Draft California 2020 Integrated Report (303(d) List/305(b) Report)

Supporting Information

Regional Board 3 - Central Coast Region

Water Body Name:	Cholame Creek
Water Body ID:	CAR3170008120011127080727
Water Body Type:	River & Stream


DECISION ID	125749	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; due to change in WQS
TMDL Name:	Cholame Creek Fecal Coliform
TMDL Project Code:	521
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	11/30/2011
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	The State Water Boards Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the ISWEBE Plan) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use, which were adopted on August 7, 2018. Because the salinity level of this waterbody is greater than 1 part per thousand (ppt) 95 percent or more of the time, the enterococci bacteria objective applies, and the E. coli objective is not applicable. The 95th percentile of salinity samples from station 317CHO is 4.4205 ppt and from station 317CHO2 is 2.144 ppt and therefore the E. coli water quality objective is not applicable for water contact recreation beneficial use support determination in this waterbody. Therefore, this waterbody is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List because the E. coli bacteria water quality objective is not applicable. Note, the Total Maximum Daily Load for Fecal Indicator Bacteria for the Cholame Creek Watershed has been approved by the USEPA on November 30, 2011.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List because the water quality standard is not applicable for the pollutant, based on the salinity in this waterbody segment.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125749, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

150144

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 5 of the 7 samples exceeded the Statistical Threshold Value (STV) water quality threshold for E. coli. The STV is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated monthly.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The bacteria water quality objective applicable to all non-saline waters, is a Statistical Threshold Value (STV) of 320 cfu/100 mL. The applicable STV shall not be exceeded by more than 10 percent of the samples collected in a calendar month, calculated in a static manner (ISWEBE 2018).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

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

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 317CHO

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125749, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12310

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 6 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Evaluation Guideline:

Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15)

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/26/2006-12/13/2006. Salinas watershed is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). QA data are included in submission. All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 125749, Escherichia coli (E. coli)	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50128

Pollutant:

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Escherichia coli.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Evaluation Guideline:

Single sample maximum allowable density for E. coli in freshwater is 235 MPN/100mL (as stated in Table 4, page 15 of the USEPA Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria -1986).

Guideline Reference:

Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Bacteria - 1986. EPA440/5-84-002

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	130180	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Fecal Coliform
Final Listing Decision:	Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed by USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Reason for Delisting:	Applicable WQS attained; due to change in WQS
TMDL Name:	Cholame Creek Fecal Coliform
TMDL Project Code:	521
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	11/30/2011
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. The State Water Boards Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California (the ISWEBE Plan) contains two bacteria water quality objectives applicable to the REC-1 beneficial use which were adopted on August 7, 2018: where the salinity level of a waterbody is equal to or less than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the E. coli bacteria objective applies; and where the salinity level of a waterbody is greater than 1 part per thousand 95 percent or more of the time, the Enterococci bacteria objective applies. These objectives supersede the fecal coliform water quality objective for water contact recreation. Consequently, the fecal coliform objective for water contact recreation is no longer applicable to this waterbody and those LOEs have been removed from this decision. Therefore, this waterbody is being removed from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. However, three lines of evidence (LOEs) are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant and the non-contact recreation use. Therefore, this pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.3 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.3 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three of the 29 samples exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation. After review of the available data and information for the non-contact recreation beneficial use, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the CWA section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are not being exceeded. In accordance with section 2.2 of the Policy, there is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by RWQCB and USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Three of the 29 samples exceed the water quality objective for non-contact recreation, and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. The Cholame Creek Fecal Coliform TMDL has been approved by the USEPA on 11/30/2011. 5. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should be removed from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4 of the Listing Policy due to a change in water quality standards. This water body pollutant combination should be placed in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by RWQCB and USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 130180, Fecal Coliform	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12294

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 20 samples exceed the criterion for Coliform, Fecal.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 ml, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 ml.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 2/2/1999-12/13/2006. Salinas watershed is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 130180, Fecal Coliform	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50143

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 130180, Fecal Coliform	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

150217

Pollutant:

Fecal Coliform

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PATHOGEN MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and the results are as follows: 1 of the 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Coliform, Fecal. The water quality threshold is based on a 10% exceedance rate that is calculated for a 30-Day peroid.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation uses (Section 3.3.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states the following: Fecal coliform concentration, based on a minimum of not less than five samples for any 30-day period, shall not exceed a log mean of 2000/100 mL, nor shall more than ten percent of samples collected during any 30-day period exceed 4000/100 mL.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site(s), station(s): 317CHO

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the days of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10 .

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program


DECISION ID	111081	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Oxygen, Dissolved
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Sources:	No Source Analysis Available
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2035
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Four lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Six of the 31 samples exceed the water quality objective for warm freshwater habitat (Basin Plan). Note that there is no difference between samples fractions ‘dissolved’ and ‘total,’ therefore sample and exceedance counts will be summed for the purpose of this decision. Previous decisions (pre-2020) included dissolved oxygen saturation LOEs as ancillary evidence. This decision will no longer include dissolved oxygen saturation and these LOEs will be retired next cycle. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Six of the 31 samples exceed the warm freshwater habitat objective. This exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) List because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111081, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

175241

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB3 CCAMP Salinas Rotation data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111081, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

13912

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Diurnal Dissolved Oxygen Sampling (DO) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 1 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected on a single day 7/1/1999. Diurnal monitoring conducted in summer months at all CCAMP monitoring sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111081, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

13909

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 4 of 21 samples exceed the criterion for Oxygen, Dissolved.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111081, Oxygen, Dissolved	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50163

Pollutant:

Oxygen, Dissolved

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The dissolved oxygen concentration shall not be reduced below 5.0 mg/l at any time (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	111083	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Turbidity
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. A total of three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Sample and exceedance counts for the lines of evidence with the fraction identified as “none” or “not recorded” are grouped together with those having the fraction “total”, based on the analytical method used. Once summed, a total of two of 20 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for warm freshwater habitat (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009) used to interpret the water quality objectives for the aquatic life beneficial use. The readily available data and information are insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. 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. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. A total of two of 20 samples exceed the evaluation guideline for warm freshwater habitat and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111083, Turbidity	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50166

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Turbidities of 40 NTU or greater can cause a reduction in piscivorous fish (largemouth bass) growth due to interference with their ability to find food (Shoup, D.E. and Wahl D.H., 2009).

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111083, Turbidity	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

183003

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Total

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Water Board staff assessed SWAMP RWB3 CCAMP Salinas Rotation data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 7 samples exceeded the water quality threshold for Turbidity.

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

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

Guideline Reference:

The Effects of Turbidity on Prey Selection by Piscivorous Largemouth Bass

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111083, Turbidity	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

13930

Pollutant:

Turbidity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 11 samples exceed the criterion for Turbidity(NTU).

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall be free of changes in turbidity that cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses. Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Sigler et al. (1984) states that turbidities of 25 NTU's or greater caused reduction in juvenile salmonid growth due to interference with their ability to find food.

Guideline Reference:

Effects of chronic turbidity on density and growth of steelheads and coho salmon. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:142-150

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	111082	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	pH
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Revised
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Fifteen lines of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two of the 21 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply, Contact and Non-contact Recreation beneficial uses. One of the 21 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat and 1 of 21 samples exceeded the Agriculture Supply objective. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of five exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Two of the 21 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Municipal and Domestic Supply, Contact and Non-contact Recreation beneficial uses, 1 of the 21 samples exceed the maximum pH water quality objective for Warm Freshwater Habitat and 1 of 21 samples exceeded the Agriculture Supply objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) List. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12256

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Section II.A.2. Municipal and Domestic Supply Objectives, Section II.A.2.a states the following: The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/25/2000-12/13/2006. Salinas watershed is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50144

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12258

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12309

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries states the following: For waters not mentioned by a specific beneficial use, the pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50165

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall not be depressed below 7.0 or raised above 8.5 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

176983

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for warm fresh water habitat (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 7.0 nor raised above 8.5.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

177203

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Non-Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for non-contact water recreation (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

178241

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines listed in the Central Coast Basin Plan and identified as the level that severe problems may occur when pH is greater than 8.4 or less than 6.5 in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50129

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12257

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation uses (Section II.A.2. Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries, II.A.2.a) states the following: pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50126

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The pH value shall not be depressed below 6.5 or raised above 8.3 (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12255

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when pH is greater than 8.4 or less than 6.5 in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

49971

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for pH.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Region Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when pH is greater than 8.4 or less than 6.5 in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

178406

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for municipal and domestic supply (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111082, pH	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

177587

Pollutant:

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Water Contact Recreation

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Field, Habitat, Sediment, Tissue, Toxicity, Water data for the 2020/2022 integrated report in Region 3.

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin objective for water contact recreation (Section 3.3.2 Objectives for All Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries) states that the pH value shall neither be depressed below 6.5 nor raised above 8.3.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan for the Central Coastal Basin

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

The samples were collected at 1 monitoring site (317CHO)

Temporal Representation:

The samples were collected between the dates of 2012-01-09 and 2012-07-10

Environmental Conditions:

QAPP Information:

SWAMP 2008, SWAMP 2017

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Program Plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans, and Standard Operating Procedures for the SWAMP program


DECISION ID	80597	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Chloride
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Twenty-two of the 22 samples exceed the water quality objective for agricultural uses. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Twenty-two of the 22 samples exceed the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 80597, Chloride	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50274

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Chloride.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when chloride exceeds 106 mg/L in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 80597, Chloride	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10488

Pollutant:

Chloride

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 20 of 20 samples exceed the criterion for Chloride.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when chloride exceeds 106 mg/L in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	73038	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Sodium
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Nineteen of the 19 samples exceed the water quality objective for agricultural uses. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Nineteen of the 19 samples exceed the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73038, Sodium	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10506

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 17 of 17 samples exceed the criterion for Sodium.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when sodium exceeds 69 mg/L in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 5/13/1999-12/13/2006. Salinas watershed is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 73038, Sodium	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

49972

Pollutant:

Sodium

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Sodium.

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when sodium exceeds 69 mg/L in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	72894	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Specific Conductivity
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	A Source Unknown
Expected TMDL Completion Date:	2027
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.2 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Note that the pollutant name for the older LOEs and decisions is electrical conductivity. This was an error and the pollutant name should have always been specific conductivity. For this reason, the pollutant name was changed for this decision and sample and exceedance counts are summed for LOEs with both pollutant names in this assessment for specific conductivity. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Thirteen of the 15 samples exceed the water quality objective for agricultural uses. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Thirteen of the 15 samples exceed the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 4.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72894, Specific Conductivity	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

12254

Pollutant:

Electrical Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 11 of 13 samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity(Us).

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3.0 mS/cm in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 7/29/1999-12/13/2006. Salinas watershed is one of five annual rotation areas that are monitored for conventional pollutants by CCAMP staff monthly for one year. Toxicity monitoring is conducted twice during the rotation year (winter and summer) at a subset of sites.

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72894, Specific Conductivity	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50275

Pollutant:

Specific Conductivity

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Water Board Staff assessed public submissions data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 2 of 2 samples exceed the criterion for Conductivity(Us).

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when conductivity exceeds 3000 uS/cm in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	80649	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Boron
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not Delist from 303(d) list (being addressed with USEPA approved TMDL)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Sources:	Natural Sources
TMDL Name:	Estrella River Basin Boron TMDL
TMDL Project Code:	1084
Date TMDL Approved by USEPA:	02/13/2014
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for removal from the CWA section 303(d) List under section 4.1 of the Listing Policy. Under this section a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Three lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Nineteen of the 19 samples exceed the water quality objective for agriculture uses. There is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by RWQCB and USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against removing this water segment-pollutant combination from the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Nineteen of the 19 samples exceed the water quality objective and this exceeds the allowable frequency listed in Table 4.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. The Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for boron in streams of the Estrella River Basin has been approved by the USEPA on February 13, 2014. 5. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be removed from the section 303(d) list because applicable water quality standards for the pollutant are being exceeded. However, there is sufficient justification to place it in the Being Addressed portion of the CWA 303(d) List because a TMDL has been completed and approved by RWQCB and USEPA, and is expected to result in attainment of the standard.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 80649, Boron	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50259

Pollutant:

Boron

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. In addition, waters used for irrigation and livestock watering shall not exceed concentrations for those chemicals listed in Table 3-4 (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). Table 3-4 (page III-9) lists the maximum concentration for boron for irrigation supply is 0.75 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 80649, Boron	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10505

Pollutant:

Boron

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Dissolved

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. In addition, waters used for irrigation and livestock watering shall not exceed concentrations for those chemicals listed in Table 3.4 (Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). Table 3-4 (page III-9) lists the maximum concentration for boron for irrigation supply is 0.75 mg/L.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 80649, Boron	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

3939

Pollutant:

Boron

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

Not Recorded

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

Not Specified

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

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

Data Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Unspecified

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Evaluation Guideline:

Unspecified

Guideline Reference:

Placeholder reference pre-2006 303(d)

Spatial Representation:

Unspecified

Temporal Representation:

Unspecified

Environmental Conditions:

Unspecified

QAPP Information:

Unspecified

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	72934	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Ammonia
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	The pollutant name was changed from ¿Unionized Ammonia¿ to ¿Ammonia¿ in the 2014 assessment cycle. This decision replaces the two previously approved decisions, one for each of the pollutants unionized ammonia (Decision 12024) and total ammonia (Decision 12026). This decision contains all of the LOEs from those decisions in addition to new LOEs. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Four lines of evidence (LOEs) are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Two LOEs summarize unionized ammonia data in which zero of the 14 samples exceed the Basin Plan general objective for unionized ammonia set to protect aquatic life. Two LOEs summarize total ammonia data and zero of the 22 samples exceed the EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia in drinking water. The unionized ammonia sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of two exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.1. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of the 14 samples exceed the Basin Plan general objective for unionized ammonia set to protect aquatic life and zero of the 22 samples exceed the EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia in drinking water. Neither of these exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72934, Ammonia	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50145

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin General Objective, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 (General Objectives for all Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries) states that the discharge of wastes shall not cause concentrations of unionized ammonia (NH3) to exceed 0.025 mg/l (as N) in receiving waters (page III-4).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72934, Ammonia	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10507

Pollutant:

Ammonia (Unionized)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 12 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Unionized.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72934, Ammonia	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10474

Pollutant:

Ammonia as Nitrogen

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 0 of 20 samples exceed the criterion for Ammonia as N, Total.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

USEPA Health Advisory 2006 Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories (EPA 822-R-06-013, 2006).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013

Evaluation Guideline:

EPA's Lifetime Health advisory level for total ammonia is 30.0 mg/L as stated on page 8 of the 2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. This Advisory Level is defined as "the concentration of a chemical in drinking water that is not expected to cause any adverse noncarcinogenic effects for up to ten days of exposure."

Guideline Reference:

2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 72934, Ammonia	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

49973

Pollutant:

Ammonia as Nitrogen

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

All waters shall be maintained free of toxic substances in concentrations which are toxic to, or which produce detrimental physiological responses in, human, plant, animal, or aquatic life. (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

2006 edition of the drinking water standards and health advisories. EPA 822-R-03-013

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	111080	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Chlorophyll-a
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2018)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	No new data were assessed for the 2020 listing cycle. This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.2 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.2 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Two lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. One of the 23 samples exceed the evaluation guideline used to interpret the narrative water quality objective for bio-stimulation risk. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 26 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of five exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.2. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. One of the 23 samples exceed the evaluation guideline and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.2 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	This is a decision previously approved by the State Water Resources Control Board and the USEPA. No new data were assessed by the Regional Board for the current cycle. The decision has not changed.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111080, Chlorophyll-a	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10489

Pollutant:

Chlorophyll-a

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Aquatic Life Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Central Coast Regional Board Staff assessed CCAMP Salinas (Salinas) data for Cholame Creek to determine beneficial use support and results are as follows: 1 of 21 samples exceed the criterion for Chlorophyll a.

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (general objective for biostimulatory substances, Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin, Chapter III, Section II).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water quality standards table

Evaluation Guideline:

North Carolina Administrative code (NCAC), Title 15A - Environmental and Natural Resources, Subchapter 2B-Surface water and wetland standards, Rule 0211-Fresh surface water quality standards for class C waters (Class C is defined as freshwaters protected for secondary recreation, fishing, aquatic life including propagation and survival, and wildlife). Section 3(a) of Rule 0211 applies to all fresh surface waters and states that chlorophyll a is not to exceed 40 ug/L.

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 111080, Chlorophyll-a	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50146

Pollutant:

Chlorophyll-a

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Guideline Reference:

Water quality standards table

Guideline Reference:

North Carolina standards, criteria, or toxic concentrations. Adopted per title 15A North Carolina Administrative Code subchapter 2B - Surface water and wetland standards

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)


DECISION ID	84178	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Nitrate
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. Eight lines of evidence are available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the 22 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Agricultural Supply or the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objective for the Warm Freshwater Habitat beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Agricultural Supply or the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the water quality objective for Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat. Insufficient evidence was available to support nitrate as a cause of impairment for Warm Freshwater habitats. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of the 22 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Agricultural Supply or the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate samples exceed the water quality objective for the Warm Freshwater Habitat beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the water quality objectives for the Agricultural Supply or the Municipal and Domestic Supply beneficial use. Zero of the 2 nitrate/nitrite samples exceed the water quality objective for Cold and Warm Freshwater Habitat. Insufficient evidence was available to support nitrate as a cause of impairment for Warm Freshwater habitats. These do not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

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

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50276

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when nitrate exceeds 30 mg/L NO3 as N in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50162

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Technical approach to develop nutrient numeric endpoints for California, Tetra Tech, June 2006. The Central Coast Region numeric target for maximum nitrate concentration is based on the Tetra Tech NNE (Nutrient Numeric Endpoint) Model and CCAMP data for 193 sites, monitored monthly for at least 1 year between January 1998 and December 2006. The model numeric target for aquatic life habitats in the Central Coast Region is 1.0 mg/L Nitrate as N.

Guideline Reference:

Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111

Guideline Reference:

Central Coast RegionTechnical Paper: Interpreting Narrative Objectives for Biostimulatory Substances for California Central Coast Waters. This method uses the Technical Approach for Developing California Nutrient Numeric Endpoints.

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50125

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate + nitrite (as N) that is incorporated by reference in the Basin Plan is 10.0 mg/L (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50277

Pollutant:

Nitrate/Nitrite (Nitrite + Nitrate as N)

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50147

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Warm Freshwater Habitat

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain biostimulatory substances in concentrations that promote aquatic growths to the extent that such growths cause nuisance or adversely affect beneficial uses (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Technical Approach to Develop Nutrient Numeric Endpoints for California. U.S. EPA Region IX. State Water Resources Control Board. 68-C-02-108-To-111

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

50124

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The California Maximum Contaminant Level for nitrate (NO3 as N) incorporated by reference in the Basin Plan is 10.0 mg/L (Basin Plan).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10491

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Municipal & Domestic Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

The Water Quality Control Plan, Central Coast Basin Objective for municipal and domestic supply uses of inland surface waters (Section II.A.2) states the following: waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in excess of the limits specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Article 4, Chapter 15, Section 64435, Tables 2 and 3 as listed in Table 3-2. The maximum contaminant level listed in Table 3-2 (inorganic and fluoride concentrations not to be exceeded in domestic or municipal supply) for nitrate is 10.0 mg/L (NO3 as N).

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Title 22, Division 4, Ch. 15, Article 4, Section 64431, Table 64431-A

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 84178, Nitrate	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

10490

Pollutant:

Nitrate

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Salinas Toxicity data

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file1

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file2

Final Data File used for assessment: CCAMP Water Quality Data_file3

SWAMP Data:

SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Waters shall not contain concentrations of chemical constituents in amounts which adversely affect the agricultural beneficial use. Interpretation of adverse effect shall be as derived from the University of California Agricultural Extension Service guidelines provided in Table 3-3 (Central Coast Waterboard Basin Plan, Chapter III, Section II.A.2 Objectives for all Inland and Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays and Estuaries). In Table 3-3 of the Basin Plan (page III-8), water quality guidelines state that severe problems may occur when nitrate exceeds 30 mg/L NO3 as N in irrigation supply water.

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) - Central Coast Region (Region 3)

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Environmental Conditions:

Staff is not aware of any special conditions that might effect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

QAPP Information Reference(s):


DECISION ID	100344	Region 3
Cholame Creek

Pollutant:	Nitrogen, Nitrite
Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)
Last Listing Cycle's Final Listing Decision:	Do Not List on 303(d) list (TMDL required list)(2016)
Revision Status	Original
Impairment from Pollutant or Pollution:	Pollutant

Regional Board Conclusion:	This pollutant is being considered for placement on the CWA section 303(d) List under section 3.1 of the Listing Policy. Under section 3.1 a single line of evidence is necessary to assess listing status. One line of evidence is available in the administrative record to assess this pollutant. Zero of the two samples exceed the water quality objective for agricultural uses. This sample size is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating. A minimum of 16 samples is needed to determine if a beneficial use is supported and a minimum of two exceedances is needed to determine if beneficial uses are not supported using table 3.1. Therefore, the use support rating is set to 'insufficient information'. Based on the readily available data and information, the weight of evidence indicates that there is sufficient justification against placing this water segment-pollutant combination on the CWA section 303(d) List in the Water Quality Limited Segments category. This conclusion is based on the staff findings that: 1. The data used satisfies the data quality requirements of section 6.1.4 of the Policy. 2. The data used satisfies the data quantity requirements of section 6.1.5 of the Policy. 3. Zero of the two samples exceed the water quality objective and this does not exceed the allowable frequency listed in Table 3.1 of the Listing Policy. 4. Pursuant to section 3.11 of the Listing Policy, no additional data and information are available indicating that standards are not met.

Regional Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of the available data and information, RWQCB staff concludes that the water body-pollutant combination should not be placed on the section 303(d) list. The readily available data and information is insufficient to determine, with the power and confidence of the Listing Policy, the applicable beneficial use support rating.

State Board Review of Regional Board Conclusion and Recommendation:

State Board Decision Recommendation:	After review of this Regional Board decision, SWRCB staff recommend the decision be approved by the State Board.

Line of Evidence (LOE) for Decision ID 100344, Nitrogen, Nitrite	Region 3
Cholame Creek

LOE ID:

49970

Pollutant:

Nitrogen, Nitrite

LOE Subgroup:

Pollutant-Water

Matrix:

Water

Fraction:

None

Beneficial Use:

Agricultural Supply

Number of Samples:

Number of Exceedances:

Data and Information Type:

PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL MONITORING

Data Used to Assess Water Quality:

Data Reference:

Salinas Rotation field data 2007

SWAMP Data:

Non-SWAMP

Water Quality Objective/Criterion:

Objective/Criterion Reference:

Data for Various Pollutants in Westside San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, 2004-2009.

Evaluation Guideline:

Guideline Reference:

Spatial Representation:

Data for this line of evidence for Cholame Creek was collected at 1 monitoring site [ 317CHO-Cholame Creek at Bitterwater Road]

Temporal Representation:

Data was collected over the time period 1/10/2007-2/15/2007.

Environmental Conditions:

Central Coast Water Board Staff are not aware of any special conditions that might affect interpretation of the data.

QAPP Information:

All data was collected following the Standard Operating Procedures and Data Quality Objectives outlined in the SWAMP QAMP, (Puckett, 2002). All data are flagged as appropriate.

QAPP Information Reference(s):

Quality Assurance Management Plan for the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Sacramento, CA. State Water Resources Control Board. SWAMP. December 2002 (1st version)