Preliminary data indicate the agency is below its 2025 groundwater reduction target, at about 149,000 acre-feet of consumptive use versus a 163,795 acre-foot target, after preliminary adjustments for cover cropping, fallowing, and surface water. A new surface water credit split policy was reviewed and staff will refine it and bring a draft to the Board. The committee reviewed 14 incentivized fallowing applications and discussed a conservative first-year funding level.
The groundwater use fee true-up process is advancing, with invoices expected in February 2026 and preliminary data showing the area is only 2,000 acre-feet above the 10% reduction target. Agricultural recharge projects delivered 6,100 acre-feet in the last water year, and a new technical assistance program for multi-benefit land repurposing is launching with workshops planned in January and February.
The November 30 deadline for growers to self‑report 2025 water use is approaching; staff urged timely reporting but noted there is no formal late policy yet and they will work with growers. Proposed surface water and recharge credit splits under discussion could give growers 25–100% of credits depending on who funds water and infrastructure, raising incentive concerns. The MLRP application is planned to open January 1 with a two‑month window, and projects must be completed by late 2026.
The committee delayed a funding agreement for member agencies until benefit-distribution language is clarified, especially how recharge credits are split between districts and non-district landowners. A policy defining credit splits for groundwater recharge and surface water use advanced with minor edits. The Multi-Benefit Land Repurposing Program will open in January 2026 with a tight schedule requiring year-end project completion.
The board approved a new 3-year incentivized fallowing program paying landowners $730 per acre annually to take irrigated land out of production, with applications opening November 1st. A priority action area was rescinded after discovering measurement errors that incorrectly triggered groundwater level violations. The agency has collected $2.3 million in groundwater fee deposits with true-up invoices expected in February.
