Final California 2018 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 2 - San Francisco Bay Region

Water Body Name: Vista Grande Canal
Water Body ID: CAR2021001020120409133758
Water Body Type: River & Stream
 
DECISION ID
99486
Region 2     
Vista Grande Canal
 
Pollutant: Trash
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)(2016)
Revision Status Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Regional Board Conclusion: This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.11 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess pollutant. One of two samples exceed the evaluation guideline for non-contact recreation and threat to aquatic life.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification for placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List.

This conclusion is based on the staff findings that:


1. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. All lines of evidence involve inspection of photographic evidence by Regional Water Board staff trained to conduct the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) methodology. The staff inspected these photos and applied the RTA methodology to develop Category 1 (Level of Trash) and Category 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) scores for each photograph. Based on the readily available photographic evidence for this waterbody, the weight of evidence indicates that there is not sufficient justification available for placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category.
2. Applying the Rapid Trash Assessment methodology to the photographic evidence suggests that this waterbody had level of trash parameter scores in the poor category (indicating impairment of non-contact water recreational beneficial uses) for 1 of 2 samples.
3. This waterbody also had threat to aquatic life parameter scores in the poor category (indicating threat to Wildlife Habitat beneficial uses) for 1 of 2 samples.
4. . Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.
5. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy.
6. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
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.
 
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99486, Trash
Region 2     
Vista Grande Canal
 
LOE ID: 93529
 
Pollutant: Trash
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Nuisance
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Non-Contact Recreation
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for photos taken on 3/27/07 and 12/18/07 John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack. This waterbody had level of trash parameter scores in the poor category for 12/18/07 (indicating impairment of non-contact water recreational beneficial uses). Only photos from 12/18/07 had enough evidence to establish an assessment score in poor condition category.
Data Reference: Photos of trash in various San Francisco Bay water bodies, Mar. 2007-Mar. 2008
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, 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: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)
 
Evaluation Guideline: If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Level of Trash score. If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Threat to Aquatic Life score.
Guideline Reference: A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams
 
Spatial Representation: Photos taken at John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack on 3/27/07, 12/18/07, and possibly several other dates, but no dates were provided.
Temporal Representation: Photos taken at John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack. Five photos taken on 3/27/07, and five taken on 12/18/07, and 27 other photos taken on possibly several other dates, but no dates were provided.
Environmental Conditions: This storm drain channel receives runoff from the City of Daly City and Westlake Shopping Center, and is likely a major source of trash and litter found on San Francisco's Ocean Beach. The open canal portion of the canal along John Daly Boulevard terminat
QAPP Information: Quality Assurance Information Assessments of the photographic evidence using the RTA were performed by a State Water Board staff person. Assessments based on photographic evidence were only conducted when sufficient reach-scale and close-up photos were available for a site on a specific date. Photos used for the evaluation needed to be numerous enough and clear enough to document the level of trash at the site in a similar way as the assessor would experience during an actual site visit in the field. For example, at a minimum, one reach-scale photograph (showing at least a 100 linear foot section of the waterbody) and two close-up photographs (of representative trash deposits) were required.
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99486, Trash
Region 2     
Vista Grande Canal
 
LOE ID: 93535
 
Pollutant: Trash
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Nuisance
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for photos taken on 3/27/07 and 12/18/07 John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack. This waterbody had threat to aquatic life parameter scores in the poor category for 12/18/07 (indicating threat to Wildlife Habitat beneficial uses). Only photos from 12/18/07 had enough evidence to establish a poor condition score for the threat to aquatic life category.
Data Reference: Photos of trash in various San Francisco Bay water bodies, Mar. 2007-Mar. 2008
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, 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: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)
 
Evaluation Guideline: If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Level of Trash score. If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Threat to Aquatic Life score.
Guideline Reference: A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams
 
Spatial Representation: Photos taken at John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack on 3/27/07, 12/18/07, and possibly several other dates, but no dates were provided.
Temporal Representation: Photos taken at John Muir Drive and Lake Merced Blvd to Outlet Bar Rack. Five photos taken on 3/27/07, and five taken on 12/18/07, and 27 other photos taken on possibly several other dates, but no dates were provided.
Environmental Conditions: This storm drain channel receives runoff from the City of Daly City and Westlake Shopping Center, and is likely a major source of trash and litter found on San Francisco's Ocean Beach. The open canal portion of the canal along John Daly Boulevard terminat
QAPP Information: Assessments of the photographic evidence using the RTA were performed by a State Water Board staff person. Assessments based on photographic evidence were only conducted when sufficient reach-scale and close-up photos were available for a site on a specific date. Photos used for the evaluation needed to be numerous enough and clear enough to document the level of trash at the site in a similar way as the assessor would experience during an actual site visit in the field. For example, at a minimum, one reach-scale photograph (showing at least a 100 linear foot section of the waterbody) and two close-up photographs (of representative trash deposits) were required.
QAPP Information Reference(s):