Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries – Part 1 Sediment Quality Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries – Part 1 Sediment Quality WEDA Pacific Chapter Annual Meeting November 5, 2009 Chris Beegan State Water Resources Control Board Office Cell

Presentation Purpose of Sediment Quality Objectives Purpose of Sediment Quality Objectives Phased Development Phased Development Phase I Context and Applicability Phase I Context and Applicability Phase I References and Tools Phase I References and Tools Phase I Implementation Phase I Implementation Phase II Summary Phase II Summary SQO Contact and Schedule SQO Contact and Schedule

Purpose of SQOs SQOs provide a means to differentiate ambient surficial sediments impacted by toxic pollutants from those that are not. SQOs provide a means to differentiate ambient surficial sediments impacted by toxic pollutants from those that are not. Similar to Water Quality Objectives Similar to Water Quality Objectives

Purpose of SQOs However Approach used to assess water quality not reliable for sediment Approach used to assess water quality not reliable for sediment Bioavailability Bioavailability Exposure route Exposure route ERLERM

Factors Considered In Development Factors considered in development Use of single indicator insufficient Use of single indicator insufficient Must apply suite of indicators Must apply suite of indicators Suite of indicators differs by exposure route Suite of indicators differs by exposure route –Organisms directly exposed to pollutants in sediment (benthic communities) –Organisms indirectly exposed through trophic transfer (fish, bird, marine mammals and human consumers of fish and shellfish)

Sediment Quality Objectives Direct Exposure to Benthic Communities Pollutants in sediments shall not be present in quantities that, alone or in combination, are toxic to benthic communities in bays and estuaries of California. Pollutants in sediments shall not be present in quantities that, alone or in combination, are toxic to benthic communities in bays and estuaries of California. Suite of tools Suite of tools –Sediment chemistry –Sediment toxicity –Benthic community condition Results interpreted from values and integration tables in Part 1 - Sediment Quality Results interpreted from values and integration tables in Part 1 - Sediment Quality

Sediment Quality Objectives Indirect Exposure – Human Health Pollutants shall not be present in sediments at levels that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life to levels that are harmful to human health. Pollutants shall not be present in sediments at levels that will bioaccumulate in aquatic life to levels that are harmful to human health. No specific indicators provided No specific indicators provided –Apply EPA, OEHHA, DTSC Risk Assessment Policies and guidance –Requires best professional judgment –Inconsistent outcomes – within and across regions Specific tools and framework in development – Phase II Specific tools and framework in development – Phase II

Phased Development Phase I ( ) –Focus on protecting benthic communities directly exposed to pollutants in sediment –Marine Bays –Adopted by Water Board September 2008 (Resolution ) –Approved by EPA and Effective August 2009

Phased Development Phase II ( ) in development Focus Focus –Consumers of fish and shellfish exposed through trophic transfer from sediment into fish tissue. –Benthic communities directly exposed to pollutants in habitats not addressed in Phase I

Context and Applicability - General Sediments within enclosed bays* and estuaries only Sediments within enclosed bays* and estuaries only –Bedded subtidal surficial sediments –Does not apply to sediments containing less then 5% fines or substrates composed of gravels, cobbles or consolidated rock Santa Monica Bay, Monterey Bay are not enclosed Bays, LA-LB Harbor is an enclosed bay Santa Monica Bay, Monterey Bay are not enclosed Bays, LA-LB Harbor is an enclosed bay

Context and Applicability Navigation Dredging Does not apply to dredge materials characterization Does not apply to dredge materials characterization –SQO tools not developed for subsurface sediments –CWA 404 EPA/USACE Suitability Determination –CWA 401 Regional Boards Water Quality Certification consider act and impacts associated with action However…. However….

Context and Applicability Navigation Dredging For dredged materials failing the SQO, Water Boards must take precautions before issuing a Water Quality Certification (See CWC Section 13396) For dredged materials failing the SQO, Water Boards must take precautions before issuing a Water Quality Certification (See CWC Section 13396) 1.Removed in a manner that prevents or minimizes water quality degradation. 2.Not deposited in a location that may cause significant adverse effects to beneficial uses. 3.Not cause significant adverse impacts to waters of significant national importance.

Resolution Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > Board Decisions > Adopted Orders > Resolutions > 2008 > Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Part 1 Sediment Quality Staff Report - Water Quality Control Plan for Enclosed Bays and Estuaries Part 1 Sediment Quality Available at: Waterboards.ca.gov > programs > cleanups > sediment quality objectives Water Board References

Technical References Sediment Quality Assessment Draft Technical Support Manual, May 2009 Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Technical Report 582 SQO LOE Calculation Tool Version 5.2 – Excel Spreadsheet Available at: >Research Areas>Contaminants>Sediment Quality Assessment Technical References and Tools

Implementation Overview Implementation Overview 1.Develop design, sample and assess sediment Measure and assess sediment chemistry Measure and assess sediment chemistry Measure and assess sediment toxicity Measure and assess sediment toxicity Measure and assess benthic community composition Measure and assess benthic community composition Combine the three results to determine station category Combine the three results to determine station category 2.Evaluate stations impacted and magnitude to determine response. Sediment unimpacted, no further action required Sediment unimpacted, no further action required Multiple stations degraded, reassess or go to 3 Multiple stations degraded, reassess or go to 3 3.Stressor Identification 4.Identify Sources 5.Develop biological based targets for corrective action

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

Implementation Overview- Station Evaluation Exceedence determined by Station category result Station category result Other station categories at Site (total no. stations versus total no. impacted stations) Other station categories at Site (total no. stations versus total no. impacted stations) Station Assessment categories Unimpacted U Unimpacted U Likely Unimpacted LU Likely Unimpacted LU Possibly Impacted PI Possibly Impacted PI Likely Impacted LI Likely Impacted LI Clearly Impacted CI Clearly Impacted CI Inconclusive Inconclusive

SQO LOE Calculation Tool - Data Output

Results

Results

Phase II Indirect Effects Relationship between contaminants in sediment and fish Sediment Chemistry Sediment Chemistry –Organochlorine compounds Tissue Chemistry Tissue Chemistry –Species Selection Scale of Application Scale of Application –Site size –Fish forage area

Phase II Issues – Direct Exposure Technical tools under development Benthic community sediment chemistry and sediment toxicity Indicators for Portions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and and discrete habitats in San Francisco Bay Benthic community sediment chemistry and sediment toxicity Indicators for Portions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and and discrete habitats in San Francisco Bay

Phase II Issues – Direct Exposure Ideas generating interest as a result of Phase I How should SQOs be applied at depth? How should SQOs be applied at depth? –No benthic infauna –Toxicity may be confounded by ammonia, sulfides, etc. –Can SQOs be used to inform decisions re: the volume of material requiring remediation and the horizontal and vertical extent of contamination? Is there a minimum size appropriate for application of SQOs at clean-up sites? Is there a minimum size appropriate for application of SQOs at clean-up sites?

Phase II Issues – Direct Exposure Ideas of interest as a result of Phase I How should SQOs be applied to confirm that cleanup goals are reached? How should SQOs be applied to confirm that cleanup goals are reached? –What is the appropriate time frame after remediation (i.e., 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 frequency Must be consistent with existing plans and policies Must be consistent with existing plans and policies

Sources of Information and Contacts Lyris Subscriptions Lyris Subscriptions – –Resources - subscriptions and select sediment quality Chris Beegan – State Water Board Chris Beegan – State Water Board – –Phone: (916) Steve Bay – SCCWRP Steve Bay – SCCWRP – –Phone: (714)

Phase II Schedule CEQA Scoping Document in works CEQA Scoping Document in works Staff Report and Draft Plan circulated in June/July 2010 Staff Report and Draft Plan circulated in June/July 2010 Water Board Hearing/Meetings August/September 2010 Water Board Hearing/Meetings August/September 2010 Submit Phase II Regulatory files to Office of Administrative Law by December 31, Submit Phase II Regulatory files to Office of Administrative Law by December 31, 2010.