Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The General Manager said the Forebay appears near water-balance equilibrium, while the revised GSP draft—especially Chapters 9–10—still needs updating ahead of a public hearing targeted for early Jan. 2027. Public commenters cited missing/blank tables and inconsistencies. A Water Coalition representative said a model may overestimate surface flows by ~75%. Northern seawater-intrusion projects were cited at ~$1B.
NWS forecast a very strong El Niño with higher odds of above-normal precipitation, with wetter conditions likely backloaded into January–February. Staff outlined expanded flood-preparedness outreach for hotspot areas and creekside owners and reviewed shared maintenance responsibilities. The board approved added funding for the desalination feasibility study.
Golden mussel larvae were found in Diamond Valley Lake; they do not affect drinking water safety, and controls are underway. Metropolitan is assessing risks after an El Niño emergency declaration and plans a November update. Ortega appointed Mark Gold chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Colorado River Negotiations. The committee approved election procedures and Marty Miller as a board chair candidate, and deferred further action on two final ethics findings pending any FPPC action.
The board denied a late 2026 allocation request tied to Spice World/Valley Garlic after debate over Land IQ versus Provost & Pritchard verification. Staff and consultants discussed shifting from the 90:10 approach to a county-acreage/APN method and limiting allocations to the GSAs proportionate share of basin native yield. A Sept. 30 special meeting in Coalinga is planned for a GSP public hearing and possible adoption.
The Turlock Irrigation District board adopted the 2026 wildfire plan and authorized up to $125 million in bonds to refund 2016 debt; meeting-day estimated present-value savings were $7.47 million. Directors reviewed a roughly $120 million 2027 capital plan without adopting it. Staff proposed $1.3 million for irrigation modernization, with the next lateral choice pending review of the Ceres Main TCC pilot. Budget adoption is targeted for November 24.
