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

Supporting Information

Regional Board 2 - San Francisco Bay Region

Water Body Name: Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
Water Body ID: CAO2013000020210413058913
Water Body Type: Ocean
 
DECISION ID
143587
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
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 143587, Arsenic
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 279955
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Arsenic.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 8 ug/L for total arsenic to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143587, Arsenic
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 280018
 
Pollutant: Arsenic
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Arsenic.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 8 ug/L for total arsenic to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2013-08-05 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143588
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
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 143588, Cadmium
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 280437
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Cadmium.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 1 ug/L for total cadmium to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143588, Cadmium
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 280481
 
Pollutant: Cadmium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Cadmium.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 1 ug/L for total cadmium to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143589
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Copper
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 143589, Copper
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283396
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Copper.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 3 ug/L for total copper to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2015-08-28
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143589, Copper
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283194
 
Pollutant: Copper
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 4
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 4 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Copper.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 3 ug/L for total copper to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2019-08-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143590
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Cyanide
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 143590, Cyanide
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283227
 
Pollutant: Cyanide
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support, and the results are as follows: 0 of the 0 samples exceeded the evaluation guideline for Cyanide. Although a total of 1 samples were collected, 1 of these samples were not included in the assessment because the laboratory data reporting limit(s) was above the water quality threshold and therefore the results could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy Section 6.1.5.5.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 1 ug/L for total cyanide to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: Data for this waterbody were collected over the date range 2015-08-28 to 2015-08-28
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143590, Cyanide
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283226
 
Pollutant: Cyanide
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Weak Acid Dissociable
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Cyanide. Although a total of 4 samples were collected, 2 of these samples were not included in the assessment because the laboratory data reporting limit(s) was above the water quality threshold and therefore the results could not be quantified with the level of certainty required by the Listing Policy Section 6.1.5.5.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 1 ug/L for total cyanide to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (BC20).
Temporal Representation: Data for this waterbody was collected over the date range 2011-09-19 to 2019-08-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143591
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
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 143591, Dieldrin
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283563
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Dieldrin.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.00004 ug/L for dieldrin to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143591, Dieldrin
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283583
 
Pollutant: Dieldrin
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Dieldrin.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.00004 ug/L for dieldrin to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143592
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Dioxin compounds (including 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
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 143592, Dioxin compounds (including 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 288349
 
Pollutant: Dioxin compounds (including 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for TCDD Equivalents.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.0000000039 ug/L for TCDD equivalents to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143592, Dioxin compounds (including 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 288348
 
Pollutant: Dioxin compounds (including 2,3,7,8-TCDD)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for TCDD Equivalents.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.0000000039 ug/L for TCDD equivalents to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143593
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Fluoranthene
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 143593, Fluoranthene
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283925
 
Pollutant: Fluoranthene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Fluoranthene.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 15 ug/L for fluoranthene to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143593, Fluoranthene
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283908
 
Pollutant: Fluoranthene
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Fluoranthene.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 15 ug/L for fluoranthene to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143594
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)
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 143594, Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 283893
 
Pollutant: Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH).
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 0.004 ug/L for total hexachlorocyclohexane to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143595
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Lead
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 143595, Lead
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284097
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Lead.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 2 ug/L for total lead to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143595, Lead
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284181
 
Pollutant: Lead
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Lead.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 2 ug/L for total lead to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
145455
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Mercury
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 145455, Mercury
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284742
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 0.04 ug/L for total mercury to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 145455, Mercury
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284527
 
Pollutant: Mercury
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Mercury.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 0.04 ug/L for total mercury to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
154109
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Microplastics
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: Microplastic particle count data are being assessed for potential waterbody impairment. An exceedance of the food dilution hazard concentration for five percent of species (“HC5”) threshold developed in Mehinto et al. (2022) will indicate the beneficial use may be potentially threatened and the waterbody will be placed in Category 3. If there is no exceedance the waterbody will be placed in Category 2 (insufficient information to determine beneficial use support). The LOEs in this assessment are not used to consider waterbody placement on the CWA 303(d) list. Additional information is needed to increase the confidence in this HC5 threshold prior to determining that a waterbody is placed on the CWA 303(d) list. Additionally, submitted data that are more representative of waterbody microplastic conditions are required to assess placement on the CWA 303(d) list.

One LOEs is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the two samples exceed the microplastics threshold of 5 microplastic particles per liter. There are no exceedances of the HC5 threshold, and the waterbody will be placed in Category 2 for this pollutant.

Consideration to place a waterbody segment on the 303(d) list or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported requires further data and information to increase the confidence in the accuracy of the threshold and the representativeness of the submitted data.

Threshold:
The HC5 threshold presented in Mehinto et al. (2022), does not yet meet the Listing Policy evaluation guideline requirements outlined in Section 6.1.3. The expert group that developed this HC5 threshold expressed low to moderate confidence in the calculated threshold concentration (Mehinto et al. 2022). However, while the expert group has high confidence in the framework and the analytical approach used to derive the threshold, the threshold suffers from “limited data of sufficient quality and environmental relevance.” For example, the majority of studies used to derive this threshold relied on sphere and fragment microplastic morphologies and did not consider films, fibers or tire wear particles. Fibers are expected to be more toxic than fragments and spheres (Stienbarger et al. 2021).

Submitted Data:
The manta trawl data were corrected and aligned to account for sampling limitations in capturing particles smaller than 355 microns and a tendency to undercount fibers. These adjustments introduce considerable uncertainty in the particle concentration estimates.
 
Regional Board Decision Recommendation: This decision was made by State Board.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: Consideration to place a waterbody segment on the 303(d) list or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported requires further data and information to increase the confidence in the accuracy of the threshold and the representativeness of the submitted data.

Threshold:
The HC5 threshold presented in Mehinto et al. (2022), does not yet meet the Listing Policy evaluation guideline requirements outlined in Section 6.1.3. The expert group that developed this HC5 threshold expressed low to moderate confidence in the calculated threshold concentration (Mehinto et al. 2022). However, while the expert group has high confidence in the framework and the analytical approach used to derive the threshold, the threshold suffers from “limited data of sufficient quality and environmental relevance.” For example, the majority of studies used to derive this threshold relied on sphere and fragment microplastic morphologies and did not consider films, fibers or tire wear particles. Fibers are expected to be more toxic than fragments and spheres (Stienbarger et al. 2021).

Submitted Data:
The manta trawl data were corrected and aligned to account for sampling limitations in capturing particles smaller than 355 microns and a tendency to undercount fibers. These adjustments introduce considerable uncertainty in the particle concentration estimates.
 
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 154109, Microplastics
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 315262
 
Pollutant: Microplastics
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed manta trawl microplastic data collected by San Francisco Estuary Institute (“SFEI”) and presented in Zhu et al. (2021) to determine beneficial use support.  In accordance with Coffin et al. (2022), manta trawl data were rescaled to a common size range (1-5000µm) to allow direct comparison to the evaluation guideline and were adjusted for biases in sampling and analysis procedures using empirical data.  Uncertainties introduced by these adjustments were propagated probabilistically using probability distribution functions and Monte-Carlo modeling.  The median modelled values were used for assessment purposes.  Zero of two samples of median modeled values exceeded evaluation guideline for MAR.
Data Reference: Risk characterization of microplastics in San Francisco Bay, California
  Holistic Assessment of Microplastics and Other Anthropogenic Microdebris in an Urban Bay Sheds Light on Their Sources and Fate
 
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 other detrimental responses in aquatic organisms. (SFRWQCB Water Quality Control Plan Section 3.3.18, 2017)
Objective/Criterion Reference: Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) San Francisco Bay Basin (Region 2)
 
Evaluation Guideline: Microplastics data are compared to the threshold of 5 microplastic particle per liter for a particle range of 1-5000 µm developed by Mehinto et al. (2022), to determine potential impairment of marine and estuarine beneficial uses due to microplastics. The threshold is a calculated median value and denotes a concentration at or above which 5 percent of the aquatic species used to develop the threshold will experience adverse effects. This threshold is commonly known as the hazard concentration for 5 percent of species, or “HC5.”  Mehinto et al. (2022) bases the 5 microplastic particle per liter HC5 on food dilution effects data.  Food dilution is an adverse health effect that develops when aquatic organisms ingest microplastics, diminishing nutritional intake and organismal biological function (de Ruijter et al. 2020).  Food dilution can be reliably predicted by particle volume (Koelmans et al. 2022). 
Guideline Reference: Risk assessment of microplastic particles.
Guideline Reference: Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems
Guideline Reference: Quality Criteria for Microplastic Effect Studies in the Context of Risk Assessment: A Critical Review
 
Spatial Representation: The sample was collected via manta trawl from the following station: GFNMS25. The manta trawl was towed behind the vessel for 30 minutes with a tow speed of 3 knots. Sample volumes for these manta trawl events ranged from 130,722 L to 132,714 L. For microplastics collected with the manta trawl, microplastics data with similar coordinates were aggregated and evaluated as a single line of evidence.
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected September 11, 2017 – March 30, 2018. Microplastic data collected during the wet (November 16, 2017 – March 31, 2018) and dry (August 21, 2017 – November 5, 2017) seasons were used in this assessment, as aquatic life may be exposed to microplastic concentrations seasonally.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The data were assessed for quality using quality assurance criteria for microplastics sampling, extraction, and analysis reported in Koelmans et al. (2020).  
QAPP Information Reference(s): Solving the Nonalignment of Methods and Approaches Used in Microplastic Research to Consistently Characterize Risk
 
 
DECISION ID
143596
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Nickel
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 143596, Nickel
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284707
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nickel.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 5 ug/L for total nickel to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143596, Nickel
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 284706
 
Pollutant: Nickel
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Nickel.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 5 ug/L for total nickel to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
151988
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
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: Omega Aragonite is being assessed using Listing Policy section 3.11, a situation-specific weight of evidence approach. As additional research is needed to increase confidence that the data assessed reflect waterbody conditions, the LOEs for this pollutant are not used to place waterbodies on the CWA section 303(d) list. Instead, an exceedance of the mean Omega Aragonite threshold of <1.4 will indicate the beneficial use may be potentially threatened and the waterbody will be placed in Category 3 if the number of measured exceedances supports rejection of the null hypothesis as presented in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy for conventional or other pollutants.

Thirteen lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Ten of the 13 samples exceed the Omega Aragonite threshold of <1.4.

The exceedance of the Omega Aragonite threshold indicates that the beneficial use may be potentially threatened, and the waterbody will be placed in Category 3 for this pollutant.

In order to make recommendations to list an ocean segment as impaired or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported for ocean acidification using Omega Aragonite as an evaluation guideline, further research on the following points is needed to increase confidence that data assessed reflects waterbody conditions.
1. Impact of depth on aragonite saturation state, especially within the 0-200m range.
2. Timing in relation to data collection: Determining the number of days at a certain threshold for pteropod life stages.
3. Understanding natural aragonite saturation state levels in an upwelling state.
4. Seasonal variation and shift in dissolution rates.
 
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 the applicable beneficial use support rating.
 
State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation: In order to make recommendations to list an ocean segment as impaired or to determine that the beneficial use is fully supported for ocean acidification using Omega Aragonite as an evaluation guideline, further research on the following points is needed to increase confidence that data assessed reflects waterbody conditions.
1. Impact of depth on aragonite saturation state, especially within the 0-200m range.
2. Timing in relation to data collection: Determining the number of days at a certain threshold for pteropod life stages.
3. Understanding natural aragonite saturation state levels in an upwelling state.
4. Seasonal variation and shift in dissolution rates.
 
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 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308560
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N11a.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 7/25/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308557
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N4a.
Temporal Representation: One samples was collected on 5/29/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308556
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed NOAA West Coast ocean acidification data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from the NOAA WCOA 2016 Ocean Acidification Cruise for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station WCOA2016_57.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 5/21/2016.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): NOAA West Coast Ocean Acidification Cruise methods, discussion, metadata, and analysis for ocean acidification sampling of the Pacific Coast in 2016. Lead Investigators: Simone R. Alin and Richard A. Feely of NOAA PMEL. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5v40shg
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308558
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N4b.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 7/6/2018.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308565
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N2b.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 5/18/2016.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308566
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N2c.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 7/7/2018.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308562
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N11c.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 5/20/2016.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308567
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N2d.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 5/27/2019.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308561
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N11b.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 7/18/2014.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308563
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N11d.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 7/8/2018.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308564
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N2a.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected 7/25/2010.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308572
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed NOAA West Coast ocean acidification data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 1 samples exceeded (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from the NOAA WCOA 2011 Ocean Acidification Cruise for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station WCOA2011_64.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 8/23/2011.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): NOAA West Coast Ocean Acidification Cruise methods, discussion, metadata, and analysis for ocean acidification sampling of the Pacific Coast in 2011. Lead Investigators: Simone R. Alin and Richard A. Feely of NOAA PMEL. doi.org/10.7289/v5jq0xz1
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 151988, Omega Aragonite
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 308559
 
Pollutant: Omega Aragonite
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Not Recorded
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Point Blue Conservation Science's ACCESS data for Pacific Ocean, Marin County to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 0 of the 1 samples exceed (<1.4) the impairment threshold for Omega Aragonite.
Data Reference: Aragonite saturation state (Omega Aragonite) data from Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) Program for the 2024 Integrated Report.
 
SWAMP Data: Non-SWAMP
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion: The California SWRCB Marine Habitat Beneficial Use is defined as "Uses of water that support marine ecosystems including, but not limited to,
preservation or enhancement of marine habitats, vegetation such as kelp, fish, shellfish, or wildlife (e.g.,
marine mammals, shorebirds)." A beneficial use was chosen as the assessment criteria for ocean acdification as impacts due to Omega Aragonite can be from global and local sources.
Objective/Criterion Reference: Marine Habitat (MAR) Beneficial use definition for Regional and Statewide use. The California Water Boards' Annual Performance Report - Fiscal Year 13/14 (CA SWRCB, 2014).
 
Evaluation Guideline: The omega aragonite criterion for the protection of the marine habitat beneficial use is used to determine potential impairment of waterbodies due to ocean acidification; a threshold below 1.4 would indicate potential impairment of a waterbody. The omega aragonite saturation state is calculated by the product of the concentrations of dissolved calcium and carbonate ions divided by their product at equilibrium. Lower levels of omega aragonite are correlated with increased dissolution of pteropods (shell species) and a loss of marine life. In Bednaršek 2019, thresholds between 0.9 and 1.5 were found to indicate severe to mild shell dissolution of pteropods, with potential impairment indicated at approximately 1.2 ± 0.1 (for an overall threshold of 1.3) or below. A study conducted by Oregon State University concluded that the “maximum uncertainty of ±0.2 in the calculation of mean omega aragonite saturation state is required to adequately link changes in ocean chemistry to changes in ecosystem function” (McLaughlin 2015). Thus, the mean aragonite saturation state of 1.4 (1.2 ± 0.2), has been used for the assessment of omega aragonite data.
Guideline Reference: McLaughlin, K., Weisberg, S. B., Dickson, A. G., Hofmann, G. E., Newton, J. A., Aseltine-Neilson, D., ... & Steele, B. (2015). Core principles of the California Current Acidification Network: Linking chemistry, physics, and ecological effects. Oceanography, 28(2), 160-169. doi:10.5670/oceanog.2015.39
Guideline Reference: Bednaršek, N., R.A. Feely, E.L. Howes, B.P.V. Hunt, F. Kessouri, P. Leon, R. Lischka, A.E. Maas, K. McLaughlin, N.P. Nezlin, M. Sutula, S.B. Weisberg. 2019. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Toward Synthesis of Thresholds of Ocean Acidification Impacts on Calcifying Pteropods and Interactions With Warming. Frontiers in Marine Science 6:227.
 
Spatial Representation: Samples were collected at Station ACCESS_EN_N4c.
Temporal Representation: One sample was collected on 9/27/2018.
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: The documents submitted meet the narrative and qualitative guidelines for QA submissions in Listing Policy 6.1.4.
QAPP Information Reference(s): Field and Lab Methods for the Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS Program). Approved methodology for biological and physical ocean acidification data.
 
 
DECISION ID
149012
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
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 149012, PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 289098
 
Pollutant: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Total PAHs.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.0088 ug/L for PAHs to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 149012, PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 289096
 
Pollutant: PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Total PAHs.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.0088 ug/L for PAHs to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143597
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
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 143597, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 286372
 
Pollutant: PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Commercial or recreational collection of fish, shellfish, or organisms
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.000019 ug/L for PCBs to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143597, PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 286678
 
Pollutant: PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls)
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Shellfish Harvesting
 
Number of Samples: 1
Number of Exceedances: 1
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 30-day average concentration of 0.000019 ug/L for PCBs to protect human health in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2011-09-19
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143598
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Selenium
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 143598, Selenium
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 288078
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 3
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 3 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Selenium.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 15 ug/L for total selenium to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2015-08-28
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143598, Selenium
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 287475
 
Pollutant: Selenium
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 5
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 5 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Selenium.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 15 ug/L for total selenium to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2019-08-01
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143599
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Silver
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 143599, Silver
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 287971
 
Pollutant: Silver
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Silver.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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 dissolved silver criterion maximum concentration (CMC) to protect aquatic life in saltwater is 1.9 ug/L. This criterion was divided by 2 in order to better represent a CMC value as specified in footnote g of Table (b)(1) of the California Toxics Rule, 2000.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143599, Silver
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 287952
 
Pollutant: Silver
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Silver.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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 dissolved silver criterion maximum concentration (CMC) to protect aquatic life in saltwater is 1.9 ug/L. This criterion was divided by 2 in order to better represent a CMC value as specified in footnote g of Table (b)(1) of the California Toxics Rule, 2000.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
 
DECISION ID
143600
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
Pollutant: Zinc
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 143600, Zinc
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 289766
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Total
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Zinc.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 20 ug/L for total zinc to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.
 
Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 143600, Zinc
Region 2     
Pacific Ocean (Marin County)
 
LOE ID: 289809
 
Pollutant: Zinc
LOE Subgroup: Pollutant-Water
Matrix: Water
Fraction: Dissolved
 
Beneficial Use: Marine Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 2
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Water Board staff assessed Regional Monitoring Program - Status and Trends data for Pacific Ocean (Marin County) to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Zinc.
Data Reference: Field, Tissue, 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: California's Ocean Plan, Table 3 lists the 6-month median concentration of 20 ug/L for total zinc to protect aquatic life in marine waters.
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: The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site: BC20 (Golden Gate (BC20)).
Temporal Representation: The samples were collected between the dates of 2011-09-19 and 2013-08-05
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: SWRCB. 2018. This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements..
QAPP Information Reference(s): This is a placeholder reference for data that was collected after QAPP requirements were developed, but exempt from the requirements.