Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Groundwater management coalition hit a milestone with 21 of 23 agencies committing to join the new joint powers authority. With 2026 implementation deadlines approaching, all wells must be registered and metered as pumping reduction requirements begin, transitioning from planning to active management. Multiple wells exceeded water quality and groundwater level thresholds, triggering mandatory notifications to nearby domestic well users and requiring increased monitoring and remedial actions.
The board approved a budget for 2026, including $3 million for well mitigation and $2 million for water purchases to address sustainability goals. Staff reported positive progress as the State Water Board is recommending the GSA be returned to the Department of Water Resources based on their review of groundwater sustainability plans. The board delayed decision on a daily irrigation management tool costing $0.55 per acre annually, choosing to revisit the proposal ...
Over 2,500 wells have been registered since the May 1st requirement took effect, with officials defending the domestic well registration requirement as necessary for complete data collection and access to mitigation programs. The organization received a clean audit opinion and maintains strong financial health. Allocation framework discussions continue, with hopes to finalize the framework at the November 21 coordination meeting and bring it to GSAs for consideration in December/January...
The GSA is working on an expedited timeline to submit a revised GSP and apply for “good actor” status to seek exclusion from State Water Board fees. Landowner pumping reports are due May 1, 2026, and the board discussed targeting a GSP submission as soon as January–February to improve their position on fees. A significant dispute emerging over methodologies to determine sustainable yield. Directors questioned having the same consultant work for both agencies creates an appearance of conflict.
Board members reported that the SWRCB probationary hearing went favorably and staff indicated the basin is expected to return to DWR oversight, with a formal letter anticipated by late November or early December. The KRGSA approved approximately $98,445 for its share of basin-wide coordination activities (e.g., subsidence monitoring, data gap analysis, and annual reporting) and a $50,000 cash call per KRGSA entity to fund near-term work.
