[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6666947,"mediaKeyId","2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f","parentId",2292342,"title","Fox Canyon board adopts resolution honoring long‑time agency counsel","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",1186000,"endMs",1418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f&start=1186&end=1418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666947/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-board-adopts-resolution-honoring-longtime-agency-counsel","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666947-18ad7809e8aa20517921fa84d6fd692b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607878&Signature=mtuqL6UG~6d64LmjdJHaI1ErsOm2fUtE5Y-gOPWn2RwGLnHhsromsc7yz58fHpAZk-o4lOe~GINeAGQfB8nyCZTkL1qXoXKD4limT8sNUEHBxW8EEskIORav7MucQJjXmkgc7xfmFCApHeoBUkS2P3dVG5P0LCGoTK0FI8hHc-LRvcONYo71Zb5ihFI-8LEMINGNM0B7AzT7QC-6kWy0EKu5r8kNvGlYAkcpc-H3-96FbtwfLVDbu1hqBw1Ie2lDjSc4G9Up2GQGiWF~c2aYyrHMAiw0-MdPwjMj7AXIDDl7Reiv6k2dzqg2mYYZaReEP6zr9GdF6Um1Wm1LxhW0Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ventura County (Top 100)","date","2025-02-13T00:06:53.67Z","article","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency adopted Resolution 2025‑1 on Feb. 12 honoring long‑time agency counsel Alberto Boatta on the occasion of his retirement.

Board members paid tribute to Boatta’s tenure, describing his advice as measured and balanced. Chair West said Boatta had served the agency for many years and that his calm approach had helped the board navigate difficult legal issues. Director Lopez and others echoed appreciation for Boatta’s service, including several personal remarks about quiet behind‑the‑scenes support. The board moved to adopt Resolution 2025‑1; a roll‑call vote recorded support from the participating directors and the resolution was adopted.

The board noted Boatta’s last official work day would be Feb. 14 and that he plans to return to San Luis Obispo County in retirement.

The resolution was adopted by roll call; the board recorded no dissenting votes at the time of the resolution vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency Board of Directors Meeting - February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fox Canyon board adopted a resolution of appreciation recognizing agency counsel Alberto Boatta for years of service and announced his retirement.","taxTitle","Ventura County, California","taxId",3398,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666953,"Fox Canyon staffing analysis: consultants say agency is understaffed, board asks for phased implementation plan",1322,6232000,7554000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f&start=6232&end=7554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f/thumbnail_6232000.jpg","/articles/6666953/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-staffing-analysis-consultants-say-agency-is-understaffed-board-asks-for-phased-implementation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666953-33b9320504b299ac7243e7e6869a7f55/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607878&Signature=K8NtqDvsg6-~dL1mm96t595aSzraBt1k1DJ3FZheZ4ak7vc5xuyOOeEe9XqZcF0C6b3xIoNZV8P08eeS7~4wWLYb30qqgxd9MH2XPindkCKmNmEf0dqR5~N47q~FnNFnojj1OBtJRsJyblKAnkXp-94zqN3KMkDLp2qvh7ayeC71-qAwOcruVh8BBaL2JrojaTsCSg2to73zhUoMXWvQFpyIPR5A9rpUakSzAwwIaZF71z6o3rYPdclk9ahMJP-duf2KNId~38cv1~~qsyNQ~4ovayKrcKBuvScLMy1jdB7bSF8El77AvZwJif5grPzxcexr7NaZ1nhg9CCEN14GIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant group presented a year‑long staffing analysis to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency on Feb. 12 and concluded the agency is currently understaffed for the work it must perform.

Consultant Jim Beck and his team detailed a bottom‑up review of work tasks, interviews with agency staff and an accounting of one‑time and recurring efforts. The report estimated the agency needs roughly 20 full‑time equivalents (FTEs) to carry out current priorities and periodic workload spikes; the agency’s existing headcount at the time of the meeting was closer to 12–15 staff performing those tasks.

“The bottom line: you’re understaffed,” Beck told the board, describing both the gap in routine capacity and additional one‑time requirements tied to multi‑year evaluations and SGMA‑related duties. Consultants noted current time‑tracking does not capture overtime and that some work now contracted to third parties would be more efficiently handled in‑house if staffing were increased.

Consultants recommended a deliberate, phased approach to hiring and emphasized the need for competitive compensation and for time set aside for employee development, supervision and strategic planning. Beck also described a second, larger option — evaluating whether a different management structure (for example, contracting operations to an outside firm) could be more cost‑effective — but warned that transition risks are high and such a change requires a long‑term commitment.

Board members pressed for practical next steps. Director Tremblay and others said the board needs a concrete implementation plan that phases new hires and prioritizes the highest‑value tasks; board members asked staff to return with a draft staffing implementation plan that sequences hires and identifies which contracted tasks should be converted to staff work. Interim Executive Officer Arnie Anselm said staff would prepare that plan for board consideration.

The board received and filed the consultant report. No personnel hires were authorized at the meeting; members emphasized that any hiring should be phased, competitive and accompanied by an onboarding plan so new employees become fully productive without disrupting current operations.","A consultant study concluded the agency needs roughly 20 full‑time staff to meet its workload; the board received the report and directed staff to return with a phased implementation plan for hiring and prioritization.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666957,"Fox Canyon board hears county web map, Calleguas strategy and Oxnard recycled-water update",3392,1496000,4888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f&start=1496&end=4888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","/articles/6666957/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-board-hears-county-web-map-Calleguas-strategy-and-Oxnard-recycled-water-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666957-a3e7c97526c7ddc53947571db9ba8cb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607878&Signature=JRkM3JuL-7TZ7AGv~0A0Ffb8UdW9BF4xRQANBPXDEofxs7FAjsVcE8P~t-LhxbggOxFxyCFhpci~OEO7S9pLrfTAgKXP~Nox9DzLTJw6BzyvxRdsE7qrk94MfDiOHhQLpmt~bsAFdapgTKAzyngQxCV1lvyZ1tUGPVSyB6u4stp05tVfvWg4POufdX2s~udpoGB9-1dQ0AEdqM1elldwVJyld676UjlUt1cXyWfb0HHW5IIstqAUmuk3jO4AeI6WWWVv4gTPscA7D2oLma0qM~5w0thkv1HwLZMMkVQHnUhIkrkaCirx3XvQ91OMICSCFPs8~63MDs06TqO950MJbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency on Feb. 12 received three informational presentations focused on regional water data, imported-water portfolios and local recycled‑water projects.

County web map — The county and consultant Water Systems Consulting described a new, ARPA‑funded interactive web map that compiles public datasets about water suppliers, service areas, water‑availability letters and state vulnerability assessments. Spencer Waterman of Water Systems Consulting said the initial release will rely on layers maintained by state and other agencies so the county will not need to manually refresh every dataset. “We are working with the county’s IT and GIS staff to add layers to their PWA web map,” Waterman said, and the map will be released for public input before next steps are recommended.

Board members asked how the web map will be updated; Waterman and county staff said the first phase relies on externally maintained sources (for example, the state drinking‑water needs assessment) so those layers refresh as source agencies update them. The county described the tool as intended for emergency response and planning — helping responders and purveyors quickly identify which agency owns a fire hydrant or who to call after a main break.

Calleguas regional portfolio — Christine McCaffrey, general manager of Calleguas Municipal Water District, and Ian Pichard, deputy general manager, summarized Calleguas’ water‑supply portfolio work. Calleguas emphasized its historical role as a wholesaler of imported water and the importance of local storage and interconnections. McCaffrey said Calleguas currently delivers “100% imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California” to its retail purveyors and serves roughly three‑quarters of Ventura County’s population through 19 retailers.

Pichard outlined the Las Posas Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well field, which Calleguas has invested in for decades and now owns outright after buying out Metropolitan’s share. Calleguas staff described in‑lieu programs, stored water balances and the judgment‑required ASR project operations plan, in which Calleguas will pay 80% of project costs and the GMA 20%. Calleguas identified two priority areas in the Las Posas basin where targeted in‑lieu deliveries or infrastructure could make measurable progress toward sustainability, and said additional coordination on monitoring and a groundwater‑banking framework will be essential to advance projects.

Oxnard GRADE and ASR pilot — The City of Oxnard presented its Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment (GRADE) program, centered on an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) that has operated since 2016 and on a pilot ASR well under construction. Michael Wolf, Oxnard public works director, said the AWPF’s current design capacity is 6.25 million gallons per day (about 7,000 acre‑feet per year at continuous full‑time operation), and the city is planning phased expansion. Tim Beeman, Oxnard assistant public works director, said the ASR pilot well and three monitoring wells were drilled in 2017 and civil/mechanical work was awarded in 2021; construction completion of the current work is expected in 2025.

Beeman said the pilot well was designed for about 2,200 gallons per minute (roughly the output of one reverse‑osmosis train) and that early piloting and conservative run/retention assumptions yield an estimated annual injection equivalent of about 1,200 acre‑feet for a full year of operation, accounting for backflushing and testing. Oxnard staff said they have coordinated modeling with neighboring agencies and are pursuing a storage and banking governance approach that would rely on the GMA.

All three presentations were received and filed; no board action was required. Board members asked follow‑up questions about monitoring data gaps, maintenance and long‑term ownership of datasets and governance for shared storage. Agency staff said the web map and district proposals are intended to improve emergency response, inform future investment and reveal opportunities for regional partnerships.","At its Feb. 12 meeting the Fox Canyon GMA received presentations on a countywide water resources web map funded with ARPA funds, Calleguas Municipal Water District’s regional resilience and storage plans, and the City of Oxnard’s Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment (GRADE) program and ASR pilot.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6666963,"Fox Canyon GMA backs bill to limit court review of groundwater sustainability plans",626,8766000,9392000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f&start=8766&end=9392","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2292342-37d6d14a0ae754afbe35a754c291044f/thumbnail_8766000.jpg","/articles/6666963/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-GMA-backs-bill-to-limit-court-review-of-groundwater-sustainability-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666963-173e83c4585060edd01e9b70eef4af6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607878&Signature=c0nv52wSEe~AodlB-fWM-ugwAZNSS3Pc4VT-8DXSgY7CNQPQ24CLB2ehWaICcNU0TR1~5HlcIu21zfll76OIheVpFT~5bmw7dTRwMc1V15o8RiLwozushAdUnkYKNLZcH1Qtrxmp2n6Eml5nyo2tEn9ewu3isPg6b1K9cmIc8PCZ8-4ickpMm3k35vImqyg0NFD6KFPHcSA-MyFO~MgV3BlxlLqgSqlKYniU258-XXtVykOw7xj1B6~Nf13PAa4eNkOAaKn-HOge4Z-VNHp8S6RqsQ~K-YwQzumr3lqQECKtv9TaUwvgX0ZrKtr2VC1T1LY7ntNoelcHErkSoYLSbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency on Feb. 12 voted to back a legislative proposal that would make a validation proceeding under Water Code section 10726.6 the exclusive and time-limited method for challenging technical findings in groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs).

The board voted, by roll call, to authorize the chair to sign a letter of support. Chair West and Directors Lopez and Tremblay voted in favor; Director Craviotto voted no.

Proponents, who include attorneys for the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority and other water agencies, told the board the bill would clarify existing law and speed GSP implementation. “The bill is designed to just clarify what’s supposed to already be the law,” said Kyle Brochard, an attorney for the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority, in public comment. He told the board that allowing repeated technical challenges in separate court proceedings can be expensive and delay the projects and infrastructure the plans contemplate.

Opponents urged caution. Russell McLaughlin, counsel for the Las Posas Farming Group and the OPV Coalition, said the proposal would remove a layer of judicial review that has for decades provided a neutral forum to test technical modeling and allocations. “This legislation seeks to eliminate the checks and balances that are afforded by the comprehensive adjudication statute,” McLaughlin said, arguing that adjudications and court oversight have helped parties negotiate durable, enforceable solutions in contested basins.

Agency staff and outside counsel framed the proposal narrowly: it would limit duplicative litigation over technical findings such as a basin’s sustainable yield, while leaving implementation challenges, allocation disputes and other remedies available through existing processes. During discussion, board members referenced recent local adjudications and the complexity of balancing court involvement with timely plan implementation.

The board’s action was to approve sending a letter of support and did not itself change local policy or operations. The proposal as presented would not affect finalized court judgments, but agency staff said it could apply to adjudications that are still pending.

The vote: Chair West — yes; Director Lopez — yes; Director Tremblay — yes; Director Craviotto — no.","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency voted to support a legislative proposal that would make a statutory validation proceeding the exclusive, time-limited forum for challenging technical findings in groundwater sustainability plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fox Canyon board adopts resolution honoring long‑time agency counsel

Fox Canyon staffing analysis: consultants say agency is understaffed, board asks for phased implementation plan

Fox Canyon board hears county web map, Calleguas strategy and Oxnard recycled-water update

Fox Canyon GMA backs bill to limit court review of groundwater sustainability plans