Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The Board approved $800,000 in grant funding to construct two additional groundwater monitoring wells at Booster Station D, filling a critical data gap after an existing problematic well is destroyed. The expanded monitoring network will strengthen the district's ability to track seawater intrusion and ensure long-term groundwater sustainability compliance. By amending the existing contract with the already-mobilized drilling contractor, the project can meet the tight February grant deadline.
Annexation with Russian River Flood Control has been slowed by a legal complaint on the negative declaration and a notice of incomplete LAFCO application, potentially delaying more secure water service. Planned rate increases have shifted from March to April, and staff may instead combine that with a July 1 increase. A drought relief grant project is nearing completion with a Dec. 31 deadline and pump equipment secured at lower-than-expected cost.
The Board approved moving forward with a two‑part regulatory fee approach, with all parcels paying a flat administrative fee and Part 2 concepts focused on per‑cropped‑acre and managed‑wetland charges rather than total parcel size. Groundwater protection standards were strengthened by setting MTs to protect about 95% of domestic wells, with an estimated 38 wells and $1.14M in mitigation at MTs. The Board also directed staff to include managed wetlands/duck clubs in Part 2.
The board agreed to target a December 18th GSP evaluation workshop to follow the regular meeting, based on ongoing work with historical model data and shallow groundwater monitoring results. A coalition agreement with other small GSAs was restructured from an MOU to a simpler cost-sharing arrangement to avoid creating a new public agency subject to additional regulations. Groundwater extraction fee invoicing for the January–June 2025 period is underway, with invoices sent in September.
The November 30 deadline for growers to self‑report 2025 water use is approaching; staff urged timely reporting but noted there is no formal late policy yet and they will work with growers. Proposed surface water and recharge credit splits under discussion could give growers 25–100% of credits depending on who funds water and infrastructure, raising incentive concerns. The MLRP application is planned to open January 1 with a two‑month window, and projects must be completed by late 2026.
