Draft California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Pennington Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR3102201120020124123809
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	131015	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; due to change in WQS
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. The State Water Boards Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the ISWEBE Plan) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use which were adopted on August 7, 2018: where the salinity level of a waterbody is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the E. coli bacteria objective applies; and where the salinity level of a waterbody is greater than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the Enterococci bacteria objective applies. These objectives supersede the fecal coliform water quality objective for water contact recreation. Consequently, the fecal coliform objective for water contact recreation is no longer applicable to this waterbody and those LOEs have been removed from this decision. Therefore, this waterbody is being removed from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. However, one line of evidence (LOE) is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant and the non-contact recreation use. Therefore, this pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. The single water sample did not exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of five exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.2. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. After review of the available data and information for the non-contact recreation beneficial use, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the CWA section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded. 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 samples exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation, 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, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. 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 131015, Fecal Coliform	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

17404

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Coastal Watershed Council (Snapshot day monitoring) (R3_Snap) data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 5/17/2003. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	125827	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	No Source Analysis Available
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2035
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	The State Water Board’s Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the ISWEBE Plan) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use, which were adopted on August 7, 2018. Because the salinity level of this waterbody is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the E. coli bacteria objective applies. This waterbody is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. In accordance with section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy, data should be representative of the critical timing that the pollutant is expected to impact the waterbody. E. coli populations may fluctuate substantially on a daily, seasonal, or yearly basis. Lacking constant inputs, indicator bacteria do not persist in the environment for a long period and effects are of relatively short duration. As a result, the historic levels of E. coli in the waterbody may be a poor indicator of current risks to human health, particularly when more recent data are available to sufficiently assess the water quality standard. Additionally, water quality conditions in waterbodies may change as a result of management actions that have been implemented to address E. coli. Unrepresentative data may result in incorrectly placing or not placing a water body segment on the CWA section 303(d) List, which could result in the unnecessary expenditure of public resources or missing a human health problem. Historic lines of evidence for data collected prior to 2010 were evaluated pursuant to these considerations and were not used to assess water quality standards attainment because they do not meet the temporal representation requirements of section 6.1.5.3 of the Listing Policy. All samples are evaluated using the statistical threshold value (STV) water quality objective for water contact recreation (ISWEBE, SWRCB 2019). The water quality objective states that the STV shall not be exceeded by more than 10 percent of the samples collected in a calendar month. Where there are more than one samples collected within any six-week period, a geomean of those samples is calculated and evaluated using the geomean water quality objective for water contact recreation (ISWEBE, SWRCB 2019). Although seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant, this decision is based upon evaluation of the E. coli data collected since 2010, which are most representative of existing conditions in the waterbody. Eighty-six of the 197 samples collected since 2010 exceed the STV water quality objective (see LOEs 149934, 149932, 149933, and 149812) and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Note, two of the two geomeans exceed the geomean water quality objective (see LOE 149939) but this sample count is insufficient to determine a beneficial use support rating. The data were collected between 2010 and 2018 and represent a range of hydrologic conditions (both wet and dry years). This sample count of data collected since 2010 is adequate to determine that the beneficial use is not supported in accordance with the Listing Policy. Note, there are two lines of evidence summarizing historic E. coli data (data collected prior to 2010) compared to the USEPAs Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (USEPA, 1986). A total of 64 of the 123 historic samples exceed the USEPA criteria set to protect for water contact recreation (see LOEs 47766 and 18405). These data are not used for making this decision nor are they used in the final use support ratings. After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded. 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. A total of 86 of 197 samples collected since 2010 exceed the STV water quality objective and this exceeds 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 met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:	Although seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant, this decision is based upon evaluation of the E. coli data collected since 2010, which are most representative of existing conditions in the waterbody. Eighty-six of the 197 samples collected since 2010 exceed the STV water quality objective (see LOEs 149934, 149932, 149933, and 149812) and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Note, two of the two geomeans exceed the geomean water quality objective (see LOE 149939) but this sample count is insufficient to determine a beneficial use support rating. The data were collected between 2010 and 2018 and represent a range of hydrologic conditions (both wet and dry years). This sample count of data collected since 2010 is adequate to determine that the beneficial use is not supported in accordance with the Listing Policy. Note, there are two lines of evidence summarizing historic E. coli data (data collected prior to 2010) compared to the USEPAs Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (USEPA, 1986). A total of 64 of the 123 historic samples exceed the USEPA criteria set to protect for water contact recreation (see LOEs 47766 and 18405). These data are not used for making this decision nor are they used in the final use support ratings. After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded. 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. A total of 86 of 197 samples collected since 2010 exceed the STV water quality objective and this exceeds 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 met.

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 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

149939

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 2 of the 2 samples exceeded the geomean water quality threshold for E. coli. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all non-saline waters, is a geometric mean (GM) of E. coli not to exceed 100 cfu/100 mL. The waterbody GM shall not be greater than the applicable GM magnitude in any six-week interval, calculated weekly (ISWEBE 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 310CPN

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2010-04-12 and 2018-12-11 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18405

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Coastal Watershed Council (Snapshot day monitoring) (R3_Snap) data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Evaluation Guideline:

Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15)

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/1/2004-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47766

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

121

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 63 of 121 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Evaluation Guideline:

Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15 of the USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986).

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington, 310PEN - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 8/16/2002 1:40:00 PM-2/8/2010 9:56:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

149932

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 28 of the 57 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all non-saline waters, is a Statistical Threshold Value (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL. The applicable STV shall not be exceeded by more than 10 percent of the samples collected in a calendar month, calculated in a static manner (ISWEBE 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 310UPN

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2012-11-19 and 2017-09-07 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

149812

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 2 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 310-PENN-41

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

149933

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

101

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 47 of the 101 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 310CPN

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2010-04-12 and 2018-12-11 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125827, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

149934

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 10 of the 37 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries Plan. Part 1: Trash Provisions; Part 2: Tribal Subsistence Beneficial Uses and Mercury Provisions; Part 3: Bacteria Provisions and Variance Policy

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 310APN

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2012-11-19 and 2017-09-07 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program


DECISION ID	131872	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Benthic Community Effects
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:	Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects. One line of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data is available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. Zero of five benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. These data indicate that the waterbody is likely unimpaired for Benthic Community Effects and therefore no other pollutant LOEs need be associated with this decision at this time. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of five benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. Therefore, this water body is not exceeding the water quality threshold for the protection of the COLD beneficial use. The available information indicates that the waterbody/pollutant combination should not be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time. 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 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:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 131872, Benthic Community Effects	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

232616

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

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:

Water Board staff assessed data for 310UPN to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceeded the threshold. CSCI scores were from 0.822741728 to 1.164212621.

Data Reference:

California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) Scores for the 2020 Integrated Report for Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. Region 3 Basin Plan.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) is a biological scoring tool that helps aquatic resource managers translate complex data about benthic macroinvertebrates found living in a stream into an overall measure of stream health. The CSCI score is calculated by comparing the expected condition with actual (observed) results (Rehn, A.C. et al., 2015). CSCI scores range from 0 (highly degraded) to greater than 1 (equivalent to reference). CSCI scoring of biological condition are as follows (per the scientific paper supporting the development of the CSCI scoring tool): greater than or equal to 0.92 = likely intact condition, 0.91 to 0.80 = possibly altered condition, 0.79 to 0.63 = likely altered condition, less than or equal to 0.62 = very likely altered condition. Sites with scores below 0.79 are considered to have exceeded the water quality objective for the aquatic life beneficial use.

Guideline Reference:

Bioassessment in complex environments: designing an index for consistent meaning in different settings

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from station 310UPN.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from 6/3/2011 to 4/27/2016.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data collected following Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program protocols.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program


DECISION ID	127712	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Nitrate
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)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
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 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Nine lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 170 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Four of the 167 nitrate samples exceed the evaluation guideline evaluation guideline (Central Coast Region Technical Report, 2010) to interpret the narrative water quality objective for biostimulatory substances, set to protect Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat beneficial uses. 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 CWA 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 the 107 samples exceed the water quality objective for Municipal & Domestic Supply. Four of the 167 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat beneficial uses. These do 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, RWQCB 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172789

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Technical approach to develop nutrient numeric endpoints for California, Tetra Tech, June 2006. The Central Coast Region numeric target for maximum nitrate concentration is based on the Tetra Tech NNE (Nutrient Numeric Endpoint) Model and CCAMP data for 193 sites, monitored monthly for at least 1 year between January 1998 and December 2006. The model numeric target for aquatic life habitats in the Central Coast Region is 1.0 mg/L Nitrate as N.

Guideline Reference:

Central Coast RegionTechnical Paper: Interpreting Narrative Objectives for Biostimulatory Substances for California Central Coast Waters. This method uses the Technical Approach for Developing California Nutrient Numeric Endpoints.

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172316

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All inland surface waters, enclosed bays, and estuaries shall not contain concentrations of inorganic chemicals in excess of the maximum contaminant levels for primary drinking water standards specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 4, Chapter 15, Sections 64431 and 64433.2.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (as N) 10.0 mg/L (California Code of Regulations, Title 22).

Guideline Reference:

California MCLs - Title 17 and Title 22 documents for 2019 - California Regulations Related to Drinking Water

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-06 and 2017-11-06

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172767

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-12-16 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47767

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

153

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 153 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Nitrate data was collected using a screening level test kit. Quality control is consistent with the QAPP.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172469

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-12-16 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47768

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

153

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 153 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (NO3 as N) incorporated by reference in the Basin Plan is 10.0 mg/L (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Nitrate data was collected using a screening level test kit. Quality control is consistent with the QAPP.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47769

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

153

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Nitrate data was collected using a screening level test kit. Quality control is consistent with the QAPP.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172507

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (as N) 10.0 mg/L (California Code of Regulations, Title 22).

Guideline Reference:

California MCLs - Title 17 and Title 22 documents for 2019 - California Regulations Related to Drinking Water

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172337

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-06 and 2017-11-06

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172891

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172321

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (as N) 10.0 mg/L (California Code of Regulations, Title 22).

Guideline Reference:

California MCLs - Title 17 and Title 22 documents for 2019 - California Regulations Related to Drinking Water

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-12-16 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

172893

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2017-11-06 and 2017-11-06

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 127712, Nitrate	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18187

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin Objective for municipal and domestic supply uses of inland surface waters (Section II.A.2) states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Article 4, Chapter 15, Section 64435, Tables 2 and 3 as listed in Table 3-2. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 3-2 (inorganic and fluoride concentrations not to be exceeded in domestic or municipal supply) for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L (NO3 as N).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Title 22, Division 4, Ch. 15, Article 4, Section 64431, Table 64431-A

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	109017	Region 3
Pennington 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)(2018)
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 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Eighteen lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Eighteen of 554 samples exceed the water quality objective for cold freshwater habitat (Basin Plan) and eight of 392 samples exceed the water quality objective for fish spawning (Basin Plan). Two of 554 samples exceed the water quality objective for warm freshwater habitat (Basin Plan). Note that there is no difference between samples fractions ‘dissolved’ and ‘total,’ therefore sample and exceedance counts will be summed for the purpose of this decision. Previous decisions (pre-2020) included dissolved oxygen saturation LOEs as ancillary evidence. This decision will no longer include dissolved oxygen saturation and these LOEs will be retired next cycle. 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. The data support the conclusion that the aquatic life beneficial use is fully supported. 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. Eighteen of 554 samples exceed the objective for cold freshwater habitat, eight of 392 samples exceed the objective for fish spawning, and two of 554 samples exceed the objective for warm freshwater habitat. These do 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, RWQCB 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47770

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

155

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 10 of 155 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18254

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Coastal Watershed Council (Snapshot day monitoring) (R3_Snap) data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47761

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board staff assessed public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: The daily minimum dissolved oxygen concentration was evaluated for four sample days and one monitoring site on Pennington Creek and the criterion was never exceeded.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period January 6, 2009-January 9, 2009

Environmental Conditions:

Dissolved oxygen data were collected every 30 minutes for a minimum of 24 hours. Central Coast Water Board Staff counted the number of sample days and the minimum value for each sample day was compared to the water quality objective as defined in Section

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47771

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

155

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 155 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174988

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

144

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 144 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

175568

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174673

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

152

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 152 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174930

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

144

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 144 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174985

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174981

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174676

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

152

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 6 of 152 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174644

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

144

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174929

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

152

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

175002

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Fish Spawning

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 94 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

174983

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

175031

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 94 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18253

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Coastal Watershed Council (Snapshot day monitoring) (R3_Snap) data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Cold Water Habitat Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109017, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47760

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:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 7.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period January 6, 2009-January 9, 2009

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2


DECISION ID	126153	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Temperature, water
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)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Clean Water Act (CWA) 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. A total of seven lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A total of zero of 527 samples exceed the evaluation guideline (Moyle 1976) applied to protect the cold freshwater habitat beneficial use. 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. 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. A total of zero of 527 samples exceed the evaluation guideline applied to protect the cold freshwater habitat beneficial use 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, RWQCB 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

216648

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

141

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 141 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47781

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

155

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 155 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47765

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

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:

Central Coast Water Board staff assessed public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: The daily maximum water temperature was evaluated for 4 sample days at one monitoring site on Pennington Creek and never exceeded the criterion.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period January 6, 2009-January 9, 2009

Environmental Conditions:

Water temperature data were collected every 30 minutes for a minimum of 24 hours. Central Coast Water Board Staff counted the number of sample days and the daily maximum temperature was compared to the water quality objective as defined in Section 6.1.5.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18819

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed Coastal Watershed Council (Snapshot day monitoring) (R3_Snap) data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceed the criterion for Water Temperature.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Natural receiving water temperature of intrastate waters shall not be altered unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Regional Board that such alteration in temperature does not adversely affect beneficial uses (General Objective in Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 1976) states that for rainbow trout the optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages is 13-21 degrees C (page 129).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

217040

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

217117

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 88 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 126153, Temperature, water	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

217078

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

134

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 134 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Temperature.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

The optimum range for growth and completion of most life stages of rainbow trout is 13-21 degrees Celsius (Moyle 1976).

Guideline Reference:

Inland Fishes of California

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-12-19

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program


DECISION ID	109019	Region 3
Pennington 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)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Clean Water Act (CWA) 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. A total of 12 lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Sample and exceedance counts for the lines of evidence with the fraction identified as “none” or “not recorded” are grouped together with those having the fraction “total”, based on the analytical method used. Once summed, a total of three of 512 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for cold freshwater habitat (Sigler et al. 1984) and two of 512 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for warm freshwater habitat (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009) used to interpret the water quality objectives for the aquatic life beneficial uses. 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. 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. A total of three of 512 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for cold freshwater habitat and two of 512 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for warm freshwater habitat 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, RWQCB 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18726

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47780

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

154

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 154 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 40 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in piscivorous fish (largemouth bass) growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182289

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 87 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182092

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

141

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182125

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182337

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 40 NTU or greater can cause a reduced foraging efficiency and a shift in prey selection in piscivorous fish (largemouth bass) due to interference with their ability to find prey (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009).

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182089

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

141

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-04-02 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

183241

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-09-13

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182296

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 125 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

182310

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 125 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47779

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

154

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. (Basin Plan)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 25 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Sigler et al. 1984).

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109019, Turbidity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18725

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	109018	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	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)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	No Source Analysis Available
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2035
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Clean Water Act section 303(d) List under sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under these sections, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Thirty lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two hundred sixty-nine of the 503 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply, Contact and Non-contact Recreation beneficial uses. One hundred forty-six of the 503 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objectives for Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat. 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 the problem. 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. Two hundred sixty-nine of the 503 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply, Contact and Non-contact Recreation beneficial uses, 146 of the 503 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objectives for Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat and this exceeds 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, 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.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178166

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178894

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

103

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 103 of 125 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178642

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

103

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for municipal and domestic supply (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

177349

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 61 of 125 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for warm fresh water habitat (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 7.0 nor raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178892

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 58 of 85 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-08-02

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

179213

Pollutant:

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:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-08-02

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178921

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

177163

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

132

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 61 of 132 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-07-06 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178697

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 15 of 85 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-08-02

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178136

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:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for cold fresh water habitat (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 7.0 nor raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178970

Pollutant:

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:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178862

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:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-08-02

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178671

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

132

Number of Exceedances:

104

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Morro Bay NEP Monitoring Program data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 104 of 132 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-07-06 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18987

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47774

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

156

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 9 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured using test strips. In recent communication with the program QA officer concern has been raised about underestimation of the result with test strips.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18988

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47775

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

156

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Region 3 - Central Coast Region staff assessed R3 public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 156 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured using test strips. In recent communication with the program QA officer concern has been raised about underestimation of the result with test strips.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47777

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

156

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured using test strips. In recent communication with the program QA officer concern has been raised about underestimation of the result with test strips.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18941

Pollutant:

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:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47778

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

156

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured using test strips. In recent communication with the program QA officer concern has been raised about underestimation of the result with test strips.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18942

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47776

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

156

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 2 monitoring sites [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek, 310CPN - Cal Poly Pennington]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 6/4/2002 3:00:00 PM-3/1/2010 11:30:00 AM.

Environmental Conditions:

pH was measured using test strips. In recent communication with the program QA officer concern has been raised about underestimation of the result with test strips.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

18940

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer Monitoring Network Data. 2003-2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310-PENN-41 - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/17/2003-5/7/2005. Coastal Watershed Council Snapshot Day Monitoring is conducted annually.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

State Board approved QAPP. Multiple errors were identified in data and were flagged or fixed by RB staff (in communication with Project staff) prior to assessment of data.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

179359

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

103

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178582

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

132

Number of Exceedances:

104

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-07-06 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

177898

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

125

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310UPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-11 and 2018-09-05

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178953

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Cold Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

132

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-07-06 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

179461

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

132

Number of Exceedances:

104

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310CPN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2010-07-06 and 2018-12-11

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

178710

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed MBNMS Snapshot Day data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for pH.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310-PENN-41)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-05-04 and 2013-05-04

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Monterey Bay NMS. 2003. California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

California Coast Wide Snapshot Day 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 109018, pH	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

177899

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (310APN)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-01-25 and 2017-08-02

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Morro Bay National Estuary Program. 2018. QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

QAPP for Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Monitoring Program


DECISION ID	83593	Region 3
Pennington Creek

Pollutant:	Specific Conductivity
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 3.2 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. Zero of the four samples exceed the water quality objective for agricultural uses. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of five exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.2. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. 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 CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of the four samples exceed 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, 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 83593, Specific Conductivity	Region 3
Pennington Creek

LOE ID:

47759

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board staff assessed public submissions data for Pennington Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: The daily average conductivity concentration was calculated for 4 sample days at Pennington Creek sites and never exceeded the criterion.

Data Reference:

Data from Morro Bay National Estuary Program's Volunteer Monitoring Program, May 2002-Apr. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3000 uS/cm in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Pennington Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 310PEN - Pennington Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period January 6, 2009-January 9, 2009

Environmental Conditions:

Conductivity data were collected every 30 minutes for a minimum of 24 hours. Central Coast Water Board Staff counted the number of sample days and the daily average conductivity was compared to the water quality objective as defined in Section 6.1.5.6 of

QAPP Information:

All data was collected in compliance with an EPA approved QAPP

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Morro Bay National Estuary Program¿s Volunteer Monitoring Program. Jan. 12, 2010, Version 5, Draft 2