1. Cover Crop Rule Decision Deferred for One Month The Technical Advisory Committee proposed adjusting effective precipitation under the Groundwater Allocation Rule for qualifying cover crops on irrigated fields. The draft would allow up to 3 additional inches of eligible rainfall when eligible inches of rain are at least 12, up to 2 inches when they are at least 9 but less than 12, and no additional adjustment below 9. Under the draft, total effective precipitation, including any cover crop adjustment, could not exceed measured rainfall from October 1 through May 31. A review of effective precipitation totals found that five years in the 2010–2025 period would have yielded an adjustment. Board members questioned the administrative workload and whether naturally occurring orchard vegetation should qualify. The board deferred action for one month to gather grower feedback. No cover crop rule change was approved.
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