The Board approved the consent calendar (May 19 minutes with a minor edit and the budget-to-actual report) and entered closed session for anticipated litigation. The transcript ends at the start of closed session, so no open-session report-out or later agenda items are captured.
The JPA Board tabled the model calibration authorization (estimated $525,000) to the April meeting after a split technical ad hoc discussion. SWRCB staff recommended returning the basin to DWR (Board action expected April 7). Staff reminded GSAs about PRP tracking/reporting and Mar–May seasonal high WL/WQ sampling; closed session was skipped.
The Committee approved expanding Pumping Reduction Plan Dashboard access so all GSAs can view basin-wide data across zones for better coordination. The Bureau of Reclamation will end its twice-yearly subsidence monitoring program, and the technical ad hoc committee will explore alternative monitoring options. A $407,482 budget was approved for Northern Delta-Mendota GSAs with an initial $203,741 cash call.
The Committee ratified a $1.6 million FY2026 budget but deferred consultant contract approvals until February to allow full review. Joint Powers Authority formation awaits one final GSA signature before a special meeting can establish the new entity. Staff highlighted data quality concerns in the Pumping Reduction Plan process and stressed the need for better QA/QC before data submission.
Groundwater management coalition hit a milestone with 21 of 23 agencies committing to join the new joint powers authority. With 2026 implementation deadlines approaching, all wells must be registered and metered as pumping reduction requirements begin, transitioning from planning to active management. Multiple wells exceeded water quality and groundwater level thresholds, triggering mandatory notifications to nearby domestic well users and requiring increased monitoring and remedial actions.
