The groundwater sustainability agency discussed positive developments regarding State Board oversight, with a staff report expected in January that could return the subbasin to state water department authority. The board must decide on organizational structure once a new subbasin-wide joint powers authority is formed, choosing between expanding current arrangements, maintaining separate cost-sharing agreements, or creating a standing committee. Immediate decisions are needed regarding...
The joint committee with the Central Delta-Mendota Region Management Committee approved sharing pumping data among 10 member agencies to develop cost-sharing formulas based on actual usage rather than equal splits. Early implementation of pumping reduction plans shows success, with mandatory well shutoffs when water allocations drop below 45% and some growers prohibited from pumping this year. A new automated dashboard system will track compliance for water quality, groundwater levels, and subsidence in real-time, eliminating manual analysis by individual agencies.
