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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 8 - Santa Ana Region

Water Body Name:	Morning Canyon Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR8011100020011119091625
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	72961	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	Ammonia (Unionized)
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:	There was no new data considered in the 2014 Listing Cycle, this previously made decision will carryover. The following description applies to an earlier Listing Cycle. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One (1) lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two (2) of the samples exceed the water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Two (2) of sixty-six (66) samples exceeded the Basin Plan and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72961, Ammonia (Unionized)	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

8509

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:

Of the 66 samples collected, two exceeded the Basin Plan's objective. One of these exceedances occurred in the Morning Canyon 1 sampling station and the other exceedence occurred in the Morning Canyon 2 sampling station.

Data Reference:

Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan Objective: The objective varies according to the temperature of the water being sampled and ranged during the sampling period as follows: 0.19 mg/l - 0.50 mg/l

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at two stations in the Morning Canyon: Morning Canyon 1 (mc1) and Morning Canyon 2 (mc2)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were taken monthly starting with 3/8/2004 through 3/27/2006

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The data's quality is deemed acceptable because it was collected under the auspices of a Regional Board staff's approved quality assurance plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	90418	Region 8
Morning 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 three (3) of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess the listing status. One (1) line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero (0) of the one (1) sample exceeds the Objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the 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 (0) of the one (1) sample exceeds the Objective and 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 are needed to determine if a beneficial use is fully supported using table 3.2. 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 90418, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

81797

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:

Numeric data generated from 1 sample of Dissolved Oxygen concentrations had no exceedences.

Data Reference:

Data for bacteria in various waterbodies, Feb. 2005-May 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen content of all surface waters designated as "Warm Freshwater Habitat" must be greater than 5.0 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the Morning Canyon - fresh water station.

Temporal Representation:

One sample was collected in May 2007.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

NPDES quality assurance.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	77298	Region 8
Morning Canyon 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)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	There was no new data considered in the 2014 Listing Cycle, this previously made decision will carryover. The following description applies to an earlier Listing Cycle. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the samples exceed the water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of seventy samples exceeded the Basin Plan 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:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77298, Temperature, water	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

28937

Pollutant:

Temperature, water

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:

Of the 70 samples collected, 0 exceeded the Basin Plan Objective.

Data Reference:

Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Temperature objectives for natural receiving water are specified in the ¿Water Quality Control Plan.¿ The natural receiving water temperature of inland surface 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. The temperature of waters designated WARM shall not be raised above 90°F June through October or above 78°F during the rest of the year as a result of controllable water quality factors.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at two stations: Morning Canyon Creek 1 and Morning Canyon Creek 2

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected monthly starting on 3/8/2004 through 3/27/2006.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The data's quality is deemed acceptable because it was collected under the auspices of a Regional Board staff's approved quality assurance plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	73727	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) list under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2, a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two (2) lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero (0) of the seventy-two (72) samples exceed the water quality Objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero (0) of seventy-two (72) samples exceed the Basin Plan 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 73727, pH	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

21444

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:

of the 71 samples collected, none exceeded the Basin Plan's objective.

Data Reference:

Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Basin Plan Objective: The ph of inland surface waters shall not be raised above 8.5 pH units or depressed below 6.5 pH units as a result of controllable water quality factors.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at two stations: Morning Canyon 1 and Morning Canyon 2. Morning Canyon 1 is located in Newport Beach in Upper Morning Canyon Creek at Surrey street.
Morning Canyon 2 is Located in Newport Beach in lower Morning Canyon Creek at Morning Canyon Beach.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected monthly starting with March 8, 2004 through April 10, 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The data's quality is deemed acceptable because it was collected under the auspices of a Regional Board staff's approved quality assurance plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73727, pH	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

81798

Pollutant:

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:

Numeric data generated from 1 sample of pH data had no exceedences.

Data Reference:

Data for bacteria in various waterbodies, Feb. 2005-May 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH of all inland surface waters shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.5 as a result of waste discharges.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan, Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from the Morning Canyon station.

Temporal Representation:

One sample was collected on 5/5/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

NPDES quality assurance.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	77939	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
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:	2021
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	No new data were assessed this cycle. The decision has not changed, and is presented in "Decision Relationships Continued". From 2010 Listing Cycle: USEPA Final Approval Decision Details: The November 12, 2010 USEPA partial approval letter and the October 11, 2011 final approval letter both from Alexis Strauss, USEPA Region 9, to Tom Howard, SWRCB, concluded the following: USEPA added Morning Canyon Creek to the list of water quality limited segments requiring a TMDL for indicator bacteria. This water body is designated as a Water Contact Recreation (REC1) water body either explicitly or implicitly as tributaries to other designated segments (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, Table 3-1, pp.3-23 - 3-35). The Santa Ana Basin Plan has the following water quality objective for fecal coliform to protect REC1 beneficial use: Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9) Recent monitoring data collected in this water body measures Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicator bacteria. E. coli is one species within the broader category of fecal coliform bacteria and monitoring data for E. coli can be used to evaluate whether the fecal coliform objective is being met in the subject water body. In addition, USEPA has recommended that California use USEPA's Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986) when there is no adopted E. coli standard. Specifically, USEPA recommends that for REC1 beneficial use the following criteria be used: Steady state geometric mean indicator density - 126 indicator densities/100ml Designated beach area (upper 75% confidence limit) - 235 indicator densities/100ml (EPA, 1986, Table 4, pp.15) USEPA compared the E. coli data for this water body to the Basin Plan's fecal coliform objective, as well as to USEPA's recommended E. coli criteria and the results were: 1. Seventeen of the 61 samples taken exceeded the USEPA E. coli criteria (235 organisms/100ml). 2. Nine of the 61 samples taken exceeded the Basin Plan objective for fecal coliform (400 organisms/100ml). Most of the exceedances occurred in the 34 samples from site Morning Creek 2 (mc2) For this water body sufficient exceedances of the fecal coliform objective and the USEPA recommended criteria exist to merit listings per the 10% exceedance threshold for conventional pollutants expressed in Table 3.2 of the State Listing Policy. For historical clarification, the Regional and State Water Board detailed decision recommendations made prior to USEPA's final decision are presented in their respective recommendation fields in this decision. Note: All lines of evidence (LOEs) previously made by the Regional Boards have been revised where necessary in accordance with USEPA's final decision.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:	From 2010 Listing Cycle: USEPA Final Approval Decision Details: The November 12, 2010 USEPA partial approval letter and the October 11, 2011 final approval letter both from Alexis Strauss, USEPA Region 9, to Tom Howard, SWRCB, concluded the following: USEPA added Morning Canyon Creek to the list of water quality limited segments requiring a TMDL for indicator bacteria. This water body is designated as a Water Contact Recreation (REC1) water body either explicitly or implicitly as tributaries to other designated segments (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, Table 3-1, pp.3-23 - 3-35). The Santa Ana Basin Plan has the following water quality objective for fecal coliform to protect REC1 beneficial use: Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9) Recent monitoring data collected in this water body measures Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicator bacteria. E. coli is one species within the broader category of fecal coliform bacteria and monitoring data for E. coli can be used to evaluate whether the fecal coliform objective is being met in the subject water body. In addition, USEPA has recommended that California use USEPA's Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria (1986) when there is no adopted E. coli standard. Specifically, USEPA recommends that for REC1 beneficial use the following criteria be used: Steady state geometric mean indicator density - 126 indicator densities/100ml Designated beach area (upper 75% confidence limit) - 235 indicator densities/100ml (EPA, 1986, Table 4, pp.15) USEPA compared the E. coli data for this water body to the Basin Plan's fecal coliform objective, as well as to USEPA's recommended E. coli criteria and the results were: 1. Seventeen of the 61 samples taken exceeded the USEPA E. coli criteria (235 organisms/100ml). 2. Nine of the 61 samples taken exceeded the Basin Plan objective for fecal coliform (400 organisms/100ml). Most of the exceedances occurred in the 34 samples from site Morning Creek 2 (mc2) For this water body sufficient exceedances of the fecal coliform objective and the USEPA recommended criteria exist to merit listings per the 10% exceedance threshold for conventional pollutants expressed in Table 3.2 of the State Listing Policy. For historical clarification, the Regional and State Water Board detailed decision recommendations made prior to USEPA's final decision are presented in their respective recommendation fields in this decision. Note: All lines of evidence (LOEs) previously made by the Regional Boards have been revised where necessary in accordance with USEPA's final decision.

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 77939, Indicator Bacteria	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

21466

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:

Of the 27 samples taken by Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project, 4 exceeded USEPA's recommended single sample standard and 1 exceeded the Basin Plan fecal coliform objective.
These samples were from sampling station Morning Creek 1 (mc1)

Data Reference:

Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project

USEPA Partial Approval Disapproval Letter and enclosures for California's 2008-2010 303(d) List

USEPA Final Decision Letter with enclosures and responsiveness summary regarding waters added to California's 2008-2010 303(d) List

USEPA Region 9 data summary for addition of indicator bacteria to California 2010 303(d) list for some Santa Ana River - Region 8 water bodies

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986: E. coli: log mean less than 126 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples per 30-day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 235 organisms/100mL for any 30 day period.

Santa Ana Region Basin Plan objective for Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were taken at one location, Morning Creek 1 (mc1).
mc1 is Located in Newport Beach in the upper part of Morning Canyon Creek at Surrey Street.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were taken monthly starting on March 8, 2004 through April 10, 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The data's quality is deemed appropriate because it was obtained under the auspices of a QAPP approved by the Regional Board.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 77939, Indicator Bacteria	Region 8
Morning Canyon Creek

LOE ID:

21467

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:

Of the 34 samples taken by Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project, 13 exceeded USEPA's recommended single sample standard and 8 exceeded the Basin Plan fecal coliform objective.

Data Reference:

Orange County Coast Keeper Coastal Watersheds Project

USEPA Partial Approval Disapproval Letter and enclosures for California's 2008-2010 303(d) List

USEPA Final Decision Letter with enclosures and responsiveness summary regarding waters added to California's 2008-2010 303(d) List

USEPA Region 9 data summary for addition of indicator bacteria to California 2010 303(d) list for some Santa Ana River - Region 8 water bodies

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Recommended Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986: E. coli: log mean less than 126 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples per 30-day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 235 organisms/100mL for any 30 day period.

Region 8 Basin Plan objective for Fecal coliform: log mean less than 200 organisms/100 mL based on five or more samples/30 day period, and not more than 10% of the samples exceed 400 organisms/100 mL for any 30-day period. (RWQCB Santa Ana Region, 2008, pp.4-9)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Santa Ana River Basin

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were taken at one location: Morning Creek 2 (mc2).
mc2 is located in Newport Beach in the lower part of Morning Canyon Creek at Morning Canyon beach.

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected monthly starting on March 8, 2004 through April 10, 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The data's quality is deemed appropriate because it was obtained under the auspices of a QAPP approved by the Regional Board.

QAPP Information Reference(s):