Final California 2010 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name: San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
Water Body ID: CAR4053100019980917153706
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
12206
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
Pollutant: Lead
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One of 33 samples exceeded the California Toxics Rule Criterion Continuous Concentration for Copper and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12206, Lead
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
LOE ID: 25351
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 33
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: One of 33 samples exceeded the California Toxics Rule Criterion Continuous Concentration for Lead and zero of 33 samples exceeded the Criterion Maximum Concentration. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for Lead in accordance with the San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Toxics Rule lists Criterion Continuous Concentrations for Lead to protect aquatic life in freshwater. The Lead criterion in freshwater is hardness dependent for each sample and varies based on the on the ambient hardness during sampling. Section (b)(1) in CTR contains the hardness dependent formula for metals criterion.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel Reach 3 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station R10 located upstream of San Jose Creek confluence (Lat: N34° 02’ 22.5’’ Long: W118° 01’ 29’’) and station R11 located downstream of San Jose Creek confluence (Lat: N34 02’ 11.5’’ Long: W118° 01’ 51.9’’).
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on monthly basis from August 2004 to February 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0053911) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0053911 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)
 
 
DECISION ID
12248
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. 96 of 268 samples exceed the Basin Plan single sample water quality objectives for indicator bacteria in fresh water and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable): USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 12248, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
LOE ID: 25354
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 268
Number of Exceedances: 96
 
Data and Information Type: Other Agencies/Organizations provided monitoring data
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: 96 of 268 samples exceeded the Basin Plan single sample water quality objectives for indicator bacteria in fresh water and 29 of 53 samples exceeded the Basin Plan geometric mean water quality objective. Water quality samples were taken and analyzed for indicator bacteria in accordance with the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County permit monitoring and testing parameters.
Data Reference: NPDES receiving water monitoring reports for Long Beach Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054119), Los Coyotes Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053716), Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053911), San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0053619), and Whittier Narrows Creek Water Reclamation Plant (NPDES No. CA0054011).
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan bacteria objectives state that to protect water contact recreation in fresh waters individual samples shall not exceed the following limits: fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400/100 ml; and E. coli density shall not exceed 235/100 ml. The bacteria objectives also establish that the geometric means of individual samples shall not exceed the following limits: the fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200/100 ml; and the E. coli density shall not exceed 126/100 ml, as a geometric mean. The bacteria objectives are found in Attachment A of Regional Board Resolution No. 2001-018.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County conducted sampling in San Gabriel Reach 3 in the following receiving water monitoring stations: station R10 located upstream of San Jose Creek confluence (Lat: N34° 02’ 22.5’’ Long: W118° 01’ 29’’) and station R11 located before the confluence with Zone 1 Ditch, upstream of Discharge points 001 and 002 of the Whittier Narrows Water Reclamatin Plant.
Temporal Representation: Grab samples were taken and analyzed on monthly basis from August 2004 to February 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data was collected in compliance with the sampling and monitoring procedures detailed in Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (NPDES No. CA0053911) Monitoring and Reporting Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): San Jose Creek Water Reclamation Plant Monitoring and Reporting Program for NPDES No. CA0053911 (County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County)
 
 
DECISION ID
4637
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Original
Reason for Delisting: Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for delisting under sections 4.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.6 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on section 4.6, the site does not have significant water toxicity.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The sediment quality guideline used complies, with the requirements of section 6.1.3 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
3. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
4. Two of the 38 samples exceeded the NOEC and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.1 of the Listing Policy.
5. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4637, Toxicity
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
LOE ID: 2565
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 38
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two of 38 samples showed evidence of statistically significant toxicity. Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas, and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata were used as test species in these samples.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Narrative Toxicity Basin Plan WQO is applicable to the protection of aquatic life BUs.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: No observed effect concentration (NOEC) is the highest tested concentration of toxicant to which organisms are exposed in a full life-cycle or partial life-cycle (shot-term) test that causes no observable adverse effect on the test organisms. The guideline is used and recommended to determine the highest concentration of toxicant at which the values of the observed responses are not statistically significantly different from the control.
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: The NPDES water quality monitoring samples were collected from receiving water stations WN-RA and R11. The TMDL toxicity study conducted by U.S. EPA and the Districts collected samples from the San Gabriel River at Peck Road.
Temporal Representation: The NPDES water quality monitoring was conducted from June 2003 through May 2004. The TMDL toxicity study conducted by U.S. EPA and the Districts was conducted from August 2003 through October 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
4616
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
Pollutant: Ammonia as Nitrogen
Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One sample exceeded the water quality objective.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One of 58 samples exceeded the Ammonia water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
USEPA Action (if applicable):
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4616, Ammonia as Nitrogen
Region 4     
San Gabriel River Reach 3 (Whittier Narrows to Ramona)
 
LOE ID: 2566
 
Pollutant: Ammonia as Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 18
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Based on 30-day average concentrations of ammonia, one sample out of 18 total samples exceed the ammonia objective. Ambient measurements of pH and temperature (30-day averages) were used to calculate the water quality objective. (SWRCB, 2003).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan: In order to protect aquatic life, ammonia concentrations in inland surface waters characteristic of freshwater shall not exceed the values calculated for the appropriate instream conditions [both pH and temperature] shown in Tables 3-1 to 3-3 [in the Basin Plan] (per U.S. EPA's most recent criteria guidance document, '1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia').
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Three stations.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from June 2003 through November 2004.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: NPDES quality assurance.
QAPP Information Reference(s):