Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Groundwater discussions focused on urgent City of Tulare well impacts and strategies including exchanges, paid fallow, and injection wells. The summer run ended after six weeks, delivering ~68,000 acre-feet amid strong demand. Staff discussed golden mussels and Friant FY2027 budget including a ~$3.5M chemical treatment program.
The board approved a $16.5M Webb Tract wetland contract after a divided vote and debate over Delta island strategy; a caller said Adelto Conservancy is providing a $21M grant supporting the project. The board also approved Item 8-6 agreements to add conserved water to Lake Mead under existing ICS exhibits. A Delta market study is expected by Dec. 2026.
The board approved a ~$21,000 cost-share for regional subsidence benchmark monitoring, contingent on other sub-basin participation. A $1,061,350 second cash call for the approved FY27 budget was tabled pending a clearer breakdown, to be revisited in August. Staff said well-registration templates will go out in July, with data due Nov. 30 to support model calibration and PRP compliance.
WY 2027 allocations were discussed as likely staying the same (1.37 AF/acre sustainable yield plus precipitation; Tier 1 at 0.31 and Tier 2 at 0.23 AF/acre). Tiered-water pricing was discussed but not agendized for action. The board ratified a 1,043 AF Class 1 water purchase (~$566.50/AF; just under $600K); staff discussed returning with options on recharge/exchange.
Staff assessed Upper Valley as in overdraft based on modest groundwater-level declines; Forebay levels were generally stable. The committees reviewed GSP actions and discussed drought planning; participants raised project affordability concerns. No new projects, pumping cutbacks or triggers were approved. The Salinas Valley Basin GSA and Arroyo Seco GSA boards are expected to consider releasing draft GSP amendments for a 90-day public review in August.
