A new SGMA fee schedule was approved, charging all parcels a $20.50 flat fee plus Part 2 fees including $15.58 per cropped/managed wetland acre (or $13.26/acre for South Feather/Feather River diverters) — acres not being used are not charged, and grazing land pays Part 1 only. The FY 2026–27 budget of $436,425 was adopted, fully funded by these fees. The board confirmed fees are not permanent and can be lowered in future years if costs decrease or grant funding is secured.
The board set a May 21, 2026, public hearing to adopt a new fee structure that will charge agricultural parcels only on cropped/managed wetland acreage rather than total parcel acreage. Twin Spill reached 30% design with capital cost now ~$1M (down from $1.8M) and 1,200 AF benefit (900 in-lieu, 300 seepage). Palermo ditch clearing ($100K) reduced flooding; Palermo drainage improvements (pipeline + channel expansion) were discussed at 30% design.
The subbasin remains in full SGMA compliance, with rising groundwater levels and increasing storage. The board approved a simplified sustainable yield methodology based on measured groundwater levels, landing at about 43,600 AF per year, and streamlined project categories to focus on actionable efforts. Key active projects include connecting about 380 parcels to treated water and routing excess surface water to replace groundwater pumping.
The Board reviewed and gave direction on a new two-part regulatory fee structure concept that would charge both taxable and non-taxable parcels, with a flat parcel fee plus usage-based fees for agricultural cropped land and domestic users. The Board also supported continuing to explore reduced Part 2 fees for parcels using imported Feather River water. A draft five-year budget uses about $470,000 annually as a planning target to support SGMA compliance operations.
The Board approved moving forward with a two‑part regulatory fee approach, with all parcels paying a flat administrative fee and Part 2 concepts focused on per‑cropped‑acre and managed‑wetland charges rather than total parcel size. Groundwater protection standards were strengthened by setting MTs to protect about 95% of domestic wells, with an estimated 38 wells and $1.14M in mitigation at MTs. The Board also directed staff to include managed wetlands/duck clubs in Part 2.
