Transcript Document 7514960

Middle Fork Project
AQ 11 – Water Quality
Contingency Sampling Protocol
(Contingency Study)
September 8, 2008
Introduction

Implemented AQ 11 – Water Quality
Technical Study in Spring and Fall 2007
 Characterized water quality conditions upstream and
downstream from Project facilities.
 Included screening level of methylmercury
concentrations in sport fish tissue muscle.
 Numerous samples exceeded the OEHHA screening
guidelines (0.08 ppm).
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Introduction

A Contingency Study Process was
Specified in the AQ 11 - TSP
 If methylmercury in fish tissue exceeds the OEHHA
guidelines of 0.08 ppm (Cal EPA 2005; Klasing and
Brodberg 2006) during the initial sampling, the Aquatic
TWG will be consulted concerning the need for additional
sampling. If additional sampling is deemed appropriate,
a sampling protocol will be developed.

Aquatic TWG discussed study results during TWG
Meetings and determined that additional fish tissue
methylmercury sampling is warranted.
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Study Objective

Collect and sample additional methylmercury
concentrations in sport fish muscle tissue
following OEHHA guidelines that could be
used to develop safe eating guidelines for
the locations within the study area.
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2008 Methylmercury Fish Sampling
Locations
• French Meadows Reservoir
• Hellhole Reservoir
• Ralston Afterbay
• Middle Fork Interbay
• Middle Fork American River
at Otter Creek
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Ch
Study Approach

Collect and Sample Methylmercury From a Total of 9 to 12
Edible Sized Fish of Each Target Species
Sampling Location
Species
No. Analyzed in
20071
Minimum No. Needed in
20081
French Meadows
Reservoir
Brown Trout
2
7
Rainbow Trout
3
6
Hell Hole Reservoir
Brown Trout
6
3
Lake Trout
1
8
Kokanee
0
9
Rainbow Trout
1
82
Crayfish
0
9
Brown Trout
6
3
Rainbow Trout
4
5
Brown Trout
4
5
Rainbow Trout
1
82
Brown Trout
1
82
Rainbow Trout
9
0
Middle Fork Interbay
Ralston Afterbay
Middle Fork American
River at Otter Creek
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See Table AQ 11-2 for legal and/or edible size limits.
Low abundance of this species at the sampling location may make it difficult to collect the target number of individuals; a
good-faith effort will be made to collect the target number of individuals.
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Study Approach

Table AQ 11-2. Legal and/or Edible Size Limits for Target
Species.
Legal/edible Size Limits
Minimum Size
(mm)
Brown Trout
200
Rainbow Trout
200
Lake Trout
350
Kokanee
200
Crayfish
30
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Study Approach

Catch fish using a combination of methods.
 Gill nets, electrofishing, and hook-and-line


Notify and discuss with Aquatic TWG if the target
number of individuals are not collected.
Submit fish to Brooks Rand Laboratory for
individual fish muscle tissue analysis (minimum of
79 fish).
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Contingency Study Schedule
Date
Activity
September through November 2008
Collect fish samples
November 2008 through March 2009
Analyses and develop report
April 2009
Submit draft report to the Aquatic TWG
May through June 2009
Aquatic TWG 60 day review and comment period
July 2009
Resolve comments and prepare final report
August 2009
Submit final report to the Aquatic TWG and
Plenary
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