Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
The Advisory Committee reviewed three groundwater portfolios with preliminary capital costs of roughly $620 million to $1.5 billion. Portfolio 4 did little to curb seawater intrusion, and all three modeled agricultural demand management. Members requested fuller financing and local-impact estimates before a possible July recommendation for August board consideration. The committee approved the May 15 minutes but did not select a portfolio.
Groundwater fees were held flat for FY 2027 at current rates, and the FY 2027 budget includes funding for a $150,000 fee study that could inform changes as early as FY 2028. A regional water bank update raised ag questions about in-lieu recharge terminology and precedent-setting concerns. The board approved an MOU amendment redistributing costs among remaining sub-basin members after Sloughhouse RCD exited as a GSA.
Board unanimously adopted the 2026 Cost of Service Rate Study and Resolution 2026-08, setting notice/hearing procedures for proposed delivered water and augmentation charge updates that could take effect Dec. 1, 2026 if later adopted. Delivered water would rise $501→$639/AF over five years (~5%/yr for delivered water; other categories vary). Rural residential bills may initially drop due to a 0.5→0.4 AF estimate.
All available MLRP funding is committed to four pilot projects—two recharge pilots, a cooling/resilience center, and a recharge pond. DOC packets were submitted in April 2026 for pilot projects, with the Cooling/Resilience Center packet still being finalized before submission. DOC approval is hoped within 1–2 months. Three alternate projects are being prepared in case more funding becomes available.
The Commission approved a $268.9M supplemental funding determination for Sites, raising the conditional ceiling to $1.36B for inflation and a new emergency drought response benefit (no funds disbursed). Sites said draft water-right conditions could reduce performance ~12–15% (project-specific) or ~30–50% if broader Bay-Delta plan conditions apply; a final order could come in September. Draft public benefit contracts were presented; comments due July 6, 2026.
