The board supported exempting small groundwater users (pumping 2-10 acre-feet annually) from costly five-year meter testing requirements, with a formal ordinance amendment to follow. Staff recommended pausing expensive modeling work on surface water depletion analysis to avoid duplicating efforts already underway in the adjudication process. Updated data shows groundwater extraction projections are 6% lower than originally estimated.
The board addressed significant groundwater modeling issues after discovering stream flow measurements were taken up to 1,400 feet from official gauge locations, requiring extensive model recalibration. Three major work orders totaling $238,573 were approved for critical compliance activities including modeling support, required 5-year evaluation, and annual reporting. Additionally, amendments to the joint powers agreement were approved to change voting requirements from unanimous to...
