1. Penalty costs for growers are about to escalate significantly — and quickly. During public comment on the fallow fields data review, a local grower highlighted that in 2024, overuse penalties in the Madera Subbasin totaled roughly $541,000 (2,700 acre-feet at $200/AF). For 2025, one grower estimated that if overuse reaches about 10,000 acre-feet at $300/AF, penalties could total approximately $3 million. Looking ahead to the next year (2026–27), he noted allocations are set to drop by nearly 2 inches, the penalty rate will rise to $400/AF, and with another potential dry year, penalties could climb to $6 million or more under his assumptions. Staff confirmed that penalty invoices for the current cycle will go out this month, with an update at the April committee meeting.
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