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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name: Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
Water Body ID: CAR5192200020080731222408
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
73795
Region 5     
Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
 
Pollutant: Mercury
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: A 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 4.1 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess concentrations of mercury in fish tissues. Eighteen of the thirty-two samples exceed the evaluation guideline.

LOE 22610 was not used in the final listing decision due to the criterion change. The data in LOE 22610 were reassessed in LOE 95511 with the new criterion. LOE 95511 was used in the final listing decision.
Additionally, LOE 22621 was not used in the final listing decision due to the criterion change. The data in LOE 22621 were reassessed in LOE 95512 with the new criterion. LOE 95512 was used in the final listing decision..

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. Eighteen of the thirty-two samples exceed the evaluation guideline 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 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 73795, Mercury
Region 5     
Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
 
LOE ID: 95511
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 27
Number of Exceedances: 16
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Fish were sampled for tissue analysis at one location from Natomas Cross Canal. A total of 16 out of 27 samples exceeded the USEPA fish tissue criterion for human health. The average wet weight methylmercury concentration in fish tissue was 0.32 ppm for all 27 samples collected. The number of fish collected per sample, the measured mercury concentrations in fish tissue, and the number of exceedances are, by species:

Carp- 5 samples, 0.06-0.27 ppm (average 0.15 ppm), 1 exceedance;
Largemouth Bass- 12 samples, 0.30-0.71 ppm (average 0.47 ppm), 12 exceedances;
Redear Sunfish- 5 samples, 0.09-0.24 ppm (average 0.18 ppm), 1 exceedance;
Sacramento Sucker- 5 samples, 0.09-0.36 ppm (average 0.2 ppm), 2 exceedance.

All 27 samples were collected from fish with total lengths greater than 150 mm, which represent fish most commonly caught and consumed by sport fishers and their families.
Data Reference: Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: The U.S. EPA 304(a)-recommended water quality criterion for concentrations of methylmercury in fish tissue of trophic level 4 fish (150 - 500 mm; fillet wet weight) is 0.20 mg/Kg.
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. Final. United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology Office of Water. EPA-823-R-01-001. January 2001
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at one location from Cross Canal, approximately 0.7 miles upstream from its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Temporal Representation: Fish samples were collected during one sampling event on 8/2/2006.
Environmental Conditions: Significant gold mining activity occurred during the Gold Rush era within the Cross Canal watershed (USGS, 2005).
QAPP Information: Data quality: Excellent.. Quality Control for all of the elements described in section 6.1.4 of the Policy was conducted in accordance with the Laboratory QAPP developed by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML, 2005). This data was also collected and analyzed in accordance with the CALFED Mercury Project QAPP (Puckett and van Buuren, 2000).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73795, Mercury
Region 5     
Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
 
LOE ID: 95512
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Fish were sampled for tissue analysis at one location from Natomas Cross Canal. A total of 2 out of 5 samples exceeded the USEPA fish tissue criterion for human health. The average wet weight mercury concentration in fish tissue was 0.38 ppm for all 5 samples collected. The number of fish collected per sample, the measured mercury concentrations in fish tissue, and the number of exceedances are, by species:

Carp- 2 composite samples, both 0.12 ppm, no exceedances;
Largemouth Bass- 2 composite samples, 0.40 and 1.10 ppm, 2 exceedances;
Redear Sunfish: one 6-fish composite sample, 0.16 ppm, no exceedances.

All 5 composite samples were collected from fish with average total lengths greater than 150 mm, which represent fish most commonly caught and consumed by sport fishers and their families.
Data Reference: Toxic Substances Monitoring Program: Freshwater Bioaccumulation Monitoring: TSM Program Data 1978-2000. State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River Basin and San Joaquin River Basin)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: The U.S. EPA 304(a)-recommended water quality criterion for concentrations of methylmercury in fish tissue of trophic level 4 fish (150 - 500 mm; fillet wet weight) is 0.20 mg/Kg.
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. Final. United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology Office of Water. EPA-823-R-01-001. January 2001
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at one location from Natomas Cross Canal, approximately 2 miles upstream from its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Temporal Representation: Fish samples were collected during four sampling events on 7/24/1986, 8/21/1987, 9/7/1988, and 11/1/1990.
Environmental Conditions: Significant gold mining activity occurred during the Gold Rush era within the Cross Canal watershed (USGS, 2005).
QAPP Information: Data quality: Good. Quality Control for the fish sampling, tissue preparation, mercury analysis, and QA sample analysis portions of this study was conducted as described in the Toxic Substance Monitoring Reports for 1986, 1987, 1988-89 and 1990 (Rasmussen, 1988; Rasmussen and Starrett, 1989; Rasmussen and Blethrow, 1991; Rasmussen, 1992). Additional Quality Control information for the laboratory analysis portions of the data collected in 1990 is found in the Laboratory Quality Assurance Program Plan prepared by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG, 1990).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73795, Mercury
Region 5     
Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
 
LOE ID: 22610
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 25
Number of Exceedances: 12
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Fish were sampled for tissue analysis at one location from Natomas Cross Canal. A total of 12 out of 25 samples exceeded the USEPA fish tissue criterion for human health. The average wet weight methylmercury concentration in fish tissue was 0.32 ppm for all 25 samples collected. The number of fish collected per sample, the measured mercury concentrations in fish tissue, and the number of exceedances are, by species: Carp- 5 samples, 0.06-0.27 ppm (average 0.15 ppm), no exceedances; Largemouth Bass- 12 samples, 0.30-0.71 ppm (average 0.47 ppm), 11 exceedances; Redear Sunfish- 3 samples, 0.10-0.24 ppm (average 0.18 ppm), no exceedances; Sacramento Sucker- 5 samples, 0.09-0.36 ppm (average 0.2 ppm), 1 exceedance. All 25 samples were collected from fish with total lengths greater than 150 mm, which represent fish most commonly caught and consumed by sport fishers and their families.
Data Reference: Fish Mercury Project, Year 2 Annual Report, Sport Fish Sampling and Analysis. Final Report. October 2007
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. The objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: The USEPA Fish Tissue Residue Criterion for methylmercury in fish is 0.3 mg/kg (0.3 ppm) for the protection of human health. This is the concentration in fish tissue that should not be exceeded based on a total fish and shellfish consumption-weighted rate of 0.0175 kg fish/day. (USEPA, 2001)
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. Final. United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology Office of Water. EPA-823-R-01-001. January 2001
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at one location from Cross Canal, approximately 0.7 miles upstream from its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Temporal Representation: Fish samples were collected during one sampling event on 8/2/2006.
Environmental Conditions: Significant gold mining activity occurred during the Gold Rush era within the Cross Canal watershed (USGS, 2005).
QAPP Information: Data quality: Excellent.. Quality Control for all of the elements described in section 6.1.4 of the Policy was conducted in accordance with the Laboratory QAPP developed by Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML, 2005). This data was also collected and analyzed in accordance with the CALFED Mercury Project QAPP (Puckett and van Buuren, 2000).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73795, Mercury
Region 5     
Natomas Cross Canal (Sutter County)
 
LOE ID: 22621
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 2
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Fish were sampled for tissue analysis at one location from Natomas Cross Canal. A total of 2 out of 5 samples exceeded the USEPA fish tissue criterion for human health. The average wet weight mercury concentration in fish tissue was 0.38 ppm for all 5 samples collected. The number of fish collected per sample, the measured mercury concentrations in fish tissue, and the number of exceedances are, by species: Carp- 2 composite samples, both 0.12 ppm, no exceedances; Largemouth Bass- 2 composite samples, 0.40 and 1.10 ppm, 2 exceedances; Redear Sunfish: one 6-fish composite sample, 0.16 ppm, no exceedances. All 5 composite samples were collected from fish with average total lengths greater than 150 mm, which represent fish most commonly caught and consumed by sport fishers and their families.
Data Reference: Toxic Substances Monitoring Program: Freshwater Bioaccumulation Monitoring: TSM Program Data 1978-2000. State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. The objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board Central Valley Region, Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. 4th ed
 
Evaluation Guideline: The USEPA Fish Tissue Residue Criterion for methylmercury in fish is 0.3 mg/kg (0.3 ppm) for the protection of human health. This is the concentration in fish tissue that should not be exceeded based on a total fish and shellfish consumption-weighted rate of 0.0175 kg fish/day. (USEPA, 2001)
Guideline Reference: Water Quality Criterion for the Protection of Human Health: Methylmercury. Final. United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Science and Technology Office of Water. EPA-823-R-01-001. January 2001
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at one location from Natomas Cross Canal, approximately 2 miles upstream from its confluence with the Sacramento River.
Temporal Representation: Fish samples were collected during four sampling events on 7/24/1986, 8/21/1987, 9/7/1988, and 11/1/1990.
Environmental Conditions: Significant gold mining activity occurred during the Gold Rush era within the Cross Canal watershed (USGS, 2005).
QAPP Information: Data quality: Good. Quality Control for the fish sampling, tissue preparation, mercury analysis, and QA sample analysis portions of this study was conducted as described in the Toxic Substance Monitoring Reports for 1986, 1987, 1988-89 and 1990 (Rasmussen, 1988; Rasmussen and Starrett, 1989; Rasmussen and Blethrow, 1991; Rasmussen, 1992). Additional Quality Control information for the laboratory analysis portions of the data collected in 1990 is found in the Laboratory Quality Assurance Program Plan prepared by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG, 1990).
QAPP Information Reference(s):