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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 2 - San Francisco Bay Region

Water Body Name:	Colma Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR2044002020080624163112
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	142602	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Alkalinity as CaCO3
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 142602, Alkalinity as CaCO3	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

276952

Pollutant:

Alkalinity as CaCO3

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed BASMAA RMC Monitoring in WY2013 data for Colma Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Alkalinity as CaCO3.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay Basin: Controllable water quality factors shall not cause a detrimental increase in concentrations of toxic substances found in bottom sediments or aquatic life. Effects on aquatic organisms, wildlife, and human health will be considered.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA recommended alkalinity criterion continuous concentration (CCC) for the protection of aquatic life in freshwater is a minimum value of 20,000 ug/L (4-day average).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	150908	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Ammonia
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 150908, Ammonia	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

278769

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, ammonia (Total Ammonia)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Total Ammonia criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 30-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is Temperature and pH dependent, and was calculated according to the formula listed in the Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013 document.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Aquatic Life Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Ammonia - Freshwater 2013

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 150908, Ammonia	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

279634

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, San Francisco Bay Basin, Chapter III Water Quality Objectives, Section 3.3.20 Un-Ionized Ammonia: The discharge of wastes shall not cause receiving waters to contain concentrations of un-ionized ammonia in excess 0.025 mg/l (as N), expressed as an annual median.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	151689	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Benthic Community Effects
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	New Decision
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	Benthic Community Effects are being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under sections 3.9 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.9, additional lines of evidence (LOEs) associating the Benthic Community Effects decision with a water or sediment concentration of pollutants other than benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment or habitat assessment LOEs are necessary to place a water body on the 303(d) List for Benthic Community Effects. One line(s) of evidence evaluating benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment data is/are available in the administrative record to assess this indicator. One of one benthic-macroinvertebrate samples exceed the California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) impairment threshold. However, a minimum of two benthic-macroinvertebrate samples are needed to assess listing status. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing Benthic Community Effects in this waterbody segment on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. One of one benthic-macroinvertebrate bioassessment samples had CSCI scores below 0.79. The available information is insufficient to determine whether the waterbody/pollutant combination should be placed on the 303(d) List of impaired waters at this time. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. 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:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151689, Benthic Community Effects	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

306741

Pollutant:

Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments

LOE Subgroup:

Population/Community Degradation

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Benthic macroinvertebrate surveys

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for 204R00807 to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the threshold. CSCI scores were from 0.247571 to 0.247571.

Data Reference:

California Stream Condition Index (CSCI) Scores for the 2024 Integrated Report for Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations that are lethal to or that produce significant alterations in population or community ecology or receiving water biota. In addition, the health and life history characteristics of aquatic organisms in waters affected by controllable water quality factors shall not differ significantly from those for the same waters in areas unaffected by controllable water quality factors.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

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

Guideline Reference:

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

Spatial Representation:

Samples were collected from station 204R00807.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected from 5/21/2013 to 5/21/2013.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Data were collected according to BASMAA Regional Monitoring Coalition sampling protocols.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	142599	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Chloride
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 142599, Chloride	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

281099

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

The chloride criterion continuous concentration (expressed as a 4-day average) to protect aquatic life in freshwater is 230000 ug/L (230 mg/L)(USEPA National Recommended Water Quality Criteria, 2006).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	142600	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Chlorine
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:

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 142600, Chlorine	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

282847

Pollutant:

Chlorine

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed BASMAA RMC Monitoring in WY2013 data for Colma Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Chlorine, Total Residual.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

The USEPA recommended chlorine criterion for the protection of aquatic ife in freshwater is 11 ug/L (4-day average).

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	142601	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
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 142601, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

285717

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Toxicity, WQ data from the California Environmental Data Exchange Network assembled for the 2024 Integrated Report in Region 2.

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Dissolved oxygen objectives for waters designated as warm water habitat shall be of a 5.0 mg/l minimum. (Water Quality Control Plan, San Francisco Bay Basin, Chapter III Water Quality Objectives.)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: 204R00807 (Colma Creek at Bay Court-204R00807).

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-05-21 and 2013-05-21

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

EOA, Inc.. 2012. Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Creek Status Monitoring Program Quality Assurance Project Plan


DECISION ID	87612	Region 2
Colma Creek

Pollutant:	Trash
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with action other than TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected Attainment Date:	2029
Implementation Action Other than TMDL:	This trash listing will be addressed by implementing the trash control provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California through the NPDES MS4 permit applicable to this waterbody.
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.11 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess pollutant. eleven of eleven samples exceed the evaluation guideline. 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. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. All lines of evidence involve inspection of photographic evidence by Regional Water Board staff trained to conduct the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) methodology. The staff inspected these photos and applied the RTA methodology to develop Category 1 (Level of Trash) and Category 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) scores for each photograph. Based on the readily available photographic evidence for this waterbody, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification available in favor of leaving this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) list in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. 2. Photographic evidence has been evaluated that supports this decision. 3. Applying the Rapid Trash Assessment methodology to the photographic evidence suggests that this waterbody had level of trash parameter scores in the poor category (indicating impairment of non-contact water recreational beneficial uses). 4. This waterbody also had threat to aquatic life parameter scores in the poor category (indicating threat to Wildlife Habitat beneficial uses) in more than one location or on more than one date. 5. This waterbody is considered impaired by trash because there were exceedances of the evaluation guidelines (poor condition category for the trash assessment metrics) in more than one location or on more than one date. 6. Eleven of eleven samples collected exceeded the evaluation guideline. 7. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met. 8. The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 9. The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 10, This trash listing will be addressed by implementing the trash control provisions of the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California through the NPDES MS4 permit applicable to this waterbody.

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 87612, Trash	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

5279

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for the following dates and locations on Colma Creek:
Mitchell Ave. on 12/31/2002, 12/10/03, 1/6/2005, 2/3/2006, 4/1/2006
Utah Ave. Bridge on 1/29/2002, 12/31/2002, 2/3/2006, 4/1/2006
Pedestrian Crossing Bridge on 12/31/2002

This waterbody had level of trash parameter scores in the poor category (indicating impairment of non-contact water recreational beneficial uses) at more than one location and on three different dates.

Data Reference:

Archive of Trash Photos for Colma Creek submitted for 2008 303(d) list consideration

Report from Roger James and Larry Kolb containing Trash Photos submitted for consideration in 2008 303(d) listing process

Assessment by Matt Cover of Trash Photos (submitted to Region 2 in response to 2008 Data Solicitation)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas.

The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in the deposition of material that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing. Regional Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Level of Trash score.

If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. Regional Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Threat to Aquatic Life score.

Guideline Reference:

A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams

Spatial Representation:

Photographic evidence was analyzed using the RTA methodology for this waterbody for three different locations spanning dates from 2002 through 2006. Two locations scored in the poor condition category for the Level of Trash parameter.

Temporal Representation:

Photographic evidence was collected for this waterbody on six separate dates from 2003 through 2006. Data from three sampling dates scored in the poor condition category for the Level of Trash parameter.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

Assessments of the photographic evidence using the RTA were performed by Regional Water Board staff person who was a co-author of the Rapid Trash Assessment methodology.

Assessments based on photographic evidence were only conducted when sufficient reach-scale and close-up photos were available for a site on a specific date. Photos used for the evaluation needed to be numerous enough and clear enough to document the level of trash at the site in a similar way as the assessor would experience during an actual site visit in the field. For example, at a minimum, one reach-scale photograph (showing at least a 100 linear foot section of the waterbody) and two close-up photographs (of representative trash deposits) were required.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87612, Trash	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

91315

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for photos taken on 3/9/07 at Mitchell Avenue and Utah Avenue Bridge, and 12/8/17 and 3/5/08 at Utah Avenue Bridge. at Fruitvale Avenue Bridge Park. This waterbody had level of trash parameter scores in the poor category (indicating impairment of non-contact water recreational beneficial uses).

Data Reference:

Photos of trash in various San Francisco Bay water bodies, Mar. 2007-Mar. 2008

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in the deposition of material that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Level of Trash score. If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Threat to Aquatic Life score.

Guideline Reference:

A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams

Spatial Representation:

Photos taken at Utah Avenue Bridge Park on 3/9/07, 12/18/07, and 3/5/08.

Temporal Representation:

Photos taken at Utah Avenue Bridge Park on 3/9/07, 12/18/07, and 3/5/08.

Environmental Conditions:

Observations during summer and fall months may not be representative of conditions found during the rainy season because the trash discharged during the previous winter are obscured by new vegetation, particularly the cattails.

QAPP Information:

Assessments of the photographic evidence using the RTA were performed by a State Water Board staff person. Assessments based on photographic evidence were only conducted when sufficient reach-scale and close-up photos were available for a site on a specific date. Photos used for the evaluation needed to be numerous enough and clear enough to document the level of trash at the site in a similar way as the assessor would experience during an actual site visit in the field. For example, at a minimum, one reach-scale photograph (showing at least a 100 linear foot section of the waterbody) and two close-up photographs (of representative trash deposits) were required.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87612, Trash	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

91320

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for photos taken on 3/9/07 at Mitchell Avenue and Utah Avenue Bridge, and 12/8/17 and 3/5/08 at Utah Avenue Bridge. This waterbody had threat to aquatic life parameter scores in the poor category (indicating threat to Wildlife Habitat beneficial uses).

Data Reference:

Photos of trash in various San Francisco Bay water bodies, Mar. 2007-Mar. 2008

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Not Recorded Criteria/Objective The Basin Plan prohibits discharge of Rubbish, refuse, bark, sawdust, or other solid wastes into surface waters or at any place where they would contact or where they would be eventually transported to surface waters, including flood plain areas. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for floating material, Waters shall not contain floating material, including solids, liquids, foams, and scum, in concentrations that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. The Basin Plan has a narrative objective for settleable material, Waters shall not contain substances in concentrations that result in the deposition of material that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

If the Rapid Trash Assessment (RTA) Parameter 1 (Level of Trash) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), REC2 is not supported. This level of trash distracts the eye on first glance, making the site unsuitable for recreation. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, trash distracts the eye on first glance. Stream, bank surfaces, and immediate riparian zone contain substantial levels of litter and debris (>100 pieces). Evidence of site being used frequently by people: many cans, bottles, and food wrappers, blankets, clothing. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Level of Trash score. If the RTA Parameter 3 (Threat to Aquatic Life) is in the poor condition category (scores 0-5), then WILD is not supported. This level of trash is a large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter that is detrimental to aquatic life. The RTA defines poor condition for this parameter as follows, large amount (>50 pieces) of transportable, persistent, buoyant litter such as: hard or soft plastics, balloons, Styrofoam, cigarette butts; toxic items such as batteries, lighters, or spray cans; large clumps of yard waste or dumped leaf litter; or large amount (>50 pieces) of settleable glass or metal. State Water Board staff trained in the RTA inspected the available photographic evidence and applied the assessment method to determine the Threat to Aquatic Life score.

Guideline Reference:

A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams

Spatial Representation:

Photos taken at Utah Avenue Bridge Park on 3/9/07, 12/18/07, and 3/5/08.

Temporal Representation:

Photos taken at Utah Avenue Bridge Park on 3/9/07, 12/18/07, and 3/5/08.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 87612, Trash	Region 2
Colma Creek

LOE ID:

5282

Pollutant:

Trash

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Nuisance

Matrix:

Not Specified

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Wildlife Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Occurrence of conditions judged to cause impairment

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data available consist of photographic evidence of trash and interpretation of these photos by an experienced trash assessment specialist. Each photograph was analyzed to establish the RTA score for the level of trash and threat to aquatic life parameters, which relate to impairment of REC2 and WILD, respectively. Only those photos clear enough to establish these RTA scores were relied on for the listing determination. These results are available for the following dates and locations on Colma Creek:
Mitchell Ave. on 12/31/2002, 12/10/03, 1/6/2005, 2/3/2006, 4/1/2006
Utah Ave. Bridge on 1/29/2002, 12/31/2002, 2/3/2006, 4/1/2006
Pedestrian Crossing Bridge on 12/31/2002

There were exceedances of the evaluation guideline (poor condition category for the trash assessment metric) in more than one location or on more than one date.

Data Reference:

Archive of Trash Photos for Colma Creek submitted for 2008 303(d) list consideration

Report from Roger James and Larry Kolb containing Trash Photos submitted for consideration in 2008 303(d) listing process

Assessment by Matt Cover of Trash Photos (submitted to Region 2 in response to 2008 Data Solicitation)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - San Francisco Bay Region (Region 2)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

A Rapid Trash Assessment Method Applied to Waters of the San Francisco Bay Region:Trash Measurement in Streams

Spatial Representation:

Photographic evidence was analyzed using the RTA methodology for this waterbody for three different locations spanning dates from 2002 through 2006. Three locations scored in the poor condition category for the threat to aquatic life parameter.

Temporal Representation:

Photographic evidence was collected for this waterbody on six separate dates from 2003 through 2006. Data from six sampling dates scored in the poor condition category for the Transportable, Persistent, Buoyant Litter parameter.

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):