The advisory committee voted 5-2 to recommend revising groundwater Minimum Thresholds using Alternative 2's dual-criterion approach, creating earlier regulatory triggers in 16 of 25 RMS wells (though some MTs would be lower than 2022 levels in certain polygons). They also voted to recommend removing the non-dry year qualifier from undesirable result definitions, after first voting down a motion to keep the language. Both recommendations now go to the GSA Boards for final decision.
SGMA regulatory fees for FY 2026-27 were approved: $5.60 per cropped acre, $16.58 base fee per parcel, and $1.26 per developed domestic parcel. The board discussed expanding RMS wells from 17 to 29 and expressed general support, but took no formal action. MT/domestic well risk analysis continues; staff will post/update side-by-side analyses for the Periodic Evaluation.
Groundwater recharge feasibility studies showed strong pilot results, with three projects proposed but not advancing without funding and legal review. SHAC broadly supported expanding the RMS network from 17 to 29 wells (no vote). MTs—described by one member as ~80 ft below historical lows—remain a major concern; staff will refine proposals for July 22 discussion.
Pilot recharge studies south of Chico confirmed excellent infiltration rates, with three recharge concepts outlined for potential advancement. Staff reviewed the GSP Periodic Evaluation schedule due January 2027, with groundwater levels and sustainable yield starting in June and continuing into July, and other topics into July/August.
The committee voted unanimously to recommend replacing groundwater-level proxies with InSAR satellite data and paired monitoring wells to directly measure land subsidence, with a 0.5-foot cumulative threshold. On interconnected surface water, it recommended a combined show-progress/proceed-carefully approach while deferring new SMCs (6–1, with 1 abstention/non-vote). Next: groundwater-level SMCs and GDE topics (incl. Valley Oaks/urban forest).
