The board accepted a clean 2025 audit with no findings or control issues. Staff reported the Friant-Kern Canal pump station is nearing completion and should come in under budget. Staff also discussed Poso Creek flood preparations, including staged excavators and new slide gates that can be pulled to open a full 10-foot passage to help manage debris flows.
Staff said golden mussel treatments cost about $540,000 to date, with 2026 totals projected at $620k–$640k; no mussels have been found. KNDLA demand management materials described three ramp-down options, and staff urged a coordinated cross-GSA framework. The Regional Board accepted the CV Salts management zone proposal in July 2026; implementation plan due Jan 4, 2027.
Produced water reuse deliveries began June 22, with flows currently at 0.3 cfs and long-term expectations of 0.6–0.8 cfs. Golden mussel treatment is ongoing with no mussels detected within district boundaries, and county-wide response costs have surpassed $7.3 million. A TNDLA draft groundwater allocation options analysis was reviewed (no policies set); program rollout discussed as 2028 or later.
Water allocation was increased to 1.7 acre-feet per acre following a 45% State Water Project allocation, with May deliveries totaling 6,888 acre-feet. AECA warned that cumulative PG&E rate proposals could total 44% by 2030 and asked districts to recalibrate dues; the board discussed raising Cawelo's contribution from $3,500 to about $6,200 (formula), and a motion was made for $6,000. Continuous deliveries expected to begin June 22.
North Kern (~2,000 AF) supplemental water may be offered pro‑rata once pricing is finalized (letter pending). Deliveries are currently ~1.6 AF/acre, but landowners were notified to plan on 1.5 AF/acre due to a Buena Vista payback from a 2023 spill; the final allowable amount may change. Staff will research white‑area demand management options used by neighboring districts and report back.
