Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—on the road, on your tractor, or at home.
The GSA is moving forward with a well metering policy requiring meters on wells pumping over 2 acre-feet annually, with $500 county grants available for installation assistance. The board approved a new $33,800 per acre-foot water supply impact fee for developments exceeding baseline allocations to fund infrastructure projects. Additionally, the GSA adopted new insurance coverage and approved a 14.7% budget increase to cover rising personnel and legal costs.
Agency reported strong basin recovery with water levels up 100 feet and all zones pumping below sustainable limits. The board debated changing pumping credit expiration periods from 5 years to between 3-50 years to prevent "paper water" accumulation. DWR approved their sustainability report while workshops on credit reforms are scheduled for August and September.
The water authority's Proposition 218 fee process faces major delays due to missing evapotranspiration data that was due July 8th, potentially requiring a restart of the entire public notice period. The board approved $105,000 in spending and granted check-signing authority to their consultant despite the data issues. Public commenters raised concerns about incomplete notices and transparency while the August 1st hearing remains scheduled.
The advisory committee reviewed positive developments including state approval of groundwater sustainability plans and successful water conservation efforts showing reduced consumption. Key ongoing initiatives include enhanced groundwater quality monitoring, well inventory programs, and continued restrictions on overdraft pumping for 2026.
The board addressed low well registration rates and significant ground subsidence that could trigger pumping restrictions, while developing costly water quality monitoring programs under state pressure. Key decisions included maintaining current leadership, postponing registration penalties, and continuing budget discussions for preliminary $21 per acre-foot pumping fees.
