Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Preliminary data indicate the agency is below its 2025 groundwater reduction target, at about 149,000 acre-feet of consumptive use versus a 163,795 acre-foot target, after preliminary adjustments for cover cropping, fallowing, and surface water. A new surface water credit split policy was reviewed and staff will refine it and bring a draft to the Board. The committee reviewed 14 incentivized fallowing applications and discussed a conservative first-year funding level.
The board approved increasing on-farm recharge payments from $40 to $50 per acre-foot to encourage water spreading before the February deadline. Staff presented plans for a $1 million golden mussel treatment program using copper-based products, expected to require board approval at a special meeting before implementation in mid-February. Director Giumarra was elected as new board president, replacing Director Camp after nearly 13 years.
The board approved a 0.3 acre-feet per acre Class 2 water allocation at $55/AF for immediate use through February 2026, critical for securing next year's Class 1 supply. Multiple ditch company contracts expiring in 2026 require legal review to determine maintenance obligations for deteriorated diversion structures. Financial performance exceeded budget with $4.5M in year-to-date net revenues, driven by recharge water sales.
The District will reconsider its shift to electronic newsletters after feedback showed many customers prefer hard copies, with summer editions likely reverting to broader paper distribution. A grower meeting is scheduled for February 5th at 9:00 AM to discuss operations and answer questions. Water supply stands strong at 139% of average for the San Joaquin River Index, positioning the District well for the upcoming irrigation season.
The Board approved extending the out-of-district water sales program with a one-year credit rollover for 2025 unused minimums, addressing infrastructure constraints while the program delivered over 12,000 acre-feet generating $2.6 million. Directors also voted to adopt a groundwater management plan requiring 25% reduction in non-district areas over five years and a $300,000 well mitigation fund, while the Paulsell Lateral Phase 1 upgrade nears completion ahead of schedule.
