Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
The committee recommended a two-year, $4.2 million conservation contract with Electric & Gas Industries Association for full-board approval. Staff outlined an instream-flow proposal: $70 million upfront for 14,000 acre-feet of State Water Project water in each of up to 10 years when allocations reach at least 30%; directors questioned price and reliability. Bard and Quechan fallowing extensions could go to the board in November; the flow proposal could return in November or later in 2026.
Water Year 2027 allocations remain unchanged, and the Greater Kaweah board approved unchanged tier penalty rates of $250/$250/$500 per acre-foot. It authorized staff to negotiate and purchase supplemental water, capped at $10 million from penalty revenue; program details remain in development. After a public hearing, it authorized staff to record certificates of lien for delinquent tier penalties. Staff reported about $1.5 million in recent payments.
The committee recommended a $435,000 Phase 2 monitoring-well contract, with total costs estimated near $560,000 against a $750,000 budget. A clean audit found net position up about 75%, with no debt. Staff noted a $14,850 revenue shortfall caused by billing from an older spreadsheet. Draft SGMA grant guidelines outline $386 million statewide; concept proposals may be due in March 2027.
Directors unanimously adopted an immediately effective update to the district’s year-round water-waste ordinance, including phased nonfunctional-turf restrictions. Staff forecast a 100% chance of a very strong El Niño from October through December and a greater than 83% chance of a record Pacific temperature anomaly—not record rainfall—and outlined flood preparations. A groundwater-management update is due December 29, with no operating changes expected and a possible December 10 hearing.
The board conditionally approved a roughly $3.6 million Hornor Basin construction award to Cal Valley Construction, subject to federal environmental clearance. Friant-Kern Canal drawdown is expected around October 23, ahead of a planned November–January shutdown. North Kings GSA allocation figures remain in development; none were adopted. The board approved the Eastside Creeks agreement, documenting existing creek-water priorities and setting measurement cost shares.
