SACRAMENTO – The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) announced today the launch of an extensive plan to update California’s Tribal Consultation Guidelines. The effort aims to strengtheni protections for Tribal cultural resources and honor government-to-government relationships with Tribal Nations and Native communities across the state.
The Tribal Consultation Guidelines, last revised in 2005, serve as a critical resource for ensuring that Tribal governments have a meaningful voice in land use decisions and environmental planning. Updates are necessary to reflect significant legal and policy developments over the past two decades since the passage of Senate Bill 18 (2004), including new legislation such as Assembly Bill 52 (2014), case law, and evolving best practices for engagement with Tribal Nations.
“LCI is committed to early, often, and meaningful government-to-government consultation with California Native American Tribes,” said Abby Edwards, Senior Deputy Director of Planning and Policy at LCI. “As we begin this process, we want to ensure that Tribal leaders and communities are engaged from the very start. By working together, we can make certain that these guideline updates uphold Tribal sovereignty and protect Tribal cultural resources while strengthening partnerships across California.”
In parallel with these Tribal Consultation Guideline revisions, the State’s General Plan Guidelines—last updated in 2017—are also undergoing a multiyear update. Both sets of guidelines are scheduled for completion by 2027. Together these updates aim to provide clear, practical, and culturally respectful guidance for local governments, lead agencies, and developers in complying with California’s Tribal consultation requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and related planning laws.
Over the next two years, LCI will collaborate closely with California’s Tribal Nations and Native communities to ensure updates reflect current law, new legislation, and recent court decisions.
The update process will feature a comprehensive Tribal Consultation schedule—both in-person and virtual—over the coming 18 months. LCI will circulate a draft outline for Tribal review in late fall 2025 followed by a formal consultation process designed to capture Tribal Nation and Native communities input at every stage.
Specialist facilitation of this work will be provided through a partnership with Nuna Consulting Group, The Circle Law Group, and Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard LLC (“NUNA, Circle Law, and Kronick LLC Team”), who are experts in Indian law, policy, and culturally responsive outreach.
The next key engagement opportunity will occur at California Native American Day on the West Steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. Tribes and community members are encouraged to stop by LCI’s booth (Booth 47) to share their perspectives, ask questions, and learn more about the timeline and process.
LCI encourages Tribal leaders and representatives to sign up for consultation alerts and updates by contacting the LCI Tribal Affairs team at tribal.affairs@lci.ca.gov. Additional information on scheduling and participation will be announced in late fall 2025.