Proposed Basin Plan Amendment to Incorporate Tribal and Subsistence Fishing Beneficial Use Definitions
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Notice of Public Comment and Consideration of an Amendment to San Francisco Bay Basin Plan
The San Francisco Bay Water Board will accept public comments and will hold a public hearing to consider adoption of the proposed Basin Plan Amendment. The Basin Plan amendment is to add the definitions of three new beneficial uses to the Basin Plan: Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL), Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB), and Subsistence Fishing (SUB).
The 45-day public comment period starts on January 20, 2026. Written comments are due by 5:00 pm on March 6, 2026.
Consideration of adoption: Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 9:00 am
The Public Notice has details on submitting comments and attending the hearing in person or remotely.
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 definitions are 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 (ISWEBE Plan). 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.
Project Status
- Draft Staff Report Released: January 20, 2026
- Public Review Period: January 20 - March 6, 2026
- Regional Water Board Adoption Hearing (tentative): April 8, 2026
- State Water Board Approval (anticipated): Summer 2026
Project Documents
- Notice of Public Review and Hearing ( coming soon)
- Draft Staff Report (coming soon) with Draft Annotated Basin Plan Amendment
Tribal Consultation and Public Outreach
The Water Board consulted with California Native American Tribes throughout the development of this amendment, including direct outreach and meetings. The Board remains committed to ongoing engagement with tribal communities and other stakeholders.How to Participate
The draft amendment and staff report will be available for public review and comment sometime in early 2026. Interested persons may submit written comments during this period. Instructions for submitting comments and subscribing to updates are provided in the Notice of Public Review and Hearing.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 “Future Basin Planning/TMDL Projects” or check this webpage for updates.Contact Information
For questions or to request additional information, please contact:Tong Yin, 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 1/20/26)
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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