Final California 2012 Integrated Report( 303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 1 - North Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay
Water Body ID:	CAC1133004520081013235216
Water Body Type:	Coastal & Bay Shoreline


DECISION ID	24011	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2010)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2025
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Fecal indicator bacteria (which includes enterococcus, fecal coliform, and total coliform) are 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 (LOE) is necessary to assess listing status. Six LOEs are available in the administrative record to assess indicator bacteria in this water body for the attainment of contact recreation standards: three for enterococcus and three for fecal coliform. In addition two LOEs are available for total coliform for the attainment of shell fish harvesting standards. It should be noted that an additional three LOEs for total coliform data were not utilized in this decision because these bacteria are widespread in nature and occur in non-fecal sources such as soil and submerged wood and are not a good measure for the protection of contact recreation beneficial uses. However, the California Ocean Plan has specific total coliform objectives for waters designated for shellfish harvesting. 18 out 94 samples exceeded the total coliform objective of 70 MPN/100ml expressed as a 30 day rolling geometric mean which is more than the allowable exceedance frequency in Section 3.3 . Seven out 107 samples exceed the single sample SHELL objective of 230 MPN/100mL which is less than the allowable exceedance frequency in Section 3.3. In the 2010 Integrated Report, the data results for single sample maximum and geometric mean calculations were presented in the same LOE. In the 2012 Integrated Report, the data results for single sample maximum and geometric mean calculations are presented in two separate LOEs. The following summary presents the total number of exceedances and total sample count from the two listing cycles combined, for single sample maximum separate from geometric mean: 1) One of 163 samples exceed the singles sample maximum objective for enterococcus; 2) Zero of 108 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for enterococcus; 3) Zero of 163 samples exceed the singles sample maximum objective for fecal coliform; 4) Zero of 108 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for fecal coliform. The data assessed were ocean beach bacteria data collected in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. In accordance with Section 3.3 of the Listing Policy, a 4% exceedance rate shall be used to add waters to the List "if water quality monitoring was conducted April 1 through October 31 only". For data utilized in this decision, waters should be listed if greater than or equal to 16 of the 163 single sample maximum values for enterococcus or fecal coliform exceed the objective. Additionally, waters should be listed if greater than or equal to 11 of the 108 geometric mean values for enterococcus or fecal coliform exceed the objective. None of the enterococcus or fecal coliform samples (both single samples and geomean values) exceed the allowable 4% exceedance rate. While the Contact Recreation beneficial use appears to be protected, the Shellfish harvesting beneficial use is impaired. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against adding this water segment-pollutant combination to the Section 303(d) list (i.e., sufficient justification to not list). This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of Section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of Section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) Enterococcus and fecal coliform samples do not exceed the objectives more than the allowable frequency identified in Section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. (4) Total coliform samples related to the SHELL beneficial use exceed the geometric mean objective more that the allowable frequency identified in section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. (5) Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, North Coast RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the Section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:	Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against adding this water segment-pollutant combination to the Section 303(d) list (i.e., sufficient justification to not list). This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of Section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of Section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) Enterococcus and fecal coliform samples do not exceed the objectives more than the allowable frequency identified in Section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. (4) Total coliform samples related to the SHELL beneficial use exceed the geometric mean objective more that the allowable frequency identified in section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. (5) Pursuant to Section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the following changes to the decision: The water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded for protection of the SHELL beneficial use.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

47634

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

18 of 94 samples exceed the objective of 70 MPN/100mL applied as a rolling 30 day geomean for Total Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Ocean Plan states that at all areas where shellfish may be harvested for human consumption, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 mL. Staff applied the objective as a rolling 30 day geometric mean consistent with other state bacteria objectives and with guidance from the National Shellfish Sanitation Program from which the objectives were taken.

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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Big River-Mendocino Bay]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/24/2010.

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 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

47633

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

107

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

7 of 107 samples exceed the objective of 230 MPN/100mL applied as a single sample maximum for Total Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Ocean Plan 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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Big River-Mendocino Bay]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/24/2010.

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 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

44708

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

107

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

1 of 107 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) states that the single sample maximum for Enterococcus shall not exceed 104 MPN/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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Big River-Mendocino Bay]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/24/2010.

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 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

44649

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

107

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

0 of 107 samples exceed the criterion for Total Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 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 MPN/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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Big River-Mendocino Bay]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/24/2010.

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 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

44570

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

107

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

0 of 107 samples exceed the criterion for Fecal Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) states that the single sample maximum for fecal coliform shall not exceed 400 MPN/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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Big River-Mendocino Bay]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/24/2010.

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 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

25258

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 56 single samples of enterococcus collected at Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 14 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used to analyzed the same data. Samples were collected by the Mendocino County Environmental Health Division in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. Data is maintained by the State Water Board's Beach Watch program. Data is summarized by the North Coast Regional Water Board (North Coast RWQCB 2007).

Data Reference:

North Coast Beach Watch Data. Bacteria data collected by Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Environmental Health Division, Sonoma County Division of Environmental Health, and Marin County in accordance with AB411. Data managed by the State Water Resources Control Board's Beach Watch program at beachwatch.waterboards.ca.gov. Includes data from 2004 to 2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005): The following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column. The following standard is based on the 30-day geometric mean of the 5 most recent samples from each site: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 MPN per 100ml. The following standard is for the single sample maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml. *Note: MPN is the most probable number of coliform units.

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 at the Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay, which is part of the Big River-Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from April through October in 2005 and 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during the dry season. Otherwise, there are no known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Samples were collected and analyzed in accordance with the Sampling and Analysis Plan and the Laboratories and Laboratory Analyses procedures described in the "Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches" (DHS 2006).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches. Last Update: April 10, 2006. Initial Draft: November 1997. Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, California Department of Health Services

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

32798

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 94 geomeans exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The geometric mean standard for total coliform states that the 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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a week from April to October 2007 to 2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

32797

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 94 geomeans exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The geometric mean standard for entercoccus 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 Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a week from April to October 2007 to 2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

25260

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 56 single samples of total coliform collected at Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 14 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used to analyzed the same data. Samples were collected by the Mendocino County Environmental Health Division in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. Data is maintained by the State Water Board's Beach Watch program. Data is summarized by the North Coast Regional Water Board (North Coast RWQCB 2007).

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005): The following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column. The following standard is based on the 30-day geometric mean of the five most recent samples from each site: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 MPN per 100 ml. The following standard is for the single sample maximum: (i) Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100 ml; and (ii) Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100 ml when the fecal coliform/total coliform ratio exceeds 0.1. *Note: MPN is the most probable number of coliform units.

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 at the Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay, which is part of the Big River-Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from April through October in 2005 and 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during the dry season. Otherwise, there are no known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches. Last Update: April 10, 2006. Initial Draft: November 1997. Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, California Department of Health Services

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

25259

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 56 single samples of fecal coliform collected at Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 14 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used to analyzed the same data. Samples were collected by the Mendocino County Environmental Health Division in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. Data is maintained by the State Water Board's Beach Watch program. Data is summarized by the North Coast Regional Water Board (North Coast RWQCB 2007).

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005): The following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column. The following standard is based on the 30-day geometric mean of the five most recent samples from each site: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 MPN per 100 ml. The following standard is for the single sample maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100ml. *Note: MPN is the most probable number of coliform units.

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 at the Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay, which is part of the Big River-Mendocino Headlands State Park.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from April through October in 2005 and 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during the dry season. Otherwise, there are no known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches. Last Update: April 10, 2006. Initial Draft: November 1997. Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, California Department of Health Services

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 24011, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay

LOE ID:

32799

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 94 geomeans exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The geometric mean standard for fecal coliform states that the coliform density shall not exceed 200 MPN per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters (SWRCB 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 at Big River Beach at Mendocino Bay.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a week from April to October 2007 to 2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the beach watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):