Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
Board approved the 2026 budget, including funds for land easements, domestic well mitigation, and a meter reimbursement program of up to $3,500 per installation. Beginning January 1, 2026, a new allocation policy requires landowners to be in 'good standing' (balances paid and well access agreements on file) to receive allocations, with ET data subject to a multiplier where used instead of compliant meters.
Reclamation issued a Record of Decision on Action 5, providing increased operational flexibility for South of Delta exports. Delta-Mendota Canal subsidence correction Phase 1 solicitation is out, proposals are due January 9 with board consideration of pre‑construction work expected in early February and potential construction authorization in May. Golden mussels, first detected in October 2024, are present in many facilities and a vulnerability assessment will focus on smaller piping systems.
Board reviewed alternative financing options for $50 million in capital projects, with consultants recommending a hybrid using short-term notes and long-term bonds as a WIFIA backup. A proposal to create a dedicated Engineering Manager position was tabled pending completion of an organizational study expected by March 2025. The FY 2024‑25 audit received a clean opinion with no material findings and a lower pension liability.
Board reviewed its 5-year Groundwater Sustainability Plan update, which revises minimum thresholds based on actual domestic well depths and ecosystem needs rather than historical drought levels, resulting in an average 9-foot threshold adjustment across monitoring wells. The long-awaited Sacramento Regional Water Bank Project secured almost $700,000 in federal funding to complete environmental analysis without additional local costs.
The Board extended the groundwater well registration deadline to January 30, 2026, with a $100 late fee taking effect automatically afterward. Over 5,800 wells have been registered to date, representing 60-70% of estimated total wells, including nearly 3,000 domestic wells. Construction has begun on 6 of 10 dedicated monitoring wells that will provide more reliable groundwater data through telemetry and remote monitoring, with completion expected before spring 2026 measurements.
