Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name: Ballona Creek Estuary
Water Body ID: CAR4051300019990203132149
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
6027
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Nonpoint Source | Point Source
TMDL Name: Ballona Creek Toxics
TMDL Project Code: 235
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 01/01/2005
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess delisting status.

Two lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess toxicity.

Based on the readily available information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed portion of 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. Eight of nine samples exhibit significant toxicity to Eohaustorius Estuarius and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are met.
4. The Ballona Creek Toxics TMDL was approved by RWQCB in July 2005 and subsequently approved by USEPA and is in place to address toxicity in this water body.
5. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available information for this recommendation, RWQCB staff conclude that the water body pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list (Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed category) because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded and because a TMDL has been approved to address the impairment.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 6027
 
LOE ID: 5758
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Marine Habitat | Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: A total of four of five samples exhibited significant toxicity to Eohaustorius Estuarius.
Data Reference: Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey Data
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline: Toxicity was defined as a statistically significant effect in the sample exposure compared to the control using EPA-recommended hypothesis testing (parametric Dunnett's Test or non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis or Wilcoxon Two-sample Test).
Guideline Reference: Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to freshwater and Marine Organisms. Fourth Edition. EPA/600/4-90/027F. August 1993. Washington DC
 
Spatial Representation: Five monitoring stations were monitored in Ballona Creek Estuary as part of the Bight 03 Monitoring Project:
4053 (Lat 33.97109, Long -118.43916)
4213 (Lat 33.97395, Long -118.43504)
5735 (Lat 33.96648, Long -118.44784)
5767 (Lat 33.96515, Long -118.45024)
5787 (Lat 33.96274, Long -118.45500)
Temporal Representation: Sediment samples were taken on 09/16/2003 for sampling stations 4053 and 4213 and on 10/06/2003 for sampling stations 5735, 5767, and 5787 as part of the Bight 03 Monitoring Project.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The work was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight'03) Quality Assurance Manual
QAPP Information Reference(s): Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight 03) Quality Assurance Manual
 
LOE ID: 2392
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four samples with 4 measurements of significant amphipod toxicity (Anderson et al., 1998).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Basin Plan: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Significant toxicity as compared to control.
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: One station at the mouth of the estuary (BPTCP 44024.0).
Temporal Representation: Samples collected January 1993 and February 1994.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
7584
 
Pollutant: Antimony | Arsenic | Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) | Benzo[a]anthracene | Chromium (total) | Chrysene (C1-C4) | Dibenz[a,h]anthracene | Mercury | Phenanthrene | Pyrene
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: Pollution
 
Weight of Evidence: 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.

Three lines of evidence are 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. Zero of 15 samples exceeded the suggested values in the evaluation guideline (Long et al., 1995), 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.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7584
 
LOE ID: 5394
 
Pollutant: Antimony | Arsenic | Chromium (total) | Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat | Marine Habitat | Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used was from the Southern CA Bight 2003 Regional Monitoring Program (Volume II, Sediment Chemistry).
None (0) out of 5 samples for each pollutant exceeded the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) in marine and estuarine sediment.
Data Reference: Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey Data
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Region 4 Basin Plan Objective for chemical constituents states: "Surface waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect any designated beneficial use."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline: The Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) for Effects-Range Median (Long et al., 1995) are 25 ug/g for Antimony, 70 ug/g for Arsenic, 370 ug/g for Chromium, and 260 ng/g for Dibenz[a,h]anthracene (all dry weight).
Guideline Reference: Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuary sediments. Environmental Management. 19, (1): 81-97
 
Spatial Representation: Five monitoring stations Ballona Creek Estuary:
4053(~6750ft upstream from mouth of creek)
4213(~8400ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5735(~3650ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5767(~2800ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5787(~1100ft upstream from mouth of creek)
Temporal Representation: The sediment samples were taken on 9/16/2003 and 10/6/2003 as part of the Bight 03 Monitoring Project.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The work was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight'03) Quality Assurance Manual 
QAPP Information Reference(s): Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight 03) Quality Assurance Manual
 
LOE ID: 5691
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: None of five samples for mercury exceeded the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) in marine and estuarine sediment.
Data Reference: Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey Data
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Region 4 Basin Plan Objective for chemical constituents states: "Surface waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect any designated beneficial use."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline: Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) of 2.1 ug/g for Mercury (PTI Environmental Services, 1991).
Guideline Reference: Pollutants of concern in Puget Sound. EPA 910/9-91-003. Seattle, WA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
 
Spatial Representation: Five monitoring stations Ballona Creek Estuary:
4053(~6750ft upstream from mouth of creek)
4213(~8400ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5735(~3650ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5767(~2800ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5787(~1100ft upstream from mouth of creek)
Temporal Representation: Sediment samples taken on 9/16/2003 and 10/6/2003 as part of the Bight 03 Monitoring Project.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight’03) Quality Assurance Manual 
QAPP Information Reference(s): Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight 03) Quality Assurance Manual
 
LOE ID: 5690
 
Pollutant: Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) | Benzo[a]anthracene | Chrysene (C1-C4) | Phenanthrene | Pyrene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat | Marine Habitat | Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: The data used is from the Southern CA Bight 2003 Regional Monitoring Program (Volume II, Sediment Chemistry).
None of five samples for each pollutant exceeded the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) in marine and estuarine sediment.
Data Reference: Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey Data
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Region 4 Basin Plan Objective for chemical constituents states: "Surface waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts that adversely affect any designated beneficial use."
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline: The Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) for Probable Effects-Level (MacDonald et al., 1996) are 763.22 ng/g for Benzo(a)pyrene , 692.53 ng/g for Benzo[a]anthracene , 845.98 ng/g for Chrysene, 545.53 ng/g for Phenanthrene, and 1,397.4 ng/g for Pyrene (all dry weight).
Guideline Reference: Development and evaluation of sediment quality guidelines for Florida coastal waters. Ecotoxicology 5: 253-278
 
Spatial Representation: Five monitoring stations Ballona Creek Estuary:
4053(~6750ft upstream from mouth of creek)
4213(~8400ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5735(~3650ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5767(~2800ft upstream from mouth of creek)
5787(~1100ft upstream from mouth of creek)
Temporal Representation: The sediment samples were taken on 9/16/2003 and 10/6/2003 as part of the Bight 03 Monitoring Project.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The work was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight’03) Quality Assurance Manual.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Southern California Bight 2003 Regional Marine Monitoring Survey (Bight 03) Quality Assurance Manual
 
DECISION ID
7641
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
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
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.6 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. One of the samples exceed 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 one samples exceeded the significant toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia and this sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if standards are not met. A minimum of two samples is needed for application of table 3.1.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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 it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7641
 
LOE ID: 5762
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Estuarine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Marine Habitat | Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: A total of one out of one samples exhibited significant toxicity to Ceriodaphnia dubia. The sample was tested for acute and chronic toxicity to Primephales promelas and Ceriodaphnia dubia.
Data Reference: Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program data for all watersheds in the Los Angeles Region 2001-2005.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan states at there shall be no acute or chronic toxicity in ambient waters outside mixing zones.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
  Basin Plan Amendments to the Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan as of 02/02/2009
 
Evaluation Guideline: Toxicity was defined as a statistically significant effect in the sample exposure compared to the control using EPA-recommended hypothesis testing (parametric Dunnett's Test or non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis or Wilcoxon Two-sample Test).
Guideline Reference: Methods for Measuring the Acute Toxicity of Effluents and Receiving Waters to freshwater and Marine Organisms. Fourth Edition. EPA/600/4-90/027F. August 1993. Washington DC
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were taken at monitoring station 405SMB052 in Ballona Creek Estuary at Centinela Boulevard.
Temporal Representation: Samples were taken on 03/06/03 as part of the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP).
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The work was performed in accordance with the provisions of the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Management Plan
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)