Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The board approved expanding the 2026 land fallowing program to up to $2 million at $400/acre, targeting 5,000 acres. A billing appeal seeking $5,555 in Tier 3 penalty adjustments ($3,825 for WY2024 and $1,730 for WY2025) was tabled for ~90 days for the landowner to provide supporting data (meter or pump test). Monitoring showed groundwater levels up 30–40 ft in some areas since 2023; west/south subsidence continues at ~0.4–0.6 ft/yr.
Rapidly deteriorating Colorado River conditions, with Lake Powell nearing the 3,500-foot trigger for emergency federal action, raised concerns about near-term operations and future risk. Staff said the draft 2025 UWMP shows Metropolitan can meet demand through 2050 under required test conditions, while directors flagged unquantified risks. Staff noted broader uncertainties are addressed in the IRP and CAP for Water.
Staff presented CIP funding options: $950.9M and staff‑recommended $1.025B (core $875M + $150M Pure Water), plus an alternative of project‑by‑project appropriations; no vote and discussion moved to FAME. Ops reported blending down to 0% SWP at three blend plants; TDS may rise.
Modeling found that even eliminating all agricultural pumping in illustrative no-action runs still did not meet seawater intrusion minimum thresholds by 2040. Economic analysis estimated illustrative pumping cuts could reduce irrigated acreage ~11%–17% and gross farm revenue ~10%–13.5%. The updated baseline projects the saltwater front reaching Salinas by ~2060 if current conditions continue, setting the benchmark for evaluating future projects and management actions.
The board unanimously adopted the final Engineer's Report for the Phase 2 Funding Mechanism, establishing a maximum annual charge of $15.11 per acre, and set the Prop 218 public hearing for June 15, 2026 at 6 PM. Written objections under AB 2257 must be received by June 1; written protests under Prop 218 must be submitted before the hearing. Effective precipitation for Water Year 2026 was set at 10 inches, directly reducing groundwater debits from landowner allocations.
