The board unanimously approved the Tule Subbasin coordination cost-share MOU ($316K with Delano in; $359K without) and an $11,333 share of an ERA Economics study. The board directed staff (no policy vote) to use a 50/50 unused-allocation credit conversion approach for the upcoming run and urged participation in the state SGMA fee-setting process starting Friday.
Both boards unanimously approved Phase 2 of a PR campaign to bolster credibility and readiness for state/federal funding. Consultants cited potential sources including Prop 4 (incl. $386M for SGMA/subsidence), cap-and-trade, the state general fund (incl. discussion of ~$2B for DWR subsidence-related efforts), and federal programs. Staff said a unified plan proposal (est. $1.4M) will come to a June meeting.
Surface water allocation was set at 0.55 AF/acre for a June 15 water run at $100/AF. The GSA adopted Res. 2026-5-1 fees at maximum rates ($1.27/AF base; $810.84/AF exceedance; $500/AF penalty) with no transitional credits for 2026. Staff warned SWRCB is developing an interim plan and agencies have roughly 12–18 months to coordinate a single GSP.
Water supply is short, with roughly 3–5 weeks of summer deliveries projected due to low snowpack; water rates were tabled to May. The board unanimously approved participating in a process to develop a single Tule Sub-Basin GSP (scope/cost due May). Attendees were encouraged to attend the State Water Board hearing on April 21 on exclusion requests from probation.
Water supply looks about average, but run timing is uncertain due to below-normal snowpack. The district previously eliminated the 2026 transitional groundwater allocation to address subsidence, and ratified cost-sharing for two sub-basin subsidence efforts. Water rates and run timing were deferred until the next meeting when the full board is present. Full-year 2025 ET was ~249,000 AF (~7,000–7,500 below the 2021–2025 average).
