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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: Laguna Canyon Channel
Water Body ID: CAR9011200020011025105029
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
5304
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
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: Unknown Nonpoint Source | Unknown Point Source | Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.6 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess pollutant. Six of samples exceed the water quality objective for toxicity.

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. Six of 15 samples exceeded the toxicity water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.1 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 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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded.
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 5304
 
LOE ID: 21399
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek station 901SJLAG2 from October 2002 to May 2003. The samples showed significant toxicity levels (SL) in the following tests: Selenastrum algae growth test - four out of four samples were toxic. Ceriodaphnia dubia survival/reproductive test - Three of the four samples were toxic.
Data Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code ‘SL’) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold (EPA, 2002).
Guideline Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2station 901SJLAG2. (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7629).
Temporal Representation: Water samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.

 
LOE ID: 2994
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Toxicity testing of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two out of four samples displayed statistically significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%. All samples were tested using the 10-day Hyallela azteca test. All data points had no associated QA qualifiers (SWAMP, 2004).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (Region 9 Basin Plan, pages 3-15 to 3-16; September 8, 1994).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: All samples were collected from one station, Laguna Canyon Creek 2.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from October 2002 through May 2003. Toxicity in the survival endpoint was detected in samples collected on October 29, 2002 and January 14, 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

 
LOE ID: 7736
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Selenastrum Algae Growth-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Ceriodaphnia dubia -Survival-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Ceriodaphnia dubia -Reproduction-
None of the five samples collected exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Hyalella azteca survival-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100% according to results in the Orange County Storm Water Annual Progress Reports from 2002 through 2006. Samples were collected from February 2003 through March 2005.
Data Reference: Orange County Stormwater Program. 2004-2007. Unified Annual Progress Reports, Program Effectiveness Assessment (San Diego Region)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be sustain free from toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce harmful physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: Samples were found to exhibit toxicity when the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) or median lethal concentration (LC50) for any given species was estimated to be less than 100% of the test sample concentration.
Guideline Reference: Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Urban Runoff From the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Draining the Watersheds of the County of San Diego, the Incorporated Cities of San Diego, the San Diego Unified Port District, and the San Diego County Regional Airport. Order No. R9-2007-0001.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the mass loading station in Laguna Canyon Wash along Highway 133.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from February 2003 through March 2005.
Environmental Conditions: Samples were collected during wet weather.
QAPP Information: QA/QC conducted according to the County of Orange's quality control plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.

 
LOE ID: 26542
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek station 901SJLAG2 from October 2002 to May 2003. Two of the four samples had quality assurance issues and not used for this line of evidence.

Neither of the two samples showed significant toxicity levels in the sediment tests with Hyalella azteca according to results in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring program report.
Data Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code ‘SL’) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold.
Guideline Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2station 901SJLAG2. (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7629).
Temporal Representation: Water samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.
 
DECISION ID
16701
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 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. Four of the 4 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. Four of the 4 samples exceeded the Basin Plan objective 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.
 
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 due to limited samples.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16701
 
LOE ID: 9092
 
Pollutant: Phosphorus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek Station 2 (901SJLAG2) on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003 for California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. All four samples showed excessive phosphorus concentrations (SWAMP, 2007).
Data Reference: 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water bodies shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growth to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (RWQCB, 2007)

Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin Goal of 0.1 mg/L for total phosphorus in streams and other flowing waters (RWQCB, 2007)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2 Station (901SJLAG2). (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7628).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.
 
DECISION ID
16702
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 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. Two of the 4 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. Two of the 4 samples exceeded the Basin Plan objective 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.
 
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 due to limited samples.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16702
 
LOE ID: 9091
 
Pollutant: Total Nitrogen as N
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical monitoring (conventional pollutants only)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek Station 2 (901SJLAG2) on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003 for California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Two of the four samples showed excessive nitrogen concentrations (SWAMP, 2007).
Data Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water bodies shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growth to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (RWQCB, 2007)

A desired goal in order to prevent plant nuisance in streams and other flowing waters appears to be 0.1 mg/L total phosphorus, P. These values are not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time unless studies of the specific water body in question clearly show that water quality objective changes are permissible and changes are approved by the Regional Board. Analogous threshold values have not been set for nitrogen compounds; however, natural ratios of nitrogen to phosphorus are to be determined by surveillance and monitoring and upheld. If data are lacking, a ratio of N:P = 10:1, on a weight to weight basis shall be used (RWQCB, 2007)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2 Station (901SJLAG2). (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7628).
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.
 
DECISION ID
16506
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
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: 2019
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.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of the 11 samples exceed the water quality objective.

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. Four of 11 samples exceed the Basin Plan toxicity criteria and this exceeds 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 be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16506
 
LOE ID: 21399
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek station 901SJLAG2 from October 2002 to May 2003. The samples showed significant toxicity levels (SL) in the following tests: Selenastrum algae growth test - four out of four samples were toxic. Ceriodaphnia dubia survival/reproductive test - Three of the four samples were toxic.
Data Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code ‘SL’) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold (EPA, 2002).
Guideline Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2station 901SJLAG2. (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7629).
Temporal Representation: Water samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.

 
LOE ID: 7736
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Selenastrum Algae Growth-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Ceriodaphnia dubia -Survival-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Ceriodaphnia dubia -Reproduction-
None of the five samples collected exhibited NOEC’s less than 100%.

Hyalella azteca survival-
None of the five samples exhibited NOEC’s less than 100% according to results in the Orange County Storm Water Annual Progress Reports from 2002 through 2006. Samples were collected from February 2003 through March 2005.
Data Reference: Orange County Stormwater Program. 2004-2007. Unified Annual Progress Reports, Program Effectiveness Assessment (San Diego Region)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be sustain free from toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce harmful physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: Samples were found to exhibit toxicity when the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) or median lethal concentration (LC50) for any given species was estimated to be less than 100% of the test sample concentration.
Guideline Reference: Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Urban Runoff From the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Draining the Watersheds of the County of San Diego, the Incorporated Cities of San Diego, the San Diego Unified Port District, and the San Diego County Regional Airport. Order No. R9-2007-0001.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at the mass loading station in Laguna Canyon Wash along Highway 133.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected from February 2003 through March 2005.
Environmental Conditions: Samples were collected during wet weather.
QAPP Information: QA/QC conducted according to the County of Orange's quality control plan.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.

 
LOE ID: 26542
 
Pollutant: Sediment Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek station 901SJLAG2 from October 2002 to May 2003. Two of the four samples had quality assurance issues and not used for this line of evidence.

Neither of the two samples showed significant toxicity levels in the sediment tests with Hyalella azteca according to results in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring program report.
Data Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin (9).
 
Evaluation Guideline: According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code ‘SL’) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold.
Guideline Reference: Monitoring data for Region 9
 
Spatial Representation: Water samples were collected at Laguna Canyon Creek 2station 901SJLAG2. (Latitude 33.5726, Longitude -117.7629).
Temporal Representation: Water samples were collected on October 2002, January 2003, April 2003, and May 2003.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.
QAPP Information Reference(s): 2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA.