Groundwater Management

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, creates a statewide framework for the sustainable, local management of California’s groundwater.

SGMA, which became state law in 2014, directs local agencies to work together to develop local Groundwater Sustainability Plans (GSP) in basins and sub-basins classified by the state as medium or high priority.

BBID Becomes a Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)

Following a public hearing in March 2017, Byron-Bethany Irrigation District’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to become a groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) for a portion of the Tracy Subbasin, which underlies the District’s service area in portions of Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Alameda Counties. The Tracy Subbasin had been classified as medium priority by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

The Tracy Subbasin was divided into the East Contra Costa Subbasin, and the Tracy Subbasin. BBID is a GSA in both subbasins.

Subbasin Websites

As a GSA, the District will work cooperatively with surrounding agencies, cities and counties to manage groundwater in a responsible, sustainable manner.

Groundwater Sustainability Plans Completed

In November 2021, GSPs were completed for both subbasins. Click the links below to view the full plans.

BBID GSA Territory

East Contra Costa Subbasin

East Contra Costa Subbasin Subregions

Tracy Subbasin

  • What Is SGMA?

    The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, is a combination of three legislative bills, Senate Bill SB 1168 (Pavley), Assembly Bill AB 1739 (Dickinson), and Senate Bill SB 1319 (Pavley). It provides a framework for the sustainable management of California’s groundwater.

  • Key SGMA Milestones

    Under SGMA regulations, GSA formation was required no later than June 30th, 2017. Groundwater sustainability plans for the Tracy Subbasin must be completed by January of 2022. GSAs will have until 2040 to achieve groundwater sustainability.

  • What goes into a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP)?

    Development and implementation of a GSP falls into four main phases:

    • Phase 1: GSA Formation 
    • Phase 2: GSP Preparation and Submission 
    • Phase 3: GSP Review and Evaluation 
    • Phase 4: Implementation and Reporting 

  • What Groundwater Sustainability Agencies Have Been Established?

    Check out the state’s SGMA Portal to view a comprehensive map of submitted GSAs and much more.

What’s Next for BBID

As part of the resolution approved by the BBID Board, the District intends to develop groundwater sustainability plans for portions of the Tracy Subbasin and East Contra Costa Subbasin within District boundaries in San Joaquin and Contra Costa Counties, and both within and outside BBID’s boundaries in Alameda County.

The Board voted to enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work with multiple agencies within Contra Costa County.

In San Joaquin County, the District expects to collaborate with the City of Tracy to resolve overlaps in proposed GSA service areas.

In Alameda County, the District plans to pursue an agreement with Zone 7 Water Agency, in which Zone 7 would formally delegate to BBID its authority to manage groundwater within Zone 7’s service area.

Update: As of April 2020, BBID joined neighboring agencies in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a Groundwater Sustainability Plan for the East Contra Costa Subbasin. Read it here.

Tracy Subbasin Boundary Modification

BBID is part of a coalition of eight local water agencies that worked together to modify the boundary of the Tracy Subbasin along county lines.

This will ensure that water users in Tracy and San Joaquin counties won’t exercise undue influence on how groundwater is managed in East Contra Costa County.

Click here to read a letter previously distributed to local water users.

Thanks to the support of at least 75% of the local agencies and water systems in Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties, the request to subdivide the Tracy Subbasin along the Contra Costa and San Joaquin County line was approved by the California Department of Water Resources.

  • We will be providing periodic updates on the development of a groundwater sustainability plan. In the meantime, you may obtain more information about this process in the East Contra Costa Subbasin by visiting https://www.eccc-irwm.org/sgma.html or contact your Groundwater Sustainability Agency (listed on the website).
  • For the Tracy Subbasin, please visit http://tracysubbasin.org/.

Click here to view the Basin Boundary Modification Request.

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SGMA FAQs

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) compiled a list of commonly-asked questions about SGMA and GSAs here.

Get Involved

Local water agencies, including BBID, are working together to meet new State requirements for groundwater management.  Part of the requirements include preparing a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). You are invited to participate in the planning process.  The planners would like to learn if you have any questions, needs or concerns about the issues the GSP will address.  Your input will help the planners with crafting the GSP as well as determining what types of information will be most helpful for the public. If you would like to learn a little more about groundwater management or the new state laws, more information is here: Groundwater Exchange.

Connect with Us

Have questions, or interested in taking part? E-mail us here.

Previous Meeting Minutes & Monthly Updates