Metropolitan and IID managers said they would not proceed with Californias uncompensated 440,000 AF conservation under the current framework, aligning with PVIDs no compensation, no conservation stance. PVID discussed Metropolitan fallow-program interpretation disputes and compensation concerns. The board declared Chad Elliott and Grant Chaffin elected and chose Michael Mullion as president and Grant Chaffin as vice president in a 4-3 vote.
Federal Colorado River management documents are expected soon, with litigation anticipated and concern that upper basin priorities may jeopardize lower basin water deliveries. Staff reported Met (Metropolitan Water District) has reinterpreted fallowing provisions affecting January 1 rotations, creating operational problems; trustees discussed meeting with Met. Staff also reported a surge in public records requests and work with counsel on a response policy.
Record-low upper basin runoff may force Glen Canyon Dam releases down to 6 million acre-feet as early as May, with California's 440,000 acre-feet conservation share still unresolved. A two-year labor agreement was approved with $0.50 and $0.75/hour raises. CEQA review is advancing, and farmer input on the project description was requested.
Environmental review for the district's conservation program is officially underway, covering a broad range of on-farm and infrastructure water-saving practices. An expired NRCS watershed plan is being appealed after staff reported conflicting NRCS correspondence and a suggestion to pursue a different conservation program. Federal post-2026 Colorado River operations may revert to pre-2007 guidelines, strengthening PVID's senior-rights position and potential interstate transfer options.
The Board approved a capped authorization of up to $250,000 for environmental review work to support potential on-farm conservation programs beyond fallowing. Colorado River negotiations were described as stalled and contentious, with serious concerns about Lake Powell dropping toward power pool levels. California's 440,000 acre-foot conservation commitment may lead to future requests for PVID participation, with figures like 10,000–30,000 AF discussed but not decided.
