Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The subbasin remains in full SGMA compliance, with rising groundwater levels and increasing storage. The board approved a simplified sustainable yield methodology based on measured groundwater levels, landing at about 43,600 AF per year, and streamlined project categories to focus on actionable efforts. Key active projects include connecting about 380 parcels to treated water and routing excess surface water to replace groundwater pumping.
The State Water Project allocation remains at 30%, with San Luis Reservoir nearly full and Article 21 surplus water potentially available soon, though carryover storage may be at risk. Legislators are being urged to support $150M annually for 15 years to fund aqueduct subsidence repairs, which could significantly affect deliveries to Santa Barbara County. The board directed staff to develop a proposal to launch a new 3–5 year strategic planning process.
True-up invoices will be mailed around March 10, giving growers 45 days to pay or request appeals or modifications. Groundwater levels are generally improving with no interim milestone exceedances, and the basin remains on its glide path toward sustainability. The board approved incentivized fallowing on about 3,448 acres at $370 per acre, targeting over 7,500 acre-feet in pumping reductions.
Board approved a $50,000 purchase order for well metering endpoints and authorized staff to develop administrative interpretations of technical requirements, with formal policy revisions planned for the March 11 meeting. Only 16 of approximately 250 wells have submitted registration paperwork ahead of March 31 deadline, prompting a March 12 assistance open house. Board also asked for a future agenda item to discuss testing requirements for agricultural well backflow prevention devices.
Water rates for the next three water years were approved, with agricultural rates decreasing 14% and M&I rates dropping about 37% in the first year. Due to ongoing issues at Hollister's reclamation plant, temporary rules now allow blue valve water delivery through the recycled system, with those users second priority. Staff outlined a conservative 2026 allocation framework, likely around 35% for ag and a full 5,000 AF for M&I, pending CVP decisions.
