Draft California 2018 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name: Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
Water Body ID: CAR3153102019990304143658
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
72581
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirty of 50 samples exceed the evaluation guideline (USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986) set to protect for water contact recreation (i.e. swimming, wading etc.) and 0 of 47 samples exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Thirty of 50 samples exceed the evaluation guideline and this exceeds 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 met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72581, Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50751
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Evaluation Guideline: Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15 of the USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986).
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72581, Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14966
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 47
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 47 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml. E. coli is a fecal coliform.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister, LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-2/4/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72581, Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14965
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 47
Number of Exceedances: 30
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 30 of 47 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Evaluation Guideline: Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15)
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister, LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-2/4/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
 
DECISION ID
77850
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: pH
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Sixteen lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four beneficial uses are assessed. Four of the 59 samples exceed the water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitats, but 12 of the 59 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Drinking Water and Recreation.
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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Twelve of the 59 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Drinking Water and Recreation and this exceeds 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 met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12433
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15124
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 7 of 49 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12414
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50752
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12416
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12412
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50578
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5 (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14851
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 49 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12432
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12413
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50735
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH value shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14852
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 7 of 49 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12415
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15125
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 7
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 7 of 49 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50754
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77850, pH
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12434
 
Pollutant: pH
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
84834
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Agriculture
TMDL Name: Glen Annie/Los Carneros Creek Nitrate TMDL
TMDL Project Code: 1057
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 07/31/2014
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.1 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. Twenty-seven of the 59 nitrate samples and zero of the 3 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the water quality objective for the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Two of 3 nitrate samples zero of the 3 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the evaluation guideline (Central Coast Region Technical Report, 2010) for Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat. In addition, the following evidence supports the conclusion that nitrate contributes to or causes a bio stimulatory effect in this water segment.The primary evidence that indicates there may be a risk of bio-stimulation is modeled data, therefore there is insufficient evidence that the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use is impaired. Therefore, the use rating is set to insufficient information.

1) Dissolved oxygen for this water body ranged from 8.5 mg/L to 15.0 mg/L, at times exceeding the upper dissolved oxygen screening level of 13.0 mg/L (R3 NNE Technical Report, 2010).
2) Water column chlorophyll a concentration ranged from 0.7 to 12.4 ug/L, not exceeding the screening threshold of 15 ug/L (R3 NNE Technical Report, 2010).
3) Using site-specific data from this waterbody, the California Benthic Biomass Predictor Tool, v. 13 (Tetratech, 2007) predicted a benthic algal contribution to oxygen deficit for this water body of 2.97 mg/L. This exceeds the screening threshold for benthic algal contribution to oxygen deficit of 1.25 mg/L (R3 NNE Technical Report, 2010).
4) Using site-specific data from this waterbody and the Revised Qual2K model, the California Benthic Biomass Predictor Tool, v. 13, QUAL2K model (Tetratech, 2007) predicted algae biomass of 69 g/m2 AFDW. This exceeds the Cold Freshwater Habitat screening threshold for algae biomass of 60 grams/m2 but not the warm water screening threshold of 80 grams/m2, (Creager, et al., 2006).
5) Using site-specific data from this waterbody and the Revised Qual2K model, the California Benthic Biomass Predictor Tool, v. 13 (Tetratech, 2007) predicted benthic chlorophyll a concentrations of 174 mg/m2. This exceeds the Cold Freshwater Habitat screening threshold of 150 mg/m2, but not the Warm Freshwater Habitat screening threshold of 200 mg/m2 (Creager, et al., 2006).


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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3 .Twenty-seven of the 59 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: 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 .Twenty-seven of the 59 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use 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.
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50734
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate/Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Basin Plan is 10.0 mg/L (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15043
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 50
Number of Exceedances: 26
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 26 of 50 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin Objective for municipal and domestic supply uses of inland surface waters (Section II.A.2) states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Article 4, Chapter 15, Section 64435, Tables 2 and 3 as listed in Table 3-2. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 3-2 (inorganic and fluoride concentrations not to be exceeded in domestic or municipal supply) for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L (NO3 as N).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Title 22, Division 4, Ch. 15, Article 4, Section 64431, Table 64431-A
  Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 10601
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 6 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin Objective for municipal and domestic supply uses of inland surface waters (Section II.A.2) states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Article 4, Chapter 15, Section 64435, Tables 2 and 3 as listed in Table 3-2. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 3-2 (inorganic and fluoride concentrations not to be exceeded in domestic or municipal supply) for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L (NO3 as N).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Title 22, Division 4, Ch. 15, Article 4, Section 64431, Table 64431-A
  Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-3/27/2002. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50733
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (NO3 as N) incorporated by reference in the Basin Plan is 10.0 mg/L (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50881
 
Pollutant: Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: Technical approach to develop nutrient numeric endpoints for California, Tetra Tech, June 2006. The Central Coast Region numeric target for maximum nitrate concentration is based on the Tetra Tech NNE (Nutrient Numeric Endpoint) Model and CCAMP data for 193 sites, monitored monthly for at least 1 year between January 1998 and December 2006. The model numeric target for aquatic life habitats in the Central Coast Region is 1.0 mg/L Nitrate as N.
Guideline Reference: Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111
  Central Coast RegionTechnical Paper: Interpreting Narrative Objectives for Biostimulatory Substances for California Central Coast Waters. This method uses the Technical Approach for Developing California Nutrient Numeric Endpoints.
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84834, Nitrate
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50882
 
Pollutant: Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate/Nitrite as N.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: Technical approach to develop nutrient numeric endpoints for California, Tetra Tech, June 2006. The Central Coast Region numeric target for maximum nitrate concentration is based on the Tetra Tech NNE (Nutrient Numeric Endpoint) Model and CCAMP data for 193 sites, monitored monthly for at least 1 year between January 1998 and December 2006. The model numeric target for aquatic life habitats in the Central Coast Region is 1.0 mg/L Nitrate as N.
Guideline Reference: Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111
  Central Coast RegionTechnical Paper: Interpreting Narrative Objectives for Biostimulatory Substances for California Central Coast Waters. This method uses the Technical Approach for Developing California Nutrient Numeric Endpoints.
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
 
DECISION ID
67552
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Ammonia
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: The pollutant name was changed from ¿Unionized Ammonia¿ to ¿Ammonia¿ in the 2014 assessment cycle. This decision replaces the two previously approved decisions, one for each of the pollutants unionized ammonia and total ammonia. This decision contains all of the LOEs from those decisions in addition to new LOEs.

This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence (LOEs) are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two LOEs summarize unionized ammonia data in which zero of the seven samples exceed the water quality objective for unionized ammonia set to protect aquatic life. Two LOEs summarize total ammonia data and zero of the nine samples exceed the EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia in drinking water.


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 CWA section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of the seven samples exceed the water quality objective for unionized ammonia set to protect aquatic life. Two LOEs summarize total ammonia data and zero of the nine samples exceed the EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia in drinking water. These do not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 67552, Ammonia
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 10600
 
Pollutant: Ammonia (Unionized)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 (General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries) states that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4) .
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 67552, Ammonia
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50879
 
Pollutant: Ammonia (Unionized)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 (General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries) states that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4) .
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 67552, Ammonia
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 10599
 
Pollutant: Ammonia as Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 6 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Total.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Health Advisory 2006 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (EPA 822-R-06-013, 2006).
Objective/Criterion Reference: 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013
 
Evaluation Guideline: EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia is 30.0 mg/L as stated on page 8 of the 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. This Advisory Level is defined as "the concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure."
Guideline Reference: 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-3/27/2002. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 67552, Ammonia
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50731
 
Pollutant: Ammonia as Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia As N, Total.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia is 30.0 mg/L as stated on page 8 of the 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. This Advisory Level is defined as "the concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure."
Guideline Reference: 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
 
DECISION ID
75491
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Chlorophyll-a
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the seven samples exceed the evaluation guideline (North Carolina Administrative code, Title 15A) used to interpret the narrative water quality objective for bio-stimulation risk and aquatic life beneficial uses. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of five exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.2. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of the seven samples exceed the evaluation guideline 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded and the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are met or exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 75491, Chlorophyll-a
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50880
 
Pollutant: Chlorophyll-a
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (general objective for biostimulatory substances, Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: North Carolina Administrative code (NCAC), Title 15A - Environmental and Natural Resources, Subchapter 2B-Surface water and wetland standards, Rule 0211-Fresh surface water quality standards for class C waters (Class C is defined as freshwaters protected for secondary recreation, fishing, aquatic life including propagation and survival, and wildlife). Section 3(a) of Rule 0211 applies to all fresh surface waters and states that chlorophyll a is not to exceed 40 ug/L.
Guideline Reference: North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards
  North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards
  Water quality standards table
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 75491, Chlorophyll-a
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 10602
 
Pollutant: Chlorophyll-a
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (general objective for biostimulatory substances, Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
  North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards
  Water quality standards table
 
Evaluation Guideline: North Carolina Administrative code (NCAC), Title 15A - Environmental and Natural Resources, Subchapter 2B-Surface water and wetland standards, Rule 0211-Fresh surface water quality standards for class C waters (Class C is defined as freshwaters protected for secondary recreation, fishing, aquatic life including propagation and survival, and wildlife). Section 3(a) of Rule 0211 applies to all fresh surface waters and states that chlorophyll a is not to exceed 40 ug/L.
Guideline Reference: North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards
  North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
76533
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Chlorpyrifos
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: No new data are assessed. This decision has not changed from the 2010 listing cycle.

This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One of one samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Siepmann and Finlayson, 2000, with minor corrections to significant figures as described in Beaulaurier et al., 2005) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses. This decision will not use one of the water samples collected because the laboratory¿s method detection limit and reporting limits were greater than the evaluation guideline and the result was non-detect. Therefore the results could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:

1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.

2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.

3. One of one samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Siepmann and Finlayson, 2000, with minor corrections to significant figures as described in Beaulaurier et al., 2005) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses and this sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using Table 3.1.

4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76533, Chlorpyrifos
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 16122
 
Pollutant: Chlorpyrifos
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorpyrifos.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water quality criteria for diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Administrative Report 00-3. Rancho Cordova, CA: Pesticide Investigations Unit, Office of Spills and Response. CA Department of Fish and Game
  Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: One hour average maximum concentration 0.025 ug/L as stated in Sipmann and Finlayson (2000).
Guideline Reference: Water quality criteria for diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Administrative Report 00-3. Rancho Cordova, CA: Pesticide Investigations Unit, Office of Spills and Response. CA Department of Fish and Game
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 12/5/2001-3/27/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
76310
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Diazinon
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: No new data are assessed. This decision has not changed from the 2010 listing cycle.

This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero out of two samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Finlayson, 2004) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported using table 3.1.

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 CWA 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. No samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Finlayson, 2004) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.

4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76310, Diazinon
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 16815
 
Pollutant: Diazinon
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Diazinon.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water quality criteria for diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Administrative Report 00-3. Rancho Cordova, CA: Pesticide Investigations Unit, Office of Spills and Response. CA Department of Fish and Game
  Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: One hour average maximum concentration 0.16 ug/L as stated in Sipmann and Finlayson (2000).
Guideline Reference: Water quality criteria for diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Administrative Report 00-3. Rancho Cordova, CA: Pesticide Investigations Unit, Office of Spills and Response. CA Department of Fish and Game
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 12/5/2001-3/27/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
76673
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Eight lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of the 55 samples exceeded the water quality objective for dissolved oxygen in Cold Freshwater Habitats. The Basin Plan general water quality objective for oxygen saturation states that the median value shall not fall below 85% saturation. However, the oxygen saturation objective is only applied ¿for waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use¿¿ and this water body is designated for Cold Freshwater Habitats. Therefore, the use support rating for oxygen saturation is set at Insufficient Information.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Four of the 55 samples exceeded the water quality objective for dissolved oxygen 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14220
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Cold Water Habitat Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50576
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15087
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 45
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 45 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Cold Water Habitat Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14200
 
Pollutant: Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Cold Water Habitat Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50577
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Median values should not fall below 85% saturation as a result of controllable water quality conditions (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15143
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 46
Number of Exceedances: 12
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 12 of 46 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: Median values should not fall below 85% saturation as a result of controllable water quality conditions.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14201
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: Median values should not fall below 85% saturation as a result of controllable water quality conditions.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76673, Oxygen, Dissolved
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14221
 
Pollutant: Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: Median values should not fall below 85% saturation as a result of controllable water quality conditions.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
76453
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Eight of the 57 samples exceed the evaluation guideline (Moyle, 1976) used to interpret the water quality objective for water temperature.

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Eight of the 57 samples exceed the evaluation guideline 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76453, Temperature, water
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15026
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 47
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 5 of 47 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (General Objective in Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76453, Temperature, water
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50580
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76453, Temperature, water
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14219
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (General Objective in Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 76453, Temperature, water
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14223
 
Pollutant: Temperature, water
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (General Objective in Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).
Guideline Reference: Inland Fishes of California
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
90239
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: No new data were assessed.

This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One sample can have multiple toxicity test results but will be counted only once. One sample is defined as being collected on the same day and time at the same location.

Two LOEs summarize water samples. Two water samples are summarized in LOEs using each of the test organisms as the pollutant name (i.e. plant toxicity, invertebrate toxicity or vertebrate toxicity) and zero additional water samples are summarized in LOEs using the pollutant name ¿toxicity¿. Therefore, two total samples are available to assess toxic effects in water samples. Zero of the two water samples resulted in a significant toxic effect to one or more test organisms.

This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of two exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.1. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'.

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 CWA section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Zero of the two samples exceed the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy.
4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 90239, Toxicity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 24119
 
Pollutant: Vertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Pimephales promelas Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which 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, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 12/5/2001-3/27/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 90239, Toxicity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 24111
 
Pollutant: Invertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: Toxicity
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Ceriodaphnia dubia Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which 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, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 12/5/2001-3/27/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
81609
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: Do Not 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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA 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.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four of the 58 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for Cold Freshwater Habitat (Sigler et al. 1984).

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Four of the 58 samples exceed the evaluation guideline 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81609, Turbidity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14222
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.
Guideline Reference: Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 7/16/2001-9/26/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81609, Turbidity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14970
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 48
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 3 of 48 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.
Guideline Reference: Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-1/7/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81609, Turbidity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 14202
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.
Guideline Reference: Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81609, Turbidity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50579
 
Pollutant: Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Cold Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline: Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).
Guideline Reference: Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
 
DECISION ID
72580
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under sections 2.1 and 3.3 of the Listing Policy.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on section 3.3 the site exceeded numeric objectives for conventional pollutants. According to the binomial distribution, waters shall be placed on the section 303(d) list if the number of measured exceedances supports rejection of the null hypothesis as presented in Table 3.2. Thirty of 47 samples exceed water quality objective for Water Contact Recreation. This supports rejection of the null hypothesis. Only 1 of 47 exceed the water quality objective for Non-Contact Recreation. This beneficial use is fully supported.

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. Thirty of 47 samples exceed the water quality objective for Water Contact Recreation and this meets or exceeds 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72580, Enterococcus
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15003
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 47
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 47 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml. Enterococcus is a fecal coliform.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister, LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-2/4/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72580, Enterococcus
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 15002
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 47
Number of Exceedances: 41
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 41 of 47 samples exceed the EPA criterion for Enterococci.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Evaluation Guideline: Single sample maximum allowable density for Enterococci in freshwater is 61 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15)
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister, LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/2002-2/4/2007. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s): e-mail documenting QA procedures and analytical methods uses for sample analysis
 
 
DECISION ID
81828
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

The sample size for the evaluation guideline for Fecal Coliform non-contact criteria is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported using table 3.2. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Six of 8 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for contact recreation (i.e. swimming) and 1 of 8 samples exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation

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 CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. Six of 8 samples exceed the evaluation guideline and this exceeds 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.
 
Regional Board Decision 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.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81828, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50750
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 200 MPN/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of total samples during any 30-day period exceed 400 MPN/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81828, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 50753
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: Santa Barbara Watershed Rotation field data 2008-2009
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 1/29/2008-12/17/2008.
Environmental Conditions: Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81828, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12396
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 200 MPN/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of total samples during any 30-day period exceed 400 MPN/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81828, Fecal Coliform
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 12397
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
81977
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
Pollutant: Specific Conductivity
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: 2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: No new data are assessed. This decision has not changed from the 2010 listing cycle.

This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under sections 2.1 and 3.2 of the Listing Policy.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirteen of 56 samples exceeded the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply. Note that the pollutant name for the older LOEs and decisions is electrical conductivity. This was an error and the pollutant name should have always been specific conductivity. For this reason, the pollutant name was changed for this decision and sample and exceedance counts are summed for LOEs with both pollutant names in this assessment for specific conductivity.


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. Thirteen of 56 samples exceeded the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply and this exceeds 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.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.
 
State Board Staff Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:
 
State Board Decision Recommendation: After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81977, Specific Conductivity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 29797
 
Pollutant: Electrical Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural Supply
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 13
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring Program (R3_SBKeepers) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 49 samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: Multiple data sets, City of Santa Maria, Watsonville and Santa Barbara Channel Keeper Data
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3.0 mS/cm in irrigation supply water.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ LC2 - Los Carneros Creek at Calle Real, LC1 - Los Carneros Creek at Hollister]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 6/2/02-1/7/07. Santa Barbara Channelkeepers Citizen Monitoring is conducted monthly.
Environmental Conditions: Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: State Board approved QAPP, data entry completed by volunteers. Several errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with SB Channel Keepers) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 81977, Specific Conductivity
Region 3     
Carneros Creek (Santa Barbara County)
 
LOE ID: 29798
 
Pollutant: Electrical Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Agricultural Supply
 
Number of Samples: 7
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Santa Barbara (SantaBarb Project) data for Los Carneros Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity.
Data Reference: Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
  Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
 
SWAMP Data: SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: Median values should not fall below 85% saturation as a result of controllable water quality conditions.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Data for this line of evidence for Los Carneros Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315LCR-Los Carneros Creek at Hollister Road]
Temporal Representation: Data was collected over the time period 5/8/2001-12/5/2001. Santa Barbara Coast is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):