1. A new SGMA fee program is headed to a public hearing on May 18, 2026. The draft fee study proposes a two-tier fee structure. Tier 1 applies to all parcels in the subbasin at $0.76/acre plus $1.50/parcel for governance costs. Tier 2 charges agricultural acres and domestic water users — for ag, that's $2.78/acre for districted land (within a YSGA member irrigation/reclamation district or affiliate mutual water company) and $7.94/acre for undistricted land. The higher undistricted rate reflects that those areas rely on groundwater for 100% of their supply versus ~35% in districted areas. Dry-farmed acres can request a correction/adjustment via a corrections form after the fee is assessed. The total fee level is proposed at $1.6 million for Fiscal Year 2027.
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