Groundwater use fee invoices went to 337 accounts; staff reported 11–12 checks received and no formal appeals submitted. Staff proposed extending several self-reporting deadlines from 30 to 60 days, clarified recharge credits apply the year after recharge, and said staff's position is no pre-2025 recharge credits (requests may be appealed). Draft FY 2026/2027 budget is ~$196k lower; TAC requested clearer work-product justification.
Groundwater usage invoices were mailed March 23, with payment and any modification requests due by May 7. Growers with unreported fallowing may still show estimated consumptive use (ET) and should submit a modification request by that deadline. Nine MLRP projects were advanced (direction only) for ~$4.1M; staff will return agreements for board approval.
True-up invoices for 2025 are being mailed this week to 343 accounts; drop-in help is planned Mar 26 after the Board meeting, Apr 14 before the TAC meeting, and Apr 23 after the Board meeting. Use was 19,500 AF below target, lowering Category 2 billings ($3.9M vs. $6.8M budget) while Category 3 billings (~$3M) offset. Staff discussed skipping 2026-27 deposit invoices; Board to consider Mar 26.
True-up invoices will be mailed around March 10, giving growers 45 days to pay or request appeals or modifications. Groundwater levels are generally improving with no interim milestone exceedances, and the basin remains on its glide path toward sustainability. The board approved incentivized fallowing on about 3,448 acres at $370 per acre, targeting over 7,500 acre-feet in pumping reductions.
The basin continues making progress with stabilizing groundwater levels after three favorable water years, though many Eastern Principal Aquifer representative wells remain below minimum thresholds while staying above interim milestones. The 2025 Annual Report is being restructured to better communicate basin conditions to state regulators, with draft review planned for February. Technical work on model updates and revised subsidence criteria is underway.
