Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Satellite data indicated land subsidence east of Herald, and directors discussed it could lead to adjusted groundwater thresholds in the upcoming five-year GSP update. The board reviewed a recharge project operating at about 10% of permitted capacity and discussed grant options. A balanced $503,000 FY 2026–2027 budget was approved.
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).
