Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Board approved sending certified warning letters to Tier 2 well owners and Tier 3 landowners (39 APNs, 23 owners) with 30/60-day deadlines from the letter date; penalties may reach $1,000 plus $100/day (or $500/AF excess). Staff reported 286 registered wells with 78% compliance; Tier 3 well count unknown. Board adopted the $550k FY 26-27 budget and approved $120k GSI 5-year evaluation due Jan 21, 2027.
Satellite data indicated land subsidence east of Herald, and directors discussed it could lead to adjusted groundwater thresholds in the upcoming five-year GSP update. The board reviewed a recharge project operating at about 10% of permitted capacity and discussed grant options. A balanced $503,000 FY 2026–2027 budget was approved.
The district's CVP south-of-delta agricultural allocation remains at 25%, with staff planning to advocate aggressively for an increase during an upcoming Washington, D.C. trip. The board approved up to $825,000 for a copper-based golden mussel abatement pilot on Laterals 7R and 4 Left. The board discussed the drought pool arrangement, with some directors urging reevaluation and staff noting the current deal's benefits have not materialized.
Groundwater replenishment assessments were set at $250–$255/acre-foot for 2026–2027. Recycled water rates rise to $0.79/HCF effective July 1, 2026, and domestic water rates were approved to increase from $2.75 to $2.92/HCF on Jan. 1, 2027. McKenna abstained, citing reserves of $344M and a projection of $370M by end of FY 2026–27.
The board approved a just-under-$80K Dudek golden mussel vulnerability assessment to guide preventative actions. The shop building project stalled after no action was taken on a requested change order; staff expects the project will go back out to bid. River inflows are near 1,000 CFS; canal shutdowns are projected mid/late July (Stine) and mid/late August (Peaky & Farmers).
