1. Groundwater Use Fee Appeals Decided — Some Electrical Meter Appeals Approved, But Standing-Tree Cases Postponed The Board ruled on several appeals to groundwater accounting statements and invoices. Appeals based on electrical meter (kilowatt-hour) data were approved in some cases (Nos. 1 and 2) where the claimed usage was deemed reasonable, but going forward, anyone wishing to use electrical data must obtain a pump efficiency test between July 1 and August 31. Appeal No. 4 was also approved for the meter-appeal portion (4.07), while the broader objection to the fee's fairness was found to be an insufficient basis for appeal. Appeal No. 3's meter appeal was denied because a 1993 pump efficiency test yielded higher usage than ET data; staff also discussed the tailwater pond issue, and the Board also denied the related tailwater pond reuse credit request, with staff noting the party could pursue recharge-facility registration separately. Appeal No. 8 was denied because the GSA had no recharge program in place prior to reporting period 2025. Appeals 5 and 6 involving orchards where trees were not removed — raising policy questions about consumptive use from non-irrigated but still-standing trees — were continued to the June meeting so staff can present the full picture and address the underlying policy issue. Appeal 7 was also continued due to pending additional electrical meter data.
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