Frequently Asked Questions
What is groundwater?
Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
What role does groundwater play in California’s water supply?
-
Californians use more groundwater than any other state in the country, about 14 billion gallons per day. During recent dry years however, groundwater use increased to nearly 18 billion gallons per day. -
Approximately 31 million Californians get a portion of their drinking water from a public water system that relies on groundwater for at least part of their drinking water supply -
In addition, up to two million California residents are served either by the estimated 250,000 to 600,000 private domestic wells or by water systems serving fewer than 15 service connections. -
The availability of clean, fresh groundwater has been credited for making California the largest food and agricultural economy in the country.
What is SGMA?
-
Chronic lowering of groundwater levels indicating a significant and unreasonable depletion of supply -
Significant and unreasonable reduction of groundwater storage -
Significant and unreasonable seawater intrusion -
Significant and unreasonable degradation of water quality -
Significant and unreasonable land subsidence -
Groundwater-related surface water depletions that have significant and unreasonable adverse impacts on beneficial uses of surface water
Why are the rules for groundwater management changing?
What are the key provisions of SGMA?
- Protection of water rights: Existing water rights are protected. Nothing in it “determines or alters surface water rights or groundwater rights under common law or any provisions of law that determines or grants surface water rights”.
-
Consideration of multiple stakeholder interests: The legislation requires that a GSA must consider and conduct outreach to a broad range of stakeholders, such as beneficial users of water, environmental interests, disadvantaged communities, tribes, and others. -
Provides new authorities to the GSAs to manage groundwater: GSAs are granted new tools and authorities which include the authority to conduct investigations, determine the sustainable yield of a basin, measure and limit groundwater extractions, impose fees for groundwater management, and enforce the terms of a GSP. -
Increases coordination between land use planning agencies and GSAs: Planning and zoning laws are amended to require increased coordination between land use planning agencies and GSAs regarding groundwater plans and updates and modifications of General Plans. -
Increases availability of information while ensuring privacy protection: The legislation requires aggregated groundwater information for a groundwater basin be provided to the DWR. However, information related to individual groundwater pumpers is limited. -
State oversight and involvement: The legislation allows for intervention by the State Water Board instances where the GSA does not complete a GSP by the mandated deadline the GSP is deemed inadequate by the DWR and the deficiencies remain inadequately addressed; or the GSP is being implemented and simply does not work. In these cases, the State Water Board is authorized to create an interim plan that will remain in place until the GSA is able to reassume responsibility.
Which groundwater basins are subject to SGMA?
-
The designation of high or medium priority does not mean the basin is not being managed well. It means that the groundwater basin scored high on factors that indicate that the basin is an important and critical source for the overlying cities and farms. Many high priority groundwater basins are well-managed. -
The basin prioritization will change when basin boundaries are modified because changing boundaries changes the factors that go into determining the ranking. -
In terms of SGMA, there is no real difference between high and medium priority basins; both are subject to the provisions of SGMA. -
Not all groundwater basins are required to establish GSAs and develop GSPs, although other requirements may apply.
What are the roles of the agencies?
What are the key deadlines for SGMA?
- January 31, 2020/2022: GSPs must be adopted by 2020 and 2022 for all other remaining groundwater basins designated as high and medium priority that are critically overdrafted and not critically overdrafted, respectively.
-
2040/2042: All groundwater basins designated as high or medium priority must attain sustainability.
Who is responsible for implementing SGMA?
-
Persistent lowering of groundwater levels -
Significant and unreasonable reductions in groundwater storage -
Significant and unreasonable saltwater intrusion -
Significant and unreasonable degradation of water quality -
Significant and unreasonable land subsidence -
Surface water depletion having significant and unreasonable effects on beneficial uses -
What is considered “significant and unreasonable” is left for the local GSAs and stakeholders to decide.
How will a basin achieve sustainability?
-
A description of the physical setting and characteristics of the aquifer system. -
Current and historical data for groundwater levels, groundwater quality, subsidence and groundwater-surface water interaction, and a discussion of historical and projected water demands and supplies. -
Maps that include details of the basin and its boundaries and identify existing and potential recharge areas. -
A succinctly stated sustainability goal for a desired condition that is applicable to the entire basin, how the basin will get to that desired condition, and why the measures planned will lead to success. -
Measurable objectives, as well as interim milestones in increments of five years, to achieve the sustainability goal in the basin within 20 years. -
A monitoring plan that will measure progress over time. -
A description of other applicable local government plans and how the GSP may affect those plans. -
SGMA also established a process for local agencies to develop an alternative in lieu of a GSP, provided the alternative is functionally equivalent to the elements of a GSP.
What about my domestic well?
How can I participate in the management of my groundwater basin?
Key Terms
Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) — A management plan developed by a local Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) to provide a framework in managing the groundwater basin sustainably and to meet the requirements of SGMA.
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) — SGMA is a package of three bills (AB 1739, SB 1168 and SB 1319) that provide local agencies with a framework for managing groundwater basins in a sustainable manner. Recognizing that groundwater is most effectively managed at the local level, SGMA requires local agencies to achieve sustainability within 20 years. Learn more about SGMA
Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) — One or more local agencies may establish a GSA. It is the GSA’s responsibility to develop and implement a GSP that considers all beneficial uses and users of groundwater in the basin. The Bear Valley Basin GSA is comprised of four agencies: Big Bear Municipal Water District, Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency, City of Big Bear Lake, and Big Bear City Community Services District.
Stakeholder Communication and Engagement Plan (C&E Plan) — Groundwater is best managed at the local level. GSA(s) are required by SGMA to develop and implement a C&E Plan to ensure the timely, forthright and consistent communication among all beneficial users of groundwater and stakeholders affected by the GSP.
Stakeholder Workshops — Interactive public workshops designed to engage stakeholders in the development of the GSP. Three public stakeholder workshops are scheduled from August through November 2020 to give all beneficial uses and users, as well as those who will be affected by the GSP the opportunity to inform the plan development. View workshop details