Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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The board approved a cost-share MOU to fund unified Tule Subbasin technical work aimed at exiting state probation, and authorized a compensation analysis for a new Voluntary Land Repurposing Program offering 20-year irrigation restriction payments to enrolled landowners. Staff said the GSA is not on track for subsidence thresholds and will develop a draft subsidence plan and potential zone-based pumping caps for fall review.
DEID's takes action on its' exemption through the 2026 water year, with SWRCB staff identifying items needed to support a 2027 extension — including metering/monitoring plan, monthly water-level monitoring, an event-based demand management program, and threshold revisions. The board directed staff to develop plans for future consideration to further implement these items, approved ~$170K in interim subbasin cost-sharing, and maintained DEID's independent GSP pending resolution of key issues.
The board approved a $503,575 FY2027 budget and set groundwater fees at $120 per acre-foot, based on ~4,200 acre-feet of estimated annual pumping from 2024 aerial imagery. Staff reported penalties remain waived through Aug. 31 and urged meter installation by July 31 as only ~45% of wells have submitted paperwork. Staff outlined excluding one bedrock-screened well; directors generally agreed it should be handled case-by-case with case-specific documentation.
Pilot recharge studies south of Chico confirmed excellent infiltration rates, with three recharge concepts outlined for potential advancement. Staff reviewed the GSP Periodic Evaluation schedule due January 2027, with groundwater levels and sustainable yield starting in June and continuing into July, and other topics into July/August.
The board approved the 2026–2027 budget, setting irrigated assessments at $6.25/acre (down from ~$16.50 last year) and non-irrigated at $0.08/acre, with lower assessments aided by cash on hand/carryover (including unused contingency). Growers criticized PrAGA Prop 26 billing for charging removed vineyards with credits but no refunds. The Fallow Land Registry was discussed as a potential centralized reporting tool; the website showed 1,787 in the registry as of the meeting date.
