The Equus Beds Groundwater Management District No. 2 (GMD2) has been proactive in managing the Equus Beds Aquifer through regulations and special management areas. In 1980, GMD2 became one of the first districts in Kansas to adopt safe yield criteria for new water permit applications and supported the creation of the McPherson Intensive Groundwater Control Area (IGUCA) to address declining groundwater levels. During the 1980s, the Burrton IGUCA and the Equus Beds Hollow-Nikkel Special Water Quality Use Area (SWQUA) were established to address oil field saltwater contamination. More recently, GMD2 created a special management area in Reno County with stricter well spacing and safe yield requirements to reduce impairment risks and help prevent over-appropriation.