Catch up on the latest GSA board meeting recaps anytime—at home, on the road, or on your tractor.
Proud Partners of
Board approved Colorado River legal contract increases totaling $1.5M in new spending: +$500K for Van Ness Feldman LLP (new NTE $1M) and +$1M for Milbank LLP (new NTE $1.25M), as Metropolitan's Colorado River lead heads to Senate testimony. Department heads received a 3.4% increase if rated competent or better, effective June 21, 2026. Invocation highlighted climate whiplash, reliability, and affordability.
Staff discussed proposed guidelines for using electrical meter data in groundwater-use estimates, including annual pump efficiency tests each July–September starting in 2026, and planned an outreach notice next week. Recharge credit estimation would phase from soil-based estimates (2025) to improved methods over ~3 years. Staff reviewed a draft FY 2026/2027 budget with ~$9M revenue and a proposed $2.5M transitional water prepayment for board review.
Water supply remains strong at a 100% Class 1 allocation, with ~11,000 AF of additional Tier 2 restoration flows expected. Kern Subbasin partners are revising the subsidence action plan to align with DWR BMPs, including critical head analysis, with an appendix amendment expected for board action next month. Spring sampling found exceedances at three wells; some notices sent, others pending investigations.
The SWP allocation was increased from 30% to 45%, which staff attributed to storm impacts being less limiting on exports and the Army Corps allowing Oroville storage above the flood curve. Kings River Conservation District presented an aquatic pesticide application plan for ~267 acres across Pools 1–2 and the Crescent Bypass, seeking cost-sharing from pool users for permit and application costs. The coordinated Kings River run began May 15; approximately 20,332 acre-feet have been delivered.
The board voted to return to one shared GSP across the sub-basin, which would avoid the need for a coordination agreement. It approved two engagement letters (Scalmanini and GeoSyntec) totaling ~$1.1M to update the GSP, targeting completion by June of next year. A Rudor groundwater model update using recent-year data is starting, with requests for historical surface-water data expected soon.
