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GSA reports monitoring-well bid delay and successful small-scale diversion pilot
Summary
Staff reported a legal review delayed publication of monitoring-well solicitation to Dec. 5 and anticipated well installation in February–March; a small diversion test with South Feather Water and Power successfully delivered water and showed recharge potential, and Palermo pilot ditch clearing is underway under phased permitting.
Staff updated the board on grant-funded projects, saying a legal review required additional revisions to the monitoring-well solicitation and pushed publication to Dec. 5, with award and field work expected in January–March 2026. "We had a pre-review and it just didn't pass the legal requirements," said Becky Fairbanks. "It's going under a third revision and should be available next week for review again."
Fairbanks also reported a successful small-scale diversion test with South Feather Water and Power Agency. Using simple conveyance methods, staff diverted approximately 10 cubic feet per second for two weeks and reached a landowner about 11 miles downstream; staff observed that nearly half the diverted flow reached the property and some portion contributed to direct recharge along the reach.
In the Palermo multi-benefit feasibility and pilot, the GSA has about $80,000 for pilot work focused on roughly 1.7 miles of drainage ditch; work proceeds section-by-section under California Department of Fish and Wildlife permitting and an agreement with Butte County Public Works to use routine-maintenance processes to speed work. Fairbanks said the pilot will proceed in phases and that landowner access agreements have been secured for private properties in the project area.
No board action was required for the updates; staff will return with bid documents and project schedules as the solicitation and permitting processes move forward.
