Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
Basin pumping in WY2025 was very close to/at the GSP estimated sustainable yield, a concern for future growth though no undesirable results were reported. WY2025 was dry/below normal; storage fell first in the WMA upper aquifer and EMA Paso Robles. Prop 68 was extended to Feb 2027; drilling/stream gauge work is expected to ramp up in Q2–Q3 2026.
DWR sought more info on the 180/400 GSP Evaluation/Amendment 1; staff outlined approve/incomplete/inadequate/State Board outcomes. SVOM baseline projects continued declines and 2040 undesirable results in 180/400, Eastside, and Langley. Board approved FY27 Work Plan; budget/fees discussed, back in April; IIS decision targeted Nov 2026. Meeting adjourned early due to quorum concerns; remaining items continued to April.
Board released the Phase 2 Fee Engineer report proposing a max ~$15.11/acre annual charge (Prop 218 process ahead). Board approved four MLRP development projects to move into the contracting phase (contracts to return later). Board also reversed staff denial of Alternative Source Credits for Jones Farm after a missed Dec. 15 deadline.
Dry-farm vineyard soils stored water efficiently and supported deep roots; modeling found vineyard replant idling could reduce pumping ~1,250–2,500 acre-feet/year (2.5–10%) and improve streamflow, and a recharge heat map flagged priority areas near Calistoga, St. Helena, and north of Napa for managed aquifer recharge.
Updated modeling shows most minimum-threshold exceedance events are smaller; staff will proceed with detailed analysis of Event 3 and combined Events 6–8. The five-year GSP periodic evaluation is underway; staff proposed deferring any GSP amendment until after a court physical solution. Ordinance No. 5 was adopted.
