Final California 2024 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 1 - North Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)
Water Body ID:	CAC1091002020070319150720
Water Body Type:	Coastal & Bay Shoreline


DECISION ID	79620	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2022
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Fecal indicator bacteria (which includes enterococcus, fecal coliform, and total coliform) are being considered for removal from the Section 303(d) list under Section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Six LOEs are available in the administrative record to assess indicator bacteria in this water body for the attainment of contact recreation standards (REC-1). Additionally, one LOE is available for total coliform for the attainment of shellfish (SHELL) harvesting standards. Data from LOE 44428 were re-evaluated with LOE 133642. Data from LOE 32683 were re-evaluated with LOE 133644. Data from LOE 8836 were re-evaluated with LOEs 133642 and 133714. Data from LOE 47620 were re-evaluated with LOE 133585. LOEs 47622 and 342 were not used in this assessment, because the data were assessed using standards that have since been updated (California Ocean Plan, 2018). The data assessed in this decision are ocean beach bacteria data collected in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. This waterbody was listed under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy utilizing a 10% exceedance rate, and therefore a 10% exceedance rate is being utilized to consider if this water body should be de-listed. LOEs 133708 and 133714 were not used in this assessment as they were evaluated at a 4% exceedance rate and contain the same data as LOEs 133642 and 1337644, which were evaluated at the 10% exceedance rate. The following summary presents the total number of exceedances and total sample count: 1) 34 of 128 samples exceed the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) objective for enterococcus for REC-1; 2) 130 of 290 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for enterococcus for REC-1; 3) 11 of 249 samples exceed the single sample maximum objective for fecal coliform for REC-1; 4) 1 of 154 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for fecal coliform for REC-1; and 5) 303 of 382 samples exceeded the median concentration objective for total coliform for SHELL. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from 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) Enterococcus samples exceed the geometric mean objective more than the allowable frequency identified in Section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. (4) Total coliform samples related to the SHELL beneficial use exceed the objectives more that the allowable frequency identified in section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. (5) 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:

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 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

44619

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

171

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

9 of 171 samples exceed the criterion for Fecal Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) states that the single sample maximum for fecal coliform shall not exceed 400 MPN/100 mL

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Clam Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Clam Beach Co. Park]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/2/2007-8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

32703

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

130

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

One of the 130 geomeans exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The geometric mean standard for fecal coliform states that the coliform density shall not exceed 200 MPN per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters (SWRCB 2009).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Clam Beach.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a week from 2007 to 2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the beach watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

8836

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Eight of the 63 30-day geomean values of fecal coliform collected at Clam Beach County Park exceed the objective. Additionally, 14 of the 204 single samples exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used to analyzed the same data. Samples were collected by Humboldt County in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. Data is maintained by the State Water Board's Beach Watch program. Data is summarized by the North Coast Regional Water Board (NCRWQCB 2007).

Data Reference:

North Coast Beach Watch Data. Bacteria data collected by Del Norte County, Humboldt County, Mendocino County Environmental Health Division, Sonoma County Division of Environmental Health, and Marin County in accordance with AB411. Data managed by the State Water Resources Control Board's Beach Watch program at beachwatch.waterboards.ca.gov. Includes data from 2004 to 2006

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005): The following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column. The following standard is based on the 30-day geometric mean of the five most recent samples from each site: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 35 MPN per 100ml. The following standard is for the single sample maximum: Enterococcus density shall not exceed 104 per 100 ml. *Note: MPN is the most probable number of coliform units.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Clam Beach County Park.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from January to December 2004 to 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during the dry season. Otherwise, there are no known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control procedures were conducted in accordance with Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health's "Beach Act Monitoring and Notification Program" (Humboldt County 2007).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Beach Act Monitoring and Notification Program. Application Workplan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133642

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

128

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 34 of the 128 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for Enterococcus. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial for all ocean waters, is a Statistical Threshold Value (STV) of 110 cfu/100 mL not to be exceeded more than 10 percent of the time (calculated monthly).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-04-22 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133644

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

290

Number of Exceedances:

130

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 130 of the 290 samples exceeded the geomean water quality standard for Enterococcus. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial for all ocean waters , is a six-week rolling GM of Enterococci not to exceed 30 cfu/100mL (calculated weekly).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-04-22 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133714

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

282

Number of Exceedances:

128

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 128 of the 282 samples exceeded the geomean water quality standard for Enterococcus. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly. This data is for an AB411 beach. This LOE specifically corresponds with dry weather samples and only includes samples collected between April 1 and October 31 of each year.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial for all ocean waters , is a six-week rolling GM of Enterococci not to exceed 30 cfu/100mL (calculated weekly).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-04-22 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

32683

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

126

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Fifty-four of the 126 geomeans exceeded the objective.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The geometric mean standard for entercoccus states that the entercoccus density shall not exceed 35 per 100 mL. Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters 2009.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Clam Beach.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected approximately once a week from 2007 to 2010.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133708

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

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 Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 33 of the 97 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality standard for Enterococcus. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly. This data is for an AB411 beach. This LOE specifically corresponds with dry weather samples and only includes samples collected between April 1 and October 31 of each year.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-04-22 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

44428

Pollutant:

Enterococcus

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

170

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

26 of 170 samples exceed the criterion for Enterococci.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2009) states that the single sample maximum for Enterococcus shall not exceed 104 MPN/100 mL.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Clam Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Clam Beach Co. Park]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/2/2007-8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133585

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

382

Number of Exceedances:

303

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 303 of the 382 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Coliform, Total. The water quality standard for shellfish is based on the median concentration of Total Coliform at each station, and is calculated on a monthly basis.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2018) states that the median concentration of total coliform samples shall not exceed 70 per 100 ml.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-04-22 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

47620

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

171

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

91 of 171 samples exceed the objective of 230 MPN/100mL applied as a single sample maximum for Total Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Ocean Plan states the following: At all areas where shellfish may be harvested for human consumption, the following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column: Ten percent of the samples collected during any 30-day period shall not exceed 230 MPN/100mL.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Clam Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [Clam Beach Co. Park]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/2/2007-8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

47622

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

131

Number of Exceedances:

114

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

114 of 131 samples exceed the objective of 70 MPN/100mL applied as a rolling 30 day geomean for Total Coliform.

Data Reference:

Data for Region 1 Beach Watch.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Ocean Plan states that at all areas where shellfish may be harvested for human consumption, the median total coliform density shall not exceed 70 per 100 mL. Staff applied the objective as a rolling 30 day geometric mean consistent with other state bacteria objectives and with guidance from the National Shellfish Sanitation Program from which the objectives were taken.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Clam Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [Clam Beach Co. Park]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/2/2007-8/26/2010.

Environmental Conditions:

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

QAPP Information:

The samples were collected for the Beach Watch program.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

342

Pollutant:

Indicator Bacteria

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Available data indicate sufficient exceedances of bacterial indicator samples. There were 5 out of 78 samples that exceeded the geomean for enterococci (USEPA, 2007).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Title 17 C.C.R. Section 7958 states that based on a single sample, the density of bacteria in water from each sampling station at a public beach or public water contact sports area shall not exceed:
(A) 1,000 total coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters, if the ratio of fecal/total coliform bacteria exceeds 0.1; or
(B) 10,000 total coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters; or
(C) 400 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters; or
(D) 104 enterococcus bacteria per 100 milliliters.

Based on the mean of the logarithms of the results of at least five weekly samples during any 30-day sampling period, the density of bacteria in water from any sampling station at a public beach or public water contact sports area, shall not exceed:
(A) 1,000 total coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters; or
(B) 200 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters; or
(C) 35 enterococcus bacteria per 100 milliliters. (DHS, 1999)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Station ID# HC40

Temporal Representation:

02/11/2003-10/11/2005

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data record: 2003-2005, Humboldt County Health Dept.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

8835

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Two of the 77 single samples of fecal coliform collected at Clam Beach County Park exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 24 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used to analyzed the same data. Samples were collected by Humboldt County in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. Data is maintained by the State Water Board's Beach Watch program. Data is summarized by the North Coast Regional Water Board (NCRWQCB 2007).

Data Reference:

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Per the Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2005): The following bacterial objectives shall be maintained throughout the water column. The following standard is based on the 30-day geometric mean of the five most recent samples from each site: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 200 MPN per 100 ml. The following standard is for the single sample maximum: Fecal coliform density shall not exceed 400 per 100ml. *Note: MPN is the most probable number of coliform units.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California. California Ocean Plan 2005. Sacramento, CA: State Water Resources Control Board, California Environmental Protection Agency

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected at Clam Beach County Park.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from January to December 2004 to 2006.

Environmental Conditions:

Samples were collected during the dry season. Otherwise, there are no known environmental conditions (e.g., land use practices, fire events, storms, etc.) that are related to these data.

QAPP Information:

Quality control procedures were conducted in accordance with Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health's "Beach Act Monitoring and Notification Program" (Humboldt County 2007).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Beach Act Monitoring and Notification Program. Application Workplan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 79620, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

133706

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

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 Beachwatch_Humboldt County data for Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceeded the water quality standard for Coliform, Fecal. The water quality standard is based on a Single Sample Maximum (SSM) value that is calculated daily.

Data Reference:

Humboldt County Beachwatch data reformatted to match CEDEN fields.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

California Ocean Plan (SWRCB 2018) states that the Single Sample Maximum concentration of Fecal Coliform shall not exceed 400 per 100 ml.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

California Ocean Plan Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California 2009

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): Clam Beach Co. Park

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2015-09-15 and 2015-09-15 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data exempt from QAPP requirement. Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data used instead. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft QAPP for Humboldt County Beachwatch data. Represents data collection procedure prior to development of a formal QAPP.


DECISION ID	121589	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

Pollutant:	Trash
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:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.7 of the Listing Policy. One line of evidence is available to assess this pollutant. For trash data, there is no appropriate interpretive evaluation guideline that meets the requirements set forth in Section 6.1.3 of the Listing Policy for ocean beaches in the North Coast Region. Without an appropriate evaluation guideline, it is not possible to determine if the quantity of trash collected on the beach constitutes an exceedance of the trash water quality objective. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is insufficient information to place this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. It is unknown if the data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. It is unknown if the data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. An evaluation guideline meeting the requirements of Section 6.1.3 of the Listing Policy was unavailable. 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 decision was made by SWRCB staff.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, SWCRB staff conclude that there is insufficient information to place this waterbody-pollutant combination on the 303(d) list.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 121589, Trash	Region 1
Clam Beach (near Strawberry Creek)

LOE ID:

198729

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

-N/A

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Volunteers collected trash, categorized the types, and provided the total weight of all trash in pounds, during one-day cleanup events on 09/25/2010, 09/17/2011, 09/15/2012, and 10/20/2014, with totals of 400, 100, 50, and 197 lbs., respectively. There were counts of numbers of pieces of 41 separate categories of trash (e.g., cigarette butts, bottles, grocery bags).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Dataset provided by the Center for Biological Diversity. Contains trash data from California Coastal Comission-sponsored beach cleanup days in the North Coast Region at nine sites: Clam Beach County Park, North Jetty/Samoa Dunes Recreation Area, South Jetty/South Spit, Trinidad State Beach, Glass Beach, MacKerricher State Park, Ten Mile Beach, North Salmon Creek Beach, and South Salmon Creek Beach.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Trash shall not be present in ocean waters, along shorelines or adjacent areas in amounts that adversely affect beneficial uses or cause nuisance. (California Ocean Plan, 2019).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

SWRCB. 2005. Water Quality Control Plan, Ocean Waters of California (Ocean Plan). California Environmental Protection Agency, State Water Resources Control Board. February 2, 2019

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

A single set of coordinates were provided, representing an unspecified area of Clam Beach: Latitude, 40.99302; longitude, -124.112.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were taken on four different one-day cleanup events on 09/25/2010, 09/17/2011, 09/15/2012, and 10/20/2014.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

A "Site Captain Guide" document was provided, which included instructions to volunteers for a trash clean-up day. The document does not meet Listing Policy guidelines as a QAPP document.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)