1. The Board Must Select a Project Portfolio in August — and Options Are Narrowing Fast. Staff presented three remaining project portfolios (Portfolios 1, 3A, and 4) to address seawater intrusion and groundwater sustainability. Portfolio 1 (~$1.31B capital) includes a medium-sized Brackish Groundwater Restoration Project (BGRP) and is the only one shown as meeting seawater intrusion thresholds in the presented effectiveness summary. Portfolio 3A (~$1.07B capital) uses a smaller BGRP with partial water delivery to cities and gets "close but not quite there," though staff said they believe it could work with adjustments. Portfolio 4 (~$612M capital) relies on low-cost projects with 20% ag demand management but does not stop seawater intrusion. Staff made clear that approving a portfolio in August does not authorize construction or commit funding — it identifies a preferred planning path to submit to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). Projects can still be swapped or modified later if better alternatives emerge.
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