Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Staff recommended Board approval of a $103,510 reimbursement to Fremont for paving-related valve work, the first such project above $100,000; the cost exceeded the general manager’s authority. Staff reviewed a draft UC Berkeley infrastructure research agreement, with $95,000 budgeted; it remains unexecuted. The committee also discussed an approved fire-hydrant break-off check valve drawing intended to reduce water loss and property-damage risks.
Cuyama Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency directors approved two-tier, volume-based overpumping penalties for 2026 and amended the allocation exchange policy. Models at two sites outside the Central Management Area projected groundwater declines below 2 feet per year, though limited local data constrain confidence. Directors favored pausing variance-pool work without changing allocations and supported preparing a state groundwater grant concept proposal.
Stanislaus County outlined a proposed Non-District East action plan to implement an existing 16,000-acre-foot annual pumping-reduction target during 2027–2030, with a proposed 1.72-acre-foot-per-acre consumptive-use target. A third-party reviewer supported initial reductions but questioned later targets. The draft amended GSP estimates sustainable yield at 235,000 acre-feet per year; current allocations use 267,000. Only the September 23 minutes were approved; no allocations changed.
The Planning Committee sought clearer outcomes in the draft Strategic Plan; staff aims to return December 2 before Board of Directors consideration on December 21. The Board of Supervisors approved a countywide water-planning forum concept and an ad hoc committee. The GSA board approved Portfolio 3A with caveats; staff reviewed conceptual cost-saving ideas and questioned whether proposed Castroville/Eastside Canal changes are a refinement or a new project.
At its November 3 meeting, the Operations & Water Quality Committee heard updates on regional flood coordination, risks to Alameda Creek recharge and water quality, and January reservoir spill probabilities modeled only under the wettest scenario. Staff also discussed EPA’s fluoride assessment and ACWD’s required 0.7 mg/L fluoride target, and introduced Johnny Luna and Chris Ward. No votes or approvals occurred.
