Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Water accounting summaries were discussed as likely moving into the printing/mailing process ahead of September 2–3 community workshops. The demand management framework is largely complete, but funding remains unresolved; the board asked to agendize a funding and legal policy discussion for the September 18 joint CGA/GGA meeting. The board approved continued participation in the seven-subbasin interconnected surface waters effort, with Proposition 4 grant funding to be pursued.
The board approved a Resolution of Necessity to acquire property interests at 463 Worcester Avenue (San Jose) for the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project, a nine-mile effort designed to guard against flooding at the February 2017 level. The board also approved a $5,963,750 Berryessa Creek Off-Site Mitigation construction contract despite a sole bid above estimate. Staff noted the Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project's Stage 2 diversion is expected to be operational in 2028.
Staff reported post-2026 Colorado River guidelines set California at 3.96 million acre-feet (down 440,000) if an implementing agreement is executed, and that Lake Mead elevations could trigger consultation and potential limits on access to stored water in 2028. Staff said the draft Sites water-right permit includes a 55% unimpaired bypass flow; a revised draft is expected Sept. 3 and a final permit is targeted for early November.
Staff discussed a potential 2027 shift from ET-based accounting to gross applied water, with an allocation around 0.82 AF/acre and a hard cap TBD. Staff reviewed the State Water Board's phased interim plan (Phase 1 near the Friant-Kern Canal; Phase 2 basinwide) and noted Phase 2 limits could be very low. Growers were urged to seek reconsideration of State invoices if banked/imported water was reported and to request a stay.
Don Pedro life extension budget is about $231M for all four units; staff noted market, supply-chain, and shipping risks and is pursuing DOE funding and PTC/ITC credits. Staff reviewed a bond refunding plan targeting about $11.3M in NPV savings, with board action planned for Sept. 22. The PSA shifted from a budgeted 0.3¢/kWh charge to a 0.5¢/kWh credit on customer bills due to lower fuel costs.
