Growers face a Sept. 1 deadline to commit to surface water, and staff urged use of available surface water. Groundwater pumping is now metered and being monitored, including discussion of the existing $5,000 penalty for unreported active wells. A Friant-Kern subsidence plan is due by year-end; possible tighter pumping/recharge rules were discussed.
Board approved joining the sub-basin cost-share MOU to pursue a coordinated single GSP (~$67,664 if DEID out; ~$59,000 if in). Staff reviewed draft rules/regs: if a meter fails, usage would revert to ET; staff plans to bring penalty/enforcement updates next month. GSP not expected by next week; stakeholder meeting to be postponed.
A major storm system forecast for next week could bring up to 12 inches of precipitation, potentially improving allocations expected around February 20th. The board discussed potentially using an informal grace period this year after USPS postmark changes and asked staff to explore credit card and ACH payment options. GSA coordination is advancing on basin‑wide subsidence monitoring and a domestic well‑focused mitigation program.
