Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
A grower warned penalty costs for overuse could escalate fast, estimating 2025 fees near $3M and 2026–27 penalties at $6M or more as allocations tighten and rates rise. Staff reported plans to expand Domestic Well Mitigation Program to cover full replacement costs within the existing $35K cap, with no formal action taken. A new tiered demand management and subsidence mitigation program for the Chowchilla Subbasin was presented as informational, with more public input expected before adoption.
The board approved a groundwater allocation framework accepting North Kings GSA's total allocation bucket at 445,600 acre-feet, with how that is divided among agencies to be worked out in coming months. Well registration has reached 8,179 wells, with a $100 late fee in effect and an enforcement policy in development. Reservoirs are high and Friant Class 1 is at 100 percent, but snowpack and runoff are below average.
The Ojai Valley Groundwater Basin is near full capacity at ~95% (~76,000 acre-feet), with at least one artesian well already flowing and rejected recharge increasing. Over 27 inches of rainfall this water year — about 6 inches above average — has driven strong surface water inflows across multiple creeks. A replacement well at 1126 Mercer Avenue was approved, with expected extraction of 10 acre-feet per year found consistent with sustainability goals.
The subbasin remains in full SGMA compliance, with rising groundwater levels and increasing storage. The board approved a simplified sustainable yield methodology based on measured groundwater levels, landing at about 43,600 AF per year, and streamlined project categories to focus on actionable efforts. Key active projects include connecting about 380 parcels to treated water and routing excess surface water to replace groundwater pumping.
The State Water Project allocation remains at 30%, with San Luis Reservoir nearly full and Article 21 surplus water potentially available soon, though carryover storage may be at risk. Legislators are being urged to support $150M annually for 15 years to fund aqueduct subsidence repairs, which could significantly affect deliveries to Santa Barbara County. The board directed staff to develop a proposal to launch a new 3–5 year strategic planning process.
