EXHIBIT 1 - MRWG RW Monitoring Plan_Modified.pdf

Mojave River Watershed Group Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer

System General Permit Receiving Water Monitoring Program Plan

Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit

Receiving Water Monitoring Program

Prepared for:

Mojave River Watershed Group

Town of Apple Valley City of Hesperia

City of Victorville County of San Bernardino

November 13, 2014

Mojave River Watershed Group Phase II Small MS4 General Permit

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Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. i

LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................ii LIST OF TABLES ..........................................................................................................................ii

APPENDICES ..............................................................................................................................ii

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 MOJAVE RIVER WATERSHED BACKGROUND

1.1.1 The Mojave River

1.2 MRWG RECEIVING WATER MONITORING PROGRAM OVERVIEW

2. RECEIVING WATER MONITORING

2.1 MONITORING OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH

2.1.1 Urban/Rural Interface (Upstream Location)

2.2.2 Urban Downstream Location

3. SAMPLING FREQUENCY AND METHODS

3.1 ANALYTICAL METHODS

4. SAMPLING PROTOCOL

4.1 MONITORING EVENT PREPARATION

4.1.1 Mobilization and Staffing

4.1.2 Personnel

4.1.3 Field Equipment Preparation

4.1.4 Bottle and Equipment Cleaning

4.1.5 Communication Channels

4.1.6 Laboratory Coordination

4.1.7 Sample Container Preparation

4.2 SAMPLE COLLECTION METHODS

4.2.1 Direct Submersion: Grab Sample (Water and Sediment Sampling)

4.2.2 Physical Habitat and Bioassessment

4.2.3 Nutrient (Algae)

4.3 SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURES

4.3.1 Field Conditions Data Log Sheet

4.3.2 Clean Sample and Handling Equipment

4.3.3 No Sample Taken Procedures

4.4 SAMPLE MANAGEMENT

4.4.1 Sampling Handling and Custody

4.4.2 Sample Bottle Labeling

4.4.3 Chain-of-Custody Procedures

4.4.4 Corrective Action

5. QUALITY CONTROL

5.1 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

5.2 LABORATORY QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

5.3 INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION AND FREQUENCY

5.4 DATA MANAGEMENT

5.4.1 Laboratory Data Management .................................................................................. 28find

5.4.2 Field Data Management

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6. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROJECT PLAN (QAPP)

7. DATA EVALUATION AND REPORTING

7.1 DATA EVALUATION

7.2 REPORTING

8. REFERENCES

List of Figures

Figure 1-1 Mojave River Watershed Group and Adjacent Agencies Figure 1-2 Mojave River Watershed Area Figure 1-3 Mojave River Drainage Basin Figure 1-4 Location of USGS Gauging Stations Figure 2-1 Receiving Water Monitoring Site Locations

List of Tables

Table 1-1 Retired and Current USGS Gauging Stations on the Mojave River Table 2-1 MR-URI Urban/Rural Interface Receiving Water Monitoring Location Table 2-2 MR-UD Urban Downstream Receiving Water Monitoring Location Table 3-1 Receiving Water Monitoring Parameters and Frequency Table 3-2 Analytical Methods Table 4-1 Equipment and Mobilization List Table 4-2 Inspection/Acceptance Testing Requirements for Consumables and Supplies Table 4-3 Sampling Handling and Custody Table 5-1 Sampling (Field) QC Table 5-2 Laboratory Quality Control Sample Frequency

Appendices

Appendix A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

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Acronyms

ASBS Area of Special Biological Significance BMI Benthic Macroinvertebrates BMP Best Management Practice CEDEN California Environmental Data Exchange Network CWA Clean Water Act cfs Cubic feet per second DI Deionized water DO Dissolved oxygen GPS Global Positioning System LID Low Impact Development MS Matrix Spike MSD Matrix Spike Duplicate MQO Measurement Quality Objective m Meter MDL Method Detection Limit mL Milliliter MRWG Mojave River Watershed Group MS4 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System NOI Notice of Intent PHAB Physical Habitat psi Pound-force per square inch QA Quality Assurance QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control RWB Reach-wide benthos RWMP Receiving Water Monitoring Program RWQCB Regional Water Quality Control Board RPD Relative Percent Difference RL Reporting Limit SOP Standard Operating Procedure SRM Standard Reference Material SWRCB State Water Resources Control Board SMARTS Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System SWAMP Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load USGS United States Geological Survey WDID Waste Discharge Identification WDR Waste Discharge Requirement WQM Water Quality Monitoring

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1. Introduction

On February 5, 2013 the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board or SWRCB) adopted Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for Stormwater Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit No. CAS000004. Superseding the 2003 permit, this statewide Phase II Small MS4 General Permit became effective on July 1, 2013. Each municipal Permittee will be responsible for its implementation, within their jurisdiction, under Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board or RWQCB) oversight. The Mojave River Watershed Group (MRWG) agencies, shown in Figure 1-1 and consisting of the Town of Apple Valley, Cities of Hesperia and Victorville, and County of San Bernardino, submitted individual Notices of Intent (NOIs) for coverage under the 2013 permit coverage, as Renewal Traditional Small MS4 Permittees, prior to July 1, 2013 with oversight by Lahontan RWQCB.

The Phase II Small MS4 General Permit is intended to minimize or eliminate adverse surface water quality impacts by establishing controls on MS4 stormwater and non-stormwater runoff discharges, which may contain pollutants such as trash, debris, sediments, fertilizers, oil, grease, metals, and pesticides, that have the potential to degrade receiving water beneficial uses. Permittees listed in Permit Attachment A are required to conduct Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) per Section E.13, which include the following programs:

Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS) Monitoring (Section E.13.a);

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Monitoring (Section E.13.b);

Clean Water Act (CWA) 303(d) list or State Integrated Report Monitoring (Section E.13.c);

Receiving Water Monitoring (Section E.13.d.1); and Special Studies (Section E.13.d.2).

Permittees, such as the MRWG, that are not already conducting ASBS, TMDL, or 303(d) monitoring must participate in Receiving Water Monitoring or Special Studies in accordance with Permit Sections E.13.d.1 or E.13.d.2.

The MRWG Receiving Water Monitoring Program (RWMP) will be a collaborative regional effort to comprehensively evaluate water quality conditions within the Mojave River Watershed. The MRWG RWMP approach will:

1. Assess whether water quality standards are being met in the receiving water;

2. Assess the extent and magnitude of the current or potential receiving water problems;

3. Identify the relative urban runoff contribution to the receiving water problem(s);

4. Characterize the sources to urban runoff that contribute to the receiving water problem(s); and

5. Evaluate whether receiving water conditions are changing over time due to urban development.

1.1 Mojave River Watershed Background

Located within San Bernardino County, the Mojave River Watershed encompasses approximately 4,500 square miles, as shown in Figure 1-2. In 2010, the total population in the Mojave River Watershed was approximately 390,000 people with much of the population concentrated in the Victor Valley, which includes the communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan, Victorville, and Wrightwood. Additional urban growth is expected throughout the watershed, with the population projected to reach nearly one-half million people by the year 2015.

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Figure 1-1 Mojave River Watershed Group and Adjacent Communities

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Figure 1-2 Mojave River Watershed Area

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As indicted in Figure 1-3, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Report 95-4189 has divided the Mojave River Watershed into five sections based on hydrologic features and identified as:

1. Headwaters Section – Tributaries above the Mojave Forks Dam;

2. Upper Main-Stem Section – Mojave Forks Dam to the Lower Narrows at Victorville;

3. Middle Main-Stem Section – Lower Narrows to the Waterman Fault at Barstow;

4. Lower Main-Stem Section – Waterman Fault to Afton Canyon; and

5. Tailwater Section – Afton Canyon to Silver Lake.

Figure 1-3 Mojave River Drainage Basin1

The MRWG area is located in the Upper, and Middle, Main-Stem Mojave River Watershed sections which, as typical of the arid southwest, receives limited and unpredictable rainfall. With San Bernardino Mountain elevations reaching 8,535 feet, the Mojave River headwaters receive an annual average precipitation of over 40 inches, much of which falls as snow that provides spring recharge which rapidly percolates into the porous Mojave River alluvium. The Mojave River Basin consists of interconnected floodplain and regional aquifers, composed of sand and gravel underlain by silts and clay, that are as much as 250 feet thick and generally conform to the surface expression of the Mojave River. Historically, Mojave River basin recharges are approximately 75,000 acre-feet per year and locally derived groundwater is a primary water supply source throughout the watershed.

1 Modified from USGS Water-Investigation Report 95-4189, A Watershed Management Approach to Assessment of Water Quality and Development of Revised Water Quality Standards for Ground Waters of Mojave River Floodplain – Christopher R. Maxwell

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The Mojave River Watershed has historically contained limited areas of agricultural, residential, industrial, and military land use. Over the last several decades, the Victor Valley has become significantly more urbanized and residential, which has resulted in stormwater and treated wastewater discharge management decisions that could potentially affect Mojave River Watershed water quality. Ongoing urbanization along with water quality issues associated with past and current agricultural, industrial, and military land uses will continue to be underlining challenges the watershed will have to manage.

1.1.1 The Mojave River

The primary geographic and hydrologic feature of the watershed is the Mojave River, which historically flowed perennially in most sections. By the mid 1900’s, only the main-stem reaches maintained naturally occurring perennial flows. Since then, as pumping for agricultural and municipal purposes has continued to increase, even these reaches have ceased to flow for most of the year and the river is unreliable for most direct agricultural and municipal users. The only remaining perennial flows occur from immediately upstream of the Upper Narrows to a short distance downstream from the Lower Narrows, as depicted in Figure 1-4, where groundwater is forced to the surface by local geology and the remaining 100 miles of streambed are now normally dry, except during and immediately following storms. Only very significant winter storms, that produce runoff throughout the watershed, result in flows along the entire length of the Mojave River. Flows from ephemeral tributary streams has never been gauged or measured directly.

The genesis of the Mojave River results from the confluence of the West Fork Mojave River and Deep Creek at "The Forks," as shown in Figure 1-4, at an elevation of about 3,000 feet above sea level. The Mojave River then flows generally northward through Victorville, northeastward through Barstow, and eastward through Afton Canyon which is at an elevation of about 1,400 feet above sea level. After emerging from Afton Canyon, the Mojave River terminates at Soda and East Cronese Dry Lakes.

Presently, stream flows along the West Fork Mojave River, Deep Creek, and Mojave River are monitored at six USGS gauging stations as summarized in Table 1-1 and shown in Figure 1-4. Real-time stream flow data for these six USGS gauging stations can be accessed at the USGS website under the National Water Information System, Current Conditions for California: Streamflow2.

Table 1-1 Retired and Current USGS Gauging Stations on the Mojave River

Gauging Station Location Identifier GPS Coordinates a Deep Creek near Hesperia 10260500 34.343056°, -117.225556° b West Fork Mojave River near Hesperia 10260950 34.338889°, -117.256944° c1 West Fork Mojave River near Hesperia (Deep Creek and West Fork) 10261100 34.34583°, -117.237222° d Mojave River at Lower Narrows near Victorville 10261500 34.573056°, -117.319723° e Mojave River at Barstow 10262500 34.906944°, -117.021944° f Mojave River at Afton 10263000 35.037222°, -116.383334°

1 Retired Station

2 USGS: National Water Information System: Current Conditions for California Streamflow:

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=county_cd http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ca/nwis/current/?type=flow&group_key=county_cd

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Figure 1-4 Location of USGS Gauging Stations3

3Retrieved from USGS, 2001. Water-Resources Investigations Report, Simulation of Ground-Water Flow in the Mojave River Basin, California

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1.2 MRWG Receiving Water Monitoring Program Overview

The MRWG RWMP will provide the necessary data to demonstrate whether receiving water quality and beneficial uses are protected from the effects of urbanization and guide the MRWG in implementing future water quality management decisions. The MRWGs RWMP is composed of the following elements:

1. Receiving Water Monitoring Approach;

2. Sampling Frequency and Methods;

3. Sampling Protocol;

4. Quality Control;

5. Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP); and

6. Data Evaluation and Reporting.

Implementation of the MRWG RWMP will assess receiving water quality within the MRWG jurisdictional area and whether pollution source control efforts maintain and improve receiving water quality over time.

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2. Receiving Water Monitoring

The MRWG RWMP objectives were identified in Permit Sections E.13.d.1.ii.a and E.13.d.1.ii.b as:

To determine receiving water quality changes as Low Impact Development (LID) Best Management Practices (BMPs) are integrated into new development; and

To assess whether receiving water quality improves as a result of efforts to control the sources of pollution and education to the public.

2.1 Monitoring Objectives and Approach

To satisfy Permit Section E.13.d.1.ii and group goals identified in the introduction, the 2014 MRWG Annual Report and MRWG RWMP proposes monitoring at the following two locations:

MR-URI is the Urban/Rural Interface location to monitor receiving water quality from an upstream location and evaluate changes in receiving water quality over time; and MR-UD is the Urban Downstream location to monitor downstream of an urban area and evaluate changes in receiving water quality over time.

Figure 2-1 presents the approximate locations of the two receiving water monitoring locations.

2.1.1 Urban/Rural Interface (Upstream Location)

Permit Section E.13.d.1.ii.a characterizes the selection of the Urban/Rural Interface site as follows:

One characteristic waterway at the top, or upstream of a HUC 12 level watershed planned for development in the near future that traverses an urban/rural interface, using the 2010 Census Data and urban area maps, and establish a permanent monitoring location at the identified urban/rural interface.

Based on the May 28, 2014 guidance letter provided by the Regional Board, the MRWG selected MR-URI, near the outlet of the Mojave Forks Dam, as the Urban/Rural Interface receiving water monitoring location. The Mojave Forks Dam, located just below the confluence of the West Fork Mojave River and Deep Creek, is unusual in having no discharge gates, functionally making it equivalent to a very large flood control detention structure with no long duration water impoundment capabilities. Ignoring debris blockages, flows of less than 7,300 cubic feet per second (cfs) are intended to pass unimpeded through the dam orifice. Flow rates above this value are dependent on water depth behind the dam, but limited by orifice flow hydraulics. The Mojave Forks Dam can detain approximately 179,400 acre-feet of water below the spill way elevation. USGS gauging station b (10260950), as shown in Figure 2-1, is essentially co-located with MR-URI and will provide the highest quality historic and current stream flow data to complement the MRWG RWMP water quality monitoring data for the location.

The MR-URI monitoring location will be established as a permanent monitoring location and assess changes in receiving water quality as LID BMPs are integrated into new development. The area upstream of the MR-URI monitoring location is relatively undeveloped and an ideal location to satisfy the Urban/Rural Interface requirements of the Phase II Small MS4 General Permit. The area surrounding the MR-URI receiving water monitoring location is part of the Mojave River Forks Regional Park and provides recreational, camping, and hiking facilities. The MR-URI monitoring location is an ideal location as it will establish baseline monitoring results to be used to indicate whether any changes in receiving water quality are occurring downstream. Table 2-1 provides a summary of information for the MR-URI monitoring location.

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Figure 2-1 Receiving Water Monitoring Site Locations

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Table 2-1 MR-URI Urban/Rural Interface Receiving Water Monitoring Location Site ID: MR-URI Monitoring Type: Receiving Water GPS Coordinates: 34.345149°, -117.239449° Watershed: Mojave River Nearest Street Address: 5515 Arrowhead Lake Rd, Hesperia, CA 92345 Aerial View:

Site View:

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2.2.2 Urban Downstream Location

Permit section E.13.d.1.ii.b characterizes the selection of the Urban Downstream site as follows:

One characteristic waterway at the bottom, or downstream, of the same HUC 12 watershed as the urban/rural interface monitoring location and within an urbanized area and establish a permanent monitoring location at the identified urbanized area waterway.

Based on the May 28, 2014 guidance letter provided by the Regional Board, the MRWG located the Urban Downstream receiving water monitoring location, MR-UD, at the Mojave River Narrows, as shown in Figure 2-1. The MR-UD monitoring site is co-located with USGS gauging station D and can be expected to provide the highest quality historic and current stream flow data to complement the MRWG RWMP water quality monitoring data collected for the location. This location is within Rockview Nature Park, near the northern border of the City of Victorville, and is downstream of the MRWG member agencies.

The site is located between the Upper and Lower Narrows where perennial flows historically occur as groundwater is forced to the surface by local geology; however, uprising groundwater may exhibit differing water quality characteristics than strictly surface flows. This source water characteristic may complicate the interpretation of receiving water quality data, but is unavoidable in this watershed.

MR-UD will be established as a permanent riparian monitoring location to evaluate water quality improvements as a result of pollution source control and public education efforts. The surrounding area consists predominately of industrial facilities with some residential and vacant land uses. The industrial facilities located near MR-UD consist of a gasoline service station, warehouse and storage facilities, substations, and concrete/cement batch plants. Although development in the surrounding area is expansive, the location for MR-UD is ultimately an ideal location to satisfy the requirements of the Phase II Small MS4 General Permit Urban Downstream monitoring location. Table 2-2 provides additional information for the MR-UD monitoring location.

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Table 2-2 MR-UD Urban Downstream Receiving Water Monitoring Location Site ID: MR-UD Monitoring Type: Receiving Water Latitude: 34.572902°, -117.320138° Watershed: Mojave River Nearest Street Address: 17800 National Trails Hwy, Victorville, CA 92394 Aerial View:

Site View:

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3. Sampling Frequency and Methods

As outlined in Permit Section E.13.d.1, the MRWG RWMP will be implemented in accordance with Permit Table 3: Receiving Water Monitoring Parameters and Protocols. Table 3-1 summarizes the monitoring frequency for each of the required parameters.

Table 3-1 Receiving Water Monitoring Parameters and Frequency

Endpoint Frequency

Spring Summer Fall Winter Field Measurement

Dissolved oxygen (DO) Continuous1 Sampling - 1 Week

Continuous1 Sampling - 1 Week

Continuous1 Sampling - 1 Week

Temperature Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

Flow2 Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

Continuous1 Sampling - 2 Weeks

PHAB assessment:

- pH

- Specific Conductance

- Alkalinity

Channel cross sections 1 Photo documentation 1 Nutrients (Algae):

- Total Chlorophyll3 1 1 1

Laboratory Analysis Pyrethroids4* (sediment) 1

Bacteria

Early Fall.

Once weekly for 4 weeks

Nutrients (Algae) 1 1 1 Benthic Macroinvertebrate (BMI) Bioassessment 1

1 Continuous sampling is the preferred approach, but physical limitations that might force the collection of grab samples. When stream depths are < 1 foot, grab samples will be collected.

2 Flow data will be derived from the co-located USGS Stream Gauging Stations.

3 Water column only 4 Pyrethroid monitoring is required at the urban/rural interface site only.

* Currently, pyrethroids are the pesticide of greatest concern and abundance in urban/suburban waterways. However, new regulations enacted by the Dept. of Pesticide Regulation restrict how pyrethroids may be applied. Initial models by UC Davis researchers suggest that this could result in a runoff reduction of 80-90%, depending on the amount of impervious cover in the watershed. In the future, other pesticides may become more of a threat to aquatic life in urban waterways. One pesticide that is being used with greater frequency is fipronil, a phenylpyrazole insecticide, that is more water soluble than pyrethroids. In order to use the resources of the Permittees most efficiently, the State Water Resource Control Board reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of the permit based on new information on pesticide use and toxicity. This could include substituting another pesticide for monitoring or eliminating this endpoint.

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3.1 Analytical Methods

Analytical methods are described in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard methods. The parameters, analytical methods, units of measure, method detection limits (MDLs), and reporting limits (RLs) are summarized in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2 Analytical Methods

Parameters Matrix Analytical Method Units MDL RL Pyrethroids Allethrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.05 0.33 Bifenthrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.1 0.33 Cyfluthrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.11 0.33 Lambda-Cyhalothrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.06 0.33 Cypermethrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.1 0.33 Deltamethrin:Tralomethrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.12 0.33 Esfenvalerate:Fenvalerate Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.13 0.33 Fenpropathrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.07 0.33 Tau-Fluvalinate Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.04 0.33 Permethrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.11 0.33 Tetramethrin Sediment GCMS-NCl-SIM/8270M ug/kg (ng/g) 0.06 0.33 Bacteria E. coli Water SM 9223B MPN/100mL 2 2 Nutrients Benthic Algal biomas and % cover Sediment SWAMP SOP - - - Bioassessment

BMI field samples Water

SWAMP physical habitat and BMI SOP

(Ode et al. 2007, Appendix B)

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4. Sampling Protocol

Sampling procedures will adhere to the guidelines found in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) water sample collection Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), “Field Collection Procedures for Water Samples” and included in Attachment 3 of Appendix A of the QAPP. This section details the monitoring event preparation, water sample collection procedures, and sample management procedures that will be followed.

4.1 Monitoring Event Preparation

The following sections refer to the specific monitoring event preparation protocols that will be followed by the sampling team.

4.1.1 Mobilization and Staffing

Receiving water monitoring requires considerable planning. It is critical to plan and prepare all possible aspects of the field efforts well in advance. A staffing plan of personnel and equipment required for each facet of monitoring will be established prior to the start of each monitoring event.

The field crew, during the receiving water monitoring event, is anticipated to consist of a two to three person team, as outline in the SWAMP sampling SOPs as well as a precaution given the number of samples that are to be collected. The staffing plan will include the following:

Personnel assigned to each position;

Necessary sampling, access and equipment mobilization and readiness; and Communication channels and alternate contacts.

4.1.2 Personnel

Water quality monitoring tasks require a variety of skills and positions. The required personnel include a:

Sampling Manager;

Field Coordinator; and Field Technicians.

Sampling Manager – The Sampling Manager is a technically-skilled, field experienced supervisor and is the most experienced member of the field team. This position requires a thorough understanding of the project requirements, sampling procedures, and equipment operations. The Sampling Manager will communicate frequently with the Field Coordinator and also monitor the ability of the field team to safely and effectively complete their shifts. The Sampling Manager will be available to troubleshoot the common problems that could be experienced by the field team.

Field Coordinator – The Field Coordinator is a person trained in field operations and procedures of dry-and wet-weather water quality monitoring. The Field Coordinator is responsible for directing the procedures at each site visit and ensuring that samples are collected and data is recorded properly. The Field Coordinator will communicate with the Sampling Manager to aid in the determination of task priorities and address any questions that may arise. The Field Coordinator will usually have one or two field technicians assisting them.

Field Technicians –Field technicians are trained in water sample collection and health and safety issues.

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4.1.3 Field Equipment Preparation

Sampling personnel will provide all necessary equipment to be able to sample in anticipated environmental and physical conditions. The necessary equipment will be loaded into the appropriate vehicle before mobilizing to the monitoring site locations. A list of necessary equipment is presented below.

Table 4-1 Equipment and Mobilization List Signed Access Authorization

Letter Log books Job Site Health Analysis Tailgate Safety Meeting forms First aid kit Warning Lights and Signs Traffic cones Working Headlamp Personal Protective

Equipment Waders Nitrile gloves Sample bottles

Clean Sample Labels Coolers and Ice Sample control paperwork (e.g.

COC)

Field Meters Battery-Powered Peristaltic

Pump Utility knife and diagonal cutters Assorted cable ties Ziploc baggies (assorted sizes) Pre-cleaned sample collection basins/buckets Shovel Deionized water squirt bottles Grab pole

Sample scoops Cellular phone Camera Pencils Indelible Markers Duct and Electrical Tape Rope Straps Keys Clean Stir Rods Net Personal change of clothes

4.1.4 Bottle and Equipment Cleaning

Unfamiliar sampling equipment will go through a rigorous decontamination procedure prior to its use.

The following procedures will be used:

1. Soak equipment (fully immersed) for three days in a 0.5% solution of Alconox™ detergent and deionized water; alternatively, Micro™ detergent may be used.

2. Rinse equipment three times with deionized water and let dry in a clean place.

3. Rinse equipment with 1.0% solution of hydrochloric acid, followed by a rinse with petroleum ether, followed by three rinses with deionized water. Allow the equipment to dry in a clean place.

4. Decontaminated equipment is stored in clean Ziploc™ bags until used in the field.

4.1.5 Communication Channels

Communication channels must be established for personnel to contact each other before and during the event. The project field notebook will include phone lists with home, work, and cellular numbers of the field team to aid in communication and work numbers for laboratory contacts. Cellular phones are essential for efficient monitoring, because the Project and Sampling Manager will need to track the location and workload of each field team and direct them to priority tasks.

4.1.6 Laboratory Coordination

The Field Coordinator will place a sample bottle order with the analytical laboratory before all monitoring activities. Immediately following each monitoring event, the bottle inventory will be checked and additional bottles ordered as needed. The bottles must be of the proper size and material, and contain

- 17 -preservatives as appropriate for the specified laboratory analytical methods. The laboratory order should also include blank water for the collection of required field blank samples.

4.1.7 Sample Container Preparation

The Sampling Manager and Field Coordinator will make sure that sufficient field supplies and sample containers are available prior to the start of sampling, using Table 4-2 as a guide. All glassware, sample bottles, and collection equipment will be inspected prior to use. Sample bottles and caps will be obtained from the Certified Laboratory. All ordered supplies will be examined for damage as they are received.

The laboratory maintains logbooks for consumables that are checked against all materials received.

Bottles and caps will be inspected for damage prior to sampling, and only sound bottles with intact threads will be used. Container caps will be tested for tightness prior to sample collection.

Table 4-2 Inspection/Acceptance Testing Requirements for Consumables and

Supplies Project Related

Supplies/Consumables Inspection/Testing

Specifications Acceptance

Criteria Frequency

Pre-Cleaned Sample Bottles Open bottle Lids screwed on bottles 100%

Laboratory Glassware Dirty Clean 100% Laboratory Solvents and Acids Leaks No cracks or chips Prior to use

Plastic Containers Laboratory sterilized Lids screwed on containers

New bottles each monitoring event

Glass Containers Laboratory cleaned and blanked

Lids screwed on containers

New bottles each monitoring event

Grab Bags Dirty, open Sealed bags New bags each monitoring event

Plastic Tubing Laboratory cleaned and blanked

Pass blanking analysis

New tubing at start of program

Gloves New box New box Monthly

4.2 Sample Collection Methods

Water quality samples will be collected in laboratory supplied pre-cleaned containers with preservatives appropriate to the analytical methods presented in Table 3-2. All sampling procedures will adhere to the guidelines found in the SWAMP sampling SOPs, presented in Attachment 3 of the generic project QAPP, “Field measurement and field collection of water and bed sediment samples, water and bed sediment samples with associated field measurement and physical habitat, stream algae samples and associated physical habitat and chemical data, and benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) samples and associated physical and chemical data.” The QAPP will be revised upon determination of the sample collection team, agency or consultant, final field monitoring methods, and analytical laboratory.

A two- to three-person team will generally undertake the sampling event. The sampling team will have access to a cellular phone in order to alert rescue agencies should any accidents occur. Sampling will be postponed if the sampling team determines that the conditions are unsafe. Failure to collect a sample due to safety concerns or technical issues will be promptly reported to the Consultant Project Manager (PM) and Project Director, who will determine if any corrective action is needed and make arrangements to collect a replacement sample, if possible. The Consultant Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager (QA/QCM) will document sampling failures and the effectiveness of corrective actions. The following subsections summarize the collection methods that the sampling team will be utilizing for the RWMP.

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4.2.1 Direct Submersion: Grab Sample (Water and Sediment Sampling)

For the collection of water and sediment samples, the sampling team will adhere to the guidelines found in the SWAMP sampling SOP, “Collection of Water and Bed Sediment Samples with Associated Field Measurements and Physical Habitat.” All sampling equipment will be properly cleaned prior to each sampling event. Samples will be collected by-hand, when possible. Where practical, grab samples will be collected by direct submersion at mid-stream, mid-depth using clean hand, dirty hand techniques and the following procedures:

1. Safely access the mid-stream area, allowing any disturbed sediments to move downstream.

Remove the container lid then, being careful to retain any preservatives, submerge the container to mid-depth, and allow the container to fill, and then secure the lid.

2. Collect the remaining samples including quality control samples, if required, using the same protocols described above.

3. Promptly place the collected sample container(s) on ice.

A copy of the SWAMP sampling SOP can be found in Attachment 3 of the generic project QAPP.

4.2.2 Physical Habitat and Bioassessment

Physical Habitat (PHAB) assessment and collection of BMI samples will be conducted in accordance to the guidelines found in the SWAMP sampling SOP, “Benthic Macroinvertebrates Samples and Associated Physical and Chemical Data.” An experienced two to three-person team will generally conduct the PHAB assessment and bioassessment sampling. The sampling team will have access to a cellular phone in order to alert rescue agencies should an accident occur. The following subsections present typical procedures for each method, although modifications may be necessary based on unique characteristics of the Mojave River Watershed and the proposed monitoring locations.

4.2.2.1 Physical Habitat Assessment

PHAB Assessment may be conducted as a stand-alone evaluation or in conjunction with other sampling activities. To conduct a PHAB assessment of the receiving water monitoring locations, a 150 meter (m) reach, or 250 m if the receiving water is wider than 10 m, will be measured at each monitoring location and divided into 11 equidistant transects arranged perpendicular to the direction of flow. The transects will be designated A through K and PHAB assessment will be conducted using the following procedures:

1. Fill out necessary field forms and determine the geographical coordinates in decimal degrees to at least four decimal places with a GPS receiver.

2. Once the site has been identified, make an initial survey of the reach from the stream banks, being sure to not disturb the instream habitat.

3. Determine if the average wetted width is greater or less than 10 m. If the average wetted width ≤ 10 m, use a 150 m reach length. If the average wetted width > 10 m, use a 250 m reach length.

4. Starting at one end of the reach, establish the position of the 11 transects (A through K, downstream to upstream) by measuring 15 m (25 m for streams > 10 m wetted width) along the bank from the previous transect. For easy setup and breakdown, mark the main transect with easily removable markers (e.g., survey flags). Since the data will be collected at the downstream end, it is often easiest to establish transects starting from the upstream end.

5. Measure and record common ambient field water quality characteristics (pH, DO, specific conductance, alkalinity, water temperature) starting at the downstream end of the reach, transect A. Any additional parameter should also be recorded for each transect such as channel cross section measurements.

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6. Take a minimum of four photographs of the reach at the following locations:

a. Transect A facing upstream;

b. Transect F facing upstream;

c. Transect F facing downstream;

d. Transect K facing downstream; and

e. Optional: Transect A facing downstream and Transect K facing upstream.

7. Record the dominant land use and land cover in the area surrounding the reach (evaluate land cover within 50 m of either side of the stream reach).

8. At the bottom of the form record evidence of recent flooding, fire, or other disturbances that might influence bioassessment samples. Especially note if flow conditions have been affected by recent rainfall, which can cause significant under-sampling of BMI diversity.

PHAB assessment should be conducted in association with bioassessment and nutrient (Algae) sampling.

While conducting PHAB assessment, the sample team should take caution to not disturb the receiving water body, prior to bioassessment sampling.

4.2.2.2 Bioassessment

BMI samples will be collected by-hand, from nets to collection bucket, when possible utilizing the reach wide benthos (RWB) (multihabitat) procedure. The RWB procedure can be used to sample any wadeable stream reach since it does not target specific habitats. All sampling equipment will be properly cleaned prior to each sampling location and event. Where practical the composite sample from the 11 transects A through K will be collected by net placement within each transect. Sampling position within each transect will be alternated between the left, center and right position along the transaction (25%, 50%, and 75% of the wetted width respectively). Sampling will begin at the furthest downstream transect, using the following procedures:

1. Position a 500-µ D-net, with the net opening perpendicular to the flow and facing upstream, quickly and securely on the stream bottom to eliminate gaps under the frame.

2. Visually define a 1 square feet (ft2) sample area and restrict sampling to that area.

3. Working backwards from the upstream edge of the sample area, look for heavy organisms such as mussels, snails, and stone-cased caddisflies. Remove these from the substrate by hand and place them into the net.

4. Collect remaining samples from the area by vigorously kicking the remaining finer substrate within the quadrat and move the net through the disturbed area to collect the organisms. Keep moving the net all the time so the organisms trapped in the net will not escape.

5. Let water run clear of any insect or organic material before carefully lifting the net. Immerse the net in the stream several times to remove fine sediments and to concentrate organisms at the end of the net. Continue kicking the substrate and moving the net for 30 seconds.

6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 at the next transect area until all 11 areas has been sampled.

7. Empty the contents of the net into a large plastic bucket (10-20 liter (L)). If any organisms are clinging to the net, remove them and place them into the bucket. Add stream water to the bucket, making sure to not introduce entrained organisms from the source water. Gently swirl the contents of the bucket to suspend and remove the organic material from the bucket. Repeat process until only inorganic material is left in the net.

8. Prepare BMI sample jar and place collected samples from the 11 transect areas into the sample jar ensuring all organisms are collected and placed in the sample jar.

Sampling will be postponed if the sampling team determines that the conditions are unsafe. Failure to collect a sample due to safety concerns or technical issues will be promptly reported to the Consultant PM and Project Director, who will determine if any corrective action is needed and make arrangements to collect a replacement sample, if possible. The Consultant QA/QCM will document sampling failures and the effectiveness of corrective actions. A copy of the SOP can be found in Attachment 3 of the QAPP.

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4.2.3 Nutrient (Algae)

Algae sample collection follows the RWB sampling method as specified in the SWAMP sampling SOP, located in Attachment 3 of the QAPP. Algae SWAMP SOP will be an add-on module to the SWAMP SOP for bioassessment. Algae sampling should be conducted in conjunction with BMI sampling, however BMI samples must be collected BEFORE algae at each of the transects, in order to minimize the chances of disturbing BMIs during algal collection. After the BMIs are collected, the algae sample should be taken ¼ m upstream from the center of the upper edge of the “scar” in the stream bottom left from the BMI sampling. It is important to make sure that the surface from which algae will be collected has not been disturbed (by BMI sampling, or otherwise) prior to sampling the algae. As per Permit Section 13.d.1 Table 3, benthic algae biomass will be collected from sediment using the following procedures:

1. Locate sampling area ¼ m upstream of the BMI sampling location.

2. Using a PVC delimiter, isolate a specific quantity of sand/silt/gravel. Centered on the sampling spot, by pressing on the top 1 cm of sediment with the PVC delimiter.

3. Gently slide a masonry or kitchen spatula beneath the PVC delimiter, being careful to keep the collected sediment contained within.

4. Pull the PVC delimiter out of the water, with the spatula in place and remove any extra sediment from the spatula around the outside of the PVC delimiter.

5. Transfer the contents held in the delimiter by the spatula to the dish tub.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for transects A through K.

7. After the collection of sediments for transects A through K, massage all the sand and/or silt in the dish tub thoroughly between the fingers to dislodge any clinging algae. For pieces of gravel, use a toothbrush to remove algal material from surfaces.

8. Rinse the sediment thoroughly (but as sparingly as possible) with stream water so as to create a suspension of the dislodged microalgae sample. The sediment should be rinsed once or twice with stream water until it appears that little to no additional suspended materials are present.

9. Separate the sediment from the liquid sample.

10. Measure the final volume of the sample liquid in the dish tub with a CLEAN graduated cylinder before the samples preparation.

11. After the liquid sample has been retrieved and measured, stream sediment may be discarded.

12. Using CLEAN filter forceps to center a glass fiber filter onto the mesh platform of a CLEAN filtering tower apparatus. Rinse the filter a little with deionized (DI) water to seat it well onto the mesh before attaching the filter reservoir on top.

13. Agitate the composite sample to resuspend all the micro algal material and carefully measure 25 milliliter (mL) of the composite sample. Midway through the pour, swirl the composite sample again to ensure the material is still fully suspended.

14. Once the 25 mL has been measured, pour the measured sample into the filter reservoir. Once empty, rinse the graduated cylinder with a few mL of DI water and add to the reservoir.

15. Filter the sample, proceeding slowly, one pump stroke at a time, until all of the liquid in the sample is passed through the filter. Pressure should never exceed 7 pound-force per square inch (psi), as this could cause cells to burst and release contents into the filtrate and be lost.

16. Once the composite samples has gone through the filter, rinse the sides of the filter reservoir with a few mL of DI water and continue filtering until the water is drawn down.

17. Using forceps, remove the filter from the filtering device, fold the filter in half with the sample material on the inside and place it inside a clean, snap-top Petri dish.

18. Envelop the Petri dish completely within a small sheet of aluminum foil in order to prevent any light from reaching the filter.

19. Place the covered Petri dish within a Whirl-pak bag, expelling as much air as possible, then use the wire tabs to seal the bag so that cooler water will not enter the bag.

Samples should be placed on dry ice as soon as possible (and within four hours of collection) and kept frozen; the holding time for the samples is 28 days from collection when kept frozen.

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4.3 Sample Collection Procedures

As summarized in Section 4.2 above, all sampling procedures will adhere to the guidelines found in the SWAMP sampling SOP, presented in Attachment 3 of the QAPP. The SWAMP sampling SOP consists of the following:

Field measurement and field collection of water and bed sediment samples;

Water and Bed Sediment Samples with Associated Field Measurement and Physical Habitat;

Stream Algae Samples and Associated Physical Habitat and Chemical Data; and Benthic Macroinvertebrates Samples and Associated Physical and Chemical Data.

Should field crews feel that it is unsafe to collect samples for any reason, the field crews SHOULD NOT COLLECT a sample and note on the field log that the sample was not collected, why the sample was not collected, and provide photo documentation, when feasible.

4.3.1 Field Conditions Data Log Sheet

When the sampling team first arrives at the receiving water monitoring site locations, site conditions and other general observations must be accurately recorded on the Field Conditions Data Log Sheet or Log Book. A sample of this form, also with other required field forms, is included in Attachment 3 of the QAPP. The following general information should be entered for each receiving water monitoring event:

Sampling site ID;

Date;

Time;

Monitoring Program;

Field team;

Conveyance type;

Weather conditions and temperature;

Runoff characteristics;

Flow estimations;

Equipment condition; and Miscellaneous comments.

4.3.2 Clean Sample and Handling Equipment

During sampling operations, extreme care must be taken to minimize exposure of the sample and sample collection equipment to external sources of contamination, which has no association with the sample.

Clean sample and equipment handling procedures are used to prevent external sources of contamination, when samples are collected. Clean sampling techniques typically require a two-person sampling team.

Upon arrival at the sampling site, sampler one is designated as “dirty hands” and sampler two is designated as “clean hands.” Sampler one, “dirty hands,” wearing clean, powder-free Nitrile gloves, is responsible for preparation of the sample collector, with the exception of the sample bottle, operation of any machinery, and for all other activities that do not involve handling items that have direct contact with the sample. Sampler two, “clean hands,” includes operations involving contact with the sample bottle, sample bottle lid, sample suction tubing, and the transfer of the sample from the sample collection system, if the sample is not directly collected in the bottle, while wearing clean, powder-free Nitrile gloves. Sampler two, “clean hands” will change into clean gloves as frequently as required to ensure that the gloved hands contacting the sample container, container lid, and laboratory cleaned sampling equipment will not come in contacted with any external source of potential contamination.

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Although the duties of “clean hands” and “dirty hands” would appear to be a logical separation of responsibilities, in fact, the completion of the entire protocol may require a good deal of coordination and practice. For example, “dirty hands” must open the box or ice chest containing the sample bottle and unzip the outer bag; “clean hands” must reach into the outer bag, open the inner bag, remove the bottle, collect the sample, replace the bottle lid, put the bottle back into the inner bag, and zip the inner bag.

“Dirty hands” must close the outer bag and place the double-bagged sample in an ice-filled ice chest. It is recommended that a third sampling team member be available to direct the team, review the monitoring plan, and complete the necessary sample documentation (e.g., sample location, time, sample number, weather conditions, etc.). If a third sampling team member is not available, “dirty hands” must perform the sample documentation activities.

4.3.3 No Sample Taken Procedures

With any situation, there may be circumstances that would prevent samples from being collected at the receiving water monitoring locations. These circumstances include:

Lack of influent or effluent (discharge) flow or insufficient flow to collect a representative sample;

and/or

Site inaccessibility or safety concerns.

4.3.3.1 Low Flow Conditions

Sampling will be attempted even in low flow conditions. If a sample cannot be taken due to insufficient, or a lack of flow, a separate log sheet will be completed to explain why no sample was taken.

4.3.3.2 Site Inaccessibility Due to Temporary Physical Obstruction or Condition

If the receiving water monitoring site locations are temporarily blocked by a physical obstruction, such as downed trees, or power lines, the sampling team will attempt to sample immediately upstream or downstream from the monitoring site. If there still is no suitable access, the sampling team will determine the possibility of sampling further away from the original monitoring site.

4.3.3.3 Site Inaccessible Due to Dangerous Site Conditions

If the receiving water monitoring site locations are inaccessible due to dangerous flow conditions or other circumstances that would be a safety concern, the sampling team will delay sampling for 24 to 48 hours until after the conditions are suitable for sampling. However, if an alternative receiving water monitoring site location is in close proximately and provides a sample which is representative of the original monitoring site, then sampling will occur on schedule at the alternative receiving water monitoring site location.

4.4 Sample Management

The following sections will present the sampling management protocols used to collect representative samples as well as minimize potential external sources of contamination.

4.4.1 Sampling Handling and Custody

The…