Case Studies in Tribal Water Quality Standards Programs: The Hoopa Valley Tribe

The Hoopa Valley Tribe has lived in its valley for over 10,000 years and has always depended on the migration and spawning runs of steelhead trout, and chinook and coho salmon in the Trinity River for a large portion of its diet. The Trinity River is also where the Hoopa hold their ceremonial Boat Dance and immerse themselves after using sweat houses built next to the river. In 2001, the Hoopa adopted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water quality standards to protect these and other uses of their waters.