Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
The board adopted Resolutions 2026-04 and 2026-05 (well policy and groundwater obstruction allocation policy) and approved filing a CEQA Notice of Exemption for each. Staff reviewed state fees, including a new $100 de minimis domestic well fee for some pumpers, and noted that under probation the state fee could be $35/AF. Counsel said an injunction blocks probation enforcement against Southwest Kings and Tri-County; back fees could be disputed if exclusion is later denied.
State staff outlined a timeline toward a Tulare Lake interim plan by late 2027 that would raise pumping fees from $20 to $35 per acre-foot. New fees include $100/year for certain domestic wells and about $200,000 to apply for an exclusion, plus $50,000/year to maintain it. El Rico GSAs proposed 10-foot subsidence allowance was raised as a concern, with other GSAs prepared to pursue exclusion requests if it blocks basin-wide plan approval.
DWR grant funding was extended, putting about $152,000 back in play; about $80,000–$90,000 in PG&E electrical and fencing costs are now reimbursable, and the GM recommended using remaining funds for Title 22 sampling and well permitting. Directors discussed vineyard pullouts and water-sales impacts. An Oct. 5 LAFCO meeting was highlighted and turnout urged.
InSAR results indicated no detectable inelastic subsidence; Piru showed elastic movement likely tied to reservoir releases. DBS&A reviewed a draft three-part approach for subsidence minimum thresholds and monitoring; Board received the presentation and discussed refinements, with comments due Sept. 25. UWCD projected ~100,000 AF diverted to the Oxnard Plain this water year vs. ~80,000 AF use.
Staff reported that the Tule Subbasin is prioritizing a local alternative to a potential state pumping moratorium, with a technical meeting set for September 30. Allocation figures discussed included 0.27 AF/acre for metered pumping extraction and 0.15 AF/acre native sustainable yield under ET-based accounting. Starting October 2026, accounting shifts from an allocated precipitation amount to actual precipitation received. The PID GSP draft is posted for review ahead of an October 1 stakeholder meeting.
