Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
Colorado River negotiation strategy was discussed in closed session with no action taken. During public comment, a speaker said independent economists estimate Delta Conveyance Project costs could reach about 60 billion dollars and urged independent review. SB 827, co-sponsored by Delta advocates and water contractors, was described as supporting inner-Delta levee improvements for long-term water supply reliability.
The board voted 3-2 to impose new contract terms on field employees after failed negotiations with IBEW Local 1245, including a 7-on/7-off schedule and revised overtime and health insurance structures effective March 2026. The 2026 irrigation season was unanimously set to begin March 11, with water flowing into the main canal March 2. Staff also reported re-engaging Division 9 growers following a failed rate vote, with follow-up meetings planned to build toward a revised proposal.
Groundwater pumping remains well below the district's roughly 1.8 million acre-feet in groundwater credits, though transitional pumping limits restrict how quickly those credits can be used. Monitoring shows mostly healthy aquifer levels district-wide, with localized concerns along the southeastern boundary likely linked to neighboring pumping. Subsidence is stable, though one southeastern benchmark has exceeded the annual minimum threshold, attributed largely to neighboring pumping activity.
The board approved hiring Provost & Pritchard to analyze groundwater allocation policy options, with a draft report expected in 10–14 weeks and no policies selected yet. An annual cash call of $18,040 per member was approved to fund ongoing operations as grant funding runs out. A member of the public raised concerns about oilfield wastewater disposal threatening west side groundwater quality, with a state hearing upcoming to contest current de-designation efforts.
Staff reported on development of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, which uses WSMP 2050 demand projections to assess supply reliability through 2045, with a draft expected for public review in May 2026. Concerns over past demand overestimates were raised, and staff were urged to meet with the Sierra Club to review its alternative model. The 2026 Groundwater Management Plan periodic evaluation is on track, with a public comment period expected to open in September 2026.
