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

A Quantitative Tool for Assessing the Integrity of Southern Coastal California Streams. Environmental Management. Volume 35, number 1 (2005): pp. 1-13

Evaluation Guideline:

The Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) is an analytical tool that can be used to assess the biological and physical condition of streams and rivers within a zero to one hundred scoring range: Very Poor 0-19, Poor 20-39, Fair 40-59, Good 60- 79, Very Good 80-100. The IBI score of 39 was set as an impairment threshold because it is a statistical criterion of two standard deviations below the mean reference site score which defines the boundary between 'fair' and 'poor' IBI creek conditions. (Ode, p. 9)

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at two sites: 904LACECR and 904LACCBx on Loma Alta Creek.

Temporal Representation:

Sampling occurred during two to three events from May 1998 to November 2000.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Control for collection and identification was conducted in accordance with the Quality Assurance Project Plan for the California Stream Bioassessment Procedure and the State of California, California Monitoring an Assessment Program: "CMAP", Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

State of California, California Monitoring and Assessment Program: "CMAP".

Quality Assurance Project Plan for the California Stream Bioassessment Procedure

The San Diego Stream Team Quality Assurance Project Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 17898, Benthic Community Effects	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

26722

Pollutant:

Benthic Community Effects

LOE Subgroup:

Adverse Biological Responses

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Seven samples of IBI data were taken from May 2001 to October 2002 at two sampling sites. All seven of the samples exceeded the IBI impairment threshold.

Data Reference:

Stream Bioassessment Data. Co-permitee Data. Collected 2002-2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

A Quantitative Tool for Assessing the Integrity of Southern Coastal California Streams. Environmental Management. Volume 35, number 1 (2005): pp. 1-13

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at two sites: LAC-CB and LAC-ECR on Loma Alta Creek.

Temporal Representation:

Sampling occurred during May and October in 2001 and 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality Control for collection and identification was conducted in accordance with the Quality Assurance Manual for Freshwater Bioassessment.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Manual for Freshwater Bioassessment Revision 0


DECISION ID	16516	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

Pollutant:	Selenium
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2019
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. Three of the three samples exceed the water quality objective. 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 the three samples exceed the CTR value for Se 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 not met.

Regional Board 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.

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 16516, Selenium	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

8875

Pollutant:

Selenium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

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:

Four water samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 904CBLAC3 on March, April, June and September 2002. All samples showed excessive selenium concentrations according to results in California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Report, 2007.

Data Reference:

Water Quality Standards; Establishment of Numeric Criteria for Priority Toxic Pollutants for the State of California; Rule. 40 CFR Part 131. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX, Water Division, San Francisco, CA

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

CTR Freshwater Chronic (CCC) 5 ug/L; (U.S. EPA, 2000).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Water samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 3 904CBLAC3; (Latitude 33.2000659, Longitude -117.330675).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected on March, April, June and September 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA


DECISION ID	16515	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

Pollutant:	Toxicity
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Unknown Nonpoint Source \| Unknown Point Source \| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.6 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.6 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. Six of the eight samples exceed the water quality objective for toxicity. 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. Six of the eight samples exceed the toxicity objective 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 not met.

Regional Board 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.

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 16515, Toxicity	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

21384

Pollutant:

Toxicity

LOE Subgroup:

Toxicity

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Four samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 3, 904CBLAC3 from March 2002 to September 2002. The tests showed significant toxicity levels (SL) in the following tests: Selenastrum algae growth test - All four samples exhibited toxicity. Ceriodaphnia dubia survival/reproductive test - three of the four samples exhibited toxicity. Toxicity testing was part of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Report, 2007.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are toxic to, or that produce detrimental physiological responses in human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. Compliance with this objective will be determined by use of indicator organisms, analyses of species diversity, population density, growth anomalies, bioassays of appropriate duration, or other appropriate methods as specified by the Regional Board.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

According to SWAMP, waters are considered toxic when samples show significant toxicity levels (SWAMP code SL) when compared to a negative control. Significant toxicity is determined when statistical tests result in an alpha of less than 5% and percent control values less than the evaluation threshold.

Guideline Reference:

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA

Spatial Representation:

Water Toxicity Samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 3 (904CBLAC3). (Latitude 33.2000, Longitude -117.3306).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected on March, April, June and September 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 16515, Toxicity	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

26774

Pollutant:

Sediment Toxicity

LOE Subgroup:

Toxicity

Matrix:

Sediment

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Ambient toxicity testing (chronic)

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Four samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 3, 904CBLAC3 from March 2002 to September 2002. The tests showed significant toxicity levels (SL) in the following tests: Hyalella azteca - Two of the four samples exhibited toxicity. Toxicity testing was part of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program Report, 2007.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

2002. Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. California Department of Fish and Game, Monterey, CA

Spatial Representation:

Water Toxicity Samples were collected at Loma Alta Creek station 3 (904CBLAC3). (Latitude 33.2000, Longitude -117.3306).

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected on March, April, June and September 2002.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Quality control for the chemical analysis portion of this study was conducted in accordance with the California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4519	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

Pollutant:	Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments
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
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	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 the single line of evidence in the record to assess this pollutant consists of bioassessment data. The BMI ranking for Loma Alta Creek was below average compared to the other creeks in the region. In 3 out of 4 events, it received a score of poor. However, this information on its own is insufficient to determine with the confidence and power required by the Listing Policy since it is not associated with any water or sediment concentrations of pollutants (Section 3.9).

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 4519, Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

3169

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data was collected for the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board: 1999 Biological Assessment Report. Samples were collected at one location (near College Blvd) in Loma Alta Creek. Samples were collected from May 1998-May 1999. Bioassessment metrics were used to describe characteristics of the macroinvertebrate community. Physical habitat quality scores were given. The Loma Alta Creek site scored lower relative to other creeks in the region. BMI ranking scores were also given to each sample location for each sampling event. In all four sampling events, the BMI ranking for Loma Alta Creek was below average compared to the other creeks in the region. In 3 out of 4 events, it received a score of poor. (SDRWQCB, 1999a)

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected along Loma Alta Creek at 5 riffles downstream of College Blvd.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected in May 1998, September 1998, November 1998, and May 1999.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data used in 2002 assessment.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4354	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

Pollutant:	Total Dissolved Solids
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
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. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient 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. None of the 2 samples were in exceedance of the water quality objective and the sample size is insufficient to determine if standards are being met or exceeded with the confidence and power 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 4354, Total Dissolved Solids	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

3167

Pollutant:

Total Dissolved Solids

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Two samples were collected by the Regional Board on 5/20/1998 at two locations on Loma Alta Creek. Both samples exceeded the water quality objective.

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters and all beneficial uses, the WQO for total dissolved solids is 500 mg/L. This concentration is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Two samples were taken along Loma Alta Creek; one at College Blvd. and one at El Camino Real.

Temporal Representation:

One sample was taken at each of the two locations on one day, 5/20/1998.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data was used in the 2002 assessment.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	4355	Region 9
Loma Alta 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
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 two samples exceed the water quality objective. Application of table 3.2 of the Listing Policy requires a minimum of five samples. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. None of the 2 samples exceeded the Basin Plan criteria, 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 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 4355, Turbidity	Region 9
Loma Alta Creek

LOE ID:

3168

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Adverse Biological Responses

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Samples were collected by RWQCB9 at two locations on Loma Alta Creek on 5/20/1998. No samples were in exceedance. (SWRCB, 2003).

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

From the Basin Plan: For inland surface waters with all beneficial uses, the WQO for Turbidity is 20 NTU. This concentration is not to be exceeded more than 10% of the time during any one year period.

Objective/Criterion Reference: