EXHIBIT 2 - MRWG QAPP Final REVISED_16-06-02_Modified.pdf

Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

For Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System

General Permit Receiving Water Monitoring Program

Prepared for:

Mojave River Watershed Group Town of Apply Valley

City of Victorville City of Hesperia

County of San Bernardino

November 13, 2014

Phase II Small MS4 General Permit RWMP Quality Assurance Project Plan Mojave River Watershed Group

Approval Signatures

Mojave River Watershed Group

Agency: Name: Signature: Date:

City of Hesperia

Matt Yeager

City of Victorville

Carlos Seanez

Town of Apple Valley

Rae Beimer

County of San Bernardino

Sri Srirajan

Contract Awardee

Title: Name: Signature: Date:

Project Manager

Sampling Manager

QA/QC Manager

Database Manager

Laboratory Project Manager

Laboratory QA Manager

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Table of Contents

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

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

ATTACHMENTS ............................................................................................................................ ii

1. INTRODUCTION

2. PURPOSE

3. PROJECT BACKGROUND

3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING

4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

4.1 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

4.2 PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR QAPP UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE

4.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

4.4 PROJECT SCHEDULE

4.5 PROJECT CONSTRAINTS

4.6 QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND CRITERIA FOR MEASUREMENT DATA

4.6.1 Accuracy

4.6.2 Precision

4.6.3 Completeness

4.7 SPECIAL TRAINING NEEDS/CERTIFICATION

4.7.1 Training and Certification Documentation

4.7.2 Training Personnel

4.7.3 Bioassessment and Physical Habitat Assessment Training

4.8 DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS

5. SAMPLING PROCESS AND PROCEDURES (DATA GENERATION AND ACQUISITION)

5.1 SAMPLING PROCESS DESIGN

5.2 SAMPLING METHODS

5.3 SAMPLING HANDLING AND CUSTODY

5.3.1 Chain-of-Custody Procedures

5.3.2 Sample Disposal Procedures

5.4 ANALYTICAL METHODS REQUIREMENTS

5.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL REQUIREMENTS

5.5.1 Laboratory quality control

5.5.2 Laboratory corrective action

5.5.3 Field quality control

5.5.4 Field corrective action

5.6 INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

5.6.1 Sampling Equipment

5.6.2 Analytical Instruments

5.7 INSTRUMENT AND EQUIPMENT CALIBRATION

5.8 INSPECTION/ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENT FOR SUPPLIES AND CONSUMABLES

5.9 NON-DIRECT MEASUREMENTS

5.10 DATA MANAGEMENT

5.10.1 Laboratory Data Management

5.10.2 Field Data Management

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6. ASSESSMENT AND OVERSIGHT

6.1 ASSESSMENTS AND RESPONSE ACTIONS

6.2 REPORTS TO MANAGEMENT

7. DATA VALIDATION AND USABILITY

7.1 DATA REVIEW, VERIFICATION, AND VALIDATION

7.2 VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION METHODS

7.3 RECONCILIATION WITH USER REQUIREMENTS

8. REFERENCES

List of Tables Table 4-1 Receiving Water Monitoring Parameters and Frequency Table 4-2 Measurement Quality Objectives Table 4-3 Document and Record Retention, Archival, and Disposition Information Table 5-1 Sampling Handling and Custody Table 5-2 Analytical Methods Table 5-3 Laboratory Quality Control Sample Frequency Table 5-4 Sampling (Field) QC Table 5-5 Inspection/Acceptance Testing Requirements for Consumables and Supplies Table 6-1 QA Management Reports

Attachments

Attachment 1 SWAMP MQOs Attachment 2 SWAMP SOPs

Attachment 3 Example SWAMP Water Quality Field Conditions and Bioassessment Data Log Sheets, and Chain-of-Custody

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Acronyms

%R Percent Recovery BMPs Best Management Practices CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife CEDEN California Environmental Data Exchange Network COC Chain-of-custody DBM Database Manager DHS California or Oregon Department of Health Services EDD Electronic Data Deliverable ELAP California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program HASP Health and Safety Plan LCS Laboratory Control Standards LCSD Laboratory Control Standards Duplicate LID Low Impact Development MDLs Method Detection Limits MQOs Measurement Quality Objectives MRWG Mojave River Watershed Group MS Matrix Spike MS4s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System MSD Matrix Spike Duplicates NELAP National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System PD Project Director PM Project Manager QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control QA/QCM Consultant QA/QC Manager QAM Quality Assurance Manual QAPP Quality Assurance Program Plan Regional Board Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board RLs Reporting Limits RPD Relative Percent Difference RWMP Receiving Water Monitoring Program SA Spike Added SOP Standard Operating Procedures SR Original Sample Result SRM Standard Reference Material SSCs Site Safety Coordinators SSR Spike Sample Result SWAMP Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program USGS United States Geological Survey WDID Waste Discharge Identification Number WDRs Waste Discharge Requirements

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1. Introduction On July 1, 2013 the California State Water Resources Control Board renewed National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit No. CAS000004, by adopting Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ, Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for Storm Water Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4), otherwise known as the Phase II Small MS4 Permit (Permit). This statewide permit is enforced by the individual Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards) and each Permittee is responsible for its implementation within their jurisdiction. The Lahontan Regional Board oversees Phase II Small MS4 Permittees within the Mojave River Watershed.

The Permit is intended to minimize, or eliminate, adverse surface water quality impacts by instituting controls on MS4 discharges that have the greatest potential to cause environmental degradation. Permit Section E.13.d.1 directs Permittees, with characteristics similar to the Mojave River Watershed Group (MRWG), to implement a Receiving Water Monitoring Program (RWMP).

2. Purpose This interim Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP) is a guide to the MRWG, potential consultants or contractors, and analytical laboratories of anticipated sampling methods and laboratory performance criteria applicable to those implementing the proposed MRWG RWMP. Included in the QAPP are Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safe comprehensive and representative water and sediment quality sampling, field and laboratory equipment testing and calibration, laboratory analytical methodologies, and data acceptance criteria. The purpose of this QAPP is to identify specific consistent Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) objectives, procedures, and criteria for implementing the MRWG RWMP and reporting program activities. These QA/QC requirements are designed to assist in achieving the project measurement quality objectives (MQOs) and analytical MQOs for all sampling activities that will be performed in the field and laboratory. The QAPP serves as the controlling mechanism during monitoring and identifies the QA/QC techniques needed for sampling, sample handling, sample storage, Chain-of-Custody procedures, laboratory analytical protocols, data interpretation, reporting, and documentation requirements. The QAPP further provides a summary of the project, its organizational hierarchy, and objectives. QA/QC procedures will be in accordance with applicable professional technical standards, USEPA requirements, RWQCB requirements, specific project goals, and client requirements.

Prior to the initiation of monitoring, the QAPP should be modified to identify the staff accountable for identified responsibilities, including laboratory personnel. The laboratory may have its own QAPP, sections of which may be inserted into this interim document, or attached as an appendix and duly referenced in the revised document. All project personnel will be required to read the revised QAPP and a copy will be brought to the field during sampling events.

3. Project Background The Permit states that traditional small MS4 Permittees listed in Attachment A that are not already conducting Area of Special Biological Significance (ASBS), Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), or 303 (d) monitoring efforts shall participate in Receiving Water Monitoring (E.13.d.1) or Special Studies (E.13.d.2).

Pursuant to the requirements set forth in the Permit, the MRWG will implement the Receiving Water monitoring and reporting as outlined in the RWMP. Upstream receiving water quality samples will be collected at the Outlet of the Mojave Forks Reservoir, designated the MR-URI location, while the downstream samples will be collected at the Mojave River Narrows, near the northern border of the City of Victorville, designated the MR-UD location. Additional details are presented in Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the RWMP.

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3.1 Geographical Setting

Located within the Mojave River watershed, the MRWG consists of the Town of Apple Valley, Cities of Hesperia and Victorville, and County of San Bernardino. The Mojave River Watershed encompasses approximately 4,500 square miles and is located entirely within San Bernardino County. The total population in the Mojave River Watershed was approximately 390,000 people in 2010 with much of the existing population concentrated in Victor Valley, which is located north of the San Bernardino Mountains and borders the edge of the Mojave Desert. The Victor Valley includes the communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley, Oak Hills, Phelan, Victorville, and Wrightwood. Additional urban growth is expected throughout the watershed.

4. Project Management This section describes the overall project organization, schedule, quality objectives, and documentation.

4.1 Roles and Responsibilities

As the regulatory lead, the Lahontan Regional Board may assert external oversight of most aspects of monitoring, reporting, and will be informed of investigation findings and project activities through the Permit requirement for preparation of an annual monitoring report.

Project Director Marc Rodabaugh will serve as the MRWG Project Director (PD), primary point of contact for the Permittees, who will be responsible for coordination of the MRWG RWMP activities. Any proposed updates or revisions of the QAPP should first be proposed to identified with the then current

MRWG PD.

Consultant The consultant, or contractor, will be appointed by MRWG to provide clear lines of authority and communication that will expedite and enhance the flow of information vital to effective technical controls, cost, and schedule performance. The functional roles of personnel within the establishment will also be clearly defined. Individuals are given the authority to accomplish their respective project assignments. Since the individuals to be listed may change from time to time, this QAPP uses “designee” to include an alternate to the proposed or normal project organization. The following paragraphs define functional titles, positions, and responsibilities.

Consultant Project Manager The Consultant Project Manager (PM) designee, will report directly to the PD. The Consultant PM is responsible for ensuring the availability of resources and overall quality of the activities completed under the RWMP. The Consultant PM will provide programmatic guidance to support staff and ensure that documents, procedures, and project activities meet respective standards and quality requirements. The Consultant PM will also be responsible for resolving project concerns related to specific technical matters.

The Consultant PM is the focal point for control of project activities, continuity, quality, accountability, and leadership responsibility throughout all phases of the project. The Consultant PM will be supported by QA personnel, who provide reviews, guidance, and technical advice on project execution and issues resolution. The project team, consisting of sampling manager, quality assurance/quality control manager, and technical personnel, will support the Consultant PM to ensure that the project meets professional standards, is safely executed, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, statutes, and industry codes. Individuals on the project team are responsible for fulfilling appropriate portions of the project QA program, in accordance with assignments made by the Consultant PM. The Consultant PM is responsible for satisfactory completion of the project QA program, may assign specific responsibilities to other members of the project staff, and will notify the PD of any significant changes in personnel.

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Consultant Sampling Manager The Consultant Sampling Manager designee reports directly to the Consultant PM and will oversee all phases of technical work related to monitoring, reporting data and document generation. Additionally, the Consultant Sampling Manager is responsible for field activity preparations and execution of sampling activities. This includes overseeing sampling in accordance with approved procedures and methodologies, collection of QA/QC samples, completion of sampling forms, labels, chain-of-custody forms, applying custody seals, and packaging or shipping samples to the approved laboratory.

The Sampling Manager will also be responsible for approval of the Project Health and Safety Plan (HASP) to ensure that health and safety procedures are conducted in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health Association regulations and guidelines. The designee will be responsible for updating the HASP as needed, ensuring proper health and safety procedures are followed, directing periodic field audits, and assigning Site Safety Coordinators (SSCs).

Consultant Quality Assurance/Quality Control Manager The Consultant QA/QC Manager (QA/QCM), designee, will be available to ensure that management activities are consistent with project objectives. The Consultant QA/QCM will be responsible for monitoring the project analytical QA/QC program. Additional responsibilities include laboratory coordination, project tracking, data validation, data quality assessment, data reporting procedures, calculations, and QC. The Consultant QA/QCM or designee will assume primary responsibility for maintaining and reviewing the QAPP.

Consultant Database Manager The Database Manager will report to the Consultant PM and be responsible for maintenance of the laboratory database. The DBM is responsible for providing routine data reporting deliverables as well as non-routine and special-circumstance data requests. All non-routine and special-circumstance data requests are routed through the Consultant PM to the Database Manager.

Consultant Field Scientist, Geologists, Engineers, and Technicians Consultant field scientist, geologists, engineers, and technicians report to the Consultant PM and are responsible for field activities including sampling and following the QA/QC elements of the QAPP.

Laboratory Project Manager Each Laboratory Project Manager will be the laboratory’s primary project contact and will coordinate with the Consultant QA/QCM. The laboratory will be certified through the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)1 or National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) approved laboratory. Analytical services may be subcontracted with the prior approval of the Consultant Sampling Manager; however, the Laboratory PM holds primary responsibility for delivery of all subcontracted services. The lab is designated as the primary analytical subcontractor and will perform the analyses for the standard analytical methods. Key positions and quality related responsibilities for laboratory personnel are discussed in the Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual (QAM) or QAPP.

Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager The Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager, designated by each laboratory, is the QA Manager for the services and deliverables of by that laboratory. The Laboratory QA Manager will be responsible for implementing the laboratory’s QA/QC programs, as described in the laboratory QAM and implementing any additional and project-specific QA/QC procedures included in this QAPP.

1 http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/index.shtml http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/labs/index.shtml

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4.2 Persons Responsible for QAPP Update and Maintenance

Following approval of the QAPP, changes and updates to this QAPP can be made by the Consultant PM with the concurrence of the Consultant QA/QCM. The Consultant PM will be responsible for making the changes, submitting drafts for review, preparing a final copy, and submitting the revised QAPP for signature.

4.3 Problem Statement

As a condition of Permit compliance, the MRWG RWMP was developed to assess whether development is affecting receiving water quality, and the effectiveness of stormwater low impact development (LID), best management practices (BMPs), and other programmatic water quality implementation efforts in protecting receiving water quality and beneficial uses. Permit Section E13.d.1 outlines the requirements for monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping of receiving water quality data.

4.4 Project Schedule

As summarized in Section 3, the MRWG has elected to conduct Receiving Water Monitoring at, MR-URI and MR-UD. Section E.13.d.1.(ii) states, within the second year of the effective date of the permit, the Permittee shall develop and implement a receiving water monitoring program.

Monitoring of the MR-URI and MR-UD will commence in accordance to Table 4-1, which outlines the Receiving Water Monitoring parameter and sampling frequency. Samples will be collected in approved containers using sampling methods discussed in Section 5.2 below. Collected samples and field data for all required parameters will be conducted in accordance to Table 4-1.

4.5 Project Constraints

The RWMP monitoring site MR-URI may require encroachment permits and coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The PD and the Consultant PM will contact, coordinate, and complete the necessary documentation to obtain the necessary permits.

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Table 4-1 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

Flow2 Continuous1

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.

4.6 Quality Objectives and Criteria for Measurement Data

Laboratory MQOs are quantitative and qualitative statements that specify the tolerable levels of potential errors in the data and ensure that the data generated meet the quantity and quality of data required to support the study objectives. These include

Accuracy Precision Completeness

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For this project the analysis specific MQOs are presented in Table 4-2, while additional SWAMP MQOs requirements are included in Attachment 1. The following subsections further characterize these QA/QC characterization and assessment tools.

Table 4-2 Measurement Quality Objectives Parameter Accuracy Precision Completeness Field Measurements Water Velocity (for Flow calc.)1 2% NA 90% pH + 0.2 pH units + 0.5 pH units 90% Temperature + 0.5° C 5% 90% Dissolved Oxygen + 0.5 mg/L + 10% 90% Conductivity 5% 5% 90% Nutrient - Total Chlorophyll2 n/a ±10% 90% Laboratory Analyses Conventional Pollutants and Solids 80 – 120% 0 – 25% 90% Nutrients 80 – 120% 0 – 25% 90% Pyrethroid 70 – 130% 0 – 25% 90% Bioassessment SAFIT Level 2 0 – 10% ≥99% 1 Collected via USGS Gauging Stations 2 Water column only

4.6.1 Accuracy

Accuracy, or measurement bias, is an assessment of the agreement between an experimental or observed value and the true value of the parameter being measured. A measurement is evaluated for accuracy by comparing a given observed value to a true value and against an established range specifying a lower limit and an upper limit of acceptability. Laboratory Control Standards (LCS), their duplicates (LCSD), and surrogate spikes will be used to evaluate the accuracy and bias for the project samples. Accuracy is expressed as percent recovery (%R), as determined from the formula:

Where:

%R = Percent recovery (percent)

%𝐑𝐑 =

𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒 − 𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒

𝐒𝐒𝐒𝐒

× 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

SSR = Spike sample result (concentration units) SR = Original sample result (concentration units) SA = Spike added (concentration units)

Method-specific recovery criteria will be reported by the contracted laboratory. For data validation, the more stringent of either the laboratory-specific criteria or the method-specific criteria will be used.

4.6.2 Precision

Precision refers to the agreement or reproducibility of a set of duplicate or replicate results obtained from independent analyses completed under identical conditions. Both sampling and laboratory precision will be evaluated by the performance of field duplicates (if collected), laboratory duplicates, and Laboratory Control Samples/Laboratory Control Sample Duplicates (LCS/LCSDs).

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Precision is expressed as the relative percent difference (RPD) in concentration between the original and duplicate analyses, as determined in the formula:

|𝐒𝐒 − 𝐑𝐑|

𝐑𝐑𝐑𝐑𝐑𝐑 = 𝟏𝟏 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

Where:

RPD = Relative percent difference

𝟐𝟐 × (𝐒𝐒 + 𝐑𝐑)

S = Concentration of analyte in the original sample D = Concentration of analyte in duplicate sample

4.6.3 Completeness

Completeness is an assessment of the adequacy of the available data resulting from the sampling and analysis program. It is evaluated for each method, matrix, and analyte combination in order to prevent misinterpretation of the data and to meet the needs of the sampling program. Another aspect of completeness involves the adequacy of the data package in documenting the associated QC data for the project samples. The validated data will provide a measure of completeness, but the usability of the validated data will be determined by the selected Consultants, the Project Director, and reviewed by the Regional Board. The completeness goal for this project is 90 percent; however, for critical samples, the completeness goal will be 95 percent. Percent completeness is expressed as (%PC), as determined from the formula:

%𝐑𝐑𝐑𝐑 =

𝐍𝐍𝐒𝐒 × 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

𝐍𝐍𝟏𝟏

NA = actual number of valid analytical results obtained N1 = theoretical number of results obtainable under ideal conditions

4.7 Special Training Needs/Certification

The Consultant shall choose a laboratory that is certified through the ELAP or NELAP for the analytical methods proposed in the RWMP and QAPP. Other training requirements are summarized in the subsections below.

4.7.1 Training and Certification Documentation

Field personnel will be properly trained in the use of monitoring equipment and clean/dirty hand sample collection and handling techniques along with all appropriate health and safety protocols prior to conducting monitoring activities. The following elements will be included in the training of field personnel:

Review of HASP Field training

Personnel will have had prior experience performing field sampling and laboratory analyses for the type of water quality monitoring required. SWAMP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for collection, records, handling, and analysis will be monitored by the Consultant QA/QCM and Laboratory QA Manager and can be found in Attachment 2.

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4.7.2 Training Personnel

The Consultant QA/QCM and Sampling Manager will provide training to the field monitoring personnel.

The Consultant Sampling Manager will train these personnel in sampling protocols and procedures in accordance with the RWMP and QAPP. The Consultant Sampling Manager or Consultant Project Manager will communicate any updates or revisions of these protocols in a timely manner.

The Consultants delegated analytical laboratory must provide training to all staff members to ensure they are adequately qualified and trained to perform assigned tasks. Details of the laboratories’ training plans shall be described in Laboratories’ Quality Assurance Manual.

4.7.3 Bioassessment and Physical Habitat Assessment Training

Bioassessment sampling and laboratory analysis require specialized training2. The Consultant QA/QCM is responsible for ensuring that training requirements are met by participating field crews and laboratories.

Field sampling training can be provided during short courses offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or similar agency. Laboratory analysis requires years of experience and mentoring by a qualified taxonomist.

All field crews must consist of at least two adults qualified to work in the State of California. However, it is strongly recommended that crews contain no fewer than four members as there are several indicators measured at each site (i.e., physical habitat, benthic macroinvertebrates, and benthic algae communities, water chemistry, toxicity, and California Rapid Assessment Methods (CRAM)). If smaller crews are used, conducting CRAM assessments on a separate day, independent of sampling other indicators, may be acceptable. Inadequate staffing of field crews is one of the most common sources of data errors, and may result in costly corrective actions or data deficiencies.

At least one member of each bioassessment crew must have received training in sampling procedures described in the Bioassessment SOP, Attachment 2. Training in basic first aid is also required. Crew chiefs are responsible for ensuring the safety of the crew and must use his or her discretion to end sampling if conditions become unsafe. At least one person per crew must have experience with the Bioassessment SOP at a minimum of 20 sites in California.

4.8 Documents and Records

All field observations will be recorded in standard Field Conditions Data Log sheets. The sheets will be reviewed for errors prior to leaving the sample site. Chain-of-custody (COC) forms will be completed for all field samples before the samples are delivered to the laboratory. Field sheets and COCs will be scanned and stored as an electronic PDF by the Project Director for a minimum of five years from the time the RWMP is completed. Example Field Conditions Data Log sheets and COCs are included in Attachment 3. Additionally, the documents and records to be saved should include the following information:

Site identification and location Date and time that sampling or measurements were taken Individual(s) who performed the sampling or measurements Field Measurements Analytical methods used Results of analyses

2 http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/reports.shtml#bmp_assess http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/swamp/reports.shtml#bmp_assess

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The Laboratory Manager reviews the laboratory analytical results, verifies completeness, and logs the date of sample receipt, analysis, internal QA/QC and final reporting to the Consultant PM. The reports and data are then transferred to the Project Director and filed with all other original project documentation in order to maintain complete project records. The laboratory will provide analytical data in electronic format for maintenance and management in Microsoft® Excel or Access. Table 4-3 summarizes the record retention, archival, and disposition guidelines for each type of document.

Table 4-3 Document and Record Retention, Archival, and Disposition Information

Records Identify Type Needed Retention Archival Disposition

Project Plan

RWMP Paper/Electronic Document Minimum 5 years

QAPP Paper/Electronic Document Minimum 5 years

Field Data

Field Conditions Data Log Sheets Paper/Electronic Project File/PDFs Minimum

5 years

Photographs Electronic Project File Minimum

Sample Collection Records

Chain-of-Custody Paper/Electronic Project File Minimum 5 years

Calibration and Maintenance Paper Project File Minimum 3 years

Original strip charts Paper/Electronic Project File Minimum 3 years

Analytical Records

Lab Notebooks Paper Notebook Minimum 5 years

Lab Reports (include COCs) Electronic Notebook/Excel Minimum

5 years

Electronic Data File Electronic Database Minimum

Assessment Records

QA/QC Assessment Paper/Electronic Document Minimum 5 years

Final Report Paper/Electronic Document Minimum

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5. Sampling Process and Procedures (Data Generation and Acquisition)

The purpose of the QAPP is to produce reliable data, assure and provide ongoing control of data quality, evaluate data quality through data quality indicators, and provide applicable, quantitative data for analysis, interpretation, and decision making. The subsections below present an overview of the monitoring program and the steps to be taken for receiving water monitoring.

5.1 Sampling Process Design

The plan schedule, rationale for the sampling design, and monitoring locations are outline in Section 3 and 4.4 of this QAPP and the RWMP. Samples will be collected in approved containers using sampling methods discussed in Section 5.2 below. Collected samples and field data for all required parameters will be conducted in accordance to Table 4-1.

Upon receipt of the field samples (water, sediment, BMI and algae), the laboratory will take the appropriate actions to dispense the sample contents into containers that contain the required volume needed for analysis of the constituents. The laboratory will preserve the samples using the appropriate preservative, and will conduct the analysis within the maximum holding time limits.

5.2 Sampling Methods

All sampling procedures will adhere to the guidelines found in the Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) sampling (SOP), presented in Attachment 2, “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.” 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.

A two-or three-person team will generally conduct the sampling event. The sampling team will have access to a cellular phone in order to alert rescue agencies should an accident 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 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 2.

Section 3.1.1, 3.1.2, and 3.1.3 of the RWMP presents the methods and procedures for the following:

Direct Submersion: Grab Sample Technique (Water and Sediment Sampling);

Physical Habitat (PHAB) and Bioassessment; and Nutrient (Algae)

Monitoring of these constituents should be conducted in accordance with the procedures outline in the RWMP and the SWAMP sampling SOPs located in Attachment 2.

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5.3 Sampling Handling and Custody

The laboratory will provide appropriate sample containers according to Table 5-1. All samples will be pre-labeled with the project name, site ID, sample type, bottle number, sampler name, preservative, and analysis. All sample bottles will also be pre-labeled with a unique Sample ID to track the sample throughout its analyses. At the time of sample collection, the sample labels will be completed in the field with the date and time. The Sample IDs will also be entered directly onto the Field Conditions Data Log Sheets and the COC Forms. The COC forms will accompany the collection of all samples.

The following sample handling protocols will be followed when collecting samples to minimize the possibility of contamination:

New unused sample bottles will be employed. Sample bottles and bottle caps will be protected from contact with solvents, dust, or other contaminants during storage and bottle handing.

The sampler will attempt to prevent large gravel and floating debris from entering the sample containers. The sampler will also make an effort to not stir up sediments at the sample locations.

The inside of the sampling container will not be touched to the maximum extent practicable during preparation and sampling activities.

Vehicle engines will be turned off during sampling, to minimize sample exposure to fumes.

All samples will be collected in accordance with the “clean sampling” techniques.

Manual water grab samples will be collected by inserting the transfer container under or down current of the direction of flow, with the container opening facing upstream.

Once sample containers are filled, they will be promptly placed on ice, in a clean cooler (target temperature 6 degrees Celsius), in the dark and transported to the laboratory for processing to meet holding times. All necessary pre-processing for analysis, such as filtration and acidification, will take place in the laboratory by certified personnel.

After the field crew collects and delivers the samples to the laboratory, the laboratory will conduct the analysis within the holding times listed in Table 5-1. The field and laboratory activities will be coordinated to assure all samples are handled within the proper holding time.

After the laboratory receives the samples, the certified laboratory technicians will dispense the sample contents into containers that contain the required volume specified in Table 5-1. The laboratory will preserve the water samples using the appropriate preservative and the laboratory will conduct the analysis within the maximum holding time limits.

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Table 5-1 Sampling Handling and Custody

Parameters

Container

Type

Min Sample Volume

Preservation

Maximum

Holding Time Pyrethroids* (sediment) Allethrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Bifenthrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Cyfluthrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Lambda-Cyhalothrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Cypermethrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Deltamethrin:Tralomethrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Esfenvalerate:Fenvalerate Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Fenpropathrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Tau-Fluvalinate Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Permethrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Tetramethrin Solids in PSJ 8oz Solids to be Frozen 14 days Bacteria

E. coli Sterile Plastic 100 mL Sodium thiosulfate;

Cool to 4°C; dark 6 hrs

Nutrients (Algae) Ammonia as N (NH3-N) Plastic 200 mL H2SO4; Cool to ≤6°C 28 days Nitrate as N (NO3-N) Plastic 100 mL Cool to ≤6°C 48 hours Nitrite as N (NO2-N) Plastic 100 mL Cool to ≤6°C 48 hours Nitrogen, Total (TN) Plastic 200 mL Cool to ≤6°C; H2SO4 to pH<2 28 days Orthophosphate as P (dissolved; SRP) Plastic 100 mL Filter; Cool to ≤6°C 48 hrs once filtered Phosphorous, Total (TPHOS) Plastic 100 mL Cool to ≤6°C; H2SO4 to pH<2 28 days

Dissolved Organic Carbon

(DOC)

Glass

50 mL

Filter and preserve to pH<2 within 48 hours of collection;

Cool to ≤6°C

28 days

Chloride (Cl) Plastic 100 mL None required 28 days Chlorophyll a Pheophytin a Amber Plastic 1000 mL Cool to 4°C, dark 7 days Bioassessment Benthic macroinvertebrate field samples Plastic 500 mL 95% Ethanol for < I month, Transfer to 70% Ethanol 5 years

Sorted specimens Glass Variable 70% Ethanol 5 years

Sorted subsample residue Plastic Variable 70% Ethanol 1 year from date of sorting

Unsorted sample Plastic Variable 70% Ethanol 2 years PSJ – Poly Sleeve Jacket

- 13 -

5.3.1 Chain-of-Custody Procedures

Either the laboratory will supply the COC forms, or the exampler form in Attachment 3 may be utilized by the Consultant field team. . COC procedures will be used for throughout the collection, transport, and analytical process to ensure accurate results. COCs will be pre-printed along with the bottle labels and will contain the same data as the labels. The COCs will be completed in the field with dates, times, and sample team names, and will be cross-checked with the bottles to make sure proper samples have been collected. Documentation of sample handling and custody will include the following:

Sample identification;

Type of sample;

Sample collection date and time;

Any special notations on sample characteristics or analysis;

Analyses to be performed;

Initials of the sampling team member that collected the sample; and Date the sample was delivered to/sent to the laboratory.

The COC forms will be transported with the samples to the analytical laboratory. Sampled water will be properly chilled and transferred to an analytical laboratory within holding times. When custody of the samples is transferred to the laboratory, the COC will be signed and dated, and a PDF copy will be sent from the laboratory. The COCs will be reviewed by personnel at the receiving laboratory to make sure no samples have been lost in transport. The laboratory will also verify that each sample has been received within holding times. COC records will be included in the final reports prepared by the analytical laboratory and are considered an integral part of the report.

5.3.2 Sample Disposal Procedures

After analysis, including QA/QC procedures, any excess sample will be disposed of by the analytical laboratory.

5.4 Analytical Methods Requirements

The analytical methods are described in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA et al, 2005) and US EPA standard methods. The list of constituents, measurement techniques, method detection limits (MDLs), and reporting limits (RLs) are presented in Table 5-2. After the contract has been awarded, the designated laboratory shall revise Table 5-2 to support their methods and procedures.

- 14 -

Table 5-2 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 (Fecal Coliform) Water SM 9223B MPN/100mL 2 2 Nutrients Ammonia as N (NH3-N) Water EPA 300.0 mg/L 0.059 0.1 Nitrate as N (NO3-N) Water EPA 300.0 mg/L 0.01 0.01 Nitrite as N (NO2-N) Water EPA 300.0 mg/L 0.01 0.01 Nitrogen, Total (TN) Water EPA 300.0 mg/L - - Orthophosphate as P (dissolved;

SRP)

Water

EPA 365.1

mg/L

0.01

Phosphorous, Total (TPHOS) Water EPA 365.1 mg/L 0.014 0.05 Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) Water EPA 415.3 mg/L - 0.6 Chloride (Cl) Water EPA 9212 mg/L 0.25 0.25 Chlorophyll a Pheophytin a Water EPA 445.0 mg/L - 0.002 Bioassessment

Benthic macroinvertebrate field samples

Water

SWAMP SOP for benthic macroinvertebrates and physical habitat

(Ode et al. 2007, Appendix B)

5.5 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Requirements

This section addresses QA/QC requirements associated with both laboratory analyses and field sampling.

Laboratory QA/QC samples provide information to assess potential laboratory contamination, analytical precision, and accuracy. The field QA/QC samples are used to evaluate potential contamination and sampling errors introduced prior to submittal of the samples to the analytical laboratory. If any QA/QC standards are not met, the appropriate corrective actions will be taken in accordance with Section 5.5.2 and 5.5.4 of this document and the laboratory’s QAM.

- 15 -

5.5.1 Laboratory quality control

Internal laboratory quality control checks will include the use of laboratory replicate/split, method blanks, matrix spike and matrix spike duplicates (MS/MSDs), laboratory control samples, and standard reference material (SRMs). These quality control samples are as follows:

1. Laboratory Replicate/Split – A sample is split by the laboratory into two portions and each sample is analyzed. Once the duplicate analyses have been analyzed, the results are evaluated by calculating the RPD between the two sets of results. This serves as a measure of the reproducibility, or precision, of the sample analysis. Typically, duplicate results should fall within an accepted RPD range, depending upon the analysis.

2. Method Blanks – A method blank is an analysis of a known clean sample matrix that has been subjected to the same complete analytical procedure as the field sample to determine if potential contamination has been introduced during processing. Blank analysis results are evaluated by checking against reporting limits for that analyte. Results obtained should be less than the reporting limits for each analysis.

3. Matrix Spike and Matrix Spike Duplicates (MS/MSDs) – Matrix spikes and matrix spike duplicates (MS/MSDs) involve adding a known amount of the chemical(s) of interest to one of the actual samples being analyzed. One sample is split into three separate portions. One portion is analyzed to determine the concentration of the analyte in question in an un-spiked state. The other two portions are spiked with a known concentration of the analytes of interest. The recovery of the spike, after accounting for the concentration of the analyte in the original sample, is a measure of the accuracy of the analysis. By determining spike duplicate recoveries, another measure of precision is accomplished. An additional precision measure is made by calculating the RPD of the duplicate spike recoveries. Both the RPD values and spike recoveries are compared against accepted and known method dependent acceptance limits. Analyses outside these limits are subject to corrective action.

4. Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) – The laboratory control sample procedure involves spiking known amounts of the analyte of interest into a known, clean, sample matrix to assess the possible matrix effects on spike recoveries. High or low recoveries of the analytes in the matrix spikes may be caused by interferences in the sample. Laboratory control samples assess these possible matrix effects since the LCS is known to be free from interferences.

5. Standard Reference Material (SRM) –SRMs may be used in lieu of laboratory control samples. An SRM is a sample containing a known and certified amount of the analyte of interest and is typically analyzed with the analyst not knowing the analyte concentration. SRMs are typically purchased from independent suppliers who prepare them and certify the analyte concentrations. Results are evaluated by comparing results obtained against the known quantity and the acceptable range of results supplied by the manufacturer.

- 16 -

Table 5-3 presents the frequency of analysis for each of the laboratory quality control samples.

Table 5-3 Laboratory Quality Control Sample Frequency

QA/QC

Sample Type

Minimum Sampling Frequency

Acceptance Limits

Laboratory Replicate/Split

One per batch or per 20 samples (5%), per sampling event.

The relative percent difference between the primary sample result and duplicate sample result should meet the objective for precision.

Method Blank One per batch or per 20 samples (5%).

Procedural blanks should be below 10x the

MDL.

Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate (MS/MSD’s)

One per batch or per 20 samples (5%), per sampling event.

The percent recovery should be within the accuracy acceptance limits listed in Table 1-7.

Laboratory Control Spike (LCS)

One per batch or per 20 samples (5%).

The percent recovery should be within the accuracy acceptance limits listed in Table 1-7.

Standard Reference Material (SRM)

One per batch or per 20 samples (5%).

The percent recovery should be within the accuracy acceptance limits listed in Table 1-7.

5.5.2 Laboratory corrective action

Failures in laboratory measurement systems include, but are not limited to: instrument malfunction, calibration failure, sample container breakage, contamination, and QC sample failure. If the failure can be corrected, the analyst must document it and its associated corrective actions in the laboratory record and complete the analysis. If the failure is not resolved, it is conveyed to the respective supervisor who should determine if the analytical failure compromised associated results. The nature and disposition of the problem must be documented in the data report that is sent to the Consultant PM, who will also notify the Project Director.

5.5.3 Field quality control

The main types of field quality control samples that will be utilized for the RWMP are as follows:

1. Field Blanks – Field blanks verify that field conditions, field sampling activities, and air deposition are non-contaminating. Field blanks are submitted blind to the laboratory. Sample bottles are filled with reagent-grade, analyte-free deionized water in the field during an event.

2. Equipment Blanks – Equipment blanks verify that the sampling containers, sampling equipment, and tubing are contaminant free prior to sampling. A representative number of bottles or sections of tubing from each lot is submitted to the laboratory. The laboratory will use reagent-grade, analyte-free deionized water to fill the bottles or rinse through the tubing and then analyze the water. Blank analysis results are evaluated by checking against reporting limit for that analyte. Results obtained should be less than the reporting limit for each analyte. If results are above the reporting limits then the entire lot must be cleaned and re-analyzed.

3. Field Duplicates – Field duplicates evaluate sampling error introduced by both field sampling and laboratory analyses. Field duplicates are submitted blind to the laboratory. Procedures for collecting field duplicates should be the same as those used for collecting field samples.

Duplicates of manual grab samples will be collected by filling two grab sample containers at the same time, or in rapid sequence.

The blank samples and duplicate samples need not all come from the same monitoring site during a particular sampling event. However, each of these QA/QC analyses will be provided along with the

- 17 -standard analyses if enough sample volume has been collected. The field QA/QC samples for field blanks and field duplicates are submitted blind to the analytical laboratory. Table 5-4 presents the frequency of analysis for each of the field quality control samples.

Table 5-4 Sampling (Field) QC

QA/QC Sample Type

Minimum Sampling Frequency

Constituent Class Acceptance Limits

Field Blank

Every 20 samples collected at a given site, per sampling event.

All

Field blanks shall find no detectable amounts or less than 1/5 of sample amounts. Accuracy at 1 per culture medium or reagent lot.

Equipment Blank Sample bottles should be blanked at 10% frequency, or per lot.

All Equipment blank shall be less than the reporting limit for that analyte.

Field Duplicate

Every 10 samples collected at a given site, or per sampling event.

All

The relative percent difference between the primary sample result and the duplicate sample result should meet the objective for precision listed in table 1-7.

5.5.4 Field corrective action

The field team is responsible for responding to failures in their sampling and field measurement systems.

If monitoring equipment fails, personnel are to record the problem according to their documentation protocols. Failing equipment must be replaced or repaired prior to subsequent sampling events. It is the combined responsibility of all members of the field organization to determine if the performance requirements of the specific sampling method have been met, and to collect additional samples if necessary.

5.6 Instrument and Equipment Maintenance

The Consultant Sampling and Laboratory Mangers are responsible for the maintenance of all equipment.

All Mangers will also maintain all records of equipment maintenance. All field and laboratory devices will be maintained per the manufacturer’s guidelines and are outlined in the sections below.

5.6.1 Sampling Equipment

Prior to each sampling event, field sampling equipment will be checked for proper operation.