Draft California 2014 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name:	Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)
Water Body ID:	CAR4051501019990202114543
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	32501	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

Pollutant:	Ammonia
Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2012)
Revision Status	Revised
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; due to restoration activities
TMDL Name:	Los Angeles River Nitrogen (11)
TMDL Project Code:	229
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	03/18/2004
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Staff Conclusion:	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. Five lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification 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. Zero of 301 samples exceeded the Basin Plan pH and temperature dependent acute ammonia criteria and zero of 100 samples exceeded the Basin Plan pH and temperature dependent chronic ammonia criteria use, and two of 50 exceed the objective 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.

Regional Board Staff Decision 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32501, Ammonia	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

LOE ID:

28216

Pollutant:

Ammonia

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

301

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of 301 samples exceeded the acute criteria for ammonia and one out of 100 samples exceeded the chronic criteria. Temperature and pH data corresponding to the ammonia samples were used for analysis. Temperature values ranged from 11.7 C to 32.8 C. Sample pH values ranged from 7.02 to 9.16. Samples are from the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles, Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plant (WNRP) Monitoring Reports 2003-2007

Data Reference:

Whittier Narrows Water Reclamation Plant (WNRP) -Monitoring Reports 2003-2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The acute (1-hour average) and chronic (4-day average) concentrations for ammonia are the highest concentrations of to which aquatic life can be exposed for a short period and an extended period of time, respectively, without deleterious effects applicable to protect aquatic life Beneficial Uses. These criteria are pH and temperature dependent and vary accordingly. The ammonia objectives and the pH and temperature dependent formulas are found in Attachment A of Regional Board Resolution No. 2002-011.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Two receiving water monitoring stations: RD located 1000 ft upstream from San Gabriel Boulevard, downstream of WNRP Discharge point 004, and RD-1 100ft upstream of WNRP Discharge point 004.

Temporal Representation:

Weekly and monthly samples collected and analyzed from October 2003 to January 2008.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected for compliance with NPDES Permit No. CAS-004001 Monitoring and Reporting Programs.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Monitoring and Reporting Program - CI 6948 for order no. 01-182 NPDES No. CAS004001 Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharges within the County of Los Angeles, and the incorporated cities, except the City of Long Beach

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32501, Ammonia	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

LOE ID:

2485

Pollutant:

Ammonia

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Based on 30-day average concentrations of ammonia, no samples of 36 total samples exceed the ammonia objective. Ambient measurements of pH and temperature (30-day averages) were used to calculate the water quality objective. (LACSD, 2004b).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

In order to protect aquatic life, ammonia concentrations in inland surface waters characteristic of freshwater shall not exceed the values calculated for the appropriate instream conditions [both pH and temperature] shown in Tables 3-1 to 3-3 [in the Basin Plan] (per U.S. EPA's most recent criteria guidance document, '1999 Update of Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia').

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Three stations.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from February 2001 through November 2004. New management practices were begun at the beginning of this period and may have resulted in a change in water quality. Water quality measurements collected before the implementation of management measures were not considered representative of current conditions.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

NPDES quality assurance.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 32501, Ammonia	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

LOE ID:

2483

Pollutant:

Ammonia

LOE Subgroup:

Narrative Description Data

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

An alternative enforceable program is in place that will address ammonia water quality standards exceedances for this reach. In June 1995, the seven water reclamation plants discharging in the San Gabriel River and Santa Clara River watersheds received NPDES permits containing requirements regarding compliance with the Basin Plan water quality objectives for ammonia. In accordance with these permits, the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts have been pursuing the addition of nitrification and denitrification facilities at each of these plants to comply with the ammonia objectives. By June 2003, it is expected that these new facilities will be operational and ammonia will be drastically reduced. Research facility operation shows that the monthly average ammonia concentration will fully comply with the chronic ammonia objective. Objective is expected to be applicable in June 2003.
It is probable that the majority of ammonia discharged to this water body was contributed by POTWs. Information in the record indicates that the majority (over 95%) of the ammonia in the Los Angeles River was contributed by POTWs. Also, it is probable that the contribution in the San Gabriel River watershed is dominated by contributions from POTWs as well. Generally, concentrations of ammonia upstream of the treatment plants are much lower than downstream concentrations (up to an order of magnitude difference).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	35152	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

Pollutant:	Coliform Bacteria
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2012)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Source Unknown
TMDL Name:	Los Angeles River Pathogens (15)
TMDL Project Code:	238
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	03/23/2012
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Staff Conclusion:	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. There is sufficient justification to place this waterbody/pollutant in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The Los Angeles River Bacteria TMDL was approved by USEPA on 03/23/2012.

Regional Board Staff Decision 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 35152, Coliform Bacteria	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

LOE ID:

4385

Pollutant:

Coliform Bacteria

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Unspecified

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Unspecified

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Unspecified

Temporal Representation:

Unspecified

Environmental Conditions:

Unspecified

QAPP Information:

Unspecified

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	44719	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

Pollutant:	Cyanide
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2012)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Staff Conclusion:	Regional Board Conclusion: The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Region 4), for the 2008 listing cycle, had incorrectly assessed and listed Rio Hondo Reach 1 for cyanide. The State Water Board is responding to Region 4's request to correct this error. The data and information for Rio Hondo Reach 1 has been retired and Rio Hondo Reach 2 is being assessed for cyanide. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Three of six samples exceed the CTR chronic criteria and one of six samples exceed both the CCC and CMC criteria and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met. State Board Review and Conclusion: The Los Angeles Water Board staff assessed Rio Hondo Reach 1 for Cyanide instead of the appropriate reach, Reach 2. The Los Angeles Water Board approved the listing of Reach 1 for Cyanide. The Regional Water Board staff asked State Water Board staff to correct the error and place the correct water segment on 303(d) list. State Water Board staff evaluated the information and propose to remove the Rio Hondo Reach 1 from the 303 (d) list and to List the Rio Hondo Reach 2 for Cyanide.

Regional Board Staff Decision Recommendation:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 44719, Cyanide	Region 4
Rio Hondo Reach 2 (At Spreading Grounds)

LOE ID:

30913

Pollutant:

Cyanide

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Fixed station physical/chemical (conventional plus toxic pollutants)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Three of six samples exceeded the CTR CCC limit and one of six samples exceeded the CMC limit. Data from the County of Los Angeles Stormwater Monitoring Report 2003/04

Data Reference:

Monitoring Report (MS4 Data) - CI 6948 for order no. 01-182 NPDES No. CAS004001 Municipal Storm Water and Urban Runoff Discharges within the County of Los Angeles, and the Incorporated Cities therein, Except the City of Long Beach

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

CTR Criteria Continuous Concentration of 0.0052 mg/L is the highest concentration of cyanide to which aquatic life can be exposed for an extended period of time (four days) without deleterious effects applicable to protect aquatic life Beneficial Uses. The CTR Criteria Maximum Concentration CMC of 0.022 mg/l is the highest concentration of cyanide to which aquatic life can be exposed for a short period of time without deleterious effects. These criteria are linked and applicable for the protection of aquatic life Beneficial Uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Standards 2000. Establishment of numeric criteria for priority toxic pollutants for the State of California: Rules and regulations. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 97. Washington, D.C.: Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

One stormwater monitoring station: TS06 located on Beverly Blvd, downstream of Whittier Narrows dam, at the USGS - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Stream gage No. 1102300 or E327-R.

Temporal Representation:

Grab samples collected and analyzed over the 2003-04 storm year.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected for compliance with NPDES Permit No. CAS-004001 Monitoring and Reporting Programs.

QAPP Information Reference(s):