Final 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 8 - Santa Ana Region

Water Body Name:	Big Bear Lake
Water Body ID:	CAL8017100019990208151909
Water Body Type:	Lake & Reservoir


DECISION ID	7213

Pollutant:	Copper
Final Listing Decision:	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
Reason for Delisting:	Flaws in original listing
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Weight of Evidence:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.1 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Seven (7) lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Three (3) of samples exceeded the water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification for removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Three (3) of forty-four (44) samples exceeded the California Toxics Rule Acute or Chronic Criteria and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed 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 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 removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded.

SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:	N/A

USEPA Decision:

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7213


LOE ID:	4397

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:	Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	0
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:	Unspecified
Guideline Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:	Unspecified
Temporal Representation:	Unspecified
Environmental Conditions:	Unspecified
QAPP Information:	Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	7755

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Dissolved

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	2
Number of Exceedances:	2

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	The samples were collected at three locations but hardness was only measured in two of the locations so the criteria for the third location could not be calculated. Of the two samples collected that have hardness measurements, both exceed the chronic criteria for copper. One could speculate that if the hardness is similar to the other two locations, then the third location would also exceed the chronic criteria.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	The California Toxics Rule Criteria is hardness dependent as follows: chronic criteria on 4/19/93 at the dam station is 7.48 ug/l ; the chronic criteria at the east end station is 8.65 ug/l. There was a sample collected at Metcalf Bay on 7/28/92 but it was not analyzed for hardness so the result can not be compared to the hardness dependent criteria.
Guideline Reference:	Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency

Spatial Representation:	The data was collected from three stations within the lake: Lake 1 at the Dam, Lake 4 at East End, and Lake 2 at Metcalf Bay. The location lacking hardness measurements is Metcalf Bay.
Temporal Representation:	The samples that had hardness values and criteria was calculated for them were collected on 4/19/93. The one sample without the hardness measurement was collected on 7/28/92.
Environmental Conditions:	The samples were collected during the dry season.
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed appropriate since the data was collected under the auspices of the U.S. EPA's Clean Lakes Study.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	7756

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Dissolved

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	2
Number of Exceedances:	1

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the two samples collected only one exceeded the acute criteria. An extra sample was collected at metcalf bay on 7/28/92 but hardness was not measured and thus the criteria could not be calculated so it is not part of the decision for this water body. It is only mentioned for informational purposes. One could speculate that if the hardness at Metcalf Bay is similar to the hardness at the other two locatios, then the sample at Metcalf Bay would exceed the acute criteria.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	California Toxics Rule Acute Criteria is as follows: 4/19/93 at the dam: 11.02 ug/l, at east end: 12.93 ug/l.
Guideline Reference:	Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency

Spatial Representation:	The samples were collected from three stations within the lake: Lake 1 at dam, Lake 4 at east end, lake 2 metcalf bay.
Temporal Representation:	The two samples that had criteria calculated were collected on the same day 4/19/93. The additional sample without hardess result nor criteria was collected on 7/28/92.
Environmental Conditions:	The samples were collected during the dry season.
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed appropriate since the data was collected under the auspices of the U.S. EPA's Clean Lakes Study.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	9141

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Dissolved

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	20
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the 20 samples, none exceeded the CTR criteria.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	California Toxics Rule acute criteria using 134 mg/l hardness: copper: 17.7 ug/l.
Guideline Reference:	Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency

Spatial Representation:	Two samples were collected per station with one at the photic zone and the other sample near the bottom of the lake at that station. There were ten stations total. The samples were collected at TMDL1 - dam photic zone, and near the bottom of the dam, TMDL2 - Gilner Point in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL6 - Middle of the Lake in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL9 - at Stanfield in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL3 - Grout Bay in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL4 - Metcalf Bay in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL5- in the middle of the lake towards the north side in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL7 - in the middle of the lake towards the south in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL8 - at Stanfield north side of the lake in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL10 - at Stanfield towards the south side of the lake in the photic zone and near the bottom.
Temporal Representation:	The samples were collected on 6/11/01.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed acceptable because it was collected under the auspices of a quality assurance plan approved by the Regional Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	9142

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Sediment
Matrix:	Sediment
Fraction:	None

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	10
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the 10 samples collected, none exceeded the guidelines.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	Sediment Quality Guidelines in dry weight: copper: 149 ppm.
Guideline Reference:	Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 39: 20-31

Spatial Representation:	The samples were collected at 10 stations: Dam - TMDL1, Gilner Point - TMDL2, Midlake Middle - TMDL6, Standfield Middle - TMDL 9, Grout Bay - TMDL3, Metcalf Bay - TMDL4, Midlake North - TMDL5, Midlake South - TMDL7, Stanfield North - TMDL 8, Stanfield South - TMDL10.
Temporal Representation:	The samples were collected on 6/11/01.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance information is deemed acceptable because the samples were collected and analyzed under the auspices of a quality assurance plan approved by the Regional Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	21150

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix:	Tissue
Fraction:	Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	5
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	Fish tissue analysis
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the 5 largemouth bass fish samples collected, none exceeded the guidelines. The samples were collected by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment Screening Values: 15 ppm.
Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:	The largemouth bass fish samples were collected from 5 locations in Big Bear Lake: MWDL2 - near the confluence with Grout Creek, MWDC5 - near the confluence with Summit Creek, MWDL6 - Northshore Observatory, MWDL1 - at the dam, and MWDC1 - near the confluence with Metcalf Creek.
Temporal Representation:	The samples were collected on October 15, 2002.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed acceptable because the data was collected by the Department of Fish and Game under the auspices of their quality assurance plans.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	21148

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Dissolved

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	20
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the 20 samples, none exceeded the CTR criteria. This is the most up to date data we currently have on this pollutant.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	California Toxics Rule chronic criteria using 134 mg/l hardness: copper: 11.5 ug/l
Guideline Reference:	Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency

Spatial Representation:	Two samples were collected per station with one at the photic zone and the other sample near the bottom of the lake at that station. There were ten stations total. The samples were collected at TMDL1 - dam photic zone, and near the bottom of the dam, TMDL2 - Gilner Point in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL6 - Middle of the Lake in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL9 - at Stanfield in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL3 - Grout Bay in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL4 - Metcalf Bay in the photic zone and near the bottom, TMDL5- in the middle of the lake towards the north side in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL7 - in the middle of the lake towards the south in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL8 - at Stanfield north side of the lake in the photic zone, and near the bottom, TMDL10 - at Stanfield towards the south side of the lake in the photic zone and near the bottom.
Temporal Representation:	The samples were collected on 6/11/01.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed acceptable because it was collected under the auspices of a quality assurance plan approved by the Regional Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	21149

Pollutant:	Copper
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Tissue
Matrix:	Tissue
Fraction:	Fish fillet

Beneficial Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	5
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	Fish tissue analysis
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Of the 5 largemouth bass fish samples collected, none exceeded the guidelines. The samples were collected by the California Department of Fish and Game.
Data Reference:	Big Bear Lake Metals 303(d) Delisting Proposal

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Santa Ana Regions Basin Plan Narrative Objective: The concentrations of toxic pollutants in the water column, sediments or biota shall not adversely affect beneficial uses.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:	Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment Screening Values: selenium - 2 ppm; mercury - 0.3 ppm.
Guideline Reference:	Prevalence of Selected Target Chemical Contaminants in Sport Fish From Two California Lakes: Public health designed screening study. Sacramento, CA: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

Spatial Representation:	The largemouth bass fish samples were collected from 5 locations in Big Bear Lake: MWDL2 - near the confluence with Grout Creek, MWDC5 - near the confluence with Summit Creek, MWDL6 - Northshore Observatory, MWDL1 - at the dam, and MWDC1 - near the confluence with Metcalf Creek.
Temporal Representation:	The samples were collected on October 15, 2002.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information:	The data's quality assurance is deemed acceptable because the data was collected by the Department of Fish and Game under the auspices of their quality assurance plans.
QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	7216

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
Final Listing Decision:	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
Reason for Delisting:	State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Weight of Evidence:	303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database. The Regional Boards will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.

RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:	N/A

SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:	N/A

USEPA Decision:

Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 7216


LOE ID:	4400

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:	Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	0
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.
Data Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Unspecified
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:	Unspecified
Guideline Reference:	Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:	Unspecified
Temporal Representation:	Unspecified
Environmental Conditions:	Unspecified
QAPP Information:	Unspecified
QAPP Information Reference(s):


LOE ID:	7738

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
LOE Subgroup:	Pollutant-Water
Matrix:	Water
Fraction:	None

Beneficial Use:	Warm Freshwater Habitat
Aquatic Life Use:	Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:	222
Number of Exceedances:	0

Data and Information Type:	PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality:	The water quality data consists of total suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, turbidity, chlorophyll a and secchi disk transparency. Of the 222 samples, none showed that the sedimentation/siltation is the lake is due to controllable water quality factors (tributaries). The data supports that resuspension from boating, wind, bioturbation, and algae production are the most likely reasons for the sedimentation/siltation.
Data Reference:	Justification for Delisting Big Bear Lake for Siltation / Sedimentation

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:	Narrative Objective in Basin Plan is as follows: Inland surface waters shall not contain suspended or settleable solids in amounts which cause a nuisance or adversely affect uses as a result of controllable water quality factors.
Objective/Criterion Reference:	Water Quality Control Plan-Santa Ana Region

Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:	Four stations were sampled: Dam (MWDL1), Gilner Point (MWDL2), Mid Lake Middle (MWDL6), and Stanfield Middle (MWDL9). MWDL1 & MWDL2 are located in the deeper part west end of the lake; MWDL6 is located near the midpoint of the lake; MWDL9 is located in the shallower east end of the lake.
Temporal Representation:	The data was collected from June 2001- November 2005 by the TMDL task force at four lake stations.
Environmental Conditions:	The samples were collected at the photic zone, bottom of the lake station, and analyzed for total suspended solids, and volatile suspended solids, chlorophyll a, and secchi disk transparency. Statistical comparisons were made among fall, summer and spring seasons and these showed the highest turbidity to occur during the times when chlorophyll a is at its highest concentrations. The data did not support that sedimentation was caused by controllable factors, i.e. tributaries, because turbidity concentrations did not peak during the winter and spring when storm events and snow melt occur.
QAPP Information:	The data was collected under the auspices of multiple quality assurance plans that were approved by the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.
QAPP Information Reference(s):