[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6551625,"mediaKeyId","5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d","parentId",5331523,"title","Board hears hours of public comment on proposed domestic well mitigation fee; staff directed to return revised resolution","audioSeconds",1466,"startMs",3330000,"endMs",4796000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d&start=3330&end=4796","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d/thumbnail_3330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551625/Madera-County/California/Board-hears-hours-of-public-comment-on-proposed-domestic-well-mitigation-fee-staff-directed-to-return-revised-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551625-1c85ec0463b2d78f7a617c54f0439306/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626007&Signature=l6VOhpcuj-b4F1g8imUT-TUwSN9PQ~ncBfkzM8bMOre5bofs6zYlEy3ApSrCEINwcqrCFsYlSqWDVQW5YlaOirygmq7pSSHBuTda1EON3~pE1f1H3UqEdOnJes0XS1s7sekwo3ZT54e2DHOUjU4OFV7kP~e15f1MoWoIsdcmUs~IqJKrMonnuoSu2oT686SsMO2ji3FY~hLP3UZ-J80k4T~G1eihkycB1pNda9ZJMxITbTabGMGQS-y2j8PHmPTfb0HQk6rAtCuHWkiK3sXJVa5jIhIbn1PqT4bAKoMtrqASM4~t6PTu9dC6IeQwPRFz7orPkhb6wxSHd~W19OTSGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madera County","date","2025-07-02T19:50:18Z","article","Madera County staff presented a proposed domestic well mitigation fee for the Madera Subbasin during the county’s Groundwater Sustainability Agency session on July 8 and received extended public comment and board discussion before directing staff to return a revised resolution for formal action.

Stephanie Nagneson, director of the Department of Water and Natural Resources, summarized staff’s recommendation: a limited rate that the GSAs would apply to enrolled acres in the county GSA, using penalty revenue to discount the fee. Staff presented an illustrative number of roughly $67 per enrolled acre averaged over the first three years; after accounting for billed penalty revenue and an alternate averaging approach presented to the GSA committee, staff recommended a $59 per enrolled acre rate for 2025–26 with an annual financial check‑in to reassess the rate.

Nagneson described the principal assumptions behind the staff calculation: an assumed mitigation cost of $35,000 per well (an estimate based on recent well bills and driller quotes), a 10% program administration allowance, and a county‑GSA proportional share of 73% derived from hydrology and water‑budget modeling through 2040. Staff said the denominator used in the calculation was approximately 88,000 enrolled acres (acres in enrolled farm units). She also noted the program is intended to cover wells that go dry because of dropping groundwater levels and is not intended to fund pump failures or mechanical problems; the program would fund casing and well costs but not pumps or interim hauled‑water solutions.

A large number of public speakers urged caution and additional detail. Key themes from commenters included:

- Penalty revenue is volatile and likely to grow if allocations decline; several speakers urged that penalty receipts be automatically allocated to the domestic well mitigation program rather than left to annual discretion.
- Concern that staff and the public do not yet have detailed program rules and clarified eligibility standards (what qualifies as a mitigable well) before a fee is adopted.
- Requests for clearer budget line items and the ability to review well cost documentation; some growers said penalty revenue estimates could spike and might reduce the need for a high fee.
- Support from some agricultural groups and water stakeholders for a mitigation program and for retaining an annual review so the fee can be adjusted based on actual penalty revenue and program expenditures.

Mark Peters (public commenter) told the board his analysis showed penalty revenues could rise rapidly if grower behavior and hydrology change; he warned the board to consider penalty projections before setting a permanent rate. Noah Lopez of the Madera Ag Water Association said his group supported the mitigation program but urged language that would automatically allocate penalty revenue to the mitigation fund. Devin Aviles of AgroWorld Cooperative said the GSP review depends on having mitigation funding in place and urged the board to proceed with avenues that demonstrate the county’s compliance to state reviewers.

Board discussion focused on timeliness, fairness and implementation details. Supervisors sought clarification about: the definition of “enrolled acres” versus irrigated acres; whether the proposed fee could be reduced if penalty revenue billed (even if not yet collected) were counted; and whether program rules would mirror the Chowchilla Basin program (staff said Chowchilla is a useful model but the county program would be broader and rules will be publicly developed).

A motion was made on the floor to approve the fee with amendments that would 1) memorialize the annual review and board approval of the fee, and 2) add language directing that billed penalty revenue be applied to the domestic well mitigation program (a version of the amendment urged by several public commenters). County counsel advised that the proposed changes are more than minor editorial edits and recommended bringing a revised resolution back to the board for formal action so the language can be drafted and reviewed; the board directed staff to return the edited resolution at the next regular Board of Supervisors meeting (the transcript records the item will be added to the July 15 regular meeting agenda at 10:00 a.m.). No final adoption of a fee occurred on July 8; the board’s action was direction to bring back a revised resolution for formal consideration.

Staff emphasized other program details to come: draft rules, an opt‑out provision for acreage historically using less than a 6‑inch base sustainable yield over a 10‑year period, process steps for applications (desktop review and on‑site inspection), a one‑time recorded program usage on property title, and an annual financial check‑in so the board can reduce the rate if assumptions proved too high.

Ending: The board stopped short of adopting the fee and instead instructed staff to return with revised resolution language that incorporates the annual review and penalty allocation language discussed by members and public commenters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOS Regular Meeting 07/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Madera County staff proposed a domestic well mitigation fee of about $59 per enrolled acre (after applying anticipated penalty revenue) to fund replacement or rehabilitation of domestic wells that go dry; after several hours of public comment the board directed staff to return a revised resolution rather than adopt the fee on July 8.","taxTitle","Madera County, California","taxId",4595,"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},6551630,"Madera County presents six projects for multi‑benefit land repurposing grant; contracts expected this fall",448,2188000,2636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d&start=2188&end=2636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6551630/Madera-County/California/Madera-County-presents-six-projects-for-multibenefit-land-repurposing-grant-contracts-expected-this-fall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551630-acc53918e3b1448c9947673b91043e69/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626007&Signature=gOe33qDc5HtIM5qV95aX2fRyFk8zRzB672rDFiDVGzGo1nbr2a5arPqOjnKpYo0V318-ZDNacDcrI~OwxNewRQDwWznuKActwzjRNIBRrbnAouKazGeXrkqxrH5vD4RZAqNXY598zkr9xSmqjqq~xeoyODjPH7QikkpTrNGbzqQbwBK8BFgpD7WI714Fz-20RojazPB-VhMxDLEvj0ZqyZBjrlP52yqzexDD33ma2j0NIKrqilTY8LLbr~WVsrp5GJ0GJGKN499e3ge-AoA2f8eJf0-PtgRTJ3H7qBNWMhi7ceylq0ZL6iKfFsna1fXRFW3jUYotuhMQHPQyoCr4cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madera County officials on July 8 updated the Board of Supervisors on a Department of Conservation grant program that funds demonstration projects to help transition irrigated agricultural lands to lower‑water uses or recharge and habitat sites.

Stephanie Nagneson, director of the county Department of Water and Natural Resources, told the board the “multi‑benefit land repurposing” grant is a pass‑through award to Madera County. She said 72 pre‑applications were received, 28 full applications followed and six projects were selected; three additional projects were named as backups.

Nagneson said the grant program seeks demonstration projects to support groundwater sustainability, provide local community benefits and create economic options for willing growers. Total grant funding available to the county is up to $6,000,000 with a $1,000,000 cap per project, she said. Projects will be submitted to the Department of Conservation for review and, if approved, contract work should begin this fall; the grant requires projects to be completed within two years.

The six selected projects (not listed in ranked order by staff) include:

- A combined stormwater basin and public recreational area with native habitat (project budget listed as $1,280,000 with a $882,000 request to the county grant).
- Removal of almonds and creation of a cultural space for indigenous herbs, solar energy and native pollinators, plus an educational area.
- A 12‑acre groundwater recharge and flood‑management project on the Chowchilla Bypass (total budget $2,780,000; county request $1,000,000), including fish screens required by California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- An agave conversion project in the Madera Water District on nearly 40 acres paired with a recharge facility and native habitat; staff referenced prior outreach by a community college about agave distilling and education.
- A 118‑acre almond removal and conversion to recharge facilities and native plant habitat that would remove about 16,000 almond trees; staff estimated water savings of about 324 acre‑feet per year for that project.
- A recharge project in the Madera Irrigation District on former almond land that was about to be planted to citrus but would remain out of production if grant funding is awarded.

Nagneson said many applicants proposed partial local funding or in‑kind contributions: “Most people are putting in their own funds as well; the $1,000,000 per project isn’t meeting full needs,” she said. The selected projects are geographically spread across the county and involve multiple Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). Staff emphasized the projects are meant to be demonstrations and models to encourage wider adoption by farmers.

Board members asked for budget detail on individual proposals; Supervisor Poitras asked for more line‑item detail on a runner‑up agave project whose $1,100,000 budget included a $1,000,000 request. Nagneson offered to provide budgets to board members for review.

Next steps, Nagneson said, are Department of Conservation review and contracting this fall; work on each project must begin in the fall and be completed within the two‑year grant period.

Ending: Board members welcomed the diversity of project types and emphasized the county’s interest in demonstration projects that can be replicated by local growers.","County staff briefed the board on six selected demonstration projects that would convert irrigated acreage to lower‑water uses or recharge sites under a Department of Conservation grant; $6 million is available with a $1 million cap per project, and selected projects must start this fall and finish within two years.",{"_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},6551620,"At a glance: Board actions July 8 — consent calendar, SR‑41 PS&E amendment, boating ordinance, GSA resolution reinstated",788,1267000,2055000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d&start=1267&end=2055","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5331523-5360e5b92c2d6f9d20a880e09ac40f5d/thumbnail_1267000.jpg","/articles/6551620/Madera-County/California/At-a-glance-Board-actions-July-8-consent-calendar-SR41-PSE-amendment-boating-ordinance-GSA-resolution-reinstated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551620-a286e20a7b3c68b210d3ef4549244229/orig.mp4?Expires=1773626007&Signature=ZC6uZDYCcILdWofZlUE2HhShWDUFcPuZ0pPOCS~pkF-81awePImrGGvU2yDTX9yzEsVY99KLqSZkwzKXqQo4HLdxBK4do4f-nrMPEFlL4Ap0bA-DqqY4Zp26f4OrnxUSx-NjCxwJ61pGdMeP4BsQkdhXV9BxmW-V9xEBOiXSAXNFd04whHpFB9m8v~DMG-y1VzB-u~dNpaNlzlSGc6Z79so7CLw78KhuIoc9L5H30sfrGleQxenud5exFShSzix3uoPcGHbS6Fp4sTT3DzBd0llwQtqoyB87GUGV0~kEIZAneSjNaUiVGncTyOQvm8nnmbqTTlg1d0PxjK6qgXZEGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Madera County Board of Supervisors recorded several formal actions on July 8. Key outcomes:

- Consent calendar: The board approved the consent calendar, with item 5(f) pulled by the department; roll call vote recorded as unanimous (5–0).

- State Route 41 Expressway PS&E amendment (item 6a): The board approved a formal amendment to keep the PS&E (plans, specifications and estimate) work moving forward for the State Route 41 Expressway project, which expands SR‑41 to a four‑lane facility from Avenue 10½ to Avenue 15. Staff said seven change orders had been processed and an amendment was necessary; the board voted 5–0 to approve. Staff said the department expects construction advertising in late summer/early fall with construction slated to begin March 2026.

- Sheriff/Coroner ordinance, second reading (item 6c): The board adopted the second reading of an ordinance amending chapter 9.28 of title 9 of the Madera County Code, presented by the Sheriff’s Office; staff described updates intended to improve public safety and streamline enforcement (examples given in presentation included vessel kill switches, a 100‑foot personal watercraft rule, seasonal paddleboard restrictions, new mooring rules and pollution penalties). The board voted to adopt on second reading, 5–0.

- GSA/Well review procedure (GSA board action): The GSA board approved a resolution to reinstate procedures for review of new and altered groundwater wells — reversing an inadvertent repeal — and authorized the chair to sign; vote recorded 5–0.

Process notes: Several items required formal roll‑call votes and were recorded as unanimous (5–0). For the domestic well mitigation fee, the board did not adopt a fee on July 8; instead it directed staff to return revised resolution language for formal consideration at a future meeting after additional drafting and public review.

Ending: Staff will return with revised materials where noted; the board scheduled follow‑up on GSA items and a revised domestic well mitigation resolution for the next regular meeting.","The Board of Supervisors approved the consent calendar (minus one pulled item), authorized a PS&E amendment for State Route 41 Expressway project, adopted a county ordinance update presented by the sheriff's office, and the GSA reinstated a well‑review resolution that had previously been repealed in error.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears hours of public comment on proposed domestic well mitigation fee; staff directed to return revised resolution

Madera County presents six projects for multi‑benefit land repurposing grant; contracts expected this fall

At a glance: Board actions July 8 — consent calendar, SR‑41 PS&E amendment, boating ordinance, GSA resolution reinstated