The Bureau of Reclamation is committed to increasing opportunities for Indian Tribes in developing, managing and protecting their water resources. This program is a collaborative, coordinated, integrated function in Reclamation to help reach these goals.

The Southern California Area Native American Affairs Program provides financial and technical assistance to federally recognized Native American Tribes. The program helps fulfill Reclamation's Trust responsibilities to Indian Tribes and facilitate their self-sufficiency by:

• Understanding Tribal backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs;

• Understanding Tribal water resources needs;

• Determining ways within Reclamation's authority to meet those needs; and

• Implementing mutually derived solutions in partnership with Tribes.

Through the Native American Affairs Program, Reclamation is helping Tribes with many projects including wetlands restoration, deep groundwater supplies exploration and treatment, endangered species surveys and activities, groundwater monitoring wells installation, water management plan development, amd general water supply/quality investigations.

If you have any water resources questions, need technical assistance, or just want to find out what your federal government is doing for you, give us a call. Our office number is: (951) 695-5310, or Leslie Cleveland, Native American Program Specialist, can be reached at lcleveland@lc.usbr.gov or by fax at: (951) 695-5319.