawatt linear generator facility that will cut power costs in half with a 4-year payback period. Water charges for 2026 were formally adopted, setting rates at $83 per acre-foot for State Water Project water plus $60 per acre-foot for delivered water. The updated SGMA Dashboard was approved for full public release, giving growers online access to their water budgets, consumption data, and compliance status through an interactive platform.
The district is evaluating a 4-megawatt natural gas power generation project that could reduce electricity costs from 28-29 cents per kilowatt hour to 9-10 cents, with a 3.5-year payback period. Water rates for 2026 were reduced, with State Water Project charges dropping to $87/AFt. The board approved a conservative 2026 budget projecting an $8.2 million loss based on a worst-case scenario of 50% water allocation and no banking activity.
The board is set for the Subbasin to exit the state’s probationary oversight with basin-wide coordination and monitoring programs. New landowner banking agreements were approved to expand water storage eligibility and allow ledger-based deficit offsetting without physical water recovery. Despite environmental concerns, duck club water issues were addressed with a timeline through 2035.
