1. The board set a $30,000 cap on domestic well mitigation claims. After surveying comparable San Joaquin Valley subbasins—Madera, Delta-Mendota, and Merced list $30,000 limits, while Chowchilla allows up to $35,000 with additional approval—the board voted unanimously to cap eligible mitigation payments at $30,000 per claimant. Bottled water and other replacement-water costs do not count toward that limit. Self Help Enterprises estimated a typical full well replacement at about $55,000, while one director suggested some wells might cost $100,000. Staff cautioned that state officials might push back on caps, and a director questioned whether $30,000 would meet the program’s obligations. The board chose to start with that limit, which it could revisit. Well owners who disagree with a claim determination can appeal to the board.
2. Self Help Enterprises presented domestic well services, but no contract was approved. The nonprofit, which serves other San Joaquin Valley GSAs, including in the Modesto and Turlock subbasins, described well assessments, a goal of delivering bottled water within 72 hours, interim tanked water, well replacement, water quality testing, and homeowner education. Staff will return with a proposed scope, rate schedule, cost estimates, and information on other available services. Under an approach discussed by the board, Self Help could assess wells and refer potentially SGMA-related groundwater-level or water-quality claims for the authority’s technical committee to review. Other cases might qualify for separate assistance, depending on eligibility and funding. The authority already has an active claims process; no Self Help agreement or transfer of claim review to the nonprofit was approved.
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