# Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

# Supporting Information

## Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name: | Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South)
Water Body ID: | CAE3091101019981209125800
Water Body Type: | Estuary

DECISION ID | 4611
Pollutant: | Nutrients
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)(2006)
Revision Status | Revised
Reason for Delisting: | Flaws in original listing
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.1 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. There has never been, nor is there currently, any data for this body of water. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not exceeded.
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 4611

LOE ID: | 495
Pollutant: | Nutrients
LOE Subgroup: | Testimonial Evidence
Matrix: | Not Specified
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Estuarine Habitat
Number of Samples: | 0
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | The Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South) is currently listed on the 303(d) list as impaired for nutrients. Regional Board staff proposed delisting this water body. The Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South) is located in the lower Salinas River watershed. It was originally placed on the 303(d) list in 1994. At that time, virtually all water bodies located in the lower Salinas valley were listed for nutrients, and often without any supporting data. The listing was based on fact that the surrounding land use is irrigated agriculture, and was therefore believed to be impaired for nutrients. There has never been, nor is there currently, any data for this body of water. In addition, there exists no anecdotal information to suggest or support impairment. Most importantly, the Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South) is not a receiving water body of water flowing in the Salinas River Watershed. Rather, it is a depression in the land adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. The depression sporadically retains water during and after some high tide events and extreme rain events, and then soon returns to a terrestrial land area thereafter.
Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | From delisting report: No applicable water quality objectives apply because the area cannot support beneficial uses as described in the Water Quality Control Plan. This is contradictory to the current Water Quality Control Plan that articulates beneficial uses to be supported; the Water Quality Control Plan will need to be amended.
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South) (Calwater watershed: 30911010) in Monterey County.
Temporal Representation: | Submittal on 6/14/2004.
Environmental Conditions: |
QAPP Information: | N/A - no data exist.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 5437
Pollutant: | Pesticides
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)(2006)
Revision Status | Revised
Reason for Delisting: | Other
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4 of the Listing Policy. The Policy calls for the delisting of waters if the decision is found to be based faulty data and it is demonstrated that the listing would not have occurred in the absence of such faulty data. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The data cannot be found that was used to list this pollutant originally. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient justification for maintaining the listing for this water segment-pollutant combination. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that no data is available to assess the status of this water body for this pollutant. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because no data are available to support the listing.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because no data are available to support the listing.
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 5437

LOE ID: | 496
Pollutant: | Pesticides
LOE Subgroup: | Testimonial Evidence
Matrix: | Not Specified
Fraction: |
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: | No data are available. Regional Board staff is not aware of evidence to indicate current water quality standards exceedances or beneficial use impacts related to the listing for this pollutant.
Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: |
Objective/Criterion Reference:
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: |
Temporal Representation: |
Environmental Conditions: |
QAPP Information: | No QA/QC information available.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 5438
Pollutant: | Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
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)(2006)
Revision Status | Revised
Reason for Delisting: | Other
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4 of the Listing Policy. The Policy calls for the delisting of waters if the decision is found to be based faulty data and it is demonstrated that the listing would not have occurred in the absence of such faulty data. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The data cannot be found that was used to list this pollutant originally. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient justification for maintaining the listing for this water segment-pollutant combination. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that no data is available to assess the status of this water body for this pollutant. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because data cannot be found that was used to list this pollutant originally.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the section 303(d) list because no data are available to support the listing.
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 5438

LOE ID: | 497
Pollutant: | Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
LOE Subgroup: | Testimonial Evidence
Matrix: | Not Specified
Fraction: |
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: | No data are available. Regional Board staff is not aware of evidence to indicate current water quality standards exceedances or beneficial use impacts related to the listing for this pollutant. The Refuge Lagoon experiences a wide range of salinities depending on the stage of the Salinas River. During high flows, the Refuge Lagoon may be inundated by the Salinas River and therefore may experience salinities comparable to freshwater (<1 ppt). During high surf, breakers may overtop the dunes to the west of the refuge lagoon and it may experience salinities comparable to seawater (~35 ppt). During the summer, the refuge lagoon may evaporate, raising salinity concentrations to over 150 ppt. These are all natural states for the water body as it is configured today therefore the Salinas River Refuge Lagoon (South) should be delisted for Salinity/TDS/Chlorides.
Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: |
Objective/Criterion Reference:
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: |
Temporal Representation: |
Environmental Conditions: |
QAPP Information: | No QA/QC information available.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13525
Pollutant: | Chlorophyll-a
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for placement on the 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. One of the 2 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (North Carolina Administrative code, Title 15A) and the General Water Quality Objective set to protect aquatic life beneficial uses. 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. However, there are an insufficient number of samples to make a "use rating" decision. Central Coast Water Board staff require a minimum of 26 samples to make a "use rating" decision of Fully Supporting. 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 2 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (North Carolina Administrative code, Title 15A) and the General Water Quality Objective set to protect aquatic life beneficial uses 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13525

LOE ID: | 15257
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: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
| 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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 9/24/2001-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15270
Pollutant: | Chlorophyll-a
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm 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 National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
| 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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 9/24/2001-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13526
Pollutant: | Chlorpyrifos
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | 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. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the 12 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Sipmann and Finlayson, 2000) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses. 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. None of the 12 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Sipmann and Finlayson, 2000) 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13526

LOE ID: | 18656
Pollutant: | Chlorpyrifos
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 12
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Department of Health Services (R3_DHS1) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for chlorpyrifos.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 1 (feb06)
| Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 2 (sed06)
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ DHS010 - Salinas Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 8/29/1994-8/1/1995.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | No QAPP was provided for this data set.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 18655
Pollutant: | Chlorpyrifos
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 12
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Department of Health Services (R3_DHS1) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for chlorpyrifos.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 1 (feb06)
| Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 2 (sed06)
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ DHS010 - Salinas Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 8/29/1994-8/1/1995.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | No QAPP was provided for this data set.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13527
Pollutant: | Diazinon
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | 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. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One of the 12 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Sipmann and Finlayson, 2000) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses. 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. However, there are an insufficient number of samples to make a "use rating" decision. Central Coast Water Board staff require a minimum of 16 samples to make a "use rating" decision of Fully Supporting. 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 12 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Sipmann and Finlayson, 2000) 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13527

LOE ID: | 18736
Pollutant: | Diazinon
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 12
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Department of Health Services (R3_DHS1) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for diazinon.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 1 (feb06)
| Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 2 (sed06)
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ DHS010 - Salinas Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 8/29/1994-8/1/1995.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | No QAPP was provided for this data set.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 18735
Pollutant: | Diazinon
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 12
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Department of Health Services (R3_DHS1) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for diazinon.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 1 (feb06)
| Final Data File used for assessment: DHS Sediment Chemistry Data, File 2 (sed06)
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ DHS010 - Salinas Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 8/29/1994-8/1/1995.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | No QAPP was provided for this data set.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13528
Pollutant: | Low Dissolved Oxygen
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for placement on the 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 these pollutants. Two water quality objectives are assessed: Thirteen of the 89 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat and 1 of the 89 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat. In addition, None of 13 samples exceed the general water quality objective for oxygen saturation (when applied as a single sample maximum) and therefore the median oxygen saturation value shall not fall below 85% and the median value did not exceed this criterion. 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. However, there are an insufficient number of samples to make a "use rating" decision. Central Coast Water Board staff require a minimum of 26 samples to make a "use rating" decision of Fully Supporting. 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 the 89 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat and 1 of the 89 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. In addition, the median value did not exceed the General Objective. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13528

LOE ID: | 15306
Pollutant: | Oxygen, Dissolved
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | Dissolved
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 89
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 89 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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, dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time.
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Water Quality Control Plan Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15291
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: | 89
Number of Exceedances: | 13
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 89 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15345
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: | 13
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 13 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 11/18/1996-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15346
Pollutant: | Dissolved oxygen saturation
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 13
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 13 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 11/18/1996-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13529
Pollutant: | Temperature, water
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for placement on the 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. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Twelve of the 96 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Moyle 1976) applied to protect the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use. 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. Twelve of the 96 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (Moyle 1976) applied to protect the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13529

LOE ID: | 15229
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: | 96
Number of Exceedances: | 12
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 12 of 96 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-4/29/2003.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13530
Pollutant: | Turbidity
Final Listing Decision: | List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Sources: | Agriculture | Land Development | Other Urban Runoff
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2013
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | 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. Based on section 3.2 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. 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. In addition, A recent publication (Steelhead/Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Resources South of the Golden Gate, California (Becker, G.S and I.J Reining, October 2008) identifies Salinas River (and its lagoon) as having "Definite run or population. Therefore this Turbidity Evaluation Guideline is relevant to the waterbody. 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. Fifty of 98 samples exceeded the Evaluation Guideline (Sigler et al., 1984) applied to protect for aquatic life beneficial uses 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13530

LOE ID: | 15276
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 98
Number of Exceedances: | 50
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 50 of 98 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15275
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 98
Number of Exceedances: | 50
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 50 of 98 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
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 Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 13531
Pollutant: | pH
Final Listing Decision: | List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Sources: | Agriculture | Land Development | Natural Sources | Other Urban Runoff
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2013
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under sections 2.1 and 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on section 3.2 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. 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. Sixty-three of 95 samples exceed the Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat water quality objectives and 77 of 95 samples exceed the numeric objectives for Non-Contact and Water Contact Recreation. Each of these 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.
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 13531

LOE ID: | 15139
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Non-Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 95
Number of Exceedances: | 77
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 77 of 95 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15138
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Water Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 95
Number of Exceedances: | 77
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 77 of 95 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15137
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 95
Number of Exceedances: | 63
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 63 of 95 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15140
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 95
Number of Exceedances: | 63
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed National Estuarine Research Reserve Monitoring Program (R3_ESNERR) data for Salinas River Lagoon (North) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 63 of 95 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Field Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 2006
| Final Data File used for assessment: ESNERR (Elkhorn Slough National Reserve) Water Quality Data from 94-04
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 Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Salinas River Lagoon (North) was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 309SLRLAG - Salinas River Lagoon]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/20/1990-6/3/2006.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | QAPP was adopted for work conducted since 2005. Prior to 2005 no QAPP was in place and data entry was completed by volunteers. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged by RB staff (in communication with Elkhorn Slough Program staff) prior to assessment of data.
QAPP Information Reference(s):