1. The 2027 allocation decision was postponed to December 10. Staff recommended eliminating the current 0.37-acre-foot-per-acre transitional allocation in 2027 because of continuing subsidence, although upper-aquifer groundwater levels have generally stabilized. The Groundwater Planning Commission (GPC) instead recommended changing from consumption-based accounting, which primarily uses evapotranspiration (ET), to total-applied accounting that includes pumped groundwater and surface water on January 1, 2027. Its proposed 1.32 acre-feet per acre comprises 0.27 of sustainable yield on a total-applied basis, corresponding to 0.15 on a consumption basis, approximately 0.55 of district-allocated credit and 0.50 of regional mitigation allowance; eligible additional credits could also be used. Neither proposal was adopted. Following receipt of a legal comment letter related to ongoing litigation, the board continued the decision to allow time to consider and respond to the comments. Separately, staff cautioned that changing accounting methods immediately could complicate coordination with other subbasin GSAs.
2. Subsidence is driving proposed policy changes. Data through July 2026 showed cumulative subsidence continuing across Pixley zones; the April–July rate was approximately the same as in that period last year. Staff aims to present a draft Corrective Subsidence Management Order in December. Potential elements include a transition to total-applied accounting around October 1, 2027; restrictions on new lower-aquifer wells, with 800 feet or deeper discussed as a possible initial threshold; and separate upper- and lower-aquifer allocations and caps. None is final. If the board authorizes circulation of a draft, it would be mailed to GSA landowners for at least 45 days of comment before adoption is considered, potentially in February 2027 or later.
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