Land subsidence was found to be minimal based on InSAR data; Todd Groundwater reported DWR said no changes to subsidence criteria are needed until a 2032 reevaluation. Analysis concluded that temporarily lowering groundwater levels to interim milestones is unlikely to significantly affect groundwater dependent ecosystems near the Stanislaus and Tuolumne Rivers. The county reported it is finalizing a third-party contract for the Non-District East action plan, targeting July 14 board approval.
Spring 2026 groundwater monitoring shows 13 Eastern Principal Aquifer wells (33%) below minimum thresholds, matching fall 2025 levels. Stanislaus County aims to start a consultant by June 29 to develop the Non-District East action plan, due November 1, 2026. OID's Paulsell Lateral Expansion Phase 1 is in final stages of completion, expanding canal capacity from 30 cfs toward 180 cfs and expected to improve delivery and groundwater recharge.
Fall 2025 data showed 35% of Eastern Principal Aquifer wells and 38% of Stanislaus River ISW wells below MTs. Stanislaus County issued an RFP this week for a third-party review to inform the Non-District East Action Plan due to the GSA Nov. 1, 2026. GWMP targets about 16,000 AF average annual reductions over the first 5 years starting Jan. 31, 2027.
Board approved the Self Help Enterprises agreement to help administer the domestic well mitigation program (application review, interim emergency water, and long-term mitigation recommendations). Non-District East must submit an Action Plan by Nov 1, 2026 (implement by Jan 31, 2027); Stanislaus County said it hopes to have a consultant selected by end of April. MID’s fee/budget resolution was shared; members asked for a future discussion item for more detail.
The groundwater allocation program framework presented at the workshop was substantially revised from the July draft to recognize irrigation districts' developed water supply, resulting in significantly higher developed supply credits for MID and OID. Non-District East is shown in the example allocation as having a base allocation equal to about 35% of historical pumping, but temporary relief through OID's surplus redistribution in Phase 1 would raise that to about 47% of historical use .
