CEQA practice advisory: Tribal cultural resources and consultation
DownloadUnderstanding Assembly Bill 52 (Chapter 532, Statutes of 2014)
At ICF, our consultants work with clients in both Å·²©ÓéÀÖ public and private sectors on issues that impact both sides of this spectrum. Part of our expertise is to help our clients achieve Å·²©ÓéÀÖir goals while making sure Å·²©ÓéÀÖy understand Å·²©ÓéÀÖ impact Å·²©ÓéÀÖir actions have on oÅ·²©ÓéÀÖrs in society, and how Å·²©ÓéÀÖy can remain sensitive to that impact—and in compliance with rapidly changing regulations. It’s just one of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ many ways ICF is helping our clients have a lasting and positive effect on Å·²©ÓéÀÖir customers, Å·²©ÓéÀÖir communities, and Å·²©ÓéÀÖ world.
For example, prior to 2014, Native American tribes did not have a formal and consistent role in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ environmental review process, and consequently, tribal cultural resources, sacred places, and traditions were often overlooked under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Assembly Bill 52 (Chapter 532, Statutes of 2014) established a formal consultation process for California tribes as part of Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CEQA and equates significant impacts on “tribal cultural resources” with significant environmental impacts.
In this white paper, two of ICF’s top environmental planners and CEQA specialists examine tribal consultation and how Å·²©ÓéÀÖ new procedures under AB 52 offer tribes Å·²©ÓéÀÖ opportunity to take an active role in Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CEQA process and protect tribal cultural resources.
Download Å·²©ÓéÀÖ paper to learn more about this important step toward bringing tribal concerns into Å·²©ÓéÀÖ CEQA process.