Tribal Affairs
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is committed to working through consultation with California Native American Tribes, including both federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes, when developing regulations, rules, and policies that affect Tribal land, and cultural, and natural resources. We value two-way communication with California Native American Tribes − through consultation, enforcement and outreach − to promote pesticide safety across California.
Our Guiding Principles
We adopted these guiding principles and best practices to improve and maintain effective government-to-government relationships and consultation with Tribes to the extent legal and practicable.
Tribal Consultations
DPR seeks to improve communication and coordination between DPR, County Agricultural Commissioners, and California Native American Tribes. DPR’s Tribal Consultation Policy aims to ensure, improve, and maintain effective government-to-government relationships with Tribes on environmental matters that may affect their lands as well as cultural and natural resources.
Air Monitoring Network Expansion: Prioritization Framework
DPR is expanding its Air Monitoring Network (AMN) with the addition of new monitoring stations across California. The expansion of the AMN supports the goal of enhancing DPR’s data collection to improve program policies, procedures, and priorities. DPR developed a site prioritization procedure to select potential locations for additional AMN stations and is soliciting feedback from the public and Tribes on the proposed strategy for AMN expansion.
Tribal Consultation Period: March 12, 2026 – May 11, 2026
The consultation period is intended to facilitate feedback and engagement from California Native American Tribes on the prioritization framework for the expansion of the AMN. DPR respectfully requests that consultations on the AMN prioritization framework be held by May 11, 2026. Tribes may submit consultation requests via email to Celia Pazos via email at TribalAffairs@cdpr.ca.gov or via mail to:
Department of Pesticide Regulation
ATTN: Celia Pazos, Tribal Liaison
1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
California Native American Tribal Relations (CalEPA)
CalEPA seeks to improve relationships between its boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) as well as Native American Tribes.
Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs
The Office of Tribal Affairs facilitates open and consistent communication between the Governor’s Administration and California’s Native American tribal governments.
U.S. EPA Region 9 Tribal Program
The EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) helps Tribes maintain a strong role in environmental programs that affect their land, air, and water.
Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC)
TPPC consists of over 30 Tribes that develop policies and share dialogue about pesticides on the national stage.
Relevant Herbicide and Pesticide Monitoring Projects
Northwestern California Tribal Territories Herbicide Monitoring Project
In Northwest California, the tribal people have voiced concern over the use of reforestation herbicides on private forest lands, in addition to pesticide use in agricultural valleys that lie adjacent to tribal territories. Residents in these forest communities, who rely on plants, animals, water, and other natural resources, express concern about the presence of pesticide residues. The tribes, particularly the Yurok, Hupa, and Karuk, request that DPR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs monitor surface waters, plants, and other natural resources for herbicides and other pesticide residues from their uses in reforestation and agriculture practices in that region. Reports on monitoring results included below.
National Forest Herbicide Monitoring Project
When trees from national forests are removed (due to fires or logging), the U.S. Forest Service prepares the site and replants conifers. As part of this process, herbicides are used to control plants that compete with the conifers. In recent years, California tribal people who live and gather food, medicinal, ceremonial and basketry plant materials in or near these forests have voiced concerns about herbicide exposure. In response, the U.S. Forest Service funded studies by DPR to assess the potential exposure of plant gatherers and users to forestry herbicides. Resources included below.
General Administration of the Pesticide Use Enforcement Program
Volume 1, Chapter 1 of DPR’s Pesticide Use Enforcement Program Standards Compendium describes the authority, structure, and oversight of pesticide regulation in the state of California, including a section on pesticide use on tribal land.
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Still have a Question or Need More Information?
Please contact us with questions or visit the Contact Us page on our website to connect with other programs at DPR.
Email: TribalAffairs@cdpr.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 603-7706