Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Staff reported precip ~80% of normal but snowpack ~46%, with Delta export constraints; SWP allocation could be ~25–30%. Staff presented the 2025 Ag Water Management Plan update noting ~68,000 irrigated acres (down ~13,000). Board voted to set DCP planning funding at 1% for the 2026–27 window pending unmet conditions.
Water supply was discussed as favorable despite weak snowpack: 2,962 AF carryover and a 12,000 AF Lower Tule transfer were cited as a cushion. The Board approved a resolution stating Terra Bella GSA is operating under the ETGSA GSP until consultant updates. Eastern Tule GSA wind-down, closeout billing/reimbursements, and audit prep were discussed.
Board discussed a resolution committing to a Groundwater Demand Management program to avoid probationary status. Staff previewed three illustrative penalty scenarios using 2023 data and a $200/AF example (~$6M); no action was taken, with Davids Engineering expected to present more detail next meeting. Allocation is 100%, but deliveries may start earlier (May) due to carryover evacuation needs.
Water runs were discussed with a target start of March 30 for Lone Tree (~24,000 AF) and around May 1 for CID (~178,000 AF). CID discussed SGMA 'good actor' positioning. Recharge projects: Nebraska-Walnut Phase 2 ~90% and Camden-Wolf ~50%, with flood-release risk noted.
Board adopted the 2025 Agricultural Water Management Plan and adopted a resolution preliminarily setting $500/acre-foot penalties for 2025 water budget exceedances, with a noticed public hearing at next month’s meeting (April). GM reported acreage/demand trends and acknowledged landowners may bundle ownerships to reduce charges.
