Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Committee approved a draft policy for an incentivized fallowing program that will pay farmers $730 per acre annually for 3 consecutive years to voluntarily fallow fields, with applications accepted November-December for 2026 implementation. Staff recommended rescinding a priority action area designation for monitoring well ETSGSA-08 after discovering calculation errors. 47% of groundwater accounting platform accounts remaining unclaimed, which represents only 26% of total acres.
Board approved $271,000 for a three-year satellite-based crop water monitoring contract with Land IQ to meet state groundwater management requirements. They also authorized $20,000 for continued Groundwater Sustainability Plan implementation through December 2025, with key commitments due by 2025-2026. Major infrastructure projects totaling 33,800 acre feet of annual capacity are progressing, including canal expansions and new wells that are 80% complete.
The board unanimously approved terminating a 1985 recreation agreement with Stanislaus County, effective October 2026, due to failed negotiations and facility concerns. This will cost $2.8 million but generate future revenue. Health insurance premiums were approved with modest increases of 4-10% for employees. Board members praised staff for successfully managing the 2025 irrigation season with minimal disruptions despite ongoing organizational changes.
Board maintained annual assessment rate at $95 per acre for 2025 despite staff recommendations for an increase, citing concerns about financial burden on farmers. Water supplies remain critically limited with only 700 acre-feet remaining after the 2024 season, prompting continued conservation measures. State Water Resources Control Board is expected to make a final decision on December 2nd regarding whether to return basin management to local control after years.
Groundwater levels have recovered to 2013 levels at about 120 feet district-wide, though faster progress is needed to meet 2040 sustainability targets. Staff recommended changes to subsidence management policies, moving away from depth-based pumping restrictions due to complex geology showing most district pumping contributes to subsidence. Board approved a $50,000 public relations campaign to enhance its communication with state regulators and stakeholders outside Central Valley.
