CA AB52

Establishes "tribal cultural resources" as a new category under CEQA, requiring lead agencies to consider substantial adverse changes to these resources as potentially significant environmental impacts.

Mandates consultation with California Native American tribes traditionally and culturally affiliated with a project area before releasing negative declarations, mitigated negative declarations, or environmental impact reports, if the tribe requests written notice and responds within 30 days.

Requires the Native American Heritage Commission to provide each tribe with a list of public agencies that may be lead agencies in their geographic area and information on requesting project notifications by July 1, 2016.

Specifies examples of feasible mitigation measures including preservation in place, culturally appropriate treatment, conservation easements, and protection of tribal cultural resources.

Protects confidentiality of tribal information submitted during environmental review, requiring it be kept in confidential appendices unless the tribe consents to public disclosure, with exceptions for publicly available or independently developed information.