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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 5 - Central Valley Region

Water Body Name: Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
Water Body ID: CAR5364001020150625035202
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
97358
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
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: A 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 3.2 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 16 samples exceed the water quality objective for fecal coliform and Five of thirteen calculated geometric means exceed the water quality objective for fecal coliform. Five of 16 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Six of thirteen calculated geometric means exceed the evaluation guideline for E. coli.

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. Five of thirteen calculated geometric means exceed the water quality objective for fecal coliform. Five of 16 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Six of thirteen calculated geometric means exceed the evaluation guideline for E. coli., 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 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 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 77225
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Six of 13 calculcated geometric mean exceeded the evaluation guideline for E. coli
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data:
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses.(Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins).
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 geometric mean of E. coli densities should not exceed 100cfu/100 mL (USEPA 2012).
Guideline Reference: 2012 USEPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria - Bacteria
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 96080
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 6
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Six of 13 calculated geometric mean exceeded the evaluation guideline for E. coli
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data:
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses.(Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins).
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 geometric mean of E. coli densities should not exceed 126 MPN/100 mL
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 96081
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Five of 16 samples exceeded the SSM evaluation guideline for E. coli.
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data:
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses.(Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins).
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: Single sample maxima (SSM) of allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL.
Guideline Reference: Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 77270
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 13
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Five of 13 calculated geometric means exceeded the water quality objective for fecal coliform.
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: In waters designated for contact recreation (REC-1), the fecal coliform concentration based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period shall not exceed a geometric mean of 200/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of the total number of samples taken during any 30-day period exceed 400/100 ml.
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:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 77274
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 4
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Four of 16 samples exceeded the single sample objective.
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: In waters designated for contact recreation (REC-1), the fecal coliform concentration shall not exceed 400/100ml more than ten percent of the total number of samples taken during any 30-day.
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:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 97358, Indicator Bacteria
Region 5     
Bell Creek (Tuolumne County)
 
LOE ID: 77247
 
Pollutant: Escherichia coli (E. coli)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 16
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of 16 samples exceeded the STV evaluation guideline for E. coli.
Data Reference: Bacteria Contamination, Violations, and Field Data for Stanislaus, 2009-2010.
 
SWAMP Data:
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Waters shall not contain chemical constituents in concentrations that adversely affect beneficial uses.(Water Quality Control Plan, Central Valley Region, Sacramento River and San Joaquin River Basins).
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: Statistical Threshold Value (STV) of allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 320 cfu/100mL.
Guideline Reference: 2012 USEPA Recreational Water Quality Criteria - Bacteria
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from a tributary stream of Bell Creek, where it flows through Lower Round Meadow (which is in the Bell Meadow/Bear Lake Range Allotment). The elevation of this sample location is 6,338 ft.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected prior to livestock arrival between May27, 2009 and July 1, 2009, July 9, 2009 and July 28, 2009.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected, processed, and analyzed in accordance with the methods described in ¿Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Project in the Santislaus National Forest - Quality Assurance Project Plan ¿ (Myers, 2010).
QAPP Information Reference(s): Quality Assurance Project Plan for Stanislaus National Forest by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center.