1. Greater Kaweah GSA Proposes "Supplemental Water Program" to Replace Tier 1/Tier 2 — District Conveyance Losses Are Now in Play The Greater Kaweah GSA is developing a new program that would purchase conveyance losses from districts and ditch companies instead of continuing the controversial Tier 1/Tier 2 overdraft framework. Under this concept, the GSA would buy water that seeps into the ground through canal systems within district boundaries — a rough figure mentioned was around $200/AF — and use it as a basis for "supplemental water" credits. The GSA discussion referenced a need to secure about 40,000 acre-feet (concept-level) to replace the amount previously served through Tier 1/Tier 2. The board discussed multiple options for these losses: selling them to the GSA, spreading credits back to district landowners (as done previously), or simply leaving the water in the ground. No decision was made, but the board expressed strong preference for keeping benefits within the district. Staff noted this program would likely fail in drought years when there are minimal conveyance losses to sell.
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