Native American Culture Beneficial Uses – Tribal Cultural Uses of Water
Background
Since time immemorial, Indigenous people have used water to support their cultural, spiritual, ceremonial, and/or traditional lifeways and rights. This webpage explains Native American Culture Beneficial Uses in the North Coast Region and encourages California Native American Tribes and tribal communities to participate in the related basin planning process.
Chapter 2 of the Basin Plan identifies the beneficial uses to be protected and current waterbody designations for the North Coast Region. These beneficial uses include the uniform statewide list of beneficial uses and descriptions adopted by the State Water Board in 1972, as updated in 1996, as well as five region specific beneficial uses including Native American Culture (CUL). This region-specific beneficial use and numerous designations were incorporated into the Basin Plan in 2003, through a Basin Plan amendment process largely informed by Native American Tribes indigenous to the North Coast Region.
The State Water Board adopted two Tribal Beneficial Uses in 2017, Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL) and Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB). Information about the State Water Board’s Tribal Beneficial Uses project can be found on their website.
The definitions of the North Coast Water Board CUL beneficial use, and State Water Board CUL and T-SUB are provided below.
Definitions
The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted a Native American Culture (CUL) beneficial use in 2003:
Native American Culture (CUL): Uses of water that support the cultural and/or traditional rights of indigenous people such as subsistence fishing and shellfish gathering, basket weaving and jewelry material collection, navigation to traditional ceremonial locations, and ceremonial uses.
The State Water Board adopted tribal beneficial use definitions in 2017, that are slightly different from the North Coast definition:
Tribal Tradition and Culture (CUL): Uses of water that support the cultural, spiritual, ceremonial, or traditional rights or lifeways of California Native American Tribes, including, but not limited to: navigation, ceremonies, or fishing, gathering, or consumption of natural aquatic resources, including fish, shellfish, vegetation, and materials.
Tribal Subsistence Fishing (T-SUB): Uses of water involving the non-commercial catching or gathering of natural aquatic resources, including fish and shellfish, for consumption by individuals, households, or communities of California Native American Tribes to meet needs for sustenance.
The State Water Board’s Tribal Beneficial Use definitions do not supersede the North Coast Water Board’s existing beneficial use definition for Native American Culture (CUL).
Current Project
The North Coast Water Board approved the 2023 Triennial Review at a Board Hearing in June 2024. The Native American Culture Beneficial Uses project is prioritized for consistent staffing throughout the triennial review workplan period (Fiscal Years 2024-2027).
The initial phase of the project is an analysis of the differences between the North Coast Board and State Water Board tribal beneficial use definitions, and implications for the use of either in the North Coast region. A white paper describing this analysis will be shared with North Coast Tribes to solicit input on which definition(s) will best protect water quality for their cultural uses of water. Staff anticipate sharing the white paper in Spring 2025. Tribes are encouraged to contact staff to discuss this project and ensure tribal contact information is current.
Information about tribal beneficial uses in other regions across the state can be found on the State Water Board website.
Staff Contact
Michelle Fuller, Environmental Scientist
Michelle.Fuller@waterboards.ca.gov
(707) 576-2350
