Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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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.
At its November 3 meeting, the Engineering Committee heard that Copper Cove tertiary design was nearly complete, but bidding could slip if the Army Corps’ estimate, about 50% above the district’s, remains too high. Staff discussed a possible one-foot spillway raise at a wastewater reservoir. The committee also reviewed Ebbetts Pass pump-station and Copper Cove conveyance studies, Wallace tank work, and new electrical standards.
The committee recommended a Visalia replacement well to the board: 350 feet, or 400 if justified. A fallow-field proposal could reduce future Tulare Irrigation District-based allocations; it was not adopted. Staff favored three of eight proposed recharge basin sites; two with possible dairy-wastewater histories need review. For unregistered wells, Water Year 2027 Tier 1 and Tier 2 allocations will not appear on dashboards, and affected growers cannot buy those tiers until registration.
On November 3, the Board of Supervisors of the Monterey County Water Resources Agency unanimously authorized the General Manager to negotiate and execute Amendment No. 1 to its May 1, 2025, industrial wastewater effluent interim agreement with the City of Salinas and Monterey One Water. The amendment would extend the agreement six months, subject to County Counsel’s approval as to form. No allocations, rates or fees changed. A litigation consultation was scheduled for closed session.
Directors voted 4–1, with Ed Tobias opposed, to raise 2027 agricultural water rates 5% on fixed and volumetric charges instead of staff’s proposed 7%. Staff reported about $2.6 million in 2026 billings from a ten-year out-of-district program, compared with roughly $1.8 million in combined in-district volumetric billings. Water counsel reported adoption of Phase Two of the Bay-Delta Plan; the Tuolumne River was not included.
