Draft California 2016 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name: Bluff Cove Beach
Water Body ID: CAX4051100019990922105503
Water Body Type: Coastal & Bay Shoreline
 
DECISION ID
32848
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2012)
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: Applicable WQS attained; reason for recovery unspecified
TMDL Name: Santa Monica Bay Beach Closures/Coliform/Bacteria Indicators (48)
TMDL Project Code: 392
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 06/19/2003
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA 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.

9 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 for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA 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. 1 of 156, 0 of 146, 0 of 156, 0 of 146, 3 of 6, 0 of 0, 1 of 156, 0 of 146 and 0 of 156 samples exceeded the OBJECTIVE and this does not 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.
 
Regional Board Staff 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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83065
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 156
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed BW data for Bluff Cove Beach to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) single sample maximum states that enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Bluff Cove Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ LACSDSB]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/4/2005-4/12/2010.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 3567
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Public health monitoring data collected by two local agencies from 2000-2005 and compliance monitoring for the Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria TMDL collected from November 2004 to September 2005. The AB 411 exceedance frequency was exceeded 3 out of the 6 years (Heal the Bay, 2006).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Site-specific AB 411 Exceedance Frequency (April- October) per Santa Monica Bay Beaches Bacteria TMDL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Palos Verdes (Bluff) Cove, Palos Verdes Estates.
Temporal Representation: Samples collected between 2000 and 2005.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data were collected by Los Angeles County Sanitation Department and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83097
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 146
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 146 geomeans exceeded the total coliform objective.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The geometric mean standard for total coliform states that the total coliform density shall not exceed 1000 per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters 2009.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from LACSDSB.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately once a week from 2005, 2004 and 2008.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83069
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 156
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed bw data for Bluff Cove Beach to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Total.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Ocean Plan (2009) states the following: At all areas where shellfish may be harvested for human consumption, the following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column: Ten percent of the samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 230 MPN/100mL.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Bluff Cove Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ LACSDSB]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/4/2005-4/12/2010.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83068
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 146
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 146 geomeans exceeded the fecal coliform objective.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The geometric mean standard for fecal coliform states that the fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters 2009.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from LACSDSB.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately once a week from 2005, 2008 and 2008.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83067
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 156
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed BW data for Bluff Cove Beach to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) single sample maximum states that fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100ml
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Bluff Cove Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ LACSDSB]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/4/2005-4/12/2010.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83066
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 146
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Zero of the 146 geomeans exceeded the entercoccus objective.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The geometric mean standard for enterococcus states that the entercoccus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters 2009.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from LACSDSB.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected approximately once a week from 2005, 2007 and 2008.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 3566
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Subgroup Missing
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
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: A TMDL and implementation plan has been approved for this water segment-pollutant combination. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on January 24, 2002 and subsequently approved by USEPA. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Wet Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on December 12, 2002 and approved by USEPA on June 19, 2003.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32848, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 83070
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 156
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed BW data for Bluff Cove Beach to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Total.
Data Reference: Data for Region 4 Beach Watch.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Ocean Plan (2009) single sample maximum states that total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100 mL
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Bluff Cove Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ LACSDSB]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/4/2005-4/12/2010.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
34721
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
Pollutant: DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2012)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Santa Monica Bay Historic Pesticides (58)
TMDL Project Code: 397
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 03/26/2012
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: 303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database and are not available in the administrative record.

There is sufficient justification to place waterbody/pollutant in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The Santa Monica Bay DDT and PCB TMDL was approved by USEPA on 03/26/2012.
2. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 34721, DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 4039
 
Pollutant: DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
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
34588
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
Pollutant: PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2012)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Santa Monica Bay Historic Pesticides (58)
TMDL Project Code: 397
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 03/26/2012
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: 303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database and are not available in the administrative record.

There is sufficient justification to place waterbody/pollutant in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The Santa Monica Bay DDT and PCB TMDL was approved by USEPA on 03/26/2012.
2. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 34588, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 4040
 
Pollutant: PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
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
34417
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
Pollutant: Beach Closures
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)(2012)
Revision Status Original
Reason for Delisting: Flaws in original listing
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Staff Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for delisting under section 4 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on January 24, 2002 and subsequently approved by USEPA. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Wet Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on December 12, 2002 and approved by USEPA on June 19, 2003. It is not known if the beach closure information is backed by coliform data. Beach closure information should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it is not a pollutant or toxicity (section 2 of the Listing Policy).

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of removing these listing from the 303(d) Water Quality Limited Segment list because beach closures are not pollutants.
 
Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current. The decision has not changed.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 34417, Beach Closures
Region 4     
Bluff Cove Beach
 
LOE ID: 3568
 
Pollutant: Beach Closures
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples:
Number of Exceedances:
 
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 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):