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

# Supporting Information

## Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name: | Rincon Creek
Water Body ID: | CAR3153401220020124130528
Water Body Type: | River & Stream

DECISION ID | 5295
Pollutant: | Boron
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status | Revised
Sources: | Agriculture | Natural Sources | Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: | Pollutant
Weight of Evidence: | This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess delisting status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One line of evidence are assessed: LOE #1998 is disregarded and replaced by LOE #10452 because LOE #10452 contains all of the information in LOE #1998, as well as additional information collected between August 2002 and December 2006. LOE #1998 is not included in the current assessment. Fifteen of 55 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply Objective. 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. 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. Fifteen of 55 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply Objectiveand this exceeds the allowable frequency calculated from the equation in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: | After review of the available data and information, SWRCB 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.
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 5295

LOE ID: | 10452
Pollutant: | Boron
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | Dissolved
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 55
Number of Exceedances: | 15
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 15 of 55 samples exceed the criterion for Boron, dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. In addition, waters used for irrigation and livestock watering shall not exceed concentrations for those chemicals listed in Table 3.4 (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). Table 3-4 (page III-9) lists the maximum concentration for boron for irrigation supply is 0.75 mg/L.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 1998
Pollutant: | Boron
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | Dissolved
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 21
Number of Exceedances: | 7
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Seven out of 21 samples exceeded the water quality objective for agricultural water use/ irrigation supply for boron (CCAMP, 2004; SWAMP, 2004).
Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. In addition, waters used for irrigation and livestock watering shall not exceed concentrations for those chemicals listed in Table 3-4 (Region 3 Basin Plan, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all inland surface waters, enclosed bay, and estuaries, page III-5). In Table 3-4 of the Basin Plan (page III-9), the maximum concentration for boron for irrigation supply is 0.75 mg/L.
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Samples were collected from one site.
Temporal Representation: | Samples were collected from January 2001 through July 2002.
Environmental Conditions: | The water body is located in the South Coast hydrologic unit, South Coast hydrologic area, Carpinteria hydrologic subarea. The monitoring site is located at Rincon Creek at Bates Road, upstream of Highway 101 (315RIN).
QAPP Information: | CCAMP, SWAMP QAPP.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 5481
Pollutant: | Unknown Toxicity
Final Listing Decision: | Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status | Revised
Sources: | Agriculture | Land Development | Natural Sources | Other Urban Runoff
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2021
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 and section 4.6 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Five lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Four lines of evidence are assessed: LOE #1997 is disregarded and replaced by 4 other LOEs that contain more detail about the exact same sample data. LOE #1997 is not included in the current assessment. In addition, the pollutant name was changed from "Toxicity" to "Unknown Toxicity" to be consistent with all other decisions. Four LOEs are included in this assessment. The following is a summary of the results from individual toxicity tests. Both of the 2 samples (tested for toxicity to vertebrate test organisms), exceed the narrative General Objective for toxicity and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. However, neither of the 2 samples (tested for toxicity to invertebrate test organisms), exceed the narrative General Objective for toxicity and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 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. 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. Both of the 2 samples (tested for toxicity to vertebrate test organisms), exceed the narrative General Objective for toxicity and this exceeds the allowable frequency calculated from the equation in Table 4.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 5481

LOE ID: | 1997
Pollutant: | Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: | Toxicity
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 2
Data and Information Type: | TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Two out of two samples displayed significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5% and is less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met). Both samples were tested using the 7-day Pimephales promelas test (SWAMP, 2004). Please note QA qualifier under Data Quality Assessment section below.
Data Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Basin Plan: 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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board. Survival of aquatic life in surface waters subjected to a waste discharge or other controllable water quality conditions, shall not be less than that for the same water body in areas unaffected by the waste discharge or, when necessary, for other control water that is consistent with the requirements for "experimental water" as described in Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, latest edition. As a minimum, compliance with this objective shall be evaluated with a 96-hour bioassay.
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Both samples were collected from the same station, Rincon Creek at Bates Road.
Temporal Representation: | Samples were collected December 3, 2001 and March 19, 2002. Toxicity in the survival endpoint was detected in both these samples.
Environmental Conditions: | Rincon Creek is in the South Coast Hydrologic Unit.
QAPP Information: | SWAMP; QA qualifier indicated for the sample collected March 19, 2002. This is reported as minor deviations in water quality parameters.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 24472
Pollutant: | Invertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: | Toxicity
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Ceriodaphnia dubia Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (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: | Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: | Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 24475
Pollutant: | Vertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: | Toxicity
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 2
Data and Information Type: | TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Pimephales promelas Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (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: | Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: | Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101].
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on two seperate sample dates, 12/3/2001 and 3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 24476
Pollutant: | Vertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: | Toxicity
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 2
Data and Information Type: | TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Pimephales promelas Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (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: | Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: | Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101].
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on two seperate sample dates, 12/3/2001 and 3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 24471
Pollutant: | Invertebrate Toxicity
LOE Subgroup: | Toxicity
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 2
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | TOXICITY TESTING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Toxicity, Ceriodaphnia dubia Survival (%) 7 days. Toxicity is defined by SWAMP (2004) as follows: Significant toxicity in the survival endpoint when compared to the negative control based on a statistical test with alpha of less than 5%, and less than the evaluation threshold (both criteria are met).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, toxicity bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board (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: | Significant reduction of survival of test organism relative to the control (alpha < 0.05) and test organism survival is 20% less than the control survival.
Guideline Reference: | Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14196
Pollutant: | Ammonia (Unionized)
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. None of the 62 samples exceed the General water quality objective as it applies to 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. None of the 62 samples exceed the General water quality objective as it applies to the Cold Freshwater Habitat beneficial use 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 14196

LOE ID: | 10450
Pollutant: | Ammonia (Unionized)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4) .
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 10451
Pollutant: | Ammonia (Unionized)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4) .
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14198
Pollutant: | Anthracene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14198

LOE ID: | 14798
Pollutant: | Anthracene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Anthracene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for anthracene is 845 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15619
Pollutant: | Anthracene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Anthracene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for anthracene is 845 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14200
Pollutant: | Arsenic
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14200

LOE ID: | 15690
Pollutant: | Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Arsenic.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for arsenic is 33 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15689
Pollutant: | Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Arsenic.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for arsenic is 33 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14202
Pollutant: | Benzo(a)pyrene (3,4-Benzopyrene -7-d)
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14202

LOE ID: | 15373
Pollutant: | Benzo(a)pyrene (3,4-Benzopyrene -7-d)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Benzo(a)pyrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Benzo(a)Pyrene is 1450 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15374
Pollutant: | Benzo(a)pyrene (3,4-Benzopyrene -7-d)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Benzo(a)pyrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Benzo(a)Pyrene is 1450 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14203
Pollutant: | Benzo[a]anthracene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14203

LOE ID: | 15743
Pollutant: | Benzo[a]anthracene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Benzo(a)anthracene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Benzo(a)anthracene is 1050 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15757
Pollutant: | Benzo[a]anthracene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Benzo(a)anthracene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Benzo(a)anthracene is 1050 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14204
Pollutant: | Cadmium
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14204

LOE ID: | 15474
Pollutant: | Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Cadmium.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for cadmium is 4.98 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15487
Pollutant: | Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Cadmium.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for cadmium is 4.98 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14233
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. None of the 60 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. 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 60 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.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14233

LOE ID: | 10468
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: | 60
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 60 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 10467
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: | 60
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 60 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14232
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. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Neither of the 2 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. Neither of the 2 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 14232

LOE ID: | 16152
Pollutant: | Chlorpyrifos
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: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorpyrifos.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16153
Pollutant: | Chlorpyrifos
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: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorpyrifos.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14205
Pollutant: | Chromium (total)
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14205

LOE ID: | 15929
Pollutant: | Chromium (total)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Chromium.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for chromium is 111 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 15928
Pollutant: | Chromium (total)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Chromium.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for chromium is 111 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14206
Pollutant: | Chrysene (C1-C4)
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14206

LOE ID: | 16014
Pollutant: | Chrysene (C1-C4)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Chrysene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Chrysene is 1290 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16013
Pollutant: | Chrysene (C1-C4)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Chrysene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Chrysene is 1290 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14207
Pollutant: | Copper
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14207

LOE ID: | 16097
Pollutant: | Copper
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Copper.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for cooper is 149 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16096
Pollutant: | Copper
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Copper.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for cooper is 149 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14231
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. Neither of the 2 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. Neither of the 2 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 14231

LOE ID: | 16834
Pollutant: | Diazinon
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: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Diazinon.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16835
Pollutant: | Diazinon
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: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Diazinon.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 12/3/2001-3/19/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14208
Pollutant: | Dieldrin
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14208

LOE ID: | 16774
Pollutant: | Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Dieldrin.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for dieldrin is 61.8 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16760
Pollutant: | Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Dieldrin.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for dieldrin is 61.8 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14230
Pollutant: | Electrical Conductivity
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. One of the 67 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply water quality objective. 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. One of the 67 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply water quality objective 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 14230

LOE ID: | 12358
Pollutant: | Electrical Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity(Us).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3.0 mS/cm in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12380
Pollutant: | Electrical Conductivity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity(Us).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3.0 mS/cm in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14209
Pollutant: | Endrin
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14209

LOE ID: | 16370
Pollutant: | Endrin
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Endrin.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for endrin is 207 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16371
Pollutant: | Endrin
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Endrin.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for endrin is 207 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14210
Pollutant: | Fluoranthene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14210

LOE ID: | 16456
Pollutant: | Fluoranthene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Fluoranthene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Fluoranthene is 2,230 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16455
Pollutant: | Fluoranthene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Fluoranthene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Fluoranthene is 2,230 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14211
Pollutant: | Fluorene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14211

LOE ID: | 16585
Pollutant: | Fluorene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Fluorene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for fluorene is 536 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16572
Pollutant: | Fluorene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Fluorene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for fluorene is 536 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14212
Pollutant: | Lead
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14212

LOE ID: | 17168
Pollutant: | Lead
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Lead.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for lead is 128 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 17167
Pollutant: | Lead
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Lead.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for lead is 128 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14224
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. Eight lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess these pollutants. Two water quality objectives are assessed: Eight of the 70 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat and one of the 70 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat. In addition, 18 of 69 samples exceed the general water quality objective for oxygen saturation (when applied as a single sample maximum). However, the Basin Plan objective states that 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. 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. Two water quality objectives are assessed: Eight of the 70 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold Freshwater Habitat and one of the 70 samples exceed the dissolved oxygen water quality objective for Cold 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 14224

LOE ID: | 14084
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: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 13
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14121
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: | 7
Number of Exceedances: | 5
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 5 of 7 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14120
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: | 7
Number of Exceedances: | 5
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 5 of 7 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14119
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: | 7
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14082
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: | 63
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 63 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14081
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: | 63
Number of Exceedances: | 6
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 6 of 63 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14118
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: | 7
Number of Exceedances: | 2
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 7 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14083
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: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 13
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 13 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Saturation.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14213
Pollutant: | Mercury
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14213

LOE ID: | 17252
Pollutant: | Mercury
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Mercury.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for mercury is 1.06 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 17253
Pollutant: | Mercury
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Mercury.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for mercury is 1.06 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14214
Pollutant: | Naphthalene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14214

LOE ID: | 17319
Pollutant: | Naphthalene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Naphthalene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for naphthalene is 561 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 17318
Pollutant: | Naphthalene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Naphthalene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for naphthalene is 561 ug/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14215
Pollutant: | Nickel
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14215

LOE ID: | 16900
Pollutant: | Nickel
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Nickel.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for nickel is 48.6 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16887
Pollutant: | Nickel
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Nickel.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for nickel is 48.6 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14226
Pollutant: | Nitrate
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. None of the 62 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply or for Municipal and Domestic Supply. 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 62 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply or for Municipal and Domestic Supply and therefore 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 14226

LOE ID: | 10470
Pollutant: | Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Municipal & Domestic Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin Objective for municipal and domestic supply uses of inland surface waters (Section II.A.2) states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Article 4, Chapter 15, Section 64435, Tables 2 and 3 as listed in Table 3-2. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 3-2 (inorganic and fluoride concentrations not to be exceeded in domestic or municipal supply) for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L (NO3 as N).
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Title 22, Division 4, Ch. 15, Article 4, Section 64431, Table 64431-A
| Water Quality Control Plan Central Coast Region (R3) Basin Plan
Evaluation Guideline: |
Guideline Reference:
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 10469
Pollutant: | Nitrate
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when nitrate exceeds 30 mg/L NO3 as N in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14197
Pollutant: | Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)
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. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the 62 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level, 2006) applied to protect the Municipal & Domestic Supply 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. None of the 62 samples exceed the Evaluation Guideline (EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level, 2006) applied to protect the Municipal & Domestic Supply beneficial use 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 14197

LOE ID: | 10449
Pollutant: | Ammonia as Nitrogen
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Municipal & Domestic Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Total.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | USEPA Health Advisory 2006 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (EPA 822-R-06-013, 2006).
Objective/Criterion Reference: | 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013
Evaluation Guideline: | EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia is 30.0 mg/L as stated on page 8 of the 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. This Advisory Level is defined as "the concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure."
Guideline Reference: | 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14216
Pollutant: | Phenanthrene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14216

LOE ID: | 16986
Pollutant: | Phenanthrene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Phenanthrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Phenanthrene is 1170 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 16987
Pollutant: | Phenanthrene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Phenanthrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Phenanthrene is 1170 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14217
Pollutant: | Pyrene
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14217

LOE ID: | 17104
Pollutant: | Pyrene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Pyrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Pyrene is 1520 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 17105
Pollutant: | Pyrene
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Pyrene.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for Pyrene is 1520 ug/Kg dry weight (Macdonald et al. 2000)
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14223
Pollutant: | Salinity
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. None of the 63 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply water quality objective. 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 63 samples exceed the Agricultural Supply water quality objective 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 14223

LOE ID: | 14122
Pollutant: | Salinity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 3
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Salinity.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when salinity exceeds 3.0 ppt in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-9/5/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14101
Pollutant: | Salinity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 60
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 60 samples exceed the criterion for Salinity.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when salinity exceeds 3.0 ppt in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14221
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. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the 69 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. None of the 69 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 14221

LOE ID: | 14141
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: | 7
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14104
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: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14218
Pollutant: | Zinc
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 sections 3.1 and 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Under section 3.6 at least two lines of evidence are necessary to assess listing status for pollutants sediment, and pollutant concentrations in sediment must be associated with toxicity to result in adding that pollutant to the Section 303(d) list. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to 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. The single sample did not exceed the Evaluation Guideline (MacDonald et al. 2000) as it applies to aquatic life beneficial uses. The sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met. 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 the sample size is insufficient to determine with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy if water quality standards are being met.
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: |
USEPA Decision: |

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 14218

LOE ID: | 17736
Pollutant: | Zinc
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Zinc.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for zinc is 459 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 17737
Pollutant: | Zinc
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix: | Sediment
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 1
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP_SWAMP Monitoring (00SW3001) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Zinc.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: SWAMP Toxicity Data 2001-06
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, General Objective 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: | In fresh water sediments the probable effects level (predictive of sediment toxicity) for zinc is 459 mg/Kg dry weight (MacDonald et al. 2000).
Guideline Reference: | Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment effect concentrations for polychlorinated biphenyls. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 19(5): 1403-1413
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected on a single day 3/25/2002. SWAMP toxicity monitoring includes both water samples (collected in both winter and summer) and sediment samples (collected in spring).
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14219
Pollutant: | pH
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. Twelve lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. None of the 67 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply, Cold or Warm Freshwater Habitat. However, one of the 67 samples exceed the numeric objective for Municipal & Domestic Supply, Non-Contact Recreation and Water Contact Recreation. 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 67 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Agricultural Supply, Cold or Warm Freshwater Habitat. However, one of the 67 samples exceed the numeric objective for Municipal & Domestic Supply, Non-Contact Recreation and Water Contact Recreation. None of these 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 14219

LOE ID: | 12382
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12398
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Municipal & Domestic Supply
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or 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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12399
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Water Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12400
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Non-Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12401
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12359
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when pH is greater than 8.4 or less than 6.5 in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12360
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12381
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 5
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when pH is greater than 8.4 or less than 6.5 in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-8/9/2006. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12379
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12378
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Non-Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12361
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Municipal & Domestic Supply
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or 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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12362
Pollutant: | pH
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Water Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 1
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for pH.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 16093
Pollutant: | Chloride
Final Listing Decision: | List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: | New Decision
Revision Status | Revised
Sources: | Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2021
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. One line of evidence is 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. Forty-one of 55 samples exceeded the water quality objective for Agricultural Supply 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 16093

LOE ID: | 10453
Pollutant: | Chloride
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 55
Number of Exceedances: | 41
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 41 of 55 samples exceed the criterion for Chloride.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when chloride exceeds 106 mg/L in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14229
Pollutant: | Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
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 | 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 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on section 3.3 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. Eight of 25 samples exceeded the Evaluation Guideline (USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria, 1986) as it applies to the Water Contact Recreation beneficial use 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 14229

LOE ID: | 12417
Pollutant: | Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Non-Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 25
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 25 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml. E. coli is a fecal coliform.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/6/2005-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12402
Pollutant: | Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Water Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 25
Number of Exceedances: | 8
Data and Information Type: | PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 8 of 25 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.
Objective/Criterion Reference: | Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
Evaluation Guideline: | Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15)
Guideline Reference: | Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002
Spatial Representation: | Data for this line of evidence for Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/6/2005-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14228
Pollutant: | Fecal Coliform
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 | 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 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on section 3.3 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. Seventeen of 62 samples exceeded the water quality objective for Water Contact Recreation 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 14228

LOE ID: | 12341
Pollutant: | Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Water Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 17
Data and Information Type: | PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 17 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 200 MPN/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of total samples during any 30-day period exceed 400 MPN/100 ml.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 12342
Pollutant: | Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Non-Contact Recreation
Number of Samples: | 62
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 62 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14222
Pollutant: | Sodium
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 | Natural Sources | Other Urban Runoff
Expected TMDL Completion Date: | 2021
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. One line of evidence is 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. Fifty-one of 55 samples exceeded the water quality objective for Agricultural Supply 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 14222

LOE ID: | 10484
Pollutant: | Sodium
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Agricultural Supply
Number of Samples: | 55
Number of Exceedances: | 51
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 51 of 55 samples exceed the criterion for Sodium.
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: | Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when sodium exceeds 69 mg/L in irrigation supply water.
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):

DECISION ID | 14220
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: | 2021
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. 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 Rincon Creek 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. Twelve of 56 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 14220

LOE ID: | 14139
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 3
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-9/5/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14140
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 3
Number of Exceedances: | 0
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 7/17/2001-9/5/2001. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14102
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Cold Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 53
Number of Exceedances: | 12
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 12 of 53 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
LOE ID: | 14103
Pollutant: | Turbidity
LOE Subgroup: | Pollutant-Water
Matrix: | Water
Fraction: | None
Beneficial Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use: | Warm Freshwater Habitat
Number of Samples: | 53
Number of Exceedances: | 12
Data and Information Type: | PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: | Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Coastal Confluences (CC) data for Rincon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 12 of 53 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).
Data Reference: | Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2
| Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3
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 Rincon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 315RIN-Rincon Creek at Bates Road, u/s Highway 101]
Temporal Representation: | Data was collected over the time period 1/16/2001-12/5/2006. CCAMP Coastal confluence monitoring is conducted monthly (with the exception of April 2003 - December 2003) and is ongoing.
Environmental Conditions: | Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.
QAPP Information: | All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.
QAPP Information Reference(s):