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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name: Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
Water Body ID: CAR4052100019990202133541
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
68678
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
Pollutant: Excess Algal Growth
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: This water quality condition is being considered for listing under section 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this water body condition. A TMDL has been developed and approved by USEPA and an approved implementation plan is expected to result in attainment of the standard. Qualitative information on excess algal growth alone is not sufficient to support continued placement on the section 303(d) list (Listing Policy section 3.7).

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 in the Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed portion of the section 303(d) list.
 
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 68678, Excess Algal Growth
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
LOE ID: 2530
 
Pollutant: Excess Algal Growth
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: A TMDL and implementation plan has been approved for this water segment-pollutant combination. The Los Angeles River Nitrogen TMDL was approved by RWQCB on August 19, 2003 and subsequently approved by USEPA on March 18, 2004. This TMDL will address this water body condition.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
 
DECISION ID
75324
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
Pollutant: Copper
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: A Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Los Angeles River Metals (13)
TMDL Project Code: 237
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 10/29/2008
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 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.

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. Three of six samples exceed the CTR chronic criteria and one of six samples exceed both the CCC and CMC criteria and this exceeds 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 met.

There is sufficient justification to place this waterbody/pollutant in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The Los Angeles River Metals TMDL was approved by USEPA on 10/29/2008.
 
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 75324, Copper
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
LOE ID: 28218
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Warm Freshwater Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 6
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Three of six samples exceeded the CTR CCC limit and one of six samples exceeded the CMC limit. Samples are from the County of Los Angeles Stormwater Monitoring Report 2003/04.
Data Reference: Monitoring Report (MS4 Data) - CI 6948 for order no. 01-182 NPDES No. CAS004001 Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharges within the County of Los Angeles, and the Incorporated Cities therein, Except the City of Long Beach
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: CTR Dissolved Copper Criterion for continuous concentration (CCC) and maximum concentration (CMC) in water for the protection of aquatic life is expressed as a function of the total hardness of the water body. The aquatic life criteria will vary depending of total hardness reported at the sampling site. The CMC is the highest concentration of a pollutant to which aquatic life can be exposed for a short period of time without deleterious effects and the CCC is the highest concentration to which aquatic life can be exposed for an extended period of time (four days) without deleterious effects. This criterion is linked and applicable for the protection of aquatic life Beneficial Uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: One stormwater monitoring station: TS04 located just west of Jackson Street in Glendale.
Temporal Representation: Composite samples collected and analyzed over the 2003-04 storm year.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Data collected for compliance with NPDES Permit No. CAS-004001 Monitoring and Reporting Programs.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Monitoring and Reporting Program - CI 6948 for order no. 01-182 NPDES No. CAS004001 Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharges within the County of Los Angeles, and the incorporated cities, except the City of Long Beach
 
 
DECISION ID
70487
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: A Source Unknown
TMDL Name: Los Angeles River Pathogens (15)
TMDL Project Code: 238
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 03/23/2012
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: 303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database.

There is sufficient justification to place this waterbody/pollutant in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:
1. The Los Angeles River Bacteria TMDL was approved by USEPA on 03/23/2012.
 
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 70487, Indicator Bacteria
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
LOE ID: 4265
 
Pollutant: Coliform Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
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
75494
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
Pollutant: Trash
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Sources: Nonpoint Source | Surface Runoff | Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers
TMDL Name: Los Angeles River Trash (12)
TMDL Project Code: 365
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: 07/24/2008
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for removal on the section 303(d) list under sections 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under 2.2 of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant.

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 section 303(d) list. There is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the 303(d) list because a TMDL has been completed and adopted by the Los Angeles RWQCB and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.
 
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 75494, Trash
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
LOE ID: 4266
 
Pollutant: Trash
LOE Subgroup: Visual
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
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 75494, Trash
Region 4     
Verdugo Wash Reach 1 (LA River to Verdugo Rd.)
 
LOE ID: 28083
 
Pollutant: Trash
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: A TMDL has been approved for this water segment-pollutant combination. The Trash TMDL for the Los Angeles River Watershed was adopted by the Los Angeles RWQCB on August 09, 2007 and subsequently approved by USEPA. The TMDL was been integrated into the Basin Plan as Attachment A of Regional Board Resolution No. 2007-012.
Data Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA information unavailable.
QAPP Information Reference(s):