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Tribal Beneficial Uses Data, Tools, and Resources

This webpage serves as a centralized resource for maps, data tools, and resources to support designation and protection of Tribal Beneficial Uses (TBUs).

Preparing for Tribal Beneficial Use Designation Requests

To initiate a request to designate specific waterbody(s) with a Tribal Beneficial Use, a letter from a California Native American Tribe must be submitted. The Guidance on Designating Tribal Beneficial Uses provides more information on the designation process. The following are resources to support the development of designation request letters.

The Guidance on Designating Tribal Beneficial Uses includes an appendix with guiding questions that are intended to guide Tribal communities as they discuss, reflect on, and begin gathering information for a Tribal Beneficial Use designation request. Tribes do not need to answer every question, nor are these questions meant to function as a questionnaire that must be completed and submitted. Instead, these questions are prompts designed to foster conversation among Tribal members, help identify relevant cultural practices and exposure pathways, and support the development of narratives or documentation that Tribes may choose to include in a designation request.

The Tribal Water Data map is a resource to learn about what existing beneficial uses are currently designated in the waterbodies where Tribal Beneficial Uses may be taking place. This map can support understanding of watersheds, water quality conditions, monitoring locations, and Tribal Beneficial Use considerations.

  • Open the Tribal Data Map tool
  • Select “Layers” on the lefthand side of the screen. Toggle the layers you want to see shown on the map by hovering over the layer with your mouse and clicking the visibility eye icon.
  • Turn on the layer called “3.2_Integrated Report and Beneficial Uses Layers” This layer shows all of the beneficial uses that have already been formally designated in a water quality control plan (basin plan). This layer does not currently show designated Tribal Beneficial Uses because none have been designated yet. This layer includes beneficial uses like recreation, aquaculture, navigation, cold freshwater habitat, shellfish harvesting, etc.

Additional related mapping tools:

Tribal Data Map tool

A Tribal Beneficial Use can only be designated with the Tribe’s consent and an official written request, which formally begins the process. General information is sufficient for a designation, and Tribes do not need to share exact locations or sensitive cultural details. Helpful information can include:

  • Type of use (CUL and/or T-SUB)
  • Specific types of activities (CUL only)
  • Where the activity occurs (general segment or waterbody, not exact locations)
  • Exposure pathways (ingestion, immersion, plant handling, etc.)
  • Frequency, duration, and seasonality
  • Whether the use is current or planned for the future
  • Summary-level data on consumption or cultural practices

Information submitted along with a designation request letter may be shared in written, photographic, audio, or video form. Before submitting any information in writing, Tribes are strongly encouraged to meet with Water Boards staff to discuss what details will be shared publicly and ensure comfort with what will enter the public record.

Monitoring and Protecting Tribal Beneficial Uses

There are many opportunities for California Native American Tribes to engage in the process of data collection and monitoring to ensure water quality is protective to support Tribal Beneficial Uses.

The State Water Board and nine regional water boards are required to monitor and report on the status of the waters of California and to identify and report on impaired water bodies. Data collected by the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) and its many collaborators provides information that can be used to identify if a water body is not meeting water quality objectives and may require that actions be taken to make the water cleaner.

The SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program, in partnership with California Indian Environmental Alliance, offered a tribally-centered Bioaccumulation Monitoring Training Series in 2024. The purpose of this training series was to support California Native American Tribes in developing programs in the areas of bioaccumulation monitoring, data analysis, and data use processes, and enable Tribes and other bioaccumulation monitoring groups to adopt those processes into their workflows and more easily partner with the Program and the Safe to Eat Workgroup.

Additional Tribal Beneficial Uses Resources and Materials

Resolutions

  • Resolution No. 2016-0011: Directing staff to develop proposed beneficial uses pertaining to Tribal traditional and cultural, Tribal subsistence fishing, and subsistence fishing.
  • Resolution No. 2017-0027: 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

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries (ISWEBE) Plan

Other Information

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Contact Us

Regional/Divisional Tribal Coordinators

Adriana Renteria, Tribal Liaison
Email: Tribal-Liaison@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 341-5501