1. Nacimiento water sales are being explored, but terms remain unsettled. The Nacimiento Water Project and WSC Consulting are exploring a centralized sales program for water unused by participating agencies. Participants are entitled to 15,750 acre-feet annually and, on average, do not use 5,000–10,000 acre-feet. Figures discussed included average variable delivery costs of about $205 per acre-foot, ranging from $96 at the Paso Robles turnout to $647 for San Luis Obispo, plus $190 in annual operations and maintenance and $730 in capital debt service. If a buyer paid both fixed-cost components in full, the total at the average delivery cost would be about $1,125 per acre-foot. That is an illustration, not an agreed price; it excludes receiving infrastructure and any contribution toward staff and consultant costs. The buyer’s fixed-cost contribution remains negotiable. Participants also proposed that buyers share in reimbursements for district staff and consultants. Proposed temporary contracts without automatic renewal, along with potential drought-related recall provisions, could make infrastructure investment difficult to finance. Zach said the district should remain involved in discussions, although the economics do not currently work for growers.
2. The county is preparing for possible heavy rain, not predicting it. Reporting on the RAC meeting, Lee said San Luis Obispo County considers El Niño present and cited NOAA observations of rising sea surface temperatures. He cautioned that without a stronger southern jet stream, warmer water alone would not bring storms. The county is cleaning culverts and encouraging preparedness, including batteries, flashlights, backup power and charged phones.
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