Staff and consultants from Davids Engineering and ERA Economics reviewed a net groundwater impact accounting concept and examples of draft informational statements being used in neighboring basins. Members compared recent monitoring data to GSP thresholds and discussed revisiting sustainable management criteria during the periodic evaluation. Potential funding concepts, including grants and groundwater-use-based charges, were discussed.
Fees were raised to the maximum allowed under the existing Prop 218 assessment for FY 2026-27 alongside an unbalanced budget (~$500,000 shortfall) expected to be covered by reserves. The GSA approved up to $184,800 with David's Engineering for demand management program development. Staff and members discussed revisiting finances in early 2027 as actual costs become clearer.
The committee approved releasing an RFP for demand management technical consulting, with the bulk of work ideally completed by around October to support key program decisions and the overall scope noting completion by December 31. A Water and Land Solutions contract for the Stoney Creek recharge program was also approved (not to exceed $16,500 per diversion season). Members discussed long-term risks from voluntary agreements and possible unimpaired flow requirements that could cut surface ...
The GSA successfully diverted 42 acre-feet of water over 5 operational days under its new 5-year recharge permit, with two of three sites currently running and the permit in effect through March 31st. A collaborative domestic well mitigation program is now accepting applications, with a public webinar on January 23rd. The upcoming annual report will revisit groundwater level minimum thresholds and how to respond to any apparent exceedances.
Board advanced a collaborative domestic well mitigation program across 3 GSAs, approving core agreements and authorizing staff to finalize remaining details. Two property owner appeals to reclassify irrigated land as dryland were denied because wells remain on the parcels and have not been formally decommissioned. A 5‑year temporary recharge permit was secured for Stony Creek, reducing the need for repeated applications, with equipment deployment planned for three sites.
