CITY OF FULLERTON
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Community and Economic Development Department
MARC
H 04, 2026
Pala Band of Mission Indians
Shasta Gaughen, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
PMB 50, 35008 Pala Temecula Road
Pala, CA, 92059
Subject: Formal Notification for the City of Fullerton’s Open Space and Conservation Element Update, Pursuant to Senate Bill 18
Dear Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Gaughen,
Pursuant to California Senate Bill (SB) 18, the City of Fullerton (the City) is providing you with formal notification of the General Plan’s Open Space and Conservation Element Update Project (Project), located in Fullerton, California. The proposed Project requires a General Plan amendment and is therefore subject to SB 18 (Government Code Section 65352.3). This letter serves as formal notification and an invitation to consult with the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the proposed Project.
Project Location: City of Fullerton (see attached Project Location Map).
Project Description: The Project will update the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City of Fullerton’s General Plan. These two components are being combined into one unified framework dedicated to safeguarding, maintaining, and enhancing natural resources. Integrating open space and conservation creates a comprehensive approach to land management and sustainability. Both elements share the goal of protecting natural resources, improving ecological health, and providing community benefits, ensuring that open spaces support both public access and conservation objectives. Together, these Elements advance a holistic vision for the City of Fullerton, placing conservation at the heart of the City’s vision—preserving the integrity of its landscapes while promoting sustainability for current and future generations.
Proposed Project Disturbances: Specific projects requiring ground disturbance are not anticipated at this time. All future discretionary projects that may be proposed under the Project would be subject to CEQA and project-level environmental reviews, as applicable.
The City welcomes any comments regarding potential impacts to tribal cultural resources (as defined in Public Resources Code § 21074) in relation to the proposed Project as well as requests for proposed Project related information. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65352.3(a)(2), you have 90 days from the receipt of this letter to request consultation with the Department. Please include the name of a designated lead contact person in all correspondence to ensure an expedient response. The City carefully adheres to provisions of Public Resources Code section 21082.3, subd. (c)(2)(A) to maintain the confidentiality of the information provided by Tribes.
CITY OF FULLERTON
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Community and Economic Development Department
MARCH 04, 2026
Gabrieleno Band of Mission Indians - Kizh Nation
Christina Swindall Martinez, Secretary
P.O. Box 393
Covina, CA, 91723
Subject: Formal Notification for the City of Fullerton’s Open Space and Conservation Element Update, Pursuant to Senate Bill 18
Dear Secretary Martinez,
Pursuant to California Senate Bill (SB) 18, the City of Fullerton (the City) is providing you with formal notification of the General Plan’s Open Space and Conservation Element Update Project (Project), located in Fullerton, California. The proposed Project requires a General Plan amendment and is therefore subject to SB 18 (Government Code Section 65352.3). This letter serves as formal notification and an invitation to consult with the Community and Economic Development Department regarding the proposed Project.
Project Location: City of Fullerton (see attached Project Location Map).
Project Description: The Project will update the Open Space and Conservation Element of the City of Fullerton’s General Plan. These two components are being combined into one unified framework dedicated to safeguarding, maintaining, and enhancing natural resources. Integrating open space and conservation creates a comprehensive approach to land management and sustainability. Both elements share the goal of protecting natural resources, improving ecological health, and providing community benefits, ensuring that open spaces support both public access and conservation objectives. Together, these Elements advance a holistic vision for the City of Fullerton, placing conservation at the heart of the City’s vision—preserving the integrity of its landscapes while promoting sustainability for current and future generations.
Proposed Project Disturbances: Specific projects requiring ground disturbance are not anticipated at this time. All future discretionary projects that may be proposed under the Project would be subject to CEQA and project-level environmental reviews, as applicable.
The City welcomes any comments regarding potential impacts to tribal cultural resources (as defined in Public Resources Code § 21074) in relation to the proposed Project as well as requests for proposed Project related information. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65352.3(a)(2), you have 90 days from the receipt of this letter to request consultation with the Department. Please include the name of a designated lead contact person in all correspondence to ensure an expedient response. The City carefully adheres to provisions of Public Resources Code section 21082.3, subd. (c)(2)(A) to maintain the confidentiality of the information provided by Tribes.
CITY OF FULLERTON
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Community and Economic Development Department
MAY 19, 2026
Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation - Belardes Joyce Perry, Cultural Resource Director
4955 Paseo Segovia
Irvine, CA, 92603
Re: SB 18 Tribal Consultation – Fullerton Open Space and Conservation Element Update
Dear Cultural Resource Director Perry,
On behalf of the City of Fullerton, I want to express our sincere gratitude for your participation in the SB 18 Tribal Consultation meeting held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. We deeply appreciate the time, knowledge, and care that you and the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation (Belardes) have invested in this important dialogue as the City updates its Open Space and Conservation Element.
The perspectives you shared on repatriation and reinterment are invaluable to our planning process.
We recognize the deep cultural and spiritual significance of ensuring that ancestral remains — many of which were unearthed before the protections afforded by CEQA took effect — are returned and reinterred in a manner that honors your ancestors and your Nation’s traditions. The City aims to approach these matters with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.
We have carefully noted your priorities regarding the incorporation of dedicated reinterment areas within the City’s Open Space planning framework. Your guidance on preferred site characteristics — including minimum acreage, remote and secluded settings, west-facing orientation, the absence of recreational use and signage, and the potential for a discreet access path — will meaningfully inform our evaluation of suitable candidate sites, subject to internal review processes.
We also appreciate your willingness to share an example Memorandum of Understanding related to burial locations. As we move forward, the City looks forward to exploring opportunities to work collaboratively with your Nation, relevant City departments, and other stakeholders, which may include consideration of formal agreements to support the long-term protection and stewardship of any identified sites.
We look forward to continued dialogue. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or additional information.
Sincerely,
Subject: Senate Bill 18 Tribal Consultation – Fullerton Open Space and Conservation Element Update
Yan Gao, AICP
Senior Planner
City of Fullerton – Community and Economic Development Department 303 W Commonwealth Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
E-mail: [email protected]
cc: Chris Schaefer, AICP, Planning Manager, City of Fullerton Valerie Clarke, Michael Baker International
Marc Beherec, Michael Baker International