ELS Symposium 2015-3 Panel Two (edit): Tribal Resource Protection: AB 52 and its Implications

Panel Two - Tribal Resource Protection: AB 52 and its Implications Assembly Bill 52 (Statutes of 2014) amended CEQA to require consultation by cities, counties, and other CEQA lead agencies when requested by a Native American tribe along with an evaluation of a new environmental resource category called “tribal cultural resources.” Effective July 1, 2015, this change to CEQA is very important to any city or county where one or more Native American tribes have a cultural affiliation. Tribal cultural resources can include sacred sites and cultural landscapes, in addition to more familiar categories of cultural resources. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research is drafting CEQA guidelines and the Native American Heritage Commission has acquired substantial additional responsibilities. Brief presentations about the law’s new consultation and environmental review requirements will highlight perspectives of lead agencies, public agencies and development parties in interest. As this law has yet to take effect, this panel will have the unique opportunity to explore and discuss the possible legal implications AB 52 will have on CEQA going forward. Ken Bogdan, Department of Water Resources Andrea Clark, Downey Brand LLP Scott Williams, Berkey Williams LLP Moderator: Sophia Tornatore, King Hall ‘15 (One of the panelists asked to not be recorded, so this video is edited.)