Racial Equity and Environmental Justice at the Water Boards

The Racial Equity Working Group is currently developing a Racial Equity and Environmental Justice Action Plan (Action Plan) that will set goals for the Lahontan Water Board to address racial inequities and environmental justice within the Board’s regulatory purview with respect to water quality in the Lahontan Region. The Lahontan Water Board aims to develop the Action Plan in collaboration with tribes, stakeholders, and the communities most impacted by racial inequities and environmental justice issues. If you are interested in collaborating on the development of the Action Plan please contact Eli Balderas, Eli.Balderas@Waterboards.ca.gov

Racial equity is a Water Boards’ priority. We are working toward a future where race no longer predicts a person’s access to water or the quality of water resources they receive, where race does not predict professional outcomes for our employees, and where we consistently consider racial equity impacts before we make decisions.

On August 20, 2024, the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Lahontan Water Board) adopted Resolution R6-2024-0036 in Support of Racial Equity in the Lahontan Region. The Lahontan Water Board’s Racial Equity Resolution affirms our commitment to the State Water Board’s Resolution No. 2021-0050 Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism. The Lahontan Water Board’s Racial Equity Resolution is a milestone on a journey toward racial equity and environmental justice for tribes, communities, and stakeholders of the Lahontan Region.

Racial Equity Resolution: Resolution No. R6-2024-0036 Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism in the Lahontan Region

Environmental justice “means the fair treatment of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.” (Gov. Code §65040.12) Fair treatment means that no population bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or from the execution of federal, state, and local laws; regulations; and policies.

The Lahontan Regional Water Board is committed to Environmental Justice. Lahontan Water Board staff conducts outreach to stakeholders and disadvantaged communities in the Lahontan region to provide opportunities to participate in decision making and program strategies. Lahontan Water Board staff has assisted disadvantaged communities in obtaining public funding for drinking water treatment systems and construction of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems to better protect water quality and public health. For private domestic wells affected or threatened by pollution, we have issued enforcement actions requiring bottled water delivery by parties identified as responsible.

Environmental Justice Program Implementation:
Click on the Lahontan Environmental Justice Report to view the January 2015 Staff Report to the Lahontan Water Board

On September 25, 2012, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 685, making California the first state in the nation to legislatively recognize the human right to water, declaring that every human has the right to clean, affordable, and accessible water for consumption, cooking and sanitary purposes.

Visit the State Water Resources Control Board's Human Right to Water website for information on municipal and community water supply compliance status, water maps, and funding opportunities.