Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Resolution ST GSA 26-03 was adopted by roll call vote, finalizing civil penalties for 2025 water budget exceedances (up to $500/AF) with a $1,000 delinquency penalty for non-payment within 45 days. The Board approved a draft landowner recharge policy governing landowner-built recharge facilities, with an implementing agreement to be drafted by counsel; landowners are credited 80% of recharged water at the non-contract rate while the district retains 20%.
Delta-Mendota was unanimously returned to DWR after staff concluded probation wasn’t warranted, while flagging remaining items for future updates. Small pumpers (≤20 AF/yr) were excluded from State probationary reporting/fees in Tule and Tulare Lake; Tulare Lake’s exclusion was amended to bar exporters. Snowpack was reported at 18%; SWP allocation at 30%. March set a new CA temp record by 3.5°F and was the driest March on record.
The committee recommended refinements to the Domestic Well Mitigation Program so the $35K cap can cover all reasonable costs needed to restore service. Growers questioned whether the $59/acre fee should change given limited spending so far. 2025 penalties billed: $1.1M (Madera) and ~$650K (Chowchilla); funds are designated for domestic well mitigation. The committee recommended adopting the Chowchilla GDM backstop report.
Staff proposed an 8% ag groundwater charge increase to $46.50/AF for FY 2026-27 and reviewed the Open Space Credit ($217M/10 years). The committee discussed the proposal and approved amending the work plan to add a goal to identify preferred percolation regions with Valley Water and landowners. Staff outlined four South County recharge projects under evaluation and said there is no immediate rush.
Board approved an agreement with Itron to advance the AMI smart metering rollout, supported by $875K in grants. Staff reported outreach with Palm Springs and Cathedral City ahead of Ordinance 80 enforcement; turf removal saves ~92M gal/yr. GM reported a draft Sites Reservoir water right decision issued Mar 20 with comments due May 22; five contract issues remain.
