The Board was updated on the draft Allocation Policy proposing 1.43 acre-feet per acre sustainable yield with 45-day public comment through December 1st, though neighboring agencies have criticized the methodology. A comprehensive Subsidence Policy was adopted with tiered enforcement triggers and pumping restrictions based on subsidence thresholds. Staff presented a timeline to submit the revised GSP by March 2026, ahead of the state deadline, to request fee exclusion from the Water Board.
The board approved releasing a groundwater allocation policy for 45-day public comment, establishing 1.43 acre-feet per acre for sustainable yield plus declining transitional water through 2040. Farmers exceeding allocations face $500 per acre-foot penalties and reduced future allocations. The sustainable yield calculation is based on a 36% share of the subbasin's total 350,000 acre-feet capacity.
The board approved a domestic well mitigation program and presented preliminary fee estimates of $19 per acre and $15 per acre-foot, with a Proposition 218 election planned for 2026. The GSA faces significant financial challenges with negative cash flow and needs sustainable funding to avoid state intervention.
