[{"_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",6553252,"mediaKeyId","5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08","parentId",5073107,"title","GMA denies Del Norte and Venoni protests of 2023 basin assessment; board cites timing and administrative scope","audioSeconds",2326,"startMs",5979000,"endMs",8305000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08&start=5979&end=8305","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08/thumbnail_5979000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553252/Ventura-County/California/GMA-denies-Del-Norte-and-Venoni-protests-of-2023-basin-assessment-board-cites-timing-and-administrative-scope","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553252-63d8b08327a59cb81c3601dad6166a96/orig.mp4?Expires=1775658742&Signature=mi05CFfrPm-~Na~wBe5gIb4YTDlEtNt~RIbDYLM0JZ2hToNfe4NSSaMjN1gNaYc-spQGWx3n44WiEtVGfj7YSxB-Ma3TZrm3NFxRMC~N5cjjwuMB0G57xbCLhQ9rpPP~vqNmmtPCF6iFU85TCkGtfP6hzpMEF5Ox0CTg2sT9vI7CCWhk~yLhj4vNW1a3Xbm3m2hDPBU~Gub9pOVe1zXbTNeBDGTwErshwqNMnwAPGcztgFGX7qtmqzBLMW3jOo5fafYJBb8Sp434ZVlmgutXggLZntYUaDF2TlJuHRuYdomBZphDAgBzCNlpSPOSqgqLE0-0R0lpm0AD4RJ1Fp0Jgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ventura County (Top 100)","date","2025-06-26T10:28:29Z","article","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board on June 25 denied protests and refund requests from Del Norte Water Company and the Venoni Group challenging the water year 2023 basin assessment.

Del Norte's leadership and counsel argued the West Las Posas customers already pay substantial replenishment and modeling fees to United Water Conservation District and therefore that applying the Watermaster's 2023 assessment to the same customers imposed an inequitable double charge. John Orr, president of Del Norte Water Company, said United's monitoring, modeling and replenishment activities \"benefit the entire basin\" and asked for either a credit for what Del Norte pays United or that United's fees be spread basinwide. Counsel Barbara Brenner argued Del Norte timely protested under the assessment notice and requested mediation within the judgment's process.

Staff responded that the 2023 basin assessment budget was used for administrative costs associated with judgment implementation and Watermaster activities (administration, investigations, inspections, compliance, professional services and operating costs), not for replenishment projects. Staff said paragraph 7.9 of the adjudication judgment allows the Watermaster to reduce an assessment charged to water-right holders who also pay assessments to United for replenishment \"as a matter of equity,\" but staff and counsel interpreted that provision as applying to replenishment fees rather than administrative charges.

Staff also noted Del Norte's protest letters were not submitted within the procedural timing called for in the judgment: the board approved the 2023 assessment on Dec. 15, 2023; the first protest letter from Del Norte was sent in April 2024 (after the March notice and payment), and the Venoni protest arrived more than a year after adoption. Staff recommended denial on the grounds that (1) the 2023 assessments funded administrative implementation (no replenishment projects were funded in 2023) and therefore were not duplicative of United's replenishment activities; and (2) the protests were untimely and did not request mediation within the judgment's specified period.

Del Norte and its counsel pressed the equity argument, noting the GSP and other documents repeatedly reference United's work. Board members and county counsel responded that the language of the judgment contemplated any adjustment in the context of replenishment fees and that previously proposed separate assessments for replenishment and administration were considered but rejected by stakeholders, creating practical limits on reassigning costs now.

After discussion, the board voted to deny Del Norte's and Venoni's protest letters and requests for refund. The board noted that, under the judgment, a party seeking judicial review must first pursue mediation and asked counsel to advise on mediation timing; counsel recommended parties proceed promptly to request mediation if they wish to preserve judicial-review options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency Board of Directors Meeting - June 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to deny protests and refund requests from Del Norte Water Company and the Venoni Group over the 2023 basin assessment, finding the 2023 assessment was for administrative costs rather than replenishment and noting timeliness issues for the protests.","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},6553256,"GMA selects alternate approach for yield study modeling, approves Dudek contract increase to complete yield study",1717,4152000,5869000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08&start=4152&end=5869","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08/thumbnail_4152000.jpg","/articles/6553256/Ventura-County/California/GMA-selects-alternate-approach-for-yield-study-modeling-approves-Dudek-contract-increase-to-complete-yield-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553256-1be3289106ea8fc13796e9994de99926/orig.mp4?Expires=1775658742&Signature=CJNHldj~0BmePZfVw~aJRmZzSmxseslNs5zzueuKLPXWpxy-8YqdDN~aKUmi8IXJtDF14PE5RnOvQBfhR7aVacVh-acnBWYw44I3-o1tkJkVJtI~BmxmDaRqr~2qCYuFqk4EaCZB3YyKDEX3CRa16fW-8mpiH68kzkbAB93bpdxkkGMqSDAIOowIXncdzWs7J-OfEUKoeDhEmA2Eqz8BRGMLfukWK8ZqF-h9JV7iFc2lVKPYQVj4U7PHJ1F9M5TK78hhpIu9HCxNYA3HGqr53gchBgx7JwLiNlTH61TFCMGixTsRKLIHhvGulH3Xpoz00Tl-INB-6aZaTasUx6kf1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fox Canyon Watermaster presented a preferred alternative on June 25 for completing the Las Posas Valley basin optimization yield study after the agency was unable to secure timely access to modeling services from an adjacent district. The board approved staff's recommended approach and separately authorized a contract modification with consultant Dudek for additional modeling tasks.

Dr. Farai Kasseke and hydrologist Robert Hampson outlined three modeling approaches considered: continue to await United Water Conservation District modeling services; develop a new numerical groundwater flow model (time-consuming); or estimate the basin optimization yield by using United's periodic evaluation model files to run new scenarios. Staff and Dudek recommended the third approach as the best available science given schedule constraints. PAC and TAC both provided recommendation reports supporting the preferred alternative, while asking for additional documentation and clarity on calibration and model validation steps.

Counsel advised that United's modeling files are subject to a protective order in the Oxnard Plain adjudication and that United has not granted access, which constrained the Watermaster's options. The preferred alternative preserves the original technical methodology, maintains consistency with the Groundwater Sustainability Plan and periodic evaluations, and is expected to allow a timely completion of the yield study.

Because the West Las Posas management-area model work remained to be completed, staff asked the board to authorize a professional services contract modification with Dudek to perform additional modeling tasks on the west side. The board approved a $90,500 increase, raising the contract maximum to $303,000, to complete the yield study tasks for both east and west model areas.

Board members emphasized the need to proceed expeditiously with the best available science. Some members urged continued outreach to United for access to its calibrated files, though counsel explained access remains subject to the protective order. A member of the public requested that certain local aquifers (Grimes Canyon Aquifer) be included; agency staff confirmed that the Grimes Canyon Aquifer is included in the model and will be part of the exercise.

The board voted to authorize the contract modification and to proceed with the preferred modeling approach and related schedule and reporting. (Motion carried; voice vote and roll-call for contract authorization.)","Facing a protective order limiting access to a regional model, the board accepted a preferred alternative to estimate the basin optimization yield using another agency's periodic evaluation model files and approved a $90,500 contract modification with Dudek to complete the 2025 basin optimization yield study.",{"_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},6553260,"Fox Canyon GMA adopts 2025 Las Posas Valley basin optimization plan after extensive PAC/TAC input",899,3084000,3983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08&start=3084&end=3983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08/thumbnail_3084000.jpg","/articles/6553260/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-GMA-adopts-2025-Las-Posas-Valley-basin-optimization-plan-after-extensive-PACTAC-input","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553260-b51a6b7d87cddba0e0c3899755b69464/orig.mp4?Expires=1775658742&Signature=eDGunXZhHBS10Xq1eAmFF9iTTygOZILRHff078VUdf6tr~Q-bOay-M~DUfZlO1YDp4IylBmaoVJcB6-VAR5YMmsjF77inXAwV~KAKizYCmkfkwgCfkx1TmbFOAZZ2~lA~f5lv1WXYFz3qhNCZ3u9LJ9ZF2fSVqiX8-5e7XWQmKSHBvg17ImIKYjiG2YBzOnYOC6c57R8BhQhYDGWAGNHVvI1ynPikTVm1U3Camvr8Usg9Rsd8-yyyxxxpfpqt1qLDCngh6XHuZhHpWMOMKPUeZCUQNKhRDdpe4DLsCvoCrWXt~xhxbYAJMFqzwvbGQmtUcP3MvaTN6rGf1EH88FPZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board on June 25 adopted the 2025 Las Posas Valley Basin Optimization Plan, a document that identifies and ranks projects intended to move the basin toward a sustainable operating yield by 2040.

Staff explained the plan is required by the Las Posas Valley adjudication judgment and is intended to evaluate and select basin optimization projects that are practical, reasonable and cost effective to implement prior to 2040 to maintain or approach an operating yield of 40,000 acre-feet per year. The draft plan underwent committee consultation with the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC); staff and consultant Dudek revised the draft after receiving six recommendations and 99 comments from PAC and 10 recommendations and 129 comments from TAC.

The plan the board adopted includes nine candidate projects (combined and reworked per committee input) and highlights five basin-optimization projects staff recommended for implementation planning and budget development. Staff told the board it had incorporated much of the committees' feedback and prepared responses to each comment in the agenda packet.

Board members praised the PAC and TAC for substantive input. The board noted the plan is iterative and will be revisited in subsequent basin studies scheduled for 2030 and 2035. A public commenter asked whether importing water from the regional supplier is presumed necessary; staff and board representatives said buying water from the member agency is one option among the portfolio of projects and reiterated the plan seeks the most cost-effective mix of projects to reach the basin's sustainable target.

The board voted to approve staff's draft responses to PAC and TAC recommendations and to adopt the 2025 Basin Optimization Plan. (Motion carried; voice vote: all in favor.)

Staff said the plan now becomes the basis for the basin optimization yield study and related implementation planning, budgeting and further committee consultation.","The board adopted the 2025 Las Posas Valley Basin Optimization Plan on June 25, 2025, after multiple committee consultations and revisions; five basin optimization projects were recommended for implementation planning.",{"_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},6553265,"Fox Canyon GMA adopts overuse assessment tied to prevailing member agency supply rate",486,587000,1073000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08&start=587&end=1073","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5073107-db7bdce40afd2c22997bb82d941b2c08/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6553265/Ventura-County/California/Fox-Canyon-GMA-adopts-overuse-assessment-tied-to-prevailing-member-agency-supply-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553265-c8d042ef7dd6cd71e72bfdcfb6e2633a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775658742&Signature=G~7ZK3Kx1PzJPAVmAnEZep9wK8Vrl-T7KLQXmHQm7LEn7rmWE71IjE77uvjtvzlO4ZmlbubNTWojYw3OIyDt1gXLD9JAcPgwfh7aDpKnzBpNuVTZHgrDNRcjh9SGSQPqCoeipkPiFvaTls1Rs5jme1rTy1h1vp~-T5kAfc1K5b-WUxsrhSUIeJJlayihHXURZp7NvggRrm-Nlfaf00tAN61SvoEKgTytgnv2wJ1Zxi0TeoWZr~lBqMco4nX78ZB9wCISsuUsH1myu413Y04kmsk90plPr4fQmbATQTFfqiPLaLBn3JwIoUT0eBQZDRLf-zHt9GA1fBt~RySetZ6Zgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board of directors on June 25 adopted Resolution 2025-3 establishing the rate for a Las Posas Valley overuse assessment and rules for delinquency and interest.

The resolution sets the overuse assessment as a per-acre-foot amount equal to the prevailing municipal tier-1 supply rate used by the region's importing agency at the end of the cure period; makes assessments delinquent one month after they are due; sets interest on delinquent assessments at the Ventura County real property tax delinquency rate; and directs staff to deposit overuse assessment revenues into a separate Watermaster account reserved for replenishment projects. Staff presented the item as Resolution 2025-3 and recommended adoption. (Dr. Farai Kasseke, Watermaster staff)

Why it matters: Water year 2023 (Oct. 2023'Sept. 2024) was the first year that groundwater use reporting under the Las Posas Valley adjudication was available, and water year 2024 (Oct. 2024'Sept. 2025) is the cure period in which some users who overused could reduce usage to eliminate prior overuse. The board's action establishes the assessment amount so the Watermaster can levy charges in the future after it determines overuse under the judgment.

Staff explained the judgment defines overuse in three ways: using groundwater in excess of an annual allocation; a mutual water company reporting aggregate use above its aggregate mutual supply; and a mutual shareholder without an allocation using basin groundwater. The judgment provides a cure period in the year following an overuse year; failure to cure may subject a water-right holder to overuse assessments and injunctive relief. Dr. Farai Kasseke told the board the assessment's purpose is to discourage use above what is allowed under the judgment.

Board members asked whether the Watermaster had authority to exclude parties who are appealing the trial court's underlying adjudication decision from assessment. Counsel and staff replied that applicability of the overuse assessment (who must pay) is set by the judgment and that the proposed resolution establishes only the amount and terms of an assessment; enforcement questions remain the province of the court and the Watermaster. Counsel told the board the resolution does not itself determine applicability or enforcement.

Public commenters urged caution before enforcement. Grower Darryl Smith said the level of potential charges was \"unsustainable,\" adding, \"If you pump an acre-foot a day, that's $1,800 a day\" and said enforcement now would threaten operations. Other growers described not receiving notice of allocation changes and said they lacked a water market to obtain replacement supply.

The board moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 2025-3 and carried the measure. The motion recorded as adopting the proposed resolution establishing the overuse assessment rate, delinquency and interest rules, and the deposit instruction for replenishment accounts. (Motion and roll call: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.)

The board and staff emphasized this is a procedural step: setting the rate so the mechanism exists should the Watermaster later determine overuse and move to levy assessments. Counsel repeated that enforcement and applicability are governed by the adjudication judgment and, where contested, by the courts.

The board directed committee review where appropriate (the PAC was asked to review requested opinions previously) and to continue communication with the parties addressing appeals and enforcement as necessary.","The Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency board adopted Resolution 2025-3 on June 25, 2025, establishing a per-acre-foot overuse assessment equal to a member agency's tier-1 supply rate, with delinquency and interest terms and a requirement that revenues be reserved for replenishment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

GMA denies Del Norte and Venoni protests of 2023 basin assessment; board cites timing and administrative scope

GMA selects alternate approach for yield study modeling, approves Dudek contract increase to complete yield study

Fox Canyon GMA adopts 2025 Las Posas Valley basin optimization plan after extensive PAC/TAC input

Fox Canyon GMA adopts overuse assessment tied to prevailing member agency supply rate