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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 4 - Los Angeles Region

Water Body Name:	Santa Monica Canyon
Water Body ID:	CAR4051300019980918150955
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	150332	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

Pollutant:	Indicator Bacteria
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	List on 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	Nonpoint Source
TMDL Name:	Santa Monica Bay Beach Closures/Coliform/Bacteria Indicators (48)
TMDL Project Code:	392
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	06/19/2003
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 2.2 and section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 4.3 of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status. 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 CWA section 303(d) List. There is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by RWQCB and USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard. 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. 20 of 25 samples exceeded the geometric mean for E. coli and 16 of 28 samples exceeded the statistical threshold value for E. coli and these exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.3 of the Listing Policy. 4. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Dry Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on January 24, 2002 and subsequently approved by USEPA. The Santa Monica Bay Bacteria Wet Weather TMDL was approved by RWQCB on December 12, 2002 and approved by USEPA on June 19, 2003. 5. Pursuant to section 4.11 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 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:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 150332, Indicator Bacteria	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

2385

Pollutant:

Indicator Bacteria

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QA Info Missing

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 150332, Indicator Bacteria	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

303005

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

STV

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 LA County MS4 data for Santa Monica Canyon to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 3 of the 3 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

WQ data from the MS4 database assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 4.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use where the salinity is less than 1 parts per thousand 95 percent or more of the time applies a statistical threshold value to E. coli of 320 cfu/100 mL, not to be exceeded by more than 10 percent of samples within a calendar month (ISWEBE 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): RW-SMB-2 (SMC Channel).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2015-12-13 and 2016-06-20 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 150332, Indicator Bacteria	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

303123

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

STV

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 LA County MS4 data for Santa Monica Canyon to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 13 of the 25 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

WQ data from the MS4 database assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 4.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): SMB-2-07 (NA).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2016-01-20 and 2018-05-24 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 150332, Indicator Bacteria	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

303083

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

GeoMean

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 LA County MS4 data for Santa Monica Canyon to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 20 of the 25 samples exceeded the geomean water quality threshold for E. coli. This is a six week rolling geomean that is calculated weekly.

Data Reference:

WQ data from the MS4 database assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 4.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective to protect the REC-1 beneficial use for waters where the salinity is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time applies a rolling six-week geometric mean of E. coli, not to exceed 100 cfu/100 mL (ISWEBE 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): SMB-2-07 (NA).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2016-01-20 and 2018-05-24 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)


DECISION ID	149331	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

Pollutant:	Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)
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:	Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available

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 the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149331, Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

302515

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed LA County MS4 data for Santa Monica Canyon to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nitrate + Nitrite as N.

Data Reference:

WQ data from the MS4 database assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 4.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region (page 3-34) states that: Waters shall not exceed 10 mg/L nitrogen as nitrate-nitrogen plus nitrite-nitrogen (NO3-N + NO2-N).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: RW-SMB-2 (SMC Channel).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2015-12-13 and 2016-08-31

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)


DECISION ID	138182	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

Pollutant:	Turbidity
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:	Insufficient information is available to determine beneficial use support for this waterbody-pollutant combination with the statistical power and confidence required by the Listing Policy. Beneficial use support will be reassessed in a future cycle, if more data are available

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 the available data and information, SWRCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list because it cannot be determined if applicable water quality standards are not being exceeded.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 138182, Turbidity	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

252811

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed LA County MS4 data for Santa Monica Canyon to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

WQ data from the MS4 database assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 4.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan for the Los Angeles Region states that: Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan Los Angeles Region R4 Basin Plan

Evaluation Guideline:

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

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: RW-SMB-2 (SMC Channel).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2016-06-20 and 2016-06-20

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)


DECISION ID	68966	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

Pollutant:	Sulfates
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. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. An sufficient total number of samples were taken and a sufficient number of samples exceed the MCL guideline for Sulfate. 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 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. Six of six samples exceeded the MCL guideline. More data is needed to determine if the water quality standard is exceeded. 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 cycle. 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 68966, Sulfates	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

2386

Pollutant:

Sulfates

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Six samples with six exceeding. (SWAMP, 2004).

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

CCR- Title 22 Table 64449-B Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels of 250 mg/l for Sulfate.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Two stations at Santa Monica Channel Upper: 34.03313 -118.51264, Santa Monica Channel Lower: 34.02832 -118.51867, and Santa Monica Canyon Creek: 34.05976 -118.49535.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected March 2003 through March 2004.

Environmental Conditions:

Los Angeles County Coastal Streams: 405.13.

QAPP Information:

SWAMP Quality Assurance Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	78583	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

Pollutant:	Lead
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:	2019
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	303(d) listing decisions made prior to 2006 were not held in an assessment database. The Regional Boards will update this decision when new data and information become available and are assessed.

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 cycle. 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 78583, Lead	Region 4
Santa Monica Canyon

LOE ID:

4166

Pollutant:

Lead

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Unspecified--This LOE is a placeholder to support a 303(d) listing decision made prior to 2006.

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Unspecified

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Unspecified

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Unspecified

Temporal Representation:

Unspecified

Environmental Conditions:

Unspecified

QAPP Information:

Unspecified

QAPP Information Reference(s):