Staff said the draft GSP Periodic Evaluation (WY 2022 through part of 2026) will be released early next week for review through September 30, 2026. It reports groundwater levels averaging 42 feet above minimum thresholds and approximately 39,400 acre-feet of storage gain from 2022 through 2025. Draft plan amendments remove the non-dry-year limitation from the undesirable result definition, so threshold exceedances in any water year type will now trigger accountability.
Groundwater level targets were updated and approved, setting measurable objectives to historical averages from 2015–2025 and interim milestones equal to those objectives, reflecting a stable basin with no overdraft. An RFP is underway for ongoing SGMA support; interviews are anticipated mid-August and a contract could be considered at an anticipated special August meeting. Five new monitoring wells and five stream gauges are now online to support recharge projects and groundwater reporting.
A new SGMA fee schedule was approved, charging all parcels a $20.50 flat fee plus Part 2 fees including $15.58 per cropped/managed wetland acre (or $13.26/acre for South Feather/Feather River diverters) — acres not being used are not charged, and grazing land pays Part 1 only. The FY 2026–27 budget of $436,425 was adopted, fully funded by these fees. The board confirmed fees are not permanent and can be lowered in future years if costs decrease or grant funding is secured.
The board set a May 21, 2026, public hearing to adopt a new fee structure that will charge agricultural parcels only on cropped/managed wetland acreage rather than total parcel acreage. Twin Spill reached 30% design with capital cost now ~$1M (down from $1.8M) and 1,200 AF benefit (900 in-lieu, 300 seepage). Palermo ditch clearing ($100K) reduced flooding; Palermo drainage improvements (pipeline + channel expansion) were discussed at 30% design.
The subbasin remains in full SGMA compliance, with rising groundwater levels and increasing storage. The board approved a simplified sustainable yield methodology based on measured groundwater levels, landing at about 43,600 AF per year, and streamlined project categories to focus on actionable efforts. Key active projects include connecting about 380 parcels to treated water and routing excess surface water to replace groundwater pumping.
