Tribal Affairs
Welcome to the Water Boards' Tribal Affairs webpage
Welcome to the California Water Boards’ Tribal Relations page. The information provided on this site can help better assist you in understanding the Water Boards, how our Tribal Liaison, office, and agency can serve you and provide information on administering your own water quality programs that help protect your health and quality of life.
The State Water Resources Control Board through its Office of Public Participation (OPP) have followed Governor Brown’s commitment via Executive Order B-10-11 to strengthen the State’s relationship with California Native American Tribes by improving overall communication, transparency, and government-to-government engagement through AB 52 consultations, Tribal Beneficial Uses and overall relationship building. OPP also works in coordination with CalEPA, USEPA, the Governor's Office of the Tribal Advisor, and other state agencies. A California Native American Tribe refers to either a federally-recognized California tribal government listed on the most recent notice of the Federal Register or a non-federally recognized California tribal government listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC).
SWRCB Regions and California Native American Tribal Land Map
Funding for California Native American Tribes
The Water Boards are pleased to offer various financial programs and opportunities to assist state and federally-recognized California Native American Tribes to help protect and improve California’s waters. Funding for the loan and grant programs primarily comes from bonds passed by voters and monies provided by the federal government. Each program has its own guidelines, application process and funding cycle.
For additional information on the Water Boards financial assistance programs visit our Division of Financial Assistance page.
Funding for Californian Native American Tribes
Other funding opportunities offered include:
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) are environmentally beneficial projects that are included as part of a settlement for environmental violations. Violators can voluntarily agree to undertake such projects in lieu of (up to 50%) of the penalty that they are required to pay for the violations. If you are have a project that you would like to have considered for listing as a SEP, please submit your SEP proposal here. CalEPA will route your SEP proposal to the appropriate board or department for consideration. View the Water Boards Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) policy and additional information here.
CalEPA Small EJ Small Grants Program offers funding opportunities, up to $50,000 per application to assist eligible non-profit community organizations and federally-recognized Tribal governments to address environmental justice issues in areas disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and hazard. For additional information, including contact information visit the CalEPA Small EJ grants page. Approximately $1 million in grants are available.
Consultation
The California Water Boards are committed to improving our communications and working relationships with California Native American Tribes. In June 2019 the California Water Boards finalized our Tribal Consultation Policy, where we reaffirm that collaboration and input from all California Native American tribes helps the Water Boards craft decisions and policies that better protect California’s water quality, resources, and systems. To do so, we find it valuable and we encourage California Native American tribes to be a part of the State Water Board’s AB 52 contact list. Please see below for the process in which California Native American tribes can request to be included on our AB 52 list.
- Consistent with the government to government process, we request that your request to be placed on our AB 52 List is submitted on formal letterhead from your Tribal leadership, in writing, and mailed to:
Tribal Liaison
State Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street
P.O. Box 100
Sacramento, CA 95814 - We also kindly request that you provide us with maps or a way for our agency to be aware of the geographic area that is traditionally and culturally affiliated with your Tribe.
- Lastly, we kindly request that your Tribal leadership designate a lead contact person to receive formal notification of proposed projects.
Unless you instruct otherwise, a request to be placed on the State Water Board’s AB 52 List will be interpreted as a notification request for both the State Water Board and any geographically appropriate Regional Water Quality Control Boards.
California Water Boards’ Tribal Consultation Policy
- Tribes Requesting AB 52 Consultation List
- CalEPA Policy on Consultation with California Native American Tribes
- AB 52/ CEQA Consultation Notice and Timing Flow Chart
- Governor Brown's Executive Order B-10-11
Regional/Divisional Tribal Coordinators
The Water Boards’ have a designated Tribal Liaison that oversees the coordination of the Tribal Affairs program. To help strengthen the Tribal Affairs program and assist the Liaison, each of our Regions and Divisions designated Regional/Divisional Tribal Coordinators. These individuals are the key programmatic and regional points of contact.
Training and Resources
Water Rights & Water Quality Training for Tribes (2014) - Part 1 | Part 2 | Agenda | Flyer
Subscribe to our Tribal Matters email list to receive notifications and the latest updates. After subscribing, you will need to check your email host for a confirmation email to complete the subscription.
Subscribe to our other email lists. See the "General" section.
Quick Links
Contacts
For any general inquiries, questions or concerns related to Tribal Affairs please reach out to the Tribal Liaison and staff at:
Tribal-Liaison@waterboards.ca.gov
Tribal Liaison, Adriana Renteria
(916) 341-5501
Any inquiries regarding AB 52:
Assistant Tribal Liaison, Moy Moreno-Rivera
(916) 341-5261
Events
- Public Hearing/Adoption: 2019 Ocean Plan Review Staff Report and Work Plan
Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 9:30 a.m.
CalEPA Headquarters Bldg.
Coastal Hearing Room
1001 I Street,
Second Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Notice of Public Hearing
Please direct questions about this notice to:
- Jonathan Dolan
(916) 323-0880
Jonathan.Dolan@waterboards.ca.gov - Katherine Walsh
(916) 445-2317
Katherine.Walsh@waterboards.ca.gov
- Jonathan Dolan
Topics of Interest
- Tribal Beneficial Uses
- Drinking Water (DDW Map)
- Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
- OEHHA Fish Advisory Warnings
- Cannabis Cultivation Policy
- Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) (Water Boards / DWR)
- Operator Certification
Coordinating Agencies
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Governor’s Tribal Advisor’s Office
Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
Department of Toxic Substance Control
Department of Pesticide Regulation
California Air Resources Board