Tribal Affairs
Welcome to the Water Boards' Tribal Affairs webpage
Meaningful engagement with California Native American tribes is central to the mission of the State Water Resource Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Collectively, the Water Boards). Collaboration and unput from all Californias help the Water Boards advance policies that protect the environment, safeguard public health, and support beneficial uses of Californias water resources. Engagement with California Native American tribes holds special value because of our shared responsibility to the people we serve and tribes historic knowledge and experience managing water since time immemorial.
Over the past decade, the Water Boards and Tribes have built stronger relationships through government-to-government consultation, collaboration, and dialogue. Together, we have achieved important milestones, including the development of statewide Tribal Beneficial Uses for water quality, which acknowledged the importance of traditional knowledge and tribal priorities in water protection.
The Tribal Affairs Program is dedicated to strengthening these partnerships by providing resources, guidance, and support that honor tribal sovereignty, culture and community priorities. Through this commitment, the Water Boards strive to create meaningful opportunities for collaboration that respect tribal voices and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future for all Californias.
Topics of Interest
- Tribal Affairs 2023 Annual Report
- Regional Water Board Progress Updates on Tribal Beneficial Uses
- Cannabis Cultivation
- Water Quality Topics of Interest
- Water Rights & Water Quality Training for Tribes (2014) - Part 1 | Part 2
- Tribal Water Data Initiatives | California State Water Resources Control Board
- Safe to Swim Workgroup - Safe to Swim Information
- Harmful Algal Blooms Reporting, Mapping and Frequently asked questions: HAB Reports Map | Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) Overview
The Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) is an independent unit within the State Water Resources Control Board that provides a fair, transparent, and neutral process for resolving certain water rights matters. The AHO is overseen by a Presiding Hearing Officer and staffed with attorneys who serve as independent hearing officers. California Native American Tribes may be especially interested in the AHO’s transparent process, opportunities for participation, and impartial decisions that can affect tribal water uses and cultural resources.
- Watch Hearings on YouTube – Live and archived AHO hearings to see how proceedings are conducted.
- Delta Conveyance Project Hearings – Follow updates and decisions on this major project affecting statewide water supplies.
- AHO Calendar – Check upcoming hearings dates, deadlines, and opportunities to participate.
General Topics of Interest to CA Tribes and Tribal Communities
- Safe to Swim Workgroup - Safe to Swim Page
- Public Drinking Water Watch – Compliance , sample results, violation data on local water systems
- California Integrated Water Quality System Project (CIWQS) | California State Water Resources Control Board – Insights into violations and regulated facilities impacting tribal lands
- GeoTracker – Track contamination, discharges, and cleanup near tribal areas.
- eWRIMS – Electronic Water Rights Information Management System | California State Water Resources Control Board – View water rights and diversions with CALWATRS tool.
Stay informed
Email Subscription List
To receive updates on the Tribal Affairs Program, we invite you to subscribe to the Tribal Matters email list. This is a way to stay informed about opportunities, resources, and initiatives that honor and support California Native American tribes and tribal communities.
Contact Us
Adriana Renteria, Tribal Liaison
Email: Tribal-Liaison@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 216-1126
