GSA Committee Meeting 09/15/2026

The Madera County Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) Committee held a meeting on September 15, 2026, focusing on groundwater management and related procurement activities. Key procurement discussions included the approval of a partial funding agreement with Azelis Madera Vitis LLC to support a domestic well mitigation program in the Chailis subbasin, with a funding rate of $16.89 per acre. The committee also approved a three-year contract with David's Engineering valued at $196,000 to prepare annual groundwater sustainability reports for 2026-2028, funded through a cost-sharing agreement among seven GSAs. Additionally, the committee recommended a grant-funded contract amendment with David's Engineering for recharge projects totaling $531,700. Policy changes were considered to amend the domestic well mitigation program by increasing the maximum funding limit from $35,000 to $50,000 for connections to existing water systems and waiving the 30-year well age requirement for such connections, aiming to incentivize more permanent water solutions. These motions were passed unanimously and will be forwarded to the board of directors for final approval. Public comments highlighted concerns about well eligibility criteria and the challenges faced by residents with dried-up wells.