The General Manager said the Forebay appears near water-balance equilibrium, while the revised GSP draft—especially Chapters 9–10—still needs updating ahead of a public hearing targeted for early Jan. 2027. Public commenters cited missing/blank tables and inconsistencies. A Water Coalition representative said a model may overestimate surface flows by ~75%. Northern seawater-intrusion projects were cited at ~$1B.
Groundwater levels in the Arroyo Seco subbasin remain near sustainability targets following recent wet years; General Manager Weeks said demand management is not needed right now. A five-year Groundwater Sustainability Plan update is expected to be released for a 90-day public review in early September, with a public hearing planned for mid-January. Coastal seawater intrusion continues to pose a major unresolved challenge.
A demand management framework is being developed using historical recharge trends, though pumping reductions remain decades away unless long-term basin recovery fails. The Groundwater Sustainability Plan update is due January 2027, with public hearings expected this summer. Separately, a brackish water desalination project addressing seawater intrusion carries an estimated $1.4 million price tag, with unresolved technical questions and a board recommendation pending.
Draft Forebay/Arroyo Seco Cone fees are expected to be similar to last year, possibly slightly lower. A speaker warned fee-setting may not follow the 2021 coordination agreement, risking liability for both GSAs. Weeks relayed analysis tying modest long-term declines to reduced recharge, not pumping, and noted thresholds might not be reached until about the 2070s. Staff will bring a proposed fee-engagement process next month.
Arroyo Seco basin remains sustainable with no threshold violations in five years, and a demand management framework tailored to drought-condition triggers is being developed. Concerns were raised over a potential valley-wide fee to fund voluntary demand management, with public warnings it may be unnecessary here and vulnerable to legal challenge. Board members also questioned the use of a 30-year modeling window over the full 100-year data record for assessing long-term groundwater trends.
