From the State Water Resources Control Board:
The State Water Resources Control Board is holding four workshops as part of its process to develop a draft Racial Equity Action Plan that sets forth concrete goals and metrics to implement its November 2021 resolution “Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism.” Staff are now working to create the Action Plan that the board’s resolution directed them to develop and implement, in collaboration with tribes, stakeholders and the communities most impacted by racial inequities.
All four workshops will take place over a one-week period and be held virtually; three of these workshops also will take place in person in Redding, Mecca and Visalia.
During the workshops, staff will provide an overview of the board’s racial equity work so far and share initial ideas for actions under the plan. Participants will have the opportunity to provide direct input on these ideas and share their own ideas of potential actions the board can take under four strategic directions: integrating racial equity, measuring impact; creating and maintaining spaces for inclusion and belonging; activating Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) community wisdom; and sharing power and knowledge with communities.
Public participation in this process is critical to the board’s goals to equitably implement its mission to preserve, enhance, and restore California’s water resources and drinking water for all Californians, and to ensure that race is not a predictor of professional outcomes for Water Boards employees.
The workshops require advance registration and will be held at the following dates, times and locations:
Statewide Virtual Workshop — July 20, from 5:30–7:30pm via Zoom.
Northern California Workshop — July 21 from 4pm–6:30pm at Win River Resort – 2100 Redding Rancheria Rd, Redding, or via Zoom.
Southern California Workshop — July 25, 4pm–6:30pm at North Shore Beach and Yacht Club Community Center – 9915 Sea View Dr., Mecca, CA, or via Zoom.
Central California Workshop — July 27, 4pm–6:30pm at Self Help Enterprises – 8445 W. Elowin Ct., Visalia, CA, or via Zoom.
To register, please visit: https://bit.ly/3cruCJP
In the resolution adopted last November, the board affirmed its commitment to advancing racial equity and acknowledged that its programs were established within a structural framework that perpetuates inequities based on race. It also board pledged to express this commitment through institutionalizing racial equity in its policies, programs and service to communities while fostering greater workforce diversity, equity and inclusion within the agency.
Staff expect to bring the Racial Equity Action Plan to the State Water Board as an informational item in late 2022 or early 2023. Board members will not approve or deny the Racial Equity Action Plan. However, staff will update the board on its implementation periodically.
