Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The district's CVP south-of-delta agricultural allocation remains at 25%, with staff planning to advocate aggressively for an increase during an upcoming Washington, D.C. trip. The board approved up to $825,000 for a copper-based golden mussel abatement pilot on Laterals 7R and 4 Left. The board discussed the drought pool arrangement, with some directors urging reevaluation and staff noting the current deal's benefits have not materialized.
Groundwater replenishment assessments were set at $250–$255/acre-foot for 2026–2027. Recycled water rates rise to $0.79/HCF effective July 1, 2026, and domestic water rates were approved to increase from $2.75 to $2.92/HCF on Jan. 1, 2027. McKenna abstained, citing reserves of $344M and a projection of $370M by end of FY 2026–27.
Golden mussel treatment showed ~90% mortality in mussel bags; staff recommended continuing Bluetech through October and transitioning to in-house operations afterward (no vote recorded). Staff reviewed a $2M rate stabilization fund transfer for cash flow (no vote recorded). Lake Isabella storage June 14: 340,301 AF (~61,953 AF above average) despite April/May runoff declines; water year near 90% of normal.
The board approved a just-under-$80K Dudek golden mussel vulnerability assessment to guide preventative actions. The shop building project stalled after no action was taken on a requested change order; staff expects the project will go back out to bid. River inflows are near 1,000 CFS; canal shutdowns are projected mid/late July (Stine) and mid/late August (Peaky & Farmers).
The board adopted the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (Resolution 2026-39) projecting ~10,827 AF of excess supply through 2050 from groundwater, recycled water, desalination, and potential surface water. Groundwater sustainable yield estimates range 4,400–9,900 AFY depending on neighboring basin conditions. The board also approved a Garney Pacific contract amendment (Resolution 2026-38) for Phase 1 of the Reservation Road Desal Plant renovation, a facility with ~300 AFY capacity.
