Proposed Basin Plan Amendment to Incorporate Tribal and Subsistence Fishing Beneficial Use Definitions
Tong Yin - Coyote Hills Regional Park |
Tong Yin - Point Reyes National Seashore |
Background
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board is proposing an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for San Francisco Basin (Basin Plan) to add three new beneficial use definitions:
- Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL)
- Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB)
- Subsistence Fishing (SUB)
These beneficial uses have been established in the State Water Resources Control Board’s 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 (Statewide Mercury Provisions). These uses are intended to protect tribal cultural practices, traditional uses of aquatic resources, and public health for communities that consume more fish than the average recreational angler. The amendment does not designate these uses for specific waterbodies; future amendments will address such designations.
State Water Board Approval Process
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) has released a Notice of Opportunity to Comment and Notice of Board Meeting for consideration of approval of an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Basin (Basin Plan) to add Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL), Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB), and Subsistence Fishing (SUB) Beneficial Use definitions.
Written comments on the Basin Plan Amendment are due by noon on July 24, 2026.
The State Water Board will hear the item at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting on November 3, 2026.
Please refer to the Public Notice for further details on how to submit comments and how to attend the State Water Board meeting.
Regional Water Board Adoption
The Regional Water Board considered and adopted the Basin Plan amendment at its April 8, 2026 Board hearing (refer to the meeting agenda, Item 6).
Project Timelines
- Draft Staff Report released for public review:January 20 - March 6, 2026
- Regional Water Board Adoption: April 8, 2026
- State Water Board Approval (anticipated): November 3, 2026
- Office of Administrative Law (OAL) Approval (anticipated): March 2027
Project Documents
- Notice of Public Review and Hearing for Regional Water Board adoption
- Resolution R2-2026-0012 adopting the Basin Plan amendment
- Final Staff Report supporting the Basin Plan amendment
Tribal Consultation and Public Outreach
California Native American Tribes and Environmental Justice communities are involved in developing this amendment through direct outreach and meetings. The Water Board will continue engaging with these groups and other stakeholders.How to Stay Informed
Subscribe to the Basin Plan email list by visiting the State Board's GovDelivery page, and select the box “Tribal and Subsistence Beneficial Uses” under “Current Basin Planning/TMDL Projects” or check this webpage for updates.Contact Information
For questions or to request additional information, please contact:Tong Yin, PhD, PE
Water Resource Control Engineer
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Email: Tong.Yin@waterboards.ca.gov
Phone: (510) 622-2418
Related Links
State Water Board Tribal Beneficial Uses - Cultural Uses of Water | California State Water Resources Control BoardStatewide Mercury Provisions | California State Water Resources Control Board
San Francisco Bay Water Board Triennial Review Staff Report May-2025
(Page last updated 6/9/26)
Water is a precious resource in California, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.
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