Well-registration enforcement changes to the Rules and Regulations were approved, tying compliance to Tier 1/Tier 2 carryover and transfer eligibility and allowing potential penalties. Subsidence management areas are in development, with staff/consultant aiming to bring a draft to TAC and potentially the board in coming meetings. A voluntary surface-water credit retirement concept was discussed but not approved and will remain on the agenda.
The Board approved a July 1st deadline for mandatory well registration, with account lockouts for non-compliance among an estimated 2,000 wells. Water credit management options to prevent overdraft remain under legal review with no immediate action taken. Staff is developing management areas to allow more localized groundwater and subsidence management.
The board ratified a water purchase agreement for 600 acre-feet of imported CVP water at $250 per acre-foot for groundwater recharge through the Kaweah River system and approved a stock lease for 24 shares to supply a new 12-acre recharge basin expected to deliver about 60 acre-feet annually. The board also discussed, but did not approve, a potential credit retirement concept at a $150 per acre-foot price point.
The Board received an update that State Water Board staff and members unanimously supported returning the Kaweah GSPs to DWR oversight, marking a major milestone for collaborative groundwater management. A one-year agreement was approved for daily evapotranspiration data to help growers manage water use. Staff also reported on a potential 600 acre-foot water purchase and the need for a broader 2026 importation strategy.
The board approved a budget for 2026, including $3 million for well mitigation and $2 million for water purchases to address sustainability goals. Staff reported positive progress as the State Water Board is recommending the GSA be returned to the Department of Water Resources based on their review of groundwater sustainability plans. The board delayed decision on a daily irrigation management tool costing $0.55 per acre annually, choosing to revisit the proposal ...
