Golden mussel treatment is underway with promising early results; staff estimate ~$300K more through year-end. Allocation is 1.0 AF/acre; staff expect ~1.1 once finalized. Board approved shift to water-year billing/ET limits with 2.58 AF/acre for Jan–Sep 2026 transition.
Metered allocated delivery starts May 18; allocation is projected near ~1.1 AF/AC. The board approved the revised 2026 budget (~$59.4K surplus) and approved signing the Greenleaf EarthTec QZ contract ($15/AF; $20K down payment only if treatment begins). Poplar recharge budget increased to ~$110K. $225K set aside for potential golden mussel treatment. Treatment begins if pump-back resumes or mussels are found. Growers advised to consult their PCA before using treated water on sensitive crops.
Staff projected a ~1.0 AF/acre allocation and plans to announce it in late April. The board denied 5 of 6 unused-allocation charge waiver requests, signaling stricter enforcement going forward. The board approved an MA-2 penalty waiver agreement for a grower tied to 53 acres of orchard removal and a 110 AF credit transfer to reach a zero cumulative balance by end of 2027.
Board approved sending penalty invoices to three MA-2 landowners who exceeded the 3 AF/acre ET limit, at $500 per AF of overage. Staff discussed demand-reduction settlements, but the vote only approved invoices. Staff said ET limits will tighten from 3 toward 2 AF/acre over ~15 years. Friant is at 100% Class 1 but may drop to the 90–100% range after runoff risk.
Board extended the water return deadline from September 15 to November 1 and revised water budget policies so purchased supplemental water is now used last, while clarifying precipitation credits cannot be transferred or carried over. Looking ahead, staff discussed possibly starting with a low initial allocation (~0.5–0.6 feet per acre) despite reasonable reservoir levels to avoid last year's allocation volatility.
