Environmental Justice, Racial Equity, and Tribal Affairs

Overview

The Water Board’s mission is strengthened by a commitment to environmental justice, racial equity, and meaningful engagement with California Native American tribes. The Central Coast Water Board is taking action to ensure that our water quality programs and decision-making address the disproportionate impacts on underrepresented communities in the most vulnerable areas. We prioritize outreach, engagement, and collaboration to maximize the opportunities for all community members to participate and provide input on water quality decisions. Please see below for more information, as well as a list of current projects relevant to underrepresented communities.

Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice calls for the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of all environmental laws, regulations, and policies that affect every community’s natural surroundings, and the places people live, work, play, and learn. At the Central Coast Water Board, environmental justice informs our priorities, frames our projects, and directs our actions.

In Water Code Section 106.3, California statutorily recognizes that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes.” The human right to water extends to all Californians, including underrepresented communities in rural and urban areas.

Central Coast Water Board Resolution No. R3-2017-0004 adopts the human right to water as a core value and affirms the realization of the human right to water and protecting human health as the Central Coast Water Board's top priorities and directs staff to prioritize regulatory programs to prevent and address discharges that could threaten human health by causing or contributing to pollution or contamination of drinking water sources.

Human Right to Water Resolution:

  • Resolution No. R3-2017-0004, Adopting the Human Right to Water as a Core Value and Directing Its Implementation in Central Coast Water Board Programs and Activities

Tribal Affairs

The Central Coast Water Board commits to improving communication, working relationships, and co-management practices with California Native American Tribes, including seeking input and consultation on the Central Coast Water Board’s programs to better protect California’s water resources. Meaningful engagement with California Native American Tribes is fundamental to the mission of the Water Boards and working with California Native American Tribes holds a special value at the Water Boards because of our parallel relationship to the people we serve and because of Tribes’ historic knowledge and experience managing California’s water resources since time immemorial.

Project Tracker

The purpose of this Project Tracker is to increase transparency and provide opportunities for community and tribal engagement. The Project Tracker includes a list of active projects that may be of increased interest to underrepresented communities and Tribes.
Note: For more information about public participation opportunities, see the Public Notice webpage: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/public_notices/

Contact Us

Talk to us. Email us. Let us know what you think

For questions regarding Racial Equity and Environmental Justice: rb3-equity@waterboards.ca.gov

For questions regarding Tribal Affairs: rb3-tribal@waterboards.gov

Información de Contacto

Hablarnos. Envianos un correo electronico. Dinos que piensas.

Para preguntas, sobre Equidad Racial y Justicia Ambiental: rb3-equity@waterboards.ca.gov

Para preguntas, sobre asuntos tribales: rb3-tribal@waterboards.gov

Stay Informed

Email Subscription List

To receive updates on the Water Board's Racial Equity Work, subscribe to the Racial Equity email list.

Check your email account for a confirmation email to complete your subscription.

Mantengase informado

Lista de subscripción de correo electrónico

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  (Page last updated 10/7/24)

 
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