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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon
Water Body ID: CAC9011200020090505110014
Water Body Type: Coastal & Bay Shoreline
 
DECISION ID
16855
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant 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.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One hundred-eight of samples exceeded the water quality objective for enterococcus.

In LOE 29310, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. One hundred eight of 939 samples exceeded the enterococcus water quality objective and 11 out of 108 calculated geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective. Neither 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.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16855
 
LOE ID: 29310
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 51
Number of Exceedances: 18
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples. Between March 2002 and December 2007, 51 samples were correlated with storm events. Of the 51 samples, 18 exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29309
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 939
Number of Exceedances: 108
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples were collected with 108 exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29325
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach closures covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29296
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 108
Number of Exceedances: 11
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples were collected with 108 monthly geomeans calculated. Of the 108 geomeans, 11 exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 30301
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
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: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
16854
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant 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.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Fifteen of samples exceeded the water quality objective for fecal coliform.

In LOE 29316, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. Fifteen of 939 single samples and 0 out of 108 calculated geomeans exceed the fecal coliform water quality objective. Neither 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.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16854
 
LOE ID: 29325
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach closures covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29316
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 50
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples were collected. From March 2002 through December 2007, 50 samples were correlated with storm evernts. Of the 50 samples, six exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29315
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 108
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples were collected with 108 monthly goemeans calculated. Of the 108 geomeans, none exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 30301
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
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: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29314
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 939
Number of Exceedances: 15
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 939 single samples were collected with 15 samples exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
DECISION ID
16853
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant 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.

Six lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One hundred thirty-four of samples exceeded the water quality objective for Shellfish Harvesting.

In LOEs 29276 and 29313, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. One hundred thirty-four of 939 samples exceeded the Shellfish Harvesting water quality objective, and 3 of 939 single samples and 0 of 108 calculated geomeans exceed the water contact recreation water quality objective. 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.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16853
 
LOE ID: 29325
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach closures covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29280
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 939
Number of Exceedances: 134
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. There were 939 individual samples collected with 134 exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 30301
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
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: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Bluebird Canyon' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29276
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 51
Number of Exceedances: 26
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. There were 939 individual samples collected with 51 samples correlated with storm events. Of the 51 samples, 26 exceeded single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29311
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 939
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. There were 939 individual samples with three exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29313
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 51
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. From March 2002 through December 2007, 51 samples correlated with storm events. Of the 51 samples, four exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29312
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 108
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. There were 939 individual samples with 108 monthly geomeans calculated. Of the 108 geomeans, none exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
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: Samples were collected from Bluebird Canyon, station id S15, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.52963/-117.77359.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.