DWR identified one subsidence deficiency in the amended groundwater plan; the basin GSAs have 180 days to respond. The board approved a $258,000 EKI technical-support amendment and authorized the chair to sign a forthcoming grant amendment that would extend the multi-benefit land repurposing grant through March 2028. It extended project contracts through January 2028, excluding Nevada Ranch, and waived the local land repurposing program’s minimum water-use value for year four.
The board denied a Government Claims Act claim challenging the Phase 2 fee (5-0). GAP surface water reporting is now available with document uploads. 2026 usage statements (Jan–Nov) are expected in November. Growers can register wells now for 2027 ahead of the Jan. 31 deadline. The board authorized staff to process up to 46 parcel reclassifications if confirmed irrigated (6-0).
The board voted 6-0 to add previously adopted Phase 2 fees, beginning in fiscal year 2026/2027, to applicable opt-in and misclassified land-use fee calculations and to calculate effective precipitation for certain Phase 1 appeal parcels using irrigated acreage. Inactive parcel, field and riparian area delineations close August 31. Valley Eco requested a Bear Creek Ranch budget shift; an MLRP extension decision is expected in September.
Growers using remote sensing received an additional 1-inch effective precipitation credit for WY2026 (total 11 eligible inches). The board changed the inactive parcel designation deadline from January 31 to May 1, with a one-time reopening through August 31, 2026 for parcels with no irrigation for the year. A grower raised concerns about gauge accuracy and the board discussed having staff/TAC look into potential use of other stations.
The board approved the FY 2026/27 budget, setting SGMA compliance landowner fees at $0.16/acre (base) and $1.27/acre (irrigated). A proposed cover crop policy change that would grant growers additional Effective Precipitation credits was deferred to a committee for further review before returning as an action item in July. Staff reported that groundwater accounting platform updates are in progress, though OpenET data carries a several-week lag.
