The current Central Valley Project south-of-delta agricultural allocation sits at just 25%, which the board and staff view as unjustifiably low given above-normal hydrology and high reservoir storage. The board and staff discussed whether Reclamation demand assumptions may be overstating surface-water use; board members noted many growers are running groundwater wells heavily. Staff said they are doing internal forecasts and will further refine demand assumptions and polling on carryover ahead of the Washington, D.C. trip the following week, including pushing for increases in increments smaller than 5%. Growers are encouraged to share information about their actual demand and carryover plans with district staff to strengthen this case.
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