Final California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
Water Body ID: CAB9082100019990210093822
Water Body Type: Bay & Harbor
 
DECISION ID
77150
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Reason for Delisting: Flaws in original listing
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: The decision has not changed from the previous listing cycle. No new data were assessed for the current listing cycle. Therefore, the previous conclusion remains unchanged, and is as follows:

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.11 of the Listing Policy.

Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One of samples exceeded the water quality objective for lindane.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
3. One of the 18 samples exceeded the lindane water quality objective.

The one sample that exceeded the Lindane objective was recorded at 8.2 ug/kg. This value should be treated as an outlier since all other Lindane samples collected in San Diego Bay for the same program had values less than 1.0 ug/kg or were recorded as non-detects. Subsequent sediment sampling that occurred in 2003 and 2004 at the mouth of Switzer Creek all had lindane sediment chemistry values recorded as non-detects.

Toxicity identification evaluations conducted in 2004 at the mouth of Switzer Creek indicate that Chlordane is the most likely pesticide that contributes to the sediment toxicity in that area. Chlordane values exceeded the sediment quality guidelines and 95% upper prediction limits seven out of the eight samples collected in 2004.

All other pesticides, including lindane, were recorded as non detects in all samples collected in July 2003, March 2004, August 2004 and October 2004.
 
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 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 77150, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 29816
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two sediment samples were analyzed and both were recorded as non-detects at a detection limit of 0.2 ng/g dry weight. The samples were collected in 1992 and 1993 for the Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program.
Data Reference: Status of The Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program Appendices
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: For lindane the sediment objective is 0.37 ug/g.
Guideline Reference: An evaluation of methods for calculating mean sediment quality guideline quotients as indicators of contamination and acute toxicity to amphipods by chemical mixtures. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 20(10): 2276-2286
 
Spatial Representation: Two sediment samples were collected near the mouth of Switzer Creek in San Diego Bay.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected in 1992 and 1993
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with State Water Board requirements.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77150, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 29909
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Six sediment samples were analyzed and all were recorded as non-detects at a detection limit of 1.0 ng/g dry weight. The samples were collected in February and July 2003 as part of a San Diego Bay study on three TMDL locations.
Data Reference: Sediment Quality Assessment Study at the B Street/Broadway Piers, Downtown Anchorage, and Switzer Creek, San Diego Bay
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: For lindane the sediment objective is 0.37 ug/g.
Guideline Reference: An evaluation of methods for calculating mean sediment quality guideline quotients as indicators of contamination and acute toxicity to amphipods by chemical mixtures. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 20(10): 2276-2286
 
Spatial Representation: Six sediment samples were collected near the mouth of Switzer Creek in San Diego Bay.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected in February and July 2003.
Environmental Conditions: Samples were collected from the top 5 centimeters of sediment surface layer.
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in following the guidelines used for Bight 1998 Regional Monitoring surveys.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77150, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 4710
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Municipal & Domestic Supply
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77150, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 30105
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Two sediment samples were analyzed and both were recorded as non-detects at a detection limit of 0.2 ng/g dry weight. The samples were collected in 1992 and 1994 for the Bay Protection and Toxic Cleanup Program.
Data Reference: Chemistry Toxicity and Benthic Community Conditions In Sediments of The San Diego Bay Region Final Addendum Report
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: For lindane the sediment objective is 0.37 ug/g.
Guideline Reference: An evaluation of methods for calculating mean sediment quality guideline quotients as indicators of contamination and acute toxicity to amphipods by chemical mixtures. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 20(10): 2276-2286
 
Spatial Representation: Two sediment samples were collected near the mouth of Switzer Creek in San Diego Bay.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected in 1992 and 1994
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with State Water Board requirements.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77150, Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 29916
 
Pollutant: Lindane/gamma Hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: Estuarine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 9
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Chemical monitoring of sediments
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Nine sediment samples were analyzed and all were recorded as non-detects at a detection limit of 1.0 ng/g dry weight. The three samples were collected in February, August and October 2004 as part of a San Diego Bay study on three TMDL locations.
Data Reference: TMDL Sediment Quality Assessment Study at the B Street/Broadway Piers, Downtown Anchorage, and Switzer Creek, San Diego PHASE II
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Basin Plan, all waters shall be free of toxic substances that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan for the San Diego Basin
 
Evaluation Guideline: For lindane the sediment objective is 0.37 ug/g.
Guideline Reference: An evaluation of methods for calculating mean sediment quality guideline quotients as indicators of contamination and acute toxicity to amphipods by chemical mixtures. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 20(10): 2276-2286
 
Spatial Representation: Nine sediment samples were collected near the mouth of Switzer Creek in San Diego Bay.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected in February, August and October 2004.
Environmental Conditions: Samples were collected from the top 5 centimeters of sediment surface layer.
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in following the guidelines used for Bight 1998 Regional Monitoring surveys.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
78751
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
Pollutant: Chlordane
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: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Region 9 data was not included in the 2012 Integrated Report so all decisions are carried over from the 2010 listing cycle.

303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database. The Regional Boards will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.
 
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 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 78751, Chlordane
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 4709
 
Pollutant: Chlordane
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix: Tissue
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
78163
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
Pollutant: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
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: 2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: Region 9 data was not included in the 2012 Integrated Report so all decisions are carried over from the 2010 listing cycle.

303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database. The Regional Boards will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.
 
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 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 78163, PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Region 9     
San Diego Bay Shoreline, near Switzer Creek
 
LOE ID: 4711
 
Pollutant: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: Sediment
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Unspecified
Guideline Reference: Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
Spatial Representation: Unspecified
Temporal Representation: Unspecified
Environmental Conditions: Unspecified
QAPP Information: Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):