Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Growers face a Sept. 1 deadline to commit to surface water, and staff urged use of available surface water. Groundwater pumping is now metered and being monitored, including discussion of the existing $5,000 penalty for unreported active wells. A Friant-Kern subsidence plan is due by year-end; possible tighter pumping/recharge rules were discussed.
Staff said the GSP update is on track for public release around August 20, 2026 and board adoption in December 2026, with updates to sustainable management criteria, monitoring, and interconnected surface water analysis. The Sacramento Regional Water Bank CEQA work is advancing and could help reduce stream flow depletion factor impacts on transfers. The board approved sending revised JPA language to the four signatory agencies for their approval.
Staff reviewed a State Water Board moratorium threat along the Friant-Kern Canal corridor (2–3 mile zone; ~60,000–90,000 acres) and announced an affected-grower meeting for August 28. Staff discussed a proposed shift from ET/consumption accounting to total applied (gross supply) accounting targeted for 2027. Growers receiving State invoices were advised to petition for reconsideration if banked/imported water was reported.
Board approved the Pine Grove tank parcel transfer and the consent agenda. Staff discussed wildfire resiliency grant efforts and county GIS gaps. The GM employment agreement and legal counsel report were pulled; staff noted the GM candidate withdrew acceptance and said next steps would be discussed in closed session.
Staff said golden mussel treatments cost about $540,000 to date, with 2026 totals projected at $620k–$640k; no mussels have been found. KNDLA demand management materials described three ramp-down options, and staff urged a coordinated cross-GSA framework. The Regional Board accepted the CV Salts management zone proposal in July 2026; implementation plan due Jan 4, 2027.
