The ERP Agencies are working with the CBDA Tribal Relations Coordinator to help foster more meaningful tribal input and participation on issues or concerns of the tribes. Among the opportunities to do so are:

• Tribal Water Programs (Clean Water Act 106, 319H, etc.) The majority of California Tribes developed USEPA Tribal Environmental Programs with extensive water protection and water quality programs that should be considered in ecosystem restoration project planning and implementation.

• Tribal MOUs/Programmatic Agreements (PAs). Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) and Programmatic Agreements (PAs) with California Tribes are an effective method of conducting initial consultation and final decision-making in implementing the ERP.

• Stewardship. Tribes are very aware of stewardship concepts and have formed partnerships with many local agencies and environmental groups to promote such concepts and on-the-ground projects. The ERP may be able to assist in its capacity-building function in helping to continue existing connections and foster new relationships between Tribes and other stakeholder groups to meet mutual environmental restoration needs.

• Bay-Delta Public Advisory Committee (BDPAC) Tribal Representatives. California Tribes have been involved with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program for several years in various stakeholder groups and other public forums. There currently are two Tribal Advisory Members serving on BDPAC and several of its subcommittees, including the Ecosystem Restoration Subcommittee. CBDA’s Tribal Coordinator, along with the ERP Agencies, can assist in relaying information about ERP implementation between BDPAC, its subcommittees and the California Tribes.

• Role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Although the BIA is not a CALFED member agency, it is the lead federal agency for protecting Indian Trust Assets (ITAs). The BIA reviews environmental compliance documents of CALFED projects impacting ITA’s.

• Grant opportunities/educational outreach. The ERP Agencies will work with the CBDA Tribal Coordinator to continue to notify tribal governments of grant opportunities that promote ecosystem restoration. The ERP Agencies and the CBDA Tribal Coordinator will continue to work together to explore other opportunities to enhance tribal relations and outreach to tribes regarding ecosystem restoration and related issues.