Final California 2010 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 2 - San Francisco Bay Region

Water Body Name:	Pescadero Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR2024001319980929143113
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	17834	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	Ammonia (Unionized) \| 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

Regional Board Conclusion:	These pollutants are 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. None of the samples exceed the 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. Zero of nine samples exceeded the 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.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, Water Board 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.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17834, Multiple Pollutants	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

28067

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized) | Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Nine water samples were collected in Pescadero Creek watershed and analyzed for total ammonia and un-ionized ammonia. None of them exceeded the evaluation criteria.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Monitoring and Bioassessment in Nine San Francisco Bay Region Watersheds: Walker Creek, Lagunitas Creek, San Leandro Creek, Wildcat Creek/San Pablo Creek, Suisun Creek, Arroyo Las Positas, Pescadero Creek/Butano Creek, San Gregorio Creek, and Stevens Creek/Permanente Creek. Oakland, CA: Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. This objective applies regardless of whether the toxicity is caused by a single substance or the interactive effect of multiple substances.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Board Basin Plan stated that the discharge of wastes shall not cause receiving water to contain concentrations of un-ionized ammonia in excess of 0.025mg/l annual median.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

For Total Ammonia: 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:

Samples were collected from three monitoring locations (PES070, PES140 and PES190) representative of the entire creek.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected during three seasons: dry, spring and wet season of 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The QA was in compliance with SWAMP Quality Assurance Management Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17835	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

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

Regional Board Conclusion:	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 samples exceed the 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. Zero of six samples exceeded the water quality objective 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.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, Water Board 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.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17835, Cadmium	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

27987

Pollutant:

Cadmium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

SWAMP program collected six water samples from two locations in Pescadero Creek. Cadmium concentrations did not exceed the water quality objectives.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The objective in the Basin Plan is expressed by formulas where H=ln (hardness) as CaCO3 in mg/l: The four-day average objective for cadmium is e (exp 0.7852H - 3.490). This is 1.1 ug/l at a hardness of 100mg/l as CaCO3. The one hour objective is e (exp 1.128H - 3.828). This is 3.9ug/l at a hardness of 100mg/l as CaCO3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected from two monitoring locations PES050 and PES070 in the most downstream portion of the creek.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected in three seasons: spring, wet and dry season of 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The QA/QC procedure was in compliance with Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program's (SWAMP) Quality Assurance Management Plan (QAMP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	17836	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	Copper \| Lead \| Nickel \| Silver \| 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

Regional Board Conclusion:	These pollutants are 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 samples exceed the 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. Zero of six samples exceeded the water quality objective 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.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, Water Board 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.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17836, Multiple Pollutants	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

27934

Pollutant:

Copper | Lead | Nickel | Silver | Zinc

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

The Pescadero Creek watershed was monitored as part of SWAMP assessment. None of the six samples exceeded the water quality objectives for copper, lead, nickel, silver and zinc.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Table 3-4 in the Basin Plan (2007) lists freshwater water quality objectives for toxic pollutants: copper - 9.0 ug/L, lead - 2.5 ug/L; nickel - 52 ug/L, silver - 3.4 ug/L and zinc - 120 ug/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected from two monitoring locations PES050 and PES070 in the most downstream portion of the creek.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected from three different seasons: dry, wet and spring season of 2002

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The Quality Control is is conducted in accordance with SWAMP's Quality Management Plan of 2002.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4204	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	Sedimentation/Siltation
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Nonpoint Source
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2016
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for delisting under sections 4.9 and 4.11 of the Listing Policy. Six lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. The original listing was based on a recommendation to list by the Department of Fish and Game. According to available data, the water body has optimal or suboptimal habitat to support salmonids and a generally good insect community even though sedimentation from past practices will continue for some time. Summer measurements of turbidity did not exceed evaluation guidelines for the protection of salmonids. There is limited habitat for Coho because of the lack of deep pools, spawning gravels, and large woody debris. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient justification in favor of removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The biological assessments used comply with the requirements of the Listing Policy section 6.1.5.8. 2. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 3. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 4. Even though most of the samples indicate optimal or suboptimal fish habitat and the benthic bioassessments indicate most of the samples have good or excellent ratings, there is still potential impacts on coho related to suitable spawning habitat. If California Department of Fish and Game and the National Marine Fisheries Service find that for this water body fish populations are not impacted, the State Water Board supports removing this water body and pollutant from the list. 5. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):	USEPA approved the listing of this water body as a water quality limited segment requiring a TMDL for this pollutant.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1772

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Narrative Description Data

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Graphs of "Maximum Annual Flood Peaks Greater than Bankfull as a Ratio to the Mean Annual Flood" and "Maximum Annual Flood Peaks Greater than Bankfull as a Ratio to the Mean Annual Flood" appear to show that flooding continues to be periodic and occasional (e.g., Pages 4-5, 4-6).

Sediment Source Investigation (e.g., Analysis of aerial photos).

"Erosional features associated with land management account for by far the greatest sediment delivery volumes from the watershed." (Page 6-48).

"The sandstone and mixed lithology HGUs that underlie much of the forested area of the watershed may continue to produce relatively large quantities of sediment for some time." (Page 6-49).

"While erosion and sediment delivery resulting from past management will likely continue for some time, there should be an overall decrease in sediment delivery to stream channels as land use practices continue to improve and as degraded lands recover both naturally and through proactive treatments." (Pages 6-49, 6-50).1. Analysis of the flood record on Pescadero Creek (1951 through 2001).
2. Analysis of changes in streambed elevation at the gauging station (1951 through 2001).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: The suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (SFBRWQCB, 1995).

Turbidity Objective: "Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Increases from normal background light penetration or turbidity relatable to waste discharge shall not be greater than 10 percent in areas where natural turbidity is greater than 50 NTU."

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Single USGS gauging station, "Pescadero Creek," located at a bridge on Pescadero Road, 3.0 miles east of the town of Pescadero and 5.3 miles upstream of the mouth of Pescadero Creek.

Temporal Representation:

Series of annual maximum instantaneous flood peaks (annual flood series) for the 1952 through the 2001 water years.

Environmental Conditions:

Harvest practices employed by timber companies active in the watershed over the last twenty years are less intensive, and are far more sensitive to issues of erosion and water quality. Farmers and ranchers in the watershed have been working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Bureau to prevent erosion and improve both water quality protection measures and road maintenance practices in cultivated, rangeland and forest settings. In addition, the area of protected lands continues to increase with the acquisition of ranch and timberlands for parks and open space. Such acquisitions generally terminate intensive management of these lands, and the various parks and open space agencies have shown strong interest in addressing ongoing and potentially controllable erosion problems.

QAPP Information:

Good for USGS sampling program (USGS, 2002). Less good for aerial survey (e.g., "The results of this survey may have been influenced by lack of access to private lands." [Page 6-48]).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1778

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Sediment

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the RWQCB: More than 80 percent of the estimated total sediment delivery to the channel network during the past two decades is associated with human land use activities. Much of this sediment is controllable (gullies associated with historical hillside agriculture, active and abandoned rural earth-surfaced roads, etc.).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: The suspended sediment load and suspended sediment discharge rate of surface waters shall not be altered in such a manner as to cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in the deposition of material that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1780

Pollutant:

Habitat Assessment (Streams)

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

HABITAT ASSESSMENT

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Assessments of physical habitat quality, biotic conditions, pool habitat quality, and water quality in the Pescadero-Butano watershed revealed the following overall fisheries habitat conditions currently present in the watershed: (1) Accessible salmonid habitat is fairly abundant throughout the watershed, (2) salmonid habitat quality is higher in the mid and upper Pescadero Creek watershed and lower in the Butano Creek watershed as well as the low gradient reaches of Pescadero Creek, (3) pool habitat is fairly abundant but of limited depth and suboptimal cover, (4) water quality throughout both watersheds is generally adequate for salmonids and other aquatic organisms.

The primary limiting factors with regards to salmonid habitat, based on the sampled reaches, are generally shallow pool depths, limited amounts and frequency of large woody debris, and relatively high levels of fine sediments. These limiting factors are likely to be of greater significance to coho salmon than steelhead. Coho in particular require deep pools with low water velocities and adequate cover for survival and growth while steelhead are more adapted to occupying and foraging in the faster and shallower areas of stream channels. Thus, current habitat conditions in the watershed favor steelhead over coho salmon.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall remain free of toxic substances in concentrations that are lethal to or that produce significant alterations in population or community ecology or receiving water biota (SFBRWQCB, 1995).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Eighteen sites along the creek and in small tributaries.

Temporal Representation:

Data and information collected in 2002 and 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP quality assurance and comparable ESA methods.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1779

Pollutant:

Habitat Assessment (Streams)

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

From the RWQCB: (1) There is little suitable habitat at present within the creek for coho salmon, and primary hypothesized limiting factors (for coho) are lack of good cover and deep pools, the second factor of which is in part related to an abundant total and fine sediment supply;
(2) Coho salmon are state listed as endangered south of the Golden Gate, and federally listed as threatened. Two-of-three brood years are believed to be extinct within Pescadero and Butano Creeks, and the third brood year appears to have a tenuous presence.
(3) Although the steelhead trout run in both creeks does not appear to be immediately threatened by local extinction, run-size is substantially reduced from historical values by a variety of limiting factors including a lack of large woody debris and substantial increase in total and fine sediment supply.

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):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1776

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Metric values from 18 sample sites for taxonomic richness, dominant taxon, members of three major benthic invertebrate families, a sensitive taxa index, the Shannon Diversity index, and tolerance value were scored and the 132 scores (6 scores for each sample site) summed to derive total scores for each site. Total scores were then used to assign "poor", "fair", "good", or "excellent" condition grades to each site along the Creek (SWAMP, 2004).Total sample site scores ranged from 10 to 28. The average score was 20.4, which is equivalent to a "good" rating. One site was rated "poor". Two sites were rated "fair". Eight sites were "good" and seven sites were "excellent".

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are lethal to or that produce significant alterations in population or community ecology or receiving water biota (SFBRWQCB, 1995).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Bioassessment guidelines from the following publication were used: California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), 1999

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Eighteen sample sites along the Creek and its immediate tributaries. Fourteen total Pescadero and Butano SWAMP program sites were used (ESA, 2004).

Temporal Representation:

SWAMP assessment made in April 2002.
DFG assessments made in 1995.
ESA (Environmental Science Associates) survey made in summer (August 21 to September 24) 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

April 2002 SWAMP data is not directly comparable to summer 2003 data. Habitat conditions in summer 2003 were evaluated at each site.

QAPP Information:

California Stream Bioassessment Protocols (CDFG 1999) used (in 2002 and 2003 surveys). SWAMP QAPP was used.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1773

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

One of 8 data values exceed the secondary MCL for turbidity. Smallest = 1.24, largest = 5.28 (NTU). Average = 2.74 (NTU). Comparison to the "changes in turbidity" objective cannot be made because background information is not available. None of the measurements exceed the 25 NTU evaluation guideline (Environmental Science Associates, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Increases from normal background light penetration or turbidity relatable to waste discharge shall not be greater than 10 percent in areas where natural turbidity is greater than 50 NTU (SFBRWQCB, 1995).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

The WQOs address conditions both in the water column (sediment and turbidity narratives). Published sedimentation thresholds can be used as appropriate interpretive evaluation guidelines. The evaluation guideline used to determine turbidity exceedance is from published-peer reviewed paper, "The Effects of Chronic Turbidity on Density and Growth of Steelheads and Coho Salmon", John W Sigler, et.al.1984. The guideline is as follows, "In our studies, as little as 25 NTUs (nephelometric turbidity units) of turbidity caused a reduction in fish growth." Sigler also discusses the result of turbidities in the 25-50 NTU range reduced growth and caused more newly emerged salmonids to emigrate from laboratory streams than did clear water (Sigler et al., 1984). Bisson and Bilby (1982) reported that juvenile coho salmon avoided water with turbidities that exceeded 70 NTU. Berg and Northcote (1985, as cited in Meehan 1991) reported that feeding and territorial behavior of juvenile coho salmon were disrupted by short-term exposures (2.5-4.5 days) to turbid water with up to 60 NTU.

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Eight sample sites along the Creek and its immediate tributaries (14 total Pescadero and Butano SWAMP program sites were used).

Temporal Representation:

ESA (Environmental Science Associates) survey made in summer, August 21 to September 24, 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Methodology discussed in ESA 2004 report.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4204, Sedimentation/Siltation	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1777

Pollutant:

Sedimentation/Siltation

LOE Subgroup:

Testimonial Evidence

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

In 1998 a letter was sent to RWQCB staff from the California Department of Fish and Game requesting that several waters be added to the section 303(d) list because of the threats to Coho salmon and steelhead. The letter states:

"...The Federal listing of both Coho salmon and steelhead as threatened species confirms the grave condition of these economically and intrinsically valuable fish populations. ...If these species are to survive, we must act now to improve aquatic habitat where it is most critical, namely in major rivers tributary to the Bay and ocean."

The letter goes on to identify siltation as a problem in Pescadero and Butano Creeks. No data are provided or analyzed to support the conclusion that siltation is a water quality problem.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4095	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Source Unknown
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	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. None of the samples exceed the 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 8 samples exceeded the dissolved oxygen water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 3. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4095, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1774

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

None of the 8 data values exceed the water quality objective. Smallest = 7.69, largest 9.32 (mg/l). Average = 8.61 (mg/l) (Environmental Science Associates, 2003).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: For nontidal waters, the following objectives shall apply (SFBRWQCB, 1995):

Waters designated as:
Cold water habitat. . . . . . . . . . . .7.0 mg/l minimum
Warm water habitat. . . . . . . . . .5.0 mg/l minimum

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Eight sample sites along the Creek and its immediate tributaries.

Temporal Representation:

ESA (Environmental Science Associates) survey made in summer, August 21 to September 24, 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Methodology discussed in ESA 2004 report.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4094	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	Turbidity
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Source Unknown
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One sample exceeds the 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 8 samples exceeded the secondary MCL 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.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4094, Turbidity	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1772

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Narrative Description Data

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Single USGS gauging station, "Pescadero Creek," located at a bridge on Pescadero Road, 3.0 miles east of the town of Pescadero and 5.3 miles upstream of the mouth of Pescadero Creek.

Temporal Representation:

Series of annual maximum instantaneous flood peaks (annual flood series) for the 1952 through the 2001 water years.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Good for USGS sampling program (USGS, 2002). Less good for aerial survey (e.g., "The results of this survey may have been influenced by lack of access to private lands." [Page 6-48]).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4094, Turbidity	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1773

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Eight sample sites along the Creek and its immediate tributaries (14 total Pescadero and Butano SWAMP program sites were used).

Temporal Representation:

ESA (Environmental Science Associates) survey made in summer, August 21 to September 24, 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Methodology discussed in ESA 2004 report.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4096	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2006)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Source Unknown
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	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 sample exceeds the 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 8 samples exceeded the pH 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.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	No new data were assessed for 2008. The Regional Board will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

USEPA Action (if applicable):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 4096, pH	Region 2
Pescadero Creek

LOE ID:

1775

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

One of 8 data values exceed the water quality objective (Environmental Science Associates, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan: The pH shall not be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.5. This encompasses the pH range usually found in waters within the basin. Controllable water quality factors shall not cause changes greater than 0.5 units in normal ambient pH levels (SFBRWQC, 1995).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Eight sample sites along the Creek and its immediate tributaries. Fourteen total Pescadero and Butano SWAMP program sites were used (ESA, 2004).

Temporal Representation:

ESA (Environmental Science Associates) survey made in summer, August 21 to September 24, 2003.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Methodology discussed in ESA 2004 report.

QAPP Information Reference(s):