Regional Water Board Progress Updates on Tribal Beneficial Uses
All ten water boards are at different stages in their processes to include tribal beneficial uses in their plans. To learn more about Tribal Beneficial Uses, visit the Tribal Beneficial Uses Page or contact regional tribal coordinators below. For any questions or assistance on this page, please contact: Tribal-Liaison@waterboards.ca.gov
Regional Water Boards' Quarterly Updates
[Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Region 1 has previous beneficial uses that protect Native American Culture and Subsistence Fishing. Currently working to collaborate with tribes to provide input and guidance on whether existing Regional Water Board or State Water board definitions would better serve their needs.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
None Scheduled
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
Tribal Coordinator
Cody Walker
Cody.Walker@waterboards.ca.gov
(707) 576-2642
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara (north of Morgan Hill), Solano, Sonoma counties]
TBU Progress Updates
The 2021 Triennial Review identified tribal and subsistence beneficial uses designations as a priority project for the next three years. Five tribes submitted letters of support and three tribes have consulted with the Board. Currently working to engage with tribes and adopt tribal beneficial use definitions into the basin plan. A tribal workshop was held in May 2023.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* | |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Individual consultations begin in June and July 2022
How to Get Involved
Send a letter or email to Sami Harper with interest
Tribal Coordinator
Sami Harper
Samantha.Harper@waterboards.ca.gov
(510) 622-2415
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Kern (small portions), Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo (southern portion), Santa Barbara, Santa Clara (south of Morgan Hill), Santa Cruz, Ventura (northern portion) counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Central Coast Water Board adopted Racial Equity Resolution No. R3-2023-0002 which directs staff to prioritize the process to adopt Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL), Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB), and Subsistence Fishing (SUB) Beneficial Uses into the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Basin. Basin Planning staff are working to adopt the TBU definitions into the basin plan in early 2024. Central Coast Water Board are conducting additional, focused outreach to tribes in order to build relationships, prior to Regional Water Board consideration of adoption.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| In Progress | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2024: Next Triennial Review
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in the Triennial Review
Tribal Coordinator
Daniel Ellis
daniel.ellis@waterboards.ca.gov
(805) 549-3889
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Kern (small portions), Los Angeles, Santa Barbara (small portions), Ventura counties]
TBU Progress Updates
State Water Board and Office of Administrative Law approved R4's adoption of TBU definitions into the Region’s Basin Plan on October 18, 2022, and April 3, 2023, respectively. R4 is currently consulting with individual tribes and expanding tribal engagement throughout the region and working to secure funds for tribal administration to survey and gather oral history data in support of specific designations.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2023: 3rd and 4th Quarter Designations Workshop(s) and Meetings
How to Get Involved
Contact Tribal Coordinator for more information
Tribal Coordinator
Susana Lagudis
Susana.Lagudis@waterboards.ca.gov
(213) 576-6694
Resources
Visit the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa (East), El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Nevada, Napa, (N. East), Placer, Plumas, Lake, Sierra, Shasta, Sutter, Solano (West), Sacramento, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Tehama, Tulare, Stanislaus, Yolo, Yuba, (Very small portions of San Benito, San Luis Obispo) counties]
TBU Progress Updates
R5’s adoption of TBU definitions into the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basin Plan and Tulare Lake Basin Plan was approved by State Water Board on September 7, 2022. Staff are preparing the TBU Definitions Administrative Record for submission to OAL and U.S. EPA. R5 hosts semi-annual, tribal-only TBU update meetings, with the next one scheduled for November 2, 2023. Project staff and management are consulting with individual tribes who submitted or planning to submit TBU designation requests. TBU Project staff attended the 2023 California Native American Day and will be participating in the upcoming 2023 Tribal EPA & U.S. EPA Region 9 Annual Conference.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Complete | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
November 2, 2023, semi-annual Tribal Beneficial Uses Update Meeting
How to Get Involved
Submit letters to request Tribal Beneficial Uses designations
Tribal Coordinator
Lauren Smitherman
Lauren.Smitherman@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 464-4668
Resources
Visit the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern (East), Lassen (East side and Eagle Lake), Los Angeles (N/E corner), Modoc (East), Mono, Nevada, Placer, San Bernardino, Sierra counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Designating TBUs was assigned a high priority for the 2022 Triennial Review and the TBU definitions are already incorporated into the Lahontan Basin Plan. A Basin Plan Amendment (BPA) to designate TBUs in the Mono Basin is being developed and staff held a CEQA Scoping meeting on February 9, 2023, to receive input on the scope of the environmental analysis for this project. The Lahontan Water Board will hold a public hearing on the draft BPA and draft staff report in 2024. Staff continue outreach to inform Tribes about the TBUs, answer questions and solicit input on TBU designations for waterbodies outside of the Mono basin.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Lahontan will hold a public hearing on the proposed CUL and T-SUB designations in the Mono Basin on December 6 in Lee Vining to receive public comment. The hearing notice will be released in October and the Draft SED will be available for review no later than November 6. Board consideration of the proposed designations will take place in spring, 2024.
How to Get Involved
We encourage the public and interested Tribes to participate at the Board hearing in December and submit comments on the draft staff report (deadline TBD).
Tribal Coordinator
Danny McClure
Daniel.McClure@waterboards.ca.gov
(530) 542-5443
Resources
Visit the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Currently working to engage with tribes and adopt tribal beneficial uses definitions into the Region’s Basin Plan. Tribal consultation letters for the basin plan amendment were sent out in July. One tribe has requested consultation and staff has met with them to address concerns.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2023: Continue outreach for a Basin Plan Amendment to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
Tribal Coordinator
Emma McCorkle
Emma.mccorkle@waterboards.ca.gov
(760) 340-4521
Resources
Visit the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Region 8 plans to adopt tribal beneficial uses definitions into the Region’s Basin Plan and engage with tribes as part of the BPA process.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2023 TBD: Triennial Review Start
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
Tribal Coordinator
Claudia Tenorio
Claudia.Tenorio@waterboards.ca.gov
(951) 782-4963
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[San Diego, Orange and Riverside]
TBU Progress Updates
Designating waters with tribal beneficial uses are a priority project for the 2021 Triennial Review. A Tribal Beneficial Uses Work Group consisting of Tribal representatives and San Diego Water Board staff have been meeting monthly since March 17, 2023, to work on designating San Diego Region surface waters with CUL and T-SUB uses.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Monthly meetings with a tribal work group
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to designate waterbodies with Tribal Beneficial Uses
Tribal Coordinator
Jody Ebsen
Jody.Ebsen@waterboards.ca.gov
(619) 521-3965
Resources
Visit the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Statewide]
TBU Progress Updates
Incorporation of tribal beneficial uses were included as part of the Draft Staff Report in support of proposed updates to the Bay-Delta Plan for the Sacramento/Delta. Release of the report initiates a public comment period on the Draft Staff Report and possible incorporation of tribal beneficial uses into the Bay-Delta Plan. Tribal panel presentations provided input and feedback directly to the Board on the first day of public hearing, November 17, 2023. The comment period closes on January 19, 2024.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to Bay-Delta Plan | |
| Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | ||
| Follow the implementation program |
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
How to Get Involved
- Sign up for the Bay-Delta Email Subscription List Serve
- Contact Robert McCarthy to find out about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved
Tribal Coordinator
Robert McCarthy
Robert.McCarthy@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 341-5408
Resources
- Bay-Delta Watershed Comp Review | California State Water Resources Control Board
- Tribal Coordination | California State Water Resources Control Board
Visit the Division of Water Rights Bay Delta Watershed website.
Regional Water Boards Map
State Water Board Division's Quarterly Updates
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
The SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program (Program) works with its many partners to answer the question: Is it safe to eat fish and shellfish in California waters that the public and tribes use for consumption, subsistence, and/or cultural purposes? The Program is undergoing a long-term (10+ year) Realignment effort to focus on incorporating Tribal perspectives and needs into its monitoring efforts and ensuring those data and information are useful and used by tribes who rely on waterbodies for traditional, cultural, and subsistence uses. The Program has also begun implementing their statewide Tribal Engagement Plan to initiate introductions between Realignment staff and tribes, explain the Program and Realignment process, and gauge Tribal interest and readiness to participate in future Realignment cycles.
How to Get Involved
To participate in the Tribal Engagement Process and schedule an introductory meeting with Program staff, please complete the Tribal Engagement Interest Form to indicate your interest in connecting with us, your availability to set up a meeting, who should be included in the meeting invitation, and their contact information. There is no deadline to complete the form.
Tribal Coordinator
Anna Holder
Anna.Holder@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 341-5096
Resources
- SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Realignment web page
- Tribal Engagement Interest Form
- Tribal Engagement Plan
Visit the Office of Information Management and Analysis web page.
Tribal Coordinator
Taran Sahota
Taranjot.Sahota@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 327-8679
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Division of Water Quality web page.
