Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
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Both boards unanimously approved Phase 2 of a PR campaign to bolster credibility and readiness for state/federal funding. Consultants cited potential sources including Prop 4 (incl. $386M for SGMA/subsidence), cap-and-trade, the state general fund (incl. discussion of ~$2B for DWR subsidence-related efforts), and federal programs. Staff said a unified plan proposal (est. $1.4M) will come to a June meeting.
The board's proposed meter policy requiring flow meters on wells pumping over 2 acre-feet failed after Director Neves said he would vote no over document quality concerns; a revised version is expected in June. The board approved releasing an RFQ to hire a consultant for Prop 218 fee election administration. Staff reported that all five sub-basin GSA managers have agreed to coordinate on a single Groundwater Sustainability Plan targeting submission in Q1 2027.
Board appointed Director Dolan as alternate IWPC rep, and tabled IWPC withdrawal. New well is pumping 300–350 GPM; PG&E power work is in progress; additional buildout could cost hundreds of thousands more. Flood Control annexation aims for zero tax exchange; LAFCO workshop possibly in 3–4 months.
Ongoing concerns were reported about the Chiquita Canyon landfill, where a pyrolysis reaction could discharge leachate to the Santa Clara River, prompting new surface-water sampling. 82,000 acre-feet recharged into Oxnard basins and Port Hueneme by United Water. Omykiss were confirmed in Lost Creek via eDNA and observation, and long-term monitoring was discussed. DBS&A flagged Prop 4 funding ($368M) with no cost share and early-2027 applications.
A new SGMA fee schedule was approved, charging all parcels a $20.50 flat fee plus Part 2 fees including $15.58 per cropped/managed wetland acre (or $13.26/acre for South Feather/Feather River diverters) — acres not being used are not charged, and grazing land pays Part 1 only. The FY 2026–27 budget of $436,425 was adopted, fully funded by these fees. The board confirmed fees are not permanent and can be lowered in future years if costs decrease or grant funding is secured.
