Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA)

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Butte County SubbasinsSGMA Background

On September 16, 2014, Governor Brown signed into law a package of bills (SB-1168, AB-1739 and SB-1319 (PDF)) collectively called the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (PDF). The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) comprehensively reforms groundwater management in California. The intent of the Act is to place management at the local level under state oversight. Under the Act, the state will have direct oversight of how groundwater basins are managed at the local level and may intervene to manage basins when local agencies fail to take appropriate responsibility.

For general SGMA background, check out the Water Education Foundation's SGMA Handbook (PDF) or visit the Groundwater Exchange website.

Although a state law, SGMA is implemented locally within groundwater subbasins. Butte County is located in portions of three subbasins: Vina, Butte, and Wyandotte Creek.

To find your local subbasin and Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) information visit the GSA Map Viewer.

Inter-Basin Coordination in the Northern Sacramento Valley

For more information on how subbasins throughout the region are coordinating SGMA efforts, visit our Inter-Basin Coordination page.

Recent Groundwater Studies Conducted by the County

Current Efforts

Vina Subbasin - Groundwater Sustainability Adopted

The Vina Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) and Rock Creek Reclamation District GSA adopted the Vina GSP at a Joint Meeting on December 15, 2021. Additional information on current efforts in the Vina Subbasin can be found on the Vina GSA website.

Wyandotte Creek Subbasin - Groundwater Sustainability Plan Adopted

The Wyandotte Creek GSA adopted the Wyandotte Creek GSP on December 16, 2021. Additional information on current efforts in the Wyandotte Creek Subbasin can be found on the Wyandotte Creek GSA website.

Butte Subbasin

The eleven GSAs in the Butte Subbasin cooperatively developed a single GSP which was submitted to DWR in January 2022.  

Additional information on current efforts in the Butte Subbasin can be found on the Butte Subbasin Groundwater Advisory Board website.