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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
Water Body ID: CAX3151002220021002221432
Water Body Type: Coastal & Bay Shoreline
 
DECISION ID
6151
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Regional Board Conclusion:
This water segment-pollutant combination is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess Total Coliform consistent with Listing Policy, Section 4.3. These lines of evidence contain weekly data collected from January 2004 to December 2006 and demonstrate that applicable water quality standards for Total Coliform are not being exceeded in this water segment.

When compared to the Ocean Plan Objectives for Water Contact Recreation, eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation.

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

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. Eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation. None of these exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

State Board Review and Conclusion:

Based on comments received from U.S. EPA (comment letter # 60), on the April 19, 2010 State Water Board staff report for the 2010 Integrated Report, State Water Board staff recommended to keep this water body on the 303(d) list for total coliform based on the addition of 2 LOE's (31442 and 31443) assessing the AB411 (dry weather) data for this water body. Staff reviewed the bacteria data for this water body in the Central Coast Region described in the comment letter. Staff recommendation has changed for this water body - pollutant combination based on evaluation of the dry weather data that was not included in the original Central Coast Region assessment.

On August 4, 2010 the State Water Board approved the staff listing recommendation to keep this water body on the 303(d) list for total coliform.

The final language for the recommendation is:

This water segment-pollutant combination is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess Total Coliform consistent with Listing Policy, Section 4.3. These lines of evidence contain weekly data collected from January 2004 to December 2006.

When compared to the Ocean Plan Objectives for Water Contact Recreation, eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation.

This water body segment is identified as an AB411 beach and data collected during the time frame of April 1st to October 31st (dry weather) is assessed using a four percent exceedance percentage (section 3.3 of Listing Policy). There are two additional lines of evidence for dry weather single sample and geometric mean calculations. Six of 91 samples exceeded the recreational use single sample criteria and three of 19 geometric mean calculations exceeded the geometric mean criteria.

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

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. Eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation. None of these exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Six of 91 dry weather samples exceeded the recreational use water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable limit listed in Table 4.2 (at a four percent exceedance percentage AB411) of the Listing Policy.
5. Three of 19 dry weather geometric mean calculations exceeded the recreational use geometric mean criteria. This exceeds the allowable limit in Table 4.2 (at a four percent exceedance percentage -AB411).
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: State Board Review and Conclusion:

Based on comments received from U.S. EPA (comment letter # 60), on the April 19, 2010 State Water Board staff report for the 2010 Integrated Report, State Water Board staff recommended to keep this water body on the 303(d) list for total coliform based on the addition of 2 LOE's (31442 and 31443) assessing the AB411 (dry weather) data for this water body. Staff reviewed the bacteria data for this water body in the Central Coast Region described in the comment letter. Staff recommendation has changed for this water body - pollutant combination based on evaluation of the dry weather data that was not included in the original Central Coast Region assessment.

On August 4, 2010 the State Water Board approved the staff listing recommendation to keep this water body on the 303(d) list for total coliform.

The final language for the recommendation is:

This water segment-pollutant combination is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess Total Coliform consistent with Listing Policy, Section 4.3. These lines of evidence contain weekly data collected from January 2004 to December 2006.

When compared to the Ocean Plan Objectives for Water Contact Recreation, eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation.

This water body segment is identified as an AB411 beach and data collected during the time frame of April 1st to October 31st (dry weather) is assessed using a four percent exceedance percentage (section 3.3 of Listing Policy). There are two additional lines of evidence for dry weather single sample and geometric mean calculations. Six of 91 samples exceeded the recreational use single sample criteria and three of 19 geometric mean calculations exceeded the geometric mean criteria.

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

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. Eleven of 156 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation, five of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation, and one of 154 sample ratios exceeded the total to fecal ratio Objective for Water Contact Recreation. None of these exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy.
4. Six of 91 dry weather samples exceeded the recreational use water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable limit listed in Table 4.2 (at a four percent exceedance percentage AB411) of the Listing Policy.
5. Three of 19 dry weather geometric mean calculations exceeded the recreational use geometric mean criteria. This exceeds the allowable limit in Table 4.2 (at a four percent exceedance percentage -AB411).
4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available.
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, the State Water Board recommends that this water body - pollutant combination should remain on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are being exceeded.
 
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 6151, Total Coliform
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 3993
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
11873
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
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 water segment-pollutant combination 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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this water segment-pollutant combination. Water Board staff assessed one data set against two different evaluation criteria (i.e. single sample maximum and geomean). Four of 155 samples exceeded the single sample maximum Objective for Water Contact Recreation and none of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation.

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. Four of 155 samples exceeded the single sample maximum criterion and none of 32 geomean assessments exceeded the geomean criterion and this does not exceed 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 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 11873, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 20108
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 32
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed data for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 32 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: AB 411 Data for 2004
  AB 411 Data for 2005
  AB 411 Data for 2006
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005) states that the 30-day geometric mean for fecal coliform shall not exceed 200 MPN/100 mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) was collected at one AB411 monitoring site (Refugio State Beach)
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/5/2004 - 12/27/2006. This includes weekly AB411 monitoring between April 1 and October 31 of each year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA information not available
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 11873, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 20109
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 155
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed data for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 155 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: AB 411 Data for 2004
  AB 411 Data for 2005
  AB 411 Data for 2006
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005) states that the single sample maximum for fecal coliform shall not exceed 400 MPN/100 mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) was collected at one AB411 monitoring site (Refugio State Beach)
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/5/2004 - 12/27/2006. This includes weekly AB411 monitoring between April 1 and October 31 of each year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA information not available
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
11874
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
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: 2013
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This water segment-pollutant combination is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under sections 2.1 and 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this water segment-pollutant combination.

Based on Section 3.3 of the Listing Policy, and using the binomial distribution, waters shall be placed on the section 303(d) list if the number of measured exceedances supports rejection of the null hypothesis as presented in Table 3.2.

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 Water Board 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. Seven of 32 samples exceed the geomean Objective for Water Contact Recreation and this exceeds the allowable frequency as 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 not 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 11874, Enterococcus
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 20111
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 156
Number of Exceedances: 18
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed data for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 18 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.
Data Reference: AB 411 Data for 2004
  AB 411 Data for 2005
  AB 411 Data for 2006
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005) states that the single sample maximum for Enterococcus shall not exceed 104 MPN/100 mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) was collected at one AB411 monitoring site (Refugio State Beach)
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/5/2004 - 12/27/2006. This includes weekly AB411 monitoring between April 1 and October 31 of each year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA information not available
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 11874, Enterococcus
Region 3     
Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 20110
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 32
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed data for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 7 of 32 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.
Data Reference: AB 411 Data for 2004
  AB 411 Data for 2005
  AB 411 Data for 2006
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005) states that the geometric mean for Enterococcus shall not exceed 35 MPN/100 mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Pacific Ocean at Refugio Beach (Santa Barbara County) was collected at one AB411 monitoring site (Refugio State Beach)
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/5/2004 - 12/27/2006. This includes weekly AB411 monitoring between April 1 and October 31 of each year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA information not available
QAPP Information Reference(s):