Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
Board advanced a collaborative domestic well mitigation program across 3 GSAs, approving core agreements and authorizing staff to finalize remaining details. Two property owner appeals to reclassify irrigated land as dryland were denied because wells remain on the parcels and have not been formally decommissioned. A 5‑year temporary recharge permit was secured for Stony Creek, reducing the need for repeated applications, with equipment deployment planned for three sites.
Groundwater accounting platform launches January 1, 2026, with 50% of growers already registered and deadlines approaching: December 15th for alternative water source credits and January 31st for flow meter attestations and inactive parcel identification. Board discussed Land Repurposing Program, which saved 4,655 acre-feet of groundwater this year. $150,000 planning funding is available with applications due January 30th and free technical assistance available by January 9th.
Committee supports groundwater extraction fees beginning in fiscal year 2026-27, with costs shared between the county (min $500,000 annually) and water users receiving notification in 2026. Research comparing ET measurements found OpenET models perform well in the region, while local CIMIS stations have experienced maintenance issues. 4 Managed Aquifer Recharge scenarios were explored, ranging from extended vineyard fallow periods to dedicated recharge basins, like Pajaro Valley's success.
The North Kings GSA extended its well registration deadline to January 30, 2026, with a $100 late fee taking effect February 1 after successful registration of over 5,800 wells. Snow water content is only about 9% of average in the southern Sierra despite recent storms, which brought rain instead of snowpack. FID is advancing infrastructure work including pipeline replacements, canal lining, and new monitoring wells during the dry period.
The Board approved a 2026 groundwater allocation of 1.78 af/ac, cutting transitional (renamed as penalty) water from 0.75 to 0.37 af/ac while signaling it is likely the last year for that tier. A 2026 pilot will compare ET-based and extraction-based accounting, with monthly updates and recommendations targeted by late 2026. Directors discussed ASR feasibility costs and water constraints but took no formal action to proceed or to reject an ASR pilot.
