Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries – Part 1 Sediment Bays and Estuaries – Part 1 Sediment

Quality Quality

WEDA Pacific Chapter Annual MeetingWEDA Pacific Chapter Annual Meeting

November 5, 2009November 5, 2009

Chris BeeganChris Beegan

State Water Resources Control Board State Water Resources Control Board

cbeegan@waterboards.ca.govcbeegan@waterboards.ca.gov

Office 916 341 5577Office 916 341 5577

Cell 916 955 9262Cell 916 955 9262

Presentation Presentation

Purpose of Sediment Quality Purpose of Sediment Quality ObjectivesObjectives

Phased DevelopmentPhased Development Phase I Context and ApplicabilityPhase I Context and Applicability Phase I References and ToolsPhase I References and Tools Phase I Implementation Phase I Implementation Phase II SummaryPhase II Summary SQO Contact and ScheduleSQO Contact and Schedule

Purpose of SQOsPurpose of SQOs

SQOs provide a means to differentiate ambient SQOs provide a means to differentiate ambient surficial sediments impacted by toxic pollutants surficial sediments impacted by toxic pollutants from those that are not.from those that are not.

Similar to Water Quality Objectives Similar to Water Quality Objectives

Purpose of SQOsPurpose of SQOs

However However Approach used to assess water quality not Approach used to assess water quality not

reliable for sedimentreliable for sediment BioavailabilityBioavailability Exposure routeExposure route

Copper

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1 10 100 1000 10000

Copper (MG/ KG)

Su

rviv

al(

%)

AET PAET Nontoxic Toxic

ERL ERM

Factors Considered In DevelopmentFactors Considered In Development

Factors considered in developmentFactors considered in development Use of single indicator insufficientUse of single indicator insufficient Must apply suite of indicatorsMust apply suite of indicators Suite of indicators differs by exposure routeSuite of indicators differs by exposure route

– Organisms Organisms directlydirectly exposed to pollutants in sediment (benthic exposed to pollutants in sediment (benthic communities)communities)

– Organisms Organisms indirectlyindirectly exposed through trophic transfer (fish, bird, exposed through trophic transfer (fish, bird, marine mammals and human consumers of fish and shellfish) marine mammals and human consumers of fish and shellfish)

Sediment Quality Objectives Sediment Quality Objectives

Direct Exposure to Benthic CommunitiesDirect Exposure to Benthic Communities Pollutants in sediments shall not be present in quantities Pollutants in sediments shall not be present in quantities

that, alone or in combination, are toxic to benthic that, alone or in combination, are toxic to benthic communities in bays and estuaries of California. communities in bays and estuaries of California.

Suite of toolsSuite of tools– Sediment chemistrySediment chemistry– Sediment toxicitySediment toxicity– Benthic community condition Benthic community condition

Results interpreted from values Results interpreted from values and integration tables in Part 1 - and integration tables in Part 1 - Sediment QualitySediment Quality

Sediment Quality Objectives Sediment Quality Objectives

Indirect Exposure – Human HealthIndirect Exposure – Human Health Pollutants shall not be present in sediments at levels Pollutants shall not be present in sediments at levels

that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life to levels that that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life to levels that are harmful to human health. are harmful to human health.

No specific indicators providedNo specific indicators provided– Apply EPA, OEHHA, DTSC Risk Assessment Policies and Apply EPA, OEHHA, DTSC Risk Assessment Policies and

guidanceguidance– Requires best professional judgmentRequires best professional judgment– Inconsistent outcomes – within and across regions Inconsistent outcomes – within and across regions

Specific tools and framework in development – Specific tools and framework in development – Phase IIPhase II

Phased DevelopmentPhased Development

Phase I (2003-2009) Phase I (2003-2009) – Focus on protecting benthic communities directly Focus on protecting benthic communities directly

exposed to pollutants in sedimentexposed to pollutants in sediment– Marine BaysMarine Bays– Adopted by Water Board September 2008 (Resolution Adopted by Water Board September 2008 (Resolution

2008-0070)2008-0070)– Approved by EPA and Effective August 2009 Approved by EPA and Effective August 2009

Phased DevelopmentPhased Development

Phase II (2007-2010) in developmentPhase II (2007-2010) in development Focus Focus

– Consumers of fish and shellfish exposed through Consumers of fish and shellfish exposed through trophic transfer from sediment into fish tissue. trophic transfer from sediment into fish tissue.

– Benthic communities directly exposed to pollutants in Benthic communities directly exposed to pollutants in habitats not addressed in Phase I habitats not addressed in Phase I

Context and Applicability - GeneralContext and Applicability - General

Sediments within enclosed bays* and estuaries Sediments within enclosed bays* and estuaries onlyonly– Bedded subtidal surficial sedimentsBedded subtidal surficial sediments– Does not apply to sediments containing less Does not apply to sediments containing less

then 5% fines or substrates composed of then 5% fines or substrates composed of gravels, cobbles or consolidated rockgravels, cobbles or consolidated rock

Santa Monica Bay, Monterey Bay are not Santa Monica Bay, Monterey Bay are not enclosed Bays, LA-LB Harbor is an enclosed bay enclosed Bays, LA-LB Harbor is an enclosed bay

Context and ApplicabilityContext and ApplicabilityNavigation DredgingNavigation Dredging

Does not apply to dredge materials Does not apply to dredge materials characterizationcharacterization– SQO tools not developed for subsurface sedimentsSQO tools not developed for subsurface sediments– CWA 404 EPA/USACE Suitability DeterminationCWA 404 EPA/USACE Suitability Determination– CWA 401 Regional Boards Water Quality Certification CWA 401 Regional Boards Water Quality Certification

consider act and impacts associated with actionconsider act and impacts associated with action However….However….

Context and Applicability Context and Applicability Navigation DredgingNavigation Dredging

For dredged materials failing the SQO, Water Boards must For dredged materials failing the SQO, Water Boards must take precautions before issuing a Water Quality take precautions before issuing a Water Quality Certification (See CWC Section 13396)Certification (See CWC Section 13396)

1.1. Removed in a manner that prevents Removed in a manner that prevents or minimizes water quality or minimizes water quality degradation.degradation.

2.2. Not deposited in a location that may Not deposited in a location that may cause significant adverse effects to cause significant adverse effects to beneficial uses.beneficial uses.

3.3. Not cause significant adverse Not cause significant adverse impacts to waters of significant impacts to waters of significant national importance.national importance.

Resolution 2008-0070 Resolution 2008-0070

Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > Board Decisions > Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > Board Decisions > Adopted Orders > Resolutions > 2008 > 2008-0070Adopted Orders > Resolutions > 2008 > 2008-0070

Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Part 1 Sediment Qualityand Estuaries Part 1 Sediment Quality

Staff Report - Water Quality Control Plan for Staff Report - Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Part 1 Sediment Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Part 1 Sediment QualityQuality

Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > programs > Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > programs > cleanups > sediment quality objectives cleanups > sediment quality objectives

Water Board ReferencesWater Board References

Technical ReferencesTechnical References

Sediment Quality Assessment Draft Technical Support Manual, Sediment Quality Assessment Draft Technical Support Manual, May 2009 Southern California Coastal Water Research Project May 2009 Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Technical Report 582Technical Report 582

SQO LOE Calculation Tool Version 5.2 – Excel SpreadsheetSQO LOE Calculation Tool Version 5.2 – Excel Spreadsheet

Available at: www.sccwrp.org >Research Available at: www.sccwrp.org >Research Areas>Contaminants>Sediment Quality AssessmentAreas>Contaminants>Sediment Quality Assessment

Technical References and Technical References and ToolsTools

Implementation OverviewImplementation Overview

1.1. Develop design, sample and assess sedimentDevelop design, sample and assess sediment Measure and assess sediment chemistryMeasure and assess sediment chemistry Measure and assess sediment toxicityMeasure and assess sediment toxicity Measure and assess benthic community compositionMeasure and assess benthic community composition Combine the three results to determine station categoryCombine the three results to determine station category

2.2. Evaluate stations impacted and magnitude to determine Evaluate stations impacted and magnitude to determine response.response.

Sediment unimpacted, no further action required Sediment unimpacted, no further action required Multiple stations degraded, reassess or go to 3Multiple stations degraded, reassess or go to 3

3.3. Stressor Identification Stressor Identification

4.4. Identify SourcesIdentify Sources

5.5. Develop biological based targets for corrective actionDevelop biological based targets for corrective action

LOE Category Combination

Sediment Chemistry Exposure

Benthic Community Condition

Sediment Toxicity

Station Assessment

1 Minimal Reference Nontoxic Unimpacted

2 Minimal Reference Low Unimpacted

3 Minimal Reference Moderate Unimpacted

4 Minimal Reference High Inconclusive

5 Minimal Low Nontoxic Unimpacted

6 Minimal Low Low Likely unimpacted

7 Minimal Low Moderate Likely unimpacted

8 Minimal Low High Possibly impacted

9 Minimal Moderate Nontoxic Likely unimpacted

10 Minimal Moderate Low Likely unimpacted

11 Minimal Moderate Moderate Possibly impacted

Attachment B. Station assessment category resulting from each possible MLOE combination

Implementation Overview- Station Implementation Overview- Station EvaluationEvaluation

Exceedence determined byExceedence determined by Station category resultStation category result Other station categories at Site (total no. stations versus total no. Other station categories at Site (total no. stations versus total no.

impacted stations)impacted stations)

Station Assessment categoriesStation Assessment categories Unimpacted UUnimpacted U Likely Unimpacted LULikely Unimpacted LU Possibly Impacted PIPossibly Impacted PI Likely Impacted LILikely Impacted LI Clearly Impacted CIClearly Impacted CI InconclusiveInconclusive

SQO LOE Calculation Tool - Data OutputSQO LOE Calculation Tool - Data Output

ResultsResults

ResultsResults

Phase II Indirect EffectsPhase II Indirect Effects

Relationship between contaminants in sediment Relationship between contaminants in sediment and fishand fish

Sediment ChemistrySediment Chemistry– Organochlorine compoundsOrganochlorine compounds

Tissue Chemistry Tissue Chemistry – Species SelectionSpecies Selection

Scale of ApplicationScale of Application– Site size Site size – Fish forage areaFish forage area

Phase II Issues – Direct ExposurePhase II Issues – Direct Exposure

Technical tools under developmentTechnical tools under development Benthic community sediment chemistry and sediment Benthic community sediment chemistry and sediment

toxicity Indicators for Portions of the Sacramento/San toxicity Indicators for Portions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and and discrete habitats in San Joaquin Delta and and discrete habitats in San Francisco BayFrancisco Bay

Phase II Issues – Direct ExposurePhase II Issues – Direct Exposure

Ideas generating interest as a result of Phase IIdeas generating interest as a result of Phase I How should SQOs be applied at depth?How should SQOs be applied at depth?

– No benthic infaunaNo benthic infauna– Toxicity may be confounded by ammonia, sulfides, etc.Toxicity may be confounded by ammonia, sulfides, etc.– Can SQOs be used to inform decisions re: the volume of Can SQOs be used to inform decisions re: the volume of

material requiring remediation and the horizontal and material requiring remediation and the horizontal and vertical extent of contamination?vertical extent of contamination?

Is there a minimum size appropriate for Is there a minimum size appropriate for application of SQOs at clean-up sites?application of SQOs at clean-up sites?

Phase II Issues – Direct ExposurePhase II Issues – Direct Exposure

Ideas of interest as a result of Phase IIdeas of interest as a result of Phase I How should SQOs be applied to confirm that How should SQOs be applied to confirm that

cleanup goals are reached?cleanup goals are reached?– What is the appropriate time frame after remediation (i.e., What is the appropriate time frame after remediation (i.e.,

dredging, capping)?dredging, capping)?• Time for benthic community recoveryTime for benthic community recovery• Accounting for presence of dredging residualsAccounting for presence of dredging residuals

Applying Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) Applying Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) – Appropriate SQO monitoring frequencyAppropriate SQO monitoring frequency

Must be consistent with existing plans and Must be consistent with existing plans and policiespolicies

Sources of Information and Sources of Information and ContactsContacts

Lyris SubscriptionsLyris Subscriptions– www.waterboards.ca.gov/www.waterboards.ca.gov/– Resources - email subscriptions and select sediment Resources - email subscriptions and select sediment

quality quality Chris Beegan – State Water BoardChris Beegan – State Water Board

– Email: Email: cbeegan@waterboards.ca.gov– Phone: (916) 341 5577Phone: (916) 341 5577

Steve Bay – SCCWRPSteve Bay – SCCWRP– Email: Email: steveb@sccwrp.org– Phone: (714) 755-3204 Phone: (714) 755-3204

Phase II SchedulePhase II Schedule

CEQA Scoping Document in worksCEQA Scoping Document in works Staff Report and Draft Plan circulated in June/July Staff Report and Draft Plan circulated in June/July

20102010 Water Board Hearing/Meetings August/September Water Board Hearing/Meetings August/September

20102010 Submit Phase II Regulatory files to Office of Submit Phase II Regulatory files to Office of

Administrative Law by December 31, 2010.Administrative Law by December 31, 2010.