1. The GSA is exploring eliminating tiered overdraft water allocations and replacing them with "supplemental water" purchased from ditch companies and irrigation districts. This was the dominant discussion of the meeting. Instead of allocating overdraft (Tier 1 and Tier 2) water to growers, the GSA would purchase surface water credits—particularly seepage and conveyance loss water—from ditch companies, then make that water available for growers to buy on a pull basis. The concept is meant to stop allocating water that doesn't physically exist underground, which multiple speakers noted is "dragging the entire sub basin backwards." Staff is meeting with ditch companies to work out feasibility, pricing, service-area legal issues, and volume commitments. The board signaled a desire to keep the current allocation structure stable for the upcoming year while intending to explore replacing the allocated overdraft with real purchased water, with speakers expressing an expectation it could be achieved for 2027 allocations.
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