North San Francisco Bay Selenium TMDL
A new TMDL project is underway to address selenium toxicity in North San Francisco Bay.The North Bay selenium TMDL will identify and characterize selenium sources to the North Bay, and the processes that control the uptake of selenium by wildlife. The TMDL will quantify selenium loads; develop and assign waste load and load allocations among sources; and include an implementation plan designed to achieve the TMDL and protect beneficial uses.
Background
Selenium is an essential trace element that occurs naturally in the environment. It is also highly bioaccumulative, and can cause both acute and chronic toxicity to higher level aquatic life and waterfowl.
Bioaccumulation of selenium in diving ducks has led to health advisories for local hunters. Monitoring of selenium in ducks, fish, and invertebrates
in the northern part of the Bay and Delta has revealed levels that could cause health risks to people and wildlife.
Although the entire Bay is listed as impaired by selenium, this TMDL will focus on the North Bay (including a portion of the Sacrament/San Joaquin Delta, Suisun Bay, Carquinez Strait, San Pablo Bay, and the Central Bay) because sources there are significantly different from sources in the South Bay.
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Project Documents
Selenium TMDL Project Plan (July 2007)
Memorandum of understanding for TMDL
Technical Reports
Technical Memorandum 2: North San Francisco Bay Selenium Data Summary and Source Analysis (July 2008)
Technical Memorandum 3: North San Francisco Bay Selenium Toxicological Assessment (April 2008)
Technical Memorandum 4: Conceptual Model of Selenium in North San Francisco Bay (August 2008) New
Technical Memorandum 5: Recommendations for Numerical Model Development (August 2008) New
Public Involvement in the TMDL
We have established a North Bay Selenium TMDL Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of stakeholders most directly involved with North Bay selenium issues. The Advisory Committee has five primary responsibilities:
- Review background policy and technical-level information about North Bay selenium conditions and selenium TMDL activities
- Provide stakeholder perspectives on items reviewed, and on the overall North Bay selenium TMDL process
- Advise the Water Board on the selection of technical review specialists that will review technical deliverables and also assist the Advisory Committee
- Collectively identify topics of agreement and disagreement regarding the development of the TMDL
- Work in good faith with other stakeholders to identify any potential options for agreement regarding the development of the TMDL
Advisory Committee Documents
Advisory Committee Draft Operating Rules
Stakeholder Process Assessment Report
TThe first Advisory Committee meeting was held on December 12, 2007. The group met twice during 2008, on April 1 and September 16. Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public, and everyone who is interested in the project is welcome to attend. To sign up for email notifications of meeting times and locations, please sign up Here. Watch this page for future developments.
Meeting #1 December 12, 2007
Meeting Summary from First Advisory Committee Meeting
TMDL Project Background Presentation
Stakeholder Process Presentation
Meeting #2 April 1, 2008
Meeting Summary from Second Advisory Committee Meeting
Data and Source Assessment Presentation
Toxicological Assessment Presentation
Conceptual Model for North Bay Presentation
Technical Review Committee Recommendations Presentation
Central Valley Selenium Control Program Presentation
Meeting #3 September 16, 2008
Meeting Summary from Third Advisory Committee Meeting
Draft Numeric Target Presentation (Power Point)
Conceptual Model and Recommendations for Numerical Model Presentation (Power Point) |
For more information contact:
Barbara Baginska
Engineering Geologist
San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-622-2474
Fax: 510-622-2460
E-mail:
bbaginska@waterboards.ca.gov
