Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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A copper-based treatment achieved near-complete golden mussel eradication at an initial cost of ~$2.75M, with a maintenance program costing about $1.79M annually (product estimate) under review. Staff reported no water pro-rate is needed this year even under two consecutive dry-year scenarios, with the direct recharge reserve bank at ~325,000 AF (projected ~260,000 after this year). Friant Class 1 allocation may drop from 100% to ~90–95% following early runoff and below-average snowpack.
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.
Snowpack at 17% (second-lowest on record) signals a dry year, with runoff possibly 20–30% and low odds of filling Lake Kaweah. Growers should plan for 4–5 weeks of surface water at 0.4–0.5 AF/acre, vs. last summer's 6 weeks at 0.65. TID purchased ~7,800 AF of URF water at ~$90/AF for recharge during a brief March run.
The Board adopted the 2025 Ag Water Management Plan (Res. 26-11-W). Staff cited the 2024–2025 water year (Oct–Sep) farm-gate deliveries of 124,137 AF and estimated private pumping of ~65,000 AF. Staff announced Magnacide application begins April 20 and Cascade is planned for May 10, sparking Board concerns about debris clogging filters and burning pumps. Directors also toured the Canyon Tunnel construction site, where roughly 180 feet have been bored to date.
Growers must complete MLJ registration immediately or risk showing a zero allocation once spreadsheets are generated. GEARS reporting is due **May 1** for the period 7/15/2024–9/30/2025, with MLJ bulk-upload tools available to simplify submission. The board is actively researching whether growers can legally receive allocation credit for private water banking efforts, with legal findings expected at the next meeting.
