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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Sloans Canyon Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR3141004020020124144851
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	87045	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	Chlorophyll-a
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 eleven samples exceed the evaluation guideline (North Carolina Administrative code, Title 15A) used to interpret the narrative water quality objective for bio-stimulation risk and aquatic life beneficial 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 eleven samples exceed the evaluation guideline 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 87045, Chlorophyll-a	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48809

Pollutant:

Chlorophyll-a

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 (general objective for biostimulatory substances, Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

North Carolina Administrative code (NCAC), Title 15A - Environmental and Natural Resources, Subchapter 2B-Surface water and wetland standards, Rule 0211-Fresh surface water quality standards for class C waters (Class C is defined as freshwaters protected for secondary recreation, fishing, aquatic life including propagation and survival, and wildlife). Section 3(a) of Rule 0211 applies to all fresh surface waters and states that chlorophyll a is not to exceed 40 ug/L.

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Guideline Reference:

Water quality standards table

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the Cooperative Monitoring Program QAPP, (Clark and Ogle 2006). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6


DECISION ID	87044	Region 3
Sloans Canyon 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)(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 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the two nitrate samples and one of the 11 nitrate / nitrite samples exceed the water quality objective for municipal and domestic supply use (i.e. drinking water). 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 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of two exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.1. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. In addition, samples (collected in between January 2007 and June 2010), are also evaluated using the Central Coast Region¿s evaluation guideline for maximum nitrate concentration (R3 NNE Technical Report, 2010) and the protection of aquatic life uses from bio-stimulatory or eutrophic effects (i.e. enhanced algal and aquatic plant growth and unhealthy dissolved oxygen fluctuations). Two of the two nitrate samples and 10 of the 11 nitrate / nitrite samples exceed the evaluation guideline. However, there is no supporting evidence indicating high risk for, or occurrence of, eutrophication (such as low dissolved oxygen or elevated chlorophyll a concentrations). 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 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 two nitrate samples and one of the 11 nitrate / nitrite samples exceed the water quality objective for municipal and domestic supply use (i.e. drinking water) and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Two of the two nitrate samples and 10 of the 11 nitrate / nitrite samples exceed the evaluation guideline. However, there is no supporting evidence indicating high risk for, or occurrence of, eutrophication (such as low dissolved oxygen or elevated chlorophyll a concentrations) and therefore these data are not used alone as the basis of a decision. 5. 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 87044, Nitrate	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48810

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa Ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 10/28/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87044, Nitrate	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48813

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 10 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate/Nitrite as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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:

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:

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:

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:

Data for this line of evidence for Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa Ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87044, Nitrate	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48811

Pollutant:

Nitrate

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 10/28/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87044, Nitrate	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48812

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Nitrate/Nitrite as N.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 2010

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa Ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6


DECISION ID	99877	Region 3
Sloans Canyon 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)(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. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 11 samples exceeded the water quality objective for dissolved oxygen in Warm Freshwater Habitats. 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'. Additionally, the Basin Plan general water quality objective for oxygen saturation states that the median value shall not fall below 85% saturation. However, the oxygen saturation objective is only applied ¿for waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use¿¿ and this water body is designated for Warm Freshwater Habitats. Therefore, the use support rating for oxygen saturation is set at 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 11 samples exceeded the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, 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 99877, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48814

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:

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6


DECISION ID	99923	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	Ammonia
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2023
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. Two lines of evidence (LOEs) are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Eight of the nine unionized ammonia samples exceed the water quality objective for unionized ammonia set to protect aquatic life. However, zero of the 11 samples exceed the EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia in drinking water. 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 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of two exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.1. 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 in favor of 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. Eight of the nine unionized ammonia samples exceed the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be placed on the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards are exceeded and a pollutant contributes to or causes the problem.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99923, Ammonia	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48807

Pollutant:

Ammonia as Nitrogen

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:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 2010

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. (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia is 30.0 mg/L as stated on page 8 of the 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. This Advisory Level is defined as "the concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure."

Guideline Reference:

2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99923, Ammonia	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48808

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 8 of 9 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 2010

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 that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4).

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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa Ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6


DECISION ID	87046	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	Turbidity
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2023
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. Six of the 11 samples exceed the Warm Freshwater Habitat evaluation guideline (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009), used to interpret the water quality objective for turbidity. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the 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. Six of the 11 samples exceed the Warm Freshwater Habitat evaluation guideline 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 87046, Turbidity	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48820

Pollutant:

Turbidity

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 6 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6


DECISION ID	99878	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
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. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Seven of the 11 samples exceed the water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitats, and eight of the 11 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Drinking Water and Recreation. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the 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.Seven of the 11 samples exceed the water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitats, and eight of the 11 samples exceed the water quality objectives for Drinking Water and Recreation. These 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 99878, pH	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48819

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 7 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99878, pH	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48818

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 8 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99878, pH	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48816

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 8 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314DDE Tributary to Santa Ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 99878, pH	Region 3
Sloans Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

48817

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:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Sloans Canyon Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 8 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Data from Region 3 Conditional Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Jan. 2007-Jun. 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 Sloans Canyon Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 314 Santa ynez River at W. Central Ave]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/24/2008-12/16/2008.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Project Plan for Monitoring for the Region 3 Conditional Ag Waiver Cooperative Monitoring Program, Revision 6