A bill requiring the State Water Quality Control Board or regional water quality control board to describe and consider the impact on tribes of proposed water projects subject to their approval was approved today by the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 362, that also requires the state and local boards to adopt, when applicable, water quality standards to protect reasonable protections of tribal water uses.

“Under current law State and Regional Water Boards are not required to work with tribal communities even though the state’s First People have managed the land and its resources for centuries,” Ramos said. “Tribes are committed to the health and safety of delicate eco systems and a tradition of responsibility and stewardship. This long history and deep knowledge by our tribes deserves to be respected, and put to good use as we work to wisely manage our natural resources.

“We appreciate and applaud Committee Chair Damon Connolly and the committee members’ leadership today in voting to expedite the equitable protection of tribal uses of water,” said bill sponsor Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians’ Vice Chairperson Malissa Tayaba said. “By moving this critical issue forward, it shows a recognition of the need to finally elevate tribal beneficial uses to the same level as other beneficial uses that were codified decades ago. Designation and implementation of tribal uses statewide is long overdue. It’s time that California finally acts to put tribal uses of water on equal footing with other beneficial uses.”

In managing water quality and access, the State Water Board designates certain uses such as recreation, navigation, and preservation and protection of aquatic resources and wildlife as beneficial uses of water that are defined in the California Code of Regulations.

Also supporting AB 362 are Audubon California, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, California Environmental Voters, California Indian Environmental Alliance, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Clean Water Action, Colfax Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe of the Colfax Rancheria, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the River, Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Restore the Delta, San Francisco Baykeeper, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Save California Salmon, Sierra Club, Sierra Consortium Suscol Intertribal Council, The Climate Reality Project, California State Coalition, The Sierra Fund, Water Climate Trust and Wilton Rancheria.

AB 362 will head next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.