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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 9 - San Diego Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach
Water Body ID: CAC9011200020090505104552
Water Body Type: Coastal & Bay Shoreline
 
DECISION ID
16864
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Twenty-three of samples exceeded the water quality objective for enterococcus.

In LOE 29294, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. Twenty-three of 447 single samples exceeded the enterococcus water quality objective and 5 of 106 calculated geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective. Neither of these exceed the allowable frequency listed 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 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:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16864
 
LOE ID: 29326
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach posting covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29290
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 447
Number of Exceedances: 23
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 447 samples were collected with 23 exceeding the single sample maximum water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 30305
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments that each represent an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
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): Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
LOE ID: 29294
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 11
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 447 samples were collected. Between March 2002 and December 2007, 49 samples were associated with a storm event. Of the 49 samples, 11 exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29295
 
Pollutant: Enterococcus
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 106
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 447 samples were collected and 106 monthly geomeans calculated. Of the 106 geomeans, five exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
DECISION ID
16863
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments that each represent an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterrococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Ten of samples exceeded the water quality objective for fecal coliform.

In LOE 29322, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. Ten of 449 single samples exceeded the fecal coliform water quality objective and 1 of 107 calculated geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective. Neither of these exceed the allowable frequency listed 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 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:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16863
 
LOE ID: 30305
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments that each represent an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
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): Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
LOE ID: 29320
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 449
Number of Exceedances: 10
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 449 samples were collected with 10 exceeding the single sample maximum water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29326
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach posting covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29322
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 5
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 449 samples were collected. Between March 2002 and December 2007, 49 samples were correlated with a storm event. Of the 49 samples, five exceeded the single sample maximum water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29321
 
Pollutant: Fecal Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 107
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 449 samples were collected with 107 geomeans calculated. Of the 107 geomean, only one exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml;

Geomean: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
DECISION ID
16862
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
Final Listing Decision: Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: New Decision
Revision Status Revised
Reason for Delisting: State determines water quality standard is being met
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: In 2006, 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was listed for Indicator Bacteria. For 2008, the 2006 Laguna Beach HSA segment has been split into smaller segments and each represents an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered to be part of the original listing.

For this 2008 assessment, the Regional Board has chosen to replace the 'indicator bacteria' listing with separate assessments of the specific indicator bacteria, such as coliform, fecal coliform, and enterococcus, for removal or non-removal from the 303(d) list.

This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) list under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Six lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirty nine of samples exceeded the water quality objective for Shellfish Harvesting.

In LOEs 29275 and 29319, the Regional Board calculated exceedances for samples taken only during storm events. This information was not used in determining listing decisions, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included as additional anecdotal information.

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. Thirty-nine of 459 samples exceeded the Shellfish Harvesting water quality objective , and 3 of 459 single samples and 0 of 108 calculated geomeans exceed the water contact recreation water quality objective. None of these exceed the allowable frequency listed 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 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:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 16862
 
LOE ID: 29317
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 459
Number of Exceedances: 3
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 459 samples were collected with three samples exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29326
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Health Advisories
Matrix: -N/A
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2555
Number of Exceedances: 204
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: For the period from January 2000 to December 2006, there were and 204 beach postings days for this section of shoreline. Bacteriological samples are collected on a weekly basis at approximately 150 ocean and bay location in Orange County. When a bacteriological sample exceeds water quality standards, signs are posted indicating that waters have exceeded public health standards.

Data and information on the number of beach posting were summarized by the County of Orange in their Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, March 2007. The reporting period was from January 2000 -December 2006. Data used was the number of days the beach was posting when the ocean or bay failed to meet the bacteriological standards.
Data Reference: County of Orange. March 2007. Annual Ocean and Bay Water Quality Report, 2006.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: California Code of Regulations. Title 17, Section 7960.

(a) When a public beach or public water-contact sports area fails to meet any of the standards as set forth in Section 7957 or 7958 above, the local health officer or the Department, after taking into consideration the causes therefor, may at his or its discretion close, post with warning signs, or otherwise restrict use of said public beach or public water-contact sports area, until such time as corrective action has been taken and the standards as set forth in 7957 and 7958 above are met.
Objective/Criterion Reference: California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 7960.
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Bacteriological monitoring samples were collected at Aliso Beach and South Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Beaches included Emerald Bay, Crescent Bay, Laguna Main Beach, Hotel Laguna, Bluebird Canyon, Victoria Beach and Blue Lagoon. The posting covers 4.4 miles of beach shoreline.
Temporal Representation: The beach posting covers the time frame of January 2000 -December 2006.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Samples were collected in compliance with County of Orange's Quality Assessment/Quality Control document (County of Orange, 2004).
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 29279
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 459
Number of Exceedances: 39
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 459 single samples with 39 samples exceeding the single sample water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 100 ml.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29275
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 9
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 459 single samples were collected. Between March 2002 and December 2007, 49 samples correlated with a storm event. Of the 49 samples, nine exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: From the Ocean Plan, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml, and not more than 10 percent of the samples shall exceed 230 per 100 ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 29318
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 108
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 459 samples were collected and 108 geomeans calculated. None of the 108 geomeans exceeded the geomean water quality objective.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.
 
LOE ID: 30305
 
Pollutant: Indicator Bacteria
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PATHOGEN MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

For the 2008 assessment , the 2006 listed coastline 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA' was split into smaller segments that each represent an area near the sampling location of the data being assessed. This segment 'Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA, at Main Beach' is one of the sampling locations. This LOE is a copy of the 2006 listing placeholder LOE for Pacific Ocean Shoreline, Laguna Beach HSA and is considered by the Regional Board to be applicable to this more specific segment formed from the split.
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): Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)
 
LOE ID: 29319
 
Pollutant: Total Coliform
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Water Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 49
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PWS pathogen monitoring (ambient water)
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Beach monitoring data was collected by the County of Orange from January 1999 through December 2007. A total of 459 samples were collected. Between March 2002 and December 2007, 49 samples were correlated with a storm event. Of the 49 samples, only one exceeded the single sample water quality objective. This information will not be used in determining a listing decision, but is of interest to the Regional Board and has been included here as additional anecdotal information.
Data Reference: Ocean Bacteriological Data Evaluation for City of Laguna Beach, 1999 through 2006, Final Report.
  National Weather Service Forecast Office, San Diego, California, Chronological Regional Temperature and Precipitation Listings by Station
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: Single Sample Maximum: Total coliform density shall not exceed 10,000 per 100ml;

Geomean: Total coliform density shall not exceed 1,000 per 100ml (SWRCB, 2005).
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected from Main Beach, station id OLB00, in the Laguna HSA. Lat/Long: 33.54244/-117.78659.
Temporal Representation: Samples were collected weekly from January 1999 through December 2007; however, rainfall data is only available from March 2002 through December 2007.
Environmental Conditions: Comparisons were made for all data and data associated with storm events. A storm event was defined as 0.2 inches of rainfall within a 72 hour period.

Analyzing only storm water bacteria data is important because the majority of beach monitoring data covers the months of April through October. The data may not capture the full impacts of seasonal storm events and high bacteria levels due to storm water runoff because much of the wet season for Southern California occurs in November through March.
QAPP Information: Quality control for the bacteria analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the County of Orange Quality Assessment/Quality Control document.
QAPP Information Reference(s): County of Orange. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manual, February 2004.