TBU - Definitions
Basin Plan Amendments to add the Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions to the Water Quality Control Plans for the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Action
February 29, 2024 - Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions Basin Plan Amendments submitted for review.
March 27, 2025 - United States Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged the TBU Definitions Basin Plan Amendments. As the Amendment incorporates verbatim provisions previously adopted by the State Water Resources Control Boards, and approved by the USEPA in 2017, USEPA has determined that the Amendment is not subject to USEPA action; however, USEPA acknowledges the changes to the Basin Plans.
Office of Administrative Law (OAL) Action
December 14, 2023 – OAL Approval of Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions Basin Plan Amendments
January 11, 2024 – OAL Corrected Approval of Tribal Beneficial Use Definitions Basin Plan Amendments (recognizing amendment to both Basin Plans)
- OAL Notices of Approval (Initial and Corrected) and Endorsed Form 400 (OAL File Number: 2023-1030-01S) (copies available upon request)
- Approved Concise Summary of Regulatory Provisions
State Water Board Action
Central Valley Water Board Action
February 18, 2022 - Central Valley Water Board Hearing
A public outreach meeting was held on April 28, 2021 to discuss the development of potential amendments to the Water Quality Control Plans for Tribal Beneficial Use Designations. Meeting materials are below. Note that the "Meeting Recording" is a link to the Central Valley Water Board's YouTube channel.
Email Subscription List
Subscribe to the Tribal Beneficial Uses email list to receive notifications and updates.
Contact Us
- For general inquiries:
RB5S-TBU@Waterboards.ca.gov - Sajleen Phagura
Senior Environmental Scientist
(916) 464-4700
Sajleen.Phagura@waterboards.ca.gov
For More Information
- Central Valley Water Board's TBU Basin Plan Amendment Primer
- Sport Fish Water Quality Objective
- FAQ (2022)
- Part 2 of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California—Tribal and Subsistence Fishing Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions
- Water Boards' Tribal Consultation Policy Statement
- Draft State Board TBU Overview
- Regional Water Boards Map
- Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Realignment
