Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Water allocation was increased to 1.7 acre-feet per acre following a 45% State Water Project allocation, with May deliveries totaling 6,888 acre-feet. AECA warned that cumulative PG&E rate proposals could total 44% by 2030 and asked districts to recalibrate dues; the board discussed raising Cawelo's contribution from $3,500 to about $6,200 (formula), and a motion was made for $6,000. Continuous deliveries expected to begin June 22.
Water deliveries may end mid-August or sooner, with August availability unknown until the July meeting. Staff discussed a new Tier 2 Class 2 offering of at least 2,745 acre-feet at about $165 per AF (vs. ~$25/AF Tier 1) and said FID may buy it to build a buffer if others decline. Southern Sierra snowpack is ~15% of normal; heat may raise demand.
The board approved a cost-share MOU to fund unified Tule Subbasin technical work aimed at exiting state probation, and authorized a compensation analysis for a new Voluntary Land Repurposing Program offering 20-year irrigation restriction payments to enrolled landowners. Staff said the GSA is not on track for subsidence thresholds and will develop a draft subsidence plan and potential zone-based pumping caps for fall review.
DEID's takes action on its' exemption through the 2026 water year, with SWRCB staff identifying items needed to support a 2027 extension — including metering/monitoring plan, monthly water-level monitoring, an event-based demand management program, and threshold revisions. The board directed staff to develop plans for future consideration to further implement these items, approved ~$170K in interim subbasin cost-sharing, and maintained DEID's independent GSP pending resolution of key issues.
The board approved a $503,575 FY2027 budget and set groundwater fees at $120 per acre-foot, based on ~4,200 acre-feet of estimated annual pumping from 2024 aerial imagery. Staff reported penalties remain waived through Aug. 31 and urged meter installation by July 31 as only ~45% of wells have submitted paperwork. Staff outlined excluding one bedrock-screened well; directors generally agreed it should be handled case-by-case with case-specific documentation.
