Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The board approved staff finalizing and submitting the updated DWR additional-information response for the 180/400 subbasin GSP evaluation and amendment, with several technical edits. Capital Core Group presented a federal funding due-diligence approach. The GM reported Ocean Well and San Jose Water Company interest in exploring deep-water desal feasibility, with possible agreements to return for board consideration.
GSA staff reported groundwater fee rates were reduced about 55% after the GSA allocated $750,000 from fund balance and approved the revised levy roll on Aug. 11 for placement on property tax bills. Staff said the Periodic Evaluation draft is planned around Oct. 19 for comment, with final action tentatively Dec. 8. Staff discussed tentative interim refinements to evaluate streamflow depletion as May–July percentage depletion.
Staff reviewed updated pumping projections about 20% lower than in the GSP. A Director raised agricultural-representation concerns regarding the physical solution; counsel said the recusal applies until the Board approves an agreement. Counsel noted the Oct. 26 trial date and said a potential judgment could trigger ~90-day deadlines for budgeting and TAC-related setup. The Board approved a 45-day public comment period for the draft GSP Periodic Evaluation starting September 11.
The board accepted a clean 2025 audit with no findings or control issues. Staff reported the Friant-Kern Canal pump station is nearing completion and should come in under budget. Staff also discussed Poso Creek flood preparations, including staged excavators and new slide gates that can be pulled to open a full 10-foot passage to help manage debris flows.
State water board action may impose pumping restrictions near the Friant-Kern Canal, potentially affecting tens of thousands of acres, with managers working on an alternative proposal for Bryant. Staff said transitional water allocations will likely be eliminated in the October recommendation. The board discussed a fallowing precipitation-credit loophole and agreed to keep the program as-is for now, with possible GPC review and a future proposal.
