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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 1 - North Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Hare Creek Beach
Water Body ID:	CAC1132004120081013222913
Water Body Type:	Coastal & Bay Shoreline


DECISION ID	78330	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

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. Five LOEs are available in the administrative record to assess indicator bacteria in this water body for the attainment of contact recreation standards (REC-1): two for enterococcus and three for fecal coliform. Additionally, one LOE is available for total coliform for the attainment of shellfish harvesting standards (SHELL). Data from LOE 32747 were re-evaluated with LOEs 133676 and 133631. Data from LOE 44709 were re-evaluated with LOEs 133678 and 133601. Data from LOE 25315 were re-evaluated with LOEs 133676, 133631, 133678, and 133601. Data from LOEs 47611 and 47612 were re-evaluated with LOE 133632. The data assessed in this decision are ocean beach bacteria data collected in accordance with AB411 (Chapter 765, Statutes of 1997) requirements. For SHELL beneficial use, this pollutant 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 133676 and 133678 were not used in the assessment of REC-1 beneficial use as they were evaluated using a 10% exceedance rate. The following summary presents the total number of exceedances and total sample: 1) 1 of 92 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for enterococcus for REC-1; 2) 8 of 85 samples exceed the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) objective for enterococcus for REC-1; 3) 1 of 92 samples exceed the single sample maximum objective for fecal coliform for REC-1; 4) 0 of 21 samples exceed the geometric mean objective for fecal coliform for REC-1; and 5) 167 of 202 samples exceed 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 CWA section 303(d) list. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: (1) The data used satisfy the data quality requirements of Section 6.1.4 of the Policy. (2) The data used satisfy the data quantity requirements of Section 6.1.5 of the Policy. (3) Enterococcus and fecal coliform samples do not exceed the objectives more than the allowable frequency identified in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy, (4) total coliform samples related to the SHELL beneficial use exceed the objective more that the allowable frequency identified in section 4.3 of the Listing Policy. (6) Pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met. While REC-1 is fully supported, SHELL remains impaired.

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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

32747

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:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 10 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 Hare Creek 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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

133676

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_Mendocino County data for Hare Creek Beach to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 92 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:

Mendocino County Beachwatch data reformatted and renamed 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): Hare Creek

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2005-07-20 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

44709

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:

5 of 56 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 Hare Creek Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Hare Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/17/2010.

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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

133678

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_Mendocino County data for Hare Creek Beach to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 7 of the 80 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:

Mendocino County Beachwatch data reformatted and renamed 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): Hare Creek

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2005-07-20 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

133631

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:

Data Reference:

Mendocino County Beachwatch data reformatted and renamed 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): Hare Creek

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-03-18 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

133601

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_Mendocino County data for Hare Creek Beach to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 8 of the 85 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:

Mendocino County Beachwatch data reformatted and renamed 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): Hare Creek

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-03-18 and 2017-05-02 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

133632

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

202

Number of Exceedances:

167

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed Beachwatch_Mendocino County data for Hare Creek Beach to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 167 of the 202 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:

Mendocino County Beachwatch data reformatted and renamed 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): Hare Creek

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2003-03-18 and 2016-10-11 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

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

QAPP Information Reference(s):

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

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

32749

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:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Zero of the 10 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 Hare Creek 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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

44590

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:

1 of 56 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 Hare Creek Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [ Hare Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/17/2010.

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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

25316

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:

None of the 36 single samples of fecal coliform collected at Hare Creek Beach exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 11 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used Mendocino County Division of Environmental Health 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 (North Coast RWQCB 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: 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 Hare Creek Beach.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from July to October 2005 and April to October 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:

Samples were collected and analyzed in accordance with the Sampling and Analysis Plan and the Laboratories and Laboratory Analyses procedures described in the "Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches" (DHS 2006).

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches. Last Update: April 10, 2006. Initial Draft: November 1997. Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, California Department of Health Services

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

47612

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

7 of 10 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 Hare Creek Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [Hare Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/17/2010.

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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

47611

Pollutant:

Total Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Shellfish Harvesting

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

30 of 56 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 Hare Creek Beach was collected at 1 monitoring site [Hare Creek]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 4/2/2007-8/17/2010.

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 78330, Indicator Bacteria	Region 1
Hare Creek Beach

LOE ID:

25315

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:

One of the 36 single samples of enterococcus collected at Hare Creek Beach exceed the objective. Additionally, none of the 11 30-day geomean values exceed the objective. The single sample and geomean values are two different matrices used Mendocino County Division of Environmental Health 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 (North Coast RWQCB 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 5 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 Hare Creek Beach.

Temporal Representation:

Samples were collected weekly from July to October 2005 and April to October 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:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Draft Guidance for Salt Water Beaches. Last Update: April 10, 2006. Initial Draft: November 1997. Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management, California Department of Health Services