Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The board approved a significant assessment rate increase to $179 per acre (up from $140.50) to fund water purchases and maintain cash flow, representing the maximum allowed under their previous Proposition 218 election. The district continues under state board probation with an exclusion request pending and faces ongoing challenges with only 51% well registration compliance among landowners.
The board advanced a new water market for trading allocations in the Central Management Area and began evaluating whether to extend water restrictions to the Ventucopa area. Key actions also included approving a new weather station, delaying carryover policy discussions, and addressing concerns about development outside current management zones.
The advisory committee recommended reducing the 2026 allocation to 1.5 acre-feet per acre due to limited recharge while noting that most growers have sufficient credits to maintain operations. The GSA also advanced inter-agency transfers, updated policies on meters and mitigation, and received a staff recommendation to return to DWR oversight.
The committee discussed billing confusion related to groundwater use fees, upcoming Phase 2 rule changes introducing fallow and recharge credits, and new monitoring infrastructure. Additional updates included MLRP program progress, enhanced monitoring in critical areas, and real-time data tools for growers.
Board meeting focused on legal challenges affecting all landowners, strong progress on the meter rebate program, and next steps for the water bank project. Key updates included a clean financial audit, continued federal funding, and renewed commitments to public coordination with James Irrigation District.