The Committee recommended member GSAs approve a Special Projects Agreement establishing governance structure under the new Joint Powers Authority, set to take effect March 1, 2026, maintaining current cost-sharing arrangements. The SGMA Round 1 Grant deadline requires all deliverables submitted by January 23, 2026, with final grant closeout in early March. JPA formation awaits one remaining member agency signature before holding its first organizational meeting.
The committee advanced a special projects agreement to maintain continuity under the new Joint Powers Authority structure while addressing multiple water quality exceedances for TDS and nitrate that require investigation protocols. With the SGMA grant deadline approaching December 31st, agencies must complete remaining deliverables and submit final materials by November 28th to ensure compliance and project completion.
The committee unanimously supported a water rights petition that could provide 11,000 acre-feet of additional surface water annually to reduce regional groundwater pumping. Members were reminded that all SGMA Round 1 grant construction projects must be completed by end of 2025, with draft invoices due in March 2026. The committee confirmed it will maintain its current operational structure when transitioning to a new joint powers authority, ensuring continuity in regional water management ...
The region is preparing to transition from water authority management to independent operations by March 2026, requiring new administrative systems and a finalized Joint Powers Agreement. Three northern monitoring wells exceeded water quality thresholds and require investigation, while data quality issues were identified with incorrect historical records. Staff developed a task matrix to clarify consultant and agency responsibilities for groundwater sustainability program implementation.
