Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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A hard shutdown begins November 1 to support Terra Bella's tie-in to the new canal, with completion targeted by end of January and deliveries resuming around February; staff said to plan on operating with wells during the shutdown. The board approved Stop Alarm monitoring for multiple pump stations after a third copper theft at Station 6 resulting in ~$54,000 in losses, and staff reviewed a Station 1 transformer failure tied to overloading, with pad-mount replacements planned this winter.
Well registration is now mandatory, with staff available to assist growers on-site during an outreach push expected this fall. The board approved a new Dedicated Recharge Basin Policy with embankment and verification requirements; staff said earlier applicants do not need to reapply and remain under review. Predictive modeling to inform a steady-state allocation for water year 2028 was cited as a top priority.
EKI presented proposed subsidence SMCs using observed subsidence (0.5 ft near critical infrastructure; 1 ft elsewhere, relative to Jan 2022) rather than groundwater level proxies. EKI also outlined an approach to request time through 2030 for depletion-based ISW criteria, subject to funding. DWR engagement remains positive, with spring 2026 water levels showing continued improvement.
Board approved Colorado River legal contract increases totaling $1.5M in new spending: +$500K for Van Ness Feldman LLP (new NTE $1M) and +$1M for Milbank LLP (new NTE $1.25M), as Metropolitan's Colorado River lead heads to Senate testimony. Department heads received a 3.4% increase if rated competent or better, effective June 21, 2026. Invocation highlighted climate whiplash, reliability, and affordability.
Staff discussed proposed guidelines for using electrical meter data in groundwater-use estimates, including annual pump efficiency tests each July–September starting in 2026, and planned an outreach notice next week. Recharge credit estimation would phase from soil-based estimates (2025) to improved methods over ~3 years. Staff reviewed a draft FY 2026/2027 budget with ~$9M revenue and a proposed $2.5M transitional water prepayment for board review.
