Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Staff said they were told a subsidence management plan is needed by December or the state could impose a pumping moratorium along the subsidence corridor. Porterville and Saucelito discussed recharge/banking policy updates. M&I deliveries were the lowest in ~15 years; the annual estimate dropped from 1,500 to 1,350, with ~7,500–7,700 AF remaining to reach the Nov. 1 shutdown.
The board discussed whether to continue copper-based mussel treatment through October; members leaned toward continuing, and staff described positive early results and plans to bring operations in-house next year. The FY 2025 audit was approved with an unqualified opinion and ~$14.5M working capital. Staff also reviewed El Niño outlook information and ongoing recharge maintenance.
Staff reported progress in subsidence talks with DWR, including DWR's reaction to modeling that could show subsidence after 2040. The board approved a semi-annual cost-sharing invoice totaling about $688,000, split three ways (~$230,000 each). Staff said the State Water Board is expected to release a Phase Two scientific basis report Aug. 18 on Sacramento-Delta flows affecting surface water and recharge.
Staff outlined a timeline for the Periodic Evaluation and updated GSP chapters, with public review targeted for fall 2026 and a DWR submission deadline of January 28, 2027. EKI described ISW data gaps and a plan to improve data and modeling; ISW SMC refinement was discussed as a target for the next five-year update (noted as 2032), not a final decision. Prop 4 grants are being explored; scope and budget will return at a future meeting.
The board approved a $2-per-acre benefit assessment for 2026, expected to generate roughly $412,000 to fund groundwater sustainability plan work. An allocation map was reviewed identifying parcels proposed to receive no water allocation, with landowners urged to contact the GSA if their parcel was incorrectly mapped. The board also discussed correcting a state agency claim of low reporting compliance, which the GSA says is based on flawed well data.
