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Water News & Meetings
Weekly Updates on Water Policy, Projects, and Community Meetings
Stay informed with the latest water-related developments, key policy updates, and crucial meeting schedules. Each week, we share important news from the San Joaquin River Association and highlight upcoming gatherings that impact our water future. From increased water supply allocations to local GSA board discussions, this page keeps everything organized by date for easy reference.
Meetings
We would like to inform you of the following meetings that are happening with reference to GSA’s (Groundwater Sustainability Agency).
Please get involved. This is our livelihood!
December 16, 2025 — 2:00 PM
Madera Irrigation District
12152 Road 28 1/4
Madera, CA 93637
Webinar Access:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82447636355?pwd=R3RRc2s5ZVd5NEc5SU9nMStyTFdTZz09
Conference Call In Number: 1-699-900-9128 or 1-346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 824 47636355
Passcode: 278064
Zoom or in-person
January 14, 2026 — 9:00 AM
Agenda
Blankenship & Company
1663 N Schnoor Street Suite 105
Madera, CA 93637
Date: December 10, 2025 – 5:00PM
Madera Water District
Location:
Blankenship & Company
1663 N Schnoor Street, Suite 105
Madera, CA 93637
Blankenship & Company
1663 N Schnoor Street, Suite 105
Madera, CA 93637
NEW DATE!!
Meet: December 18, 2025 – 6:00 PM
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/97824600002?pwd=dWMveDhYV056Q0Rra3BrWmtWa3JQUT09
Phone: 669-444-9171
Meeting ID: 978 2460 0002
Passcode: 943651
Location:
Fresno Irrigation District
2907 South Maple, Fresno, CA 93725
(Teleconference and In-Person)
December 22, 2025 — 1:30 PM
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89558705395?pwd=lwu1rnTgWYbfaXbCBMajJDyIYQP3e0.1
Phone: 1 (669) 900-6833
Webinar ID: 895 5870 5395
Passcode: 627457
200 W 4th Street
3rd Floor Presentation Room
Madera, CA 93637
Teleconference
McMullin GSA (Across the River West of FID Boundary) Board of Directors
Date: January 7, 2026 — 2:00 PM
Location:
Kerman Community Center
15101 W Kearney Blvd.
Kerman, CA 93630
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84805077612
Conference Call: 1-669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 848 0507 7612
This meeting will be held live and in-person.
January 9, 2026 — 1:30 PM
Upcoming Meetings
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/98104275024?pwd=RTBvcHNTZ2xaOXRHN1czeS9uZGRqUT09
Phone: +1 (669) 900-6833
Meeting ID: 981 0427 5024
Passcode: 239389
Clovis Public Safety Community Room
1233 Fifth St.
Clovis, CA 93612
Meetings available virtually and in person.
January 12, 2026 — 11:00 AM
Meetings
Riverstone Lodge
370 Lodge Road South
Madera, CA 93636
559-283-8276
Date: December 10, 2025 — 1:30 PM
Location:
Chowchilla Water District
327 South Chowchilla Boulevard
Chowchilla, CA 93610
Phone: 559-665-3747
Conference Call: 877-594-8353
Participant Passcode: 66771076
Date: August 25, 2025 – 1:30 PM (Board Meetings)
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89558705395?pwd=lwu1rnTgWYbfaXbCBMajJDyIYQP3e0.1
Phone: 1 (669) 900-6833
Webinar ID: 895 5870 5395 | Passcode: 627457
Location: 200 W 4th Street, 3rd Floor Presentation Room, Madera, CA 93637
Format: Teleconference
January 13, 2026 — 10:00 AM
Meetings
Board of Supervisors Chambers
200 W 4th Street
Madera, CA 93637
News
https://www.aol.com/news/california-strongly-objects-trumps-plan-110000094.htmlhttps://www.aol.com/news/california-strongly-objects-trumps-plan-110000094.html
For Release: December 4, 2025
Contact: Office of Communications, 916-978-5100, sha-MPR-PublicAffairs@usbr.gov
Reclamation updates long-term operation plan for the Central Valley Project
Operational updates aim to maximize water deliveries across California
SHASTA DAM, Calif. — The Bureau of Reclamation today signed a Record of Decision adopting an updated long-term operation plan for the Central Valley Project. The decision advances actions designed to maximize water deliveries across California while maintaining protections for endangered fish species.
“With the signing of this Record of Decision, we are delivering on the promise of Executive Order 14181 to strengthen California’s water resilience,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This updated operations plan reflects our commitment to using the best available science to increase water deliveries while safeguarding the environment and honoring the legacy of the Central Valley Project’s 90 years of service.”
The revised plan responds to Executive Order 14181, issued Jan. 24, 2025, which directs federal agencies to take all available measures to increase water deliveries from the CVP, including issuing a new Record of Decision consistent with federal law.
“Action 5 represents a forward-looking approach to water management that balances the needs of California’s communities, agriculture, and ecosystems,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. “By refining real-time governance and operational flexibility, we are ensuring that every drop of water is managed with precision, accountability, and purpose.”
Under the updated approach, the CVP may increase annual water deliveries by between 130 to 180 thousand acre-feet, and the State Water Project by 120 to 220 thousand acre-feet, depending on hydrologic conditions and subject to the State’s adoption of Action 5.
The previous long-term operation plan was approved in December 2024. The updates adopted today improve the use of scientific modeling and analysis in operational criteria. Changes remain within the range analyzed in the 2024 Long-Term Operations Final Environmental Impact Statement and consistent with effects analyzed in the 2024 Biological Opinions issued by NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Key operational changes include adjustments to Delta export operations, removal of the Delta Summer and Fall Habitat Action and removal of early export-reduction concepts from the State of California’s Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program.
This week also marks 90 years since authorization of the Central Valley Project in 1935.
For additional information, visit:
# # #
The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits.
What’s Current? — Issue #118: The Regulatory Burden that Prevents Abundance
https://mailchi.mp/calpolicycenter/whats-current-issue-7860810?e=98cee789b9
https://mailchi.mp/d1bfaf5b448b/water-blueprint-for-the-san-joaquin-valley-october-2025-blog-post?e=703bf642fc
https://mailchi.mp/calpolicycenter/whats-current-issue-7860791?e=98cee789b9
https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/23506-californias-water-projects-stumble-as-climate-pressures-mount
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article312124971.html
Join us on October 29 at 10am to discuss rule and measurement changes the Madera County GSA (MCGSA) is considering. As the year winds down, the MCGSA is considering several important issues regarding SGMA implementation that will affect you. MAWA is holding a member meeting to provide information to, and receive feedback from our members.
The issues we will discuss include:
- Measurement
- ET data source
- Groundwater accounting platform
- Domestic Well Mitigation
- Program rules
- Costs
- Potential Allocation Rule Changes
- Penalty increase
- Potential carryover decay
- Allocation loss for overuse
Call or email us for additional information or look on the GSA’s website here.
Given the impact these issues will have on growers, it’s important to discuss them and be prepared to provide feedback at the GSA Committee meetings. We have invited GSA Committee members and GSA Staff at our member meeting to answer questions and hear input.
What: MAWA Member Meeting
When: Wednesday, 10/29/25 @ 10am
Where: Madera County Farm Bureau, 1102 S Pine St, Madera, CA 93637
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation today published a notice of intent in the Federal Register to prepare an environmental impact statement for proposed “North-to-South Water Transfers” in California.
As the lead agency, Reclamation will conduct a National Environmental Policy Act review to evaluate the potential effects of annual water transfers beginning as soon as 2028. The EIS will analyze a defined range of potential transfers from willing sellers in Northern California primarily upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to buyers located primarily south of the Delta and in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Water transfers are a common tool in water resource planning to supplement decreased water supplies and meet anticipated existing demands. These water transfers would be proposed and considered for approval on an annual basis as needed to help meet existing demands and would not serve any new demands.
Two virtual public scoping meetings are scheduled for mid to late September to inform interested parties about the project and gather input on the EIS scope and alternatives under consideration.
Reclamation will accept written comments on the proposed content and scope of the EIS through Oct. 3. Comments may be submitted by mail (postmarked by Oct. 3) or email to:
Nicole Johnson
Bureau of Reclamation
2800 Cottage Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Email: njohnson@usbr.gov
Additional details on the virtual meetings and project information are available at: North-to-South Water Transfers| California-Great Basin.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Tuesday, Sept. 9, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Reclamation will hold a quarterly meeting to provide an update on the Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. The meeting will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams. For meeting materials, including the link to the meeting, visit www.usbr.gov/mp/bdo.
By Joel Hastings | |||
The Madera Irrigation District held a special board meeting on August 25, 2025 at the District offices in order to reconsider its strategy on a domestic well mitigation program. The open meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. was preceded by a 30-minute closed session. With no reportable action, the board moved into a GSA session right away, with discussion led by Assistant General Manager Dina Nolan… |
Project Designed to Add 1.5 Million Acre-feet of Stored Water for State
https://www.independentnews.com/news/regional_and_ca/sites-reservoir-cost-balloons-to-6-8b/article_44b98e53-af7e-46ba-bade-152ff81da162.html
It Has a Good Chance if the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Alternative is Allowed to Work
https://farmwater.org/farm-water-news/will-the-bay-delta-plan-succeed-it-has-a-good-chance-if-the-healthy-rivers-and-landscapes-alternative-is-allowed-to-work/
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Continuing to focus on maximizing California’s water supplies, the Bureau of Reclamation is increasing the water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.
While all north-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are currently at 100% of their supplies, south-of-Delta irrigation water service and repayment contractors are increased to 55% from 50%, and municipal and industrial water service and repayment contractors are increased to 80% from 75% of their historical use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.
“As California’s primary precipitation season concludes, we now have greater certainty about water availability for the remainder of the water year, said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “This allows us to responsibly adjust Central Valley Project allocations to better meet the needs of our water users while continuing to support environmental requirements.”
All other Central Valley Project contract allocations remain the same per the April 28 water supply update. Initial Central Valley Project contract allocations were announced on Feb. 25.
The adjustment also reinforces Reclamation’s commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in Executive Order 14181, which seeks to maximize water supplies within the Central Valley Project.
As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology, actions that impact operations, and opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future allocations. Water supply updates and past year’s allocations are posted on Reclamation’s website.
The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits.