Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Water supply looks about average, but run timing is uncertain due to below-normal snowpack. The district previously eliminated the 2026 transitional groundwater allocation to address subsidence, and ratified cost-sharing for two sub-basin subsidence efforts. Water rates and run timing were deferred until the next meeting when the full board is present. Full-year 2025 ET was ~249,000 AF (~7,000–7,500 below the 2021–2025 average).
The JPA Board tabled the model calibration authorization (estimated $525,000) to the April meeting after a split technical ad hoc discussion. SWRCB staff recommended returning the basin to DWR (Board action expected April 7). Staff reminded GSAs about PRP tracking/reporting and Mar–May seasonal high WL/WQ sampling; closed session was skipped.
Well-registration enforcement changes to the Rules and Regulations were approved, tying compliance to Tier 1/Tier 2 carryover and transfer eligibility and allowing potential penalties. Subsidence management areas are in development, with staff/consultant aiming to bring a draft to TAC and potentially the board in coming meetings. A voluntary surface-water credit retirement concept was discussed but not approved and will remain on the agenda.
Allocation updates: Merced Subbasin GSA rule took effect Jan 1, 2026 after a 2025 test year; MIUGSA adopted a new 3-year 3.3 AF/ac allocation with carryover. All three GSAs adopted a domestic well mitigation program (retroactive to Jan 28, 2020); admin details still being built. WY2025 storage fell ~100,000 AF (likely below-normal).
The Budget & Finance Committee unanimously accepted the FY 2027 Work Plan report ahead of Board consideration and approved its February minutes. Staff proposed allocating some strategy and demand-management costs by sub-basin. As most grant funding ends, the draft budget shifts some costs to regulatory fees. Projected total domestic-connection fees could roughly double in Langley and more than triple in Monterey; budget and fee approvals remain pending.
