Public Participation
The California Water Boards are committed to engaging impacted communities, stakeholders, California Native American Tribes and the public in our decision-making processes.
As we develop and implement projects and policies, the Water Boards consider a range of views and concerns and provide fair treatment, meaningful involvement and social inclusion for all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation or income.
The Office of Public Participation supports this commitment by designing equitable stakeholder engagement processes, providing language assistance, and coordinating with tribal governments.
Environmental Justice
The Water Boards promote environmental justice to prevent harm and protect California’s most vulnerable and environmentally burdened communities.
Environmental Justice principles call for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of all environmental laws, regulations, and policies that affect every community’s natural surroundings, and the places people live, work, play, and learn.
We strive to support community-led solutions and develop justice-informed approaches to collaboration, research, policy, and resource decisions.
Tribal Affairs
Meaningful engagement with California Native American Tribes is fundamental to the mission of the Water Boards. The Office of Public Participation coordinates the Water Boards Tribal Affairs Program statewide.
Get Involved
The Water Boards are committed to engaging all Californians as we protect water for present and future generations.
- Comment on a public document.
- Attend an upcoming Board meeting.
- Sign up to receive email updates.
Get Help
- General Assistance
Can’t find what you need on our website? The Office of Public Participation can help—email OPP-contact@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5254. - Report an Environmental Concern
Are you concerned that something you witnessed is having a negative impact on the environment? Don’t do nothing—report it on CalEPA’s environmental complaint system! - Assistance for Small Businesses
- Help with Water Recycling
- Access Public Records
Contact Us
Office of Public Participation
1001 I Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 341-5254
OPP-Contact@waterboards.ca.gov
Language Access Services
The Office of Public Participation provides interpretation and translation services in any language at no cost to you.
- Language interpretation services for public meetings, workshops, and individual meetings with staff.
- Written translation of documents such as meeting flyers, public notices, fact sheets, executive summaries, and more.
- Support for a language access complaint if a Water Boards program did not provide or denied language services.
To request these services, click on the button below to open the language access form.
The form is available in English, Español (Spanish), Tagalog, 中文 (Simplified Chinese), 한국인 (Korean), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese), ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi).
