Regional Water Board Progress Updates on Tribal Beneficial Uses
All ten water boards are at different stages in their processes to include tribal beneficial uses in their plans. To learn more about Tribal Beneficial Uses, visit the Tribal Beneficial Uses Page or contact regional tribal coordinators below. For any questions or assistance on this page, please contact: Tribal-Liaison@waterboards.ca.gov
Regional Water Boards' Quarterly Updates
[Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Trinity counties]
TBU Progress Updates
In 2003, the State Water Board approved the North Coast Regional Water Board’s CUL definition that protects Native American Culture, including subsistence fishing. This CUL definition was developed in partnership with tribes in the North Coast and predates the tribal beneficial use definitions adopted by the State Water Board in 2017. The 2023 Triennial Review Staff Report reaffirms the priority status of the tribal beneficial uses project. The North Coast Region is currently collaborating with tribes to provide input and guidance on whether existing North Coast Regional Water Board or State Water Board definitions would better serve their needs.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* | |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
None Scheduled
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
Tribal Coordinator
Cody Walker
Cody.Walker@waterboards.ca.gov
(707) 576-2642
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara (north of Morgan Hill), Solano, Sonoma counties]
TBU Progress Updates
The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board’s 2021 Triennial Review identified tribal and subsistence beneficial uses designations as a priority project for the next three years. Five tribes submitted letters of support during the Triennial Review and five tribes have consulted with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board. Currently working to engage with tribes and adopt tribal beneficial use definitions into the basin plan. A draft tribal cultural use basin plan amendment is expected by the end of the calendar year 2025.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* | |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Individual consultations begin in June and July 2022
How to Get Involved
Send a letter or email to Sami Harper with interest
Tribal Coordinator
Sami Harper
Samantha.Harper@waterboards.ca.gov
(510) 622-2415
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Kern (small portions), Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo (southern portion), Santa Barbara, Santa Clara (south of Morgan Hill), Santa Cruz, Ventura (northern portion) counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Central Coast Water Board adopted Racial Equity Resolution No. R3-2023-0002 which directs staff to prioritize the process to adopt Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL), Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB), and Subsistence Fishing (SUB) beneficial uses into the Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coast Basin. The Central Coast Regional Water Board adopted a Basin Plan amendment to include TBU definitions in June, 2024. State Water Resources Control Board will hold an approval hearing for Region 3 Basin Plan amendment to incorporate TBUs in May, 2025.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| In Progress | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2024: Next Triennial Review
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in the Triennial Review
Tribal Coordinator
Daniel Ellis
daniel.ellis@waterboards.ca.gov
(805) 549-3889
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Kern (small portions), Los Angeles, Santa Barbara (small portions), Ventura counties]
TBU Progress Updates
State Water Board and Office of Administrative Law approved R4's adoption of TBU definitions into the Region’s Basin Plan on October 18, 2022, and April 3, 2023, respectively. R4 is currently consulting with individual tribes and expanding tribal engagement throughout the region and working to secure funds for tribal administration to survey and gather oral history data in support of specific designations.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Conducting Triennial Review for 2026-2028
How to Get Involved
Contact Tribal Coordinator for more information
Tribal Coordinator
Susana Lagudis
Susana.Lagudis@waterboards.ca.gov
(213) 576-6694
Resources
Visit the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa (East), El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Nevada, Napa, (N. East), Placer, Plumas, Lake, Sierra, Shasta, Sutter, Solano (West), Sacramento, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Tehama, Tulare, Stanislaus, Yolo, Yuba, (Very small portions of San Benito, San Luis Obispo) counties]
TBU Progress Updates
R5’s adoption of TBU definitions into the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basin Plan and Tulare Lake Basin Plan was approved by State Water Board on September 7, 2022, approved by the Office of Administrative Law on 14 December 2023 (corrected Notice of Approval issued 11 January 2024) and has been approved by U.S. EPA. The Central Valley Region is continuing to consult with individual tribes who submitted, or are planning to submit, tribal beneficial use designation requests and will continue to host semi-annual, tribal-only project update meetings. Triennial Review Adopted on 13 December 2024.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Complete | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Submit letters to request Tribal Beneficial Uses designations
Tribal Coordinator
Adriana Ross
Adriana.Ross@waterboards.ca.gov
(559) 445-5576
Resources
Visit the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Kern (East), Lassen (East side and Eagle Lake), Los Angeles (N/E corner), Modoc (East), Mono, Nevada, Placer, San Bernardino, Sierra counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Designating TBUs was assigned a high priority for the 2022 Triennial Review and the TBU definitions are already incorporated into the Lahontan Basin Plan. A Basin Plan Amendment (BPA) to designate TBUs in the Mono Basin is being developed and staff held a CEQA Scoping meeting on February 9, 2023, to receive input on the scope of the environmental analysis for this project. The Lahontan Water Board released a draft Mono Basin BPA for a 45-day written comment period in March 2023 and held a public hearing on the draft BPA and draft staff report in April 2024. The Lahontan Water Board and will consider adoption of the Mono Basin BPA at a subsequent Board Meeting. Staff continue outreach to inform Tribes about the TBUs, answer questions and solicit input on TBU designations for waterbodies outside of the Mono basin.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| In Progress | Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Public comment for Triennial Review during board meeting in July, 2025
How to Get Involved
We encourage the public and interested Tribes to participate at the Board hearing in December and submit comments on the draft staff report (deadline TBD).
Tribal Coordinator
Danny McClure
Daniel.McClure@waterboards.ca.gov
(530) 542-5443
Resources
Visit the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego counties]
TBU Progress Updates
The Colorado River Regional Water Board approved the Tribal Beneficial Uses, Statewide Mercury Provisions, and Administrative Updates Basin Plan Amendment on June 11, 2024. Our next planned step is to take the Basin Plan Amendment to the State Board in early 2025. The Colorado River Basin Region plans to conduct future outreach with tribes that plan to submit tribal beneficial use designation requests.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
2024/2025: We will plan for outreach regarding tribal beneficial uses and welcome input from tribes that plan to submit tribal beneficial use designation requests.
How to Get Involved
We encourage interested Tribes to submit letters to request Tribal Beneficial Uses designations in Region 7. Contact the Tribal Coordinator for more information.
Tribal Coordinator
Samantha Shapiro
Samantha.Shapiro@waterboards.ca.gov
(760) 313-1297
Resources
Visit the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino counties]
TBU Progress Updates
Region 8 plans to adopt tribal beneficial uses definitions into the Region’s Basin Plan and engage with tribes as part of the BPA process. Triennial Review Completed October 25, 2024.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| In Progress | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| Step 2 | Gather information for designations | |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to adopt Tribal Beneficial Uses definitions
Tribal Coordinator
Claudia Tenorio
Claudia.Tenorio@waterboards.ca.gov
(951) 782-4963
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[San Diego, Orange and Riverside]
TBU Progress Updates
Designating waters with tribal beneficial uses are a priority project for the 2021 Triennial Review. A Tribal Beneficial Uses Work Group consisting of Tribal representatives and San Diego Water Board staff have been meeting monthly since March 17, 2023, to work on designating San Diego Region surface waters with CUL and T-SUB uses.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Completed | Ongoing Step | Prioritize Tribal Beneficial Uses in triennial reviews |
| Completed | Step 1 | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to basin plans* |
| In Progress | Step 2 | Gather information for designations |
| Step 3 | Designate waterbodies or parts of a waterbody with Tribal Beneficial Use(s)* | |
| Step 4 | Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | |
| Step 5 | Follow the implementation program |
*Steps 1 and 3 can be done at the same time
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
Monthly meetings with a tribal work group
How to Get Involved
Submit support letter to designate waterbodies with Tribal Beneficial Uses
Tribal Coordinator
Jody Ebsen
Jody.Ebsen@waterboards.ca.gov
(619) 521-3965
Resources
Visit the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board website.
[Statewide]
TBU Progress Updates
Incorporation of tribal beneficial uses were included as part of the Draft Staff Report in support of proposed updates to the Bay-Delta Plan for the Sacramento/Delta. Release of the report initiates a public comment period on the Draft Staff Report and possible incorporation of tribal beneficial uses into the Bay-Delta Plan. Tribal panel presentations provided input and feedback directly to the Board on the first day of public hearing, November 17, 2023. The comment period closes on January 19, 2024.
| Status | Step | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Ongoing Step | Engage with California Tribes and the public |
| Ongoing | Add Tribal Beneficial Use definitions to Bay-Delta Plan | |
| Amend or establish water quality objectives and implementation programs | ||
| Follow the implementation program |
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
How to Get Involved
- Sign up for the Bay-Delta Email Subscription List Serve
- Contact Robert McCarthy to find out about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved
Tribal Coordinator
Robert McCarthy
Robert.McCarthy@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 341-5408
Resources
- Bay-Delta Watershed Comp Review | California State Water Resources Control Board
- Tribal Coordination | California State Water Resources Control Board
Visit the Division of Water Rights Bay Delta Watershed website.
Regional Water Boards Map
State Water Board Division's Quarterly Updates
Upcoming Events Related to Tribal Beneficial Uses
The SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program (Program) works with its many partners to answer the question: Is it safe to eat fish and shellfish in California waters that the public and tribes use for consumption, subsistence, and/or cultural purposes? The Program has developed a series of Tribally centered initiatives to build relationships with Tribes so we can work together to generate data to support TBU processes statewide.
Training Series
The purpose of this training series is to support California Native American Tribes in developing programs in the areas of bioaccumulation monitoring, data analysis, and data use processes, and enable Tribes and other bioaccumulation monitoring groups to adopt those processes into their workflows and more easily partner with the Program and the Safe to Eat Workgroup.
Upcoming Trainings:
- Mon. Dec 2, 2024 (9 am – 12 pm PT): Bioaccumulation monitoring data analysis & interpretation - Registration Lin
- Mon. Dec 10, 2024 (9 am – 12 pm PT): OEHHA fish consumption advisory development - Registration Link
Program Realignmnet
The Program is undergoing a long-term (10+ year) Realignment effort to focus on incorporating Tribal perspectives and needs into its monitoring efforts and ensuring those data and information are useful and used by tribes who rely on waterbodies for traditional, cultural, and subsistence uses. Each Realignment cycle consists of a three-year process focused in a single Water Board Region.
The Realignment process is currently underway in the San Francisco Bay Region (2024 – 2026).
General Statewide Tribal Engagement
The Program has also begun implementing their statewide Tribal Engagement Plan to initiate introductions between Program staff and tribes, and to discuss any OIMA or SWAMP-related topics of interest to tribes.
To schedule an introductory meeting with Program staff, please complete the Tribal Engagement Interest Form to indicate your interest in connecting with us, your availability to set up a meeting, who should be included in the meeting invitation, and their contact information. There is no deadline to complete the form.
How to Get Involved
For more information or to participate in any of the above initiatives, please contact the Tribal Coordinator or complete the Tribal Engagement Interest Form.
Tribal Coordinator
Anna Holder
Anna.Holder@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 341-5096
Resources
- SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Training Series Webpage
- SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Realignment Webpage
Visit the Office of Information Management and Analysis web page.
Tribal Coordinator
Taran Sahota
Taranjot.Sahota@waterboards.ca.gov
(916) 327-8679
Resources
- Basin Plan
- Waterbodies in the Region
- Designated Uses
Visit the Division of Water Quality web page.
