Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
Environmental review for the district's conservation program is officially underway, covering a broad range of on-farm and infrastructure water-saving practices. An expired NRCS watershed plan is being appealed after staff reported conflicting NRCS correspondence and a suggestion to pursue a different conservation program. Federal post-2026 Colorado River operations may revert to pre-2007 guidelines, strengthening PVID's senior-rights position and potential interstate transfer options.
Initial CVP allocation opened at 15%; staff expects it to rise as March pumping data and conditions evolve. Reclamation announced $540M in California non-reimbursable funding under the Big Beautiful Bill (incl. $235M DMC, $200M Friant-Kern, $50M San Luis Canal, $40M Shasta planning). Board suggested staff to draft land-stewardship-linked allocation rule changes; a draft could return April or May.
Board voted 3-2 against solar at Wells 17/33/34, citing operational risk, conservation-driven runtime uncertainty, tight ITC timelines, and staff capacity. SGMA reports showed strong conditions: Indio added 137,000 AF in WY 2024-25; Mission Creek added ~4,900 AF with long-term storage averages near zero (balanced).
District is in a solid financial position at mid-year, with $22.3M in total revenue (45% of budget) and $51.9M in reserves. Renovation of the desalination plant is actively underway, with large equipment now visible on-site and major work expected to shift from the beach to the plant by mid-April. The recycled water fund currently shows a negative balance, though 23 new connections are anticipated to improve its outlook.
The groundwater basin posted a positive water balance of ~4,900 acre-feet, and the annual report stated long-term overdraft has been eliminated. A $21.8M sewer and waterline construction contract was awarded to WEKA, Inc., with staff working to secure full state funding. Staff also reported strong progress toward an October 1 hexavalent chromium compliance deadline, with well rehabilitations underway to maintain supply while affected wells remain offline.
