Draft 2008 California 303(d)/305(b) Integrated Report

Supporting Information

Regional Board 6 - Lahontan Region

Water Body Name: Searles Lake
Water Body ID: CAL6211000019990129093321
Water Body Type: Saline Lake
 
DECISION ID
6273
 
Pollutant: Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Source Unknown
Expected Attainment Date: 2019
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: RWQCB Cleanup and Abatement Order 6-00-64 and 6-0064A1

Cleanup and Abatement Orders issued. The RWQCB has issued Cleanup and Abatement Orders to address this pollutant problem in Searles Lake (Cleanup and Abatement Order Nos. 6-00-64, 6-00-64A1 and 6-00-64A2.). These orders require the company to (1) describe methods implemented to significantly reduce the number of waterfowl deaths, (2) eliminate ongoing sources of contaminant concentrations to the lake, (3) implement any additional methods that are necessary to correct the problems, (4) eliminate all visible petroleum hydrocarbons from surface waters of the Lake, (5) remove or remediate to non-detect levels, all visible petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated surface soils and sediments, and (6) to periodically report on the effectiveness of remediation efforts (SWRCB, 2003).
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for listing under section 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A remedial program other than a TMDL has been developed, approved, and is being implemented. This program is expected to result in attainment of the standards. This water segment-pollutant combination was moved off the section 303(d) list during the 2002 listing cycle. CA Department of Fish and Game has documented hundreds of bird deaths, primarily from salt toxicosis and salt encrustation in the water body.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination in the Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed portion of the section 303(d) list.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 6273
 
LOE ID: 746
 
Pollutant: Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Cleanup and Abatement Orders issued. The RWQCB has issued Cleanup and Abatement Orders to address this pollutant problem in Searles Lake (Cleanup and Abatement Order Nos. 6-00-64 and 6-00-64A1). These orders require the company to (1) describe methods implemented to significantly reduce the number of waterfowl deaths, (2) eliminate ongoing sources of contaminant concentrations to the lake, (3) implement any additional methods that are necessary to correct the problems, (4) eliminate all visible petroleum hydrocarbons from surface waters of the Lake, (5) remove or remediate to non-detect levels, all visible petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated surface soils and sediments, and (6) to periodically report on the effectiveness of remediation efforts (SWRCB, 2003).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 745
 
Pollutant: Salinity/TDS/Chlorides
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Department of Fish and Game (DFG) believes that wastewater ponds created at Searles Lake are an on-going threat to wildlife. DFG has documented hundreds of bird deaths, primarily from salt toxicosis and salt encrustation. Historically, the dry lakebed offered little or no open water to migrating waterfowl. Hence birds did not stop and mortality was minimal. That is in contrast to current conditions, where effluent from salt-extraction operations have created a lethal attraction for migrating birds.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
DECISION ID
4222
 
Pollutant: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision: List on 303(d) list (being addressed by action other than TMDL)(2006)
Revision Status Revised
Sources: Industrial Point Sources
Expected Attainment Date: 2019
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA: RWQCB Cleanup and Abatement Order 6-00-64, 6-00-64A1, and 6-00-64A2.
The RWQCB has issued Cleanup and Abatement Orders to address this pollutant problem in Searles Lake (Cleanup and Abatement Order Nos. 6-00-64, 6-00-64A1 and 6-00-64A2). These orders require the company to (1) describe methods implemented to significantly reduce the number of waterfowl deaths, (2) eliminate ongoing sources of contaminant concentrations to the lake, (3) implement any additional methods that are necessary to correct the problems, (4) eliminate all visible petroleum hydrocarbons from surface waters of the Lake, (5) remove or remediate to non-detect levels, all visible petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated surface soils and sediments, and (6) to periodically report on the effectiveness of remediation efforts (SWRCB, 2003).
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution: Pollutant
 
Weight of Evidence: This pollutant is being considered for listing under section 2.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section of the Policy, a minimum of one line of evidence is needed to assess listing status.

Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. A remedial program other than a TMDL has been developed, approved, and is being implemented. This program is expected to result in attainment of the standard. This water segment-pollutant combination was moved off the section 303(d) list during the 2002 listing cycle.

Numerous visual observations of oil on lake waters, banks, channels and ponds have been documented in the water body. A sample collected showed 156,000 ppm TPH.

Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification in favor of placing this water segment-pollutant combination in the Water Quality Limited Segments Being Addressed portion of the section 303(d) list.
 
RWQCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation: No new data were assessed for 2008. The decision has not changed.
 
SWRCB Board Decision / Staff Recommendation:
 
USEPA Decision:
 
 
Lines of Evidence (LOEs) for Decision ID 4222
 
LOE ID: 748
 
Pollutant: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
LOE Subgroup: Narrative Description Data
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Source is IMCC Chemical mineral extraction operation. Waste Discharge Requirements, Cleanup and Abatement Orders.

The RWQCB has issued Cleanup and Abatement Orders to address this pollutant problem in Searles Lake (Cleanup and Abatement Order Nos. 6-00-64 and 6-00-64A1). These orders require the company to (1) describe methods implemented to significantly reduce the number of waterfowl deaths, (2) eliminate ongoing sources of contaminant concentrations to the lake, (3) implement any additional methods that are necessary to correct the problems, (4) eliminate all visible petroleum hydrocarbons from surface waters of the Lake, (5) remove or remediate to non-detect levels, all visible petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated surface soils and sediments, and (6) to periodically report on the effectiveness of remediation efforts (SWRCB, 2003).
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation:
Temporal Representation:
Environmental Conditions:
QAPP Information: QA Info Missing
QAPP Information Reference(s):
 
LOE ID: 747
 
Pollutant: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons
LOE Subgroup: Visual
Matrix: Not Specified
Fraction: None
 
Beneficial Use: Wildlife Habitat
 
Number of Samples: 0
Number of Exceedances: 0
 
Data and Information Type: Not Specified
Data Used to Assess Water Quality: Numerous (at least 13) observations of visible oil on lake waters, banks, channels and ponds. Over 150 dead waterfowl collected by CDFG. Waterfowl encrusted with brine and oil. Oil found in internal organs of waterfowl. Visible oil observed. Sample collected showed 156,000 ppm TPH.

DFG believes that wastewater ponds created at Searles Lake are an ongoing threat to wildlife. DFG has documented hundreds of bird deaths, primarily from salt toxicosis and salt encrustation. Historically, the dry lakebed offered little or no open water to migrating waterfowl. Hence birds did not stop and mortality was minimal. That is in contrast to current conditions, where effluent from salt-extraction operations have created a lethal attraction for migrating birds (SWRCB, 2003).Thirteen site inspections by Regional Board staff between February and June, 2000. Visible oil observed. Sample collected showed 156,000 ppm TPH.
Data Reference: Placeholder reference 2006 303(d)
 
Water Quality Objective/Criterion:
Objective/Criterion Reference:
 
Evaluation Guideline:
Guideline Reference:
 
Spatial Representation: Visible oil observed at numerous locations.
Temporal Representation: Visible oil observed on more than 13 occasions during a 5-month period.
Environmental Conditions: Thirteen site inspections by RWQCB staff between February and June, 2000.
QAPP Information: QA procedures used.
QAPP Information Reference(s):