DCL-2007-535, National Marine Fisheries Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a Sea Turtle Discovered in the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Intake Structure

National Marine Fisheries Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a Sea Turtle Discovered in the Diablo Canyon Power Plant Intake Structure

ML072340627
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	08/09/2007
From:	Becker J Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Cordaro J Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2007-535
Download: ML072340627 (4)

Text

Pacific Gas and Electric Company' Jlames R.Bec..ker Diablo Canyon Power Plant Vice 1Presideni P.0. Box 56 Canyonfprain and blabo . Avi-la Be-ach, CA93424 Statio'n Direct&~r 805.545.3462 Fan: 805.545.4234 PG&E Letter DCL-2ý007-535 Certified/Return Receipt 7007-0220-0004-6735-9714 August '9, 2007 Joseph G. Cordaro, Wildlife Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213

Dear Mr.- Cordaro:

Enclosed is the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a sea turtle discovered in the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) intake structure.

A live sea turtle was discovered in the 2-1 forebay by a plant operator at about 2:50 pm on July 23, 2007. The turtle was identified as a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).:

As authorized in DCPP's incidental take permit issued September 18;:2006, DCPP staff.

removed the turtle from the intake structure for release offshobre of the Facility. The turtle was lifted by a cargo net and a crane to the back of a pickup truck. Biologists took appropriate measurements and photographs. The turtle was estimated to weigh 85 pounds, with a shell length of 30 inches. The turtle appeared to be in good health based on visual observation. There were a few minor abrasions on the flippers. The left rear flipper appeared to have two bites taken out of it that had healed. Biologists transported the turtle by boat about one half mile southwest of DCPP. In the water, the turtle swam away strongly in a northeasterly direction.

The turtle release was reported to NMFS on July 23, 2007, within the required 48-hour reporting period. In addition, a non-emergency report was made to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) within four hours of the NMFS notification on July 23, 2007, in accordance with NUREG-1 022, Revision 2, Event Reporting Guidelines, 10 CFR 50.72 and 10 CFR 50.73.

Live green sea turtles were found at DCPP's intake area on seven previous occasions:

February 27, 2001, April 16, 2000, August 24, 1999, May 29, 1999, June 12, 1997, January 10, 1997, and April 27, 1994. Green sea turtles are infrequently observed in the coastal waters off of DCPP.

PG&E Ltr DCL-2007-535 Joseph G. Cordaro, NMFS August 9, 2007 Page 2 If you have any questions or concerns regarding the enclosed report, or require additional information, please contact Jim Kelly of my staff at (805) 545-3194.

Sin erely, James Becker Vice President Diablo Canyon Operations and Station Director 2007535/jlklkmo cc: Alan B. Wang, NRR Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 7 El 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Resident Inspector, Michael A. Brown U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Diablo Canyon Power Plant 104/5 Bruce S. Mallett Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Dr., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4005 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Kathy Hill California Department of Fish and Game 1416 9th Street, Room 1341 Sacramento, CA 95814

MARINE MAMMALJ AND1 HARME TURTLE STRANDING REPORT SID#

(NMFS USE)

FIELD NO.:_______ ____ NMFS REGISTRATION NO._________

COMMON NAME: Green SeaTurtle GENUS: Chelonia SPECIES:- Mydas NXamNe: Jim Kelly Agency: PG&E Phn:(805) 545-3194 Address: P.O. Box 56, Avila Beach, CA-93424 K

LOCATION TYE OF OCCURRENCE State: CA convSnLi Mass Stranding: (Y~es (No) # Animal .5 Human Itrcin Yes ol o) / (?)

city: Avila Beach Oip Check one: -1. Boa ollision Locality Details: DiabloCanvon 2.Shot

4. Fishery interaction 1:5. Other Fondnitk Power Plant intake structure structure How determined:

Forebay 2-1 Other Causes (if known):

• Latitude: -N

• Longitude: -W DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION: ]ATE OF EXAMINATION:

Yr 2007 Mo __Uy Day 23 jrQ 2007 Mo July Day 23 CONDITION: Check one:.X l.Alive CONDITION: Check one:.LI.Alive

-2.Fresh dead -2.Fresh dead

-3.Moderate decomp.

-3 .Moderate decomp. _4 .Advanced decomp.

-4.Advanced decomp.

-5.Mummified -5.Mummified

-? Unknown' -? Unknown IVE ANIMAL - Condition and Disposition: TAGS APPLIED?: (Yes) ii.Ž

.hec-7 k one Xl.Released at site TAGS PRESENT?: (Yes) /C o}'

or more: __2.Sick Dorsal Left Right Injured

-3.Died

-4.

-5.Euthanized Tag No.(s):____

__6.Rehabilitated and released

? Unknown Color(s):

Transported7 to: 1/2 mile offshore J(Died) / Ciýe.aed~e)Date: Jul-y 23, 2007 Placement Front/Rear Front/Rear ACASS - Disposition, check one: MORPHOLOGICAL DATA:

eck one: -. Left at site Sex - Check one: X l.Male

• _2.Buried -2.Female

__3.Towed -? Unknown r __4.Sci. collection (see below)

-_5.Edu. collection (see below) traight Length:_ 30 (cm)(n (est)

__6 .Other ____________

• Weight:_ 85 -(kg) (b s?

__? Unknown PHOTOS TAKEN? (No)

VECROPSIED? (Yes) / (No)_____________________

REMARKS: There were 20 barnacles on the shell and 2 on the too of the head. There were 2 gooseneck barnacles (Lepas) on the shell and 2 more on the right rear flipper. There were 2 old bite marks On the left rear flipper.

DISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL: ________________________

It is estimated that completion OMB#0648-0178 of this form requires 20 minutes.

61-9052 Pacific Gas and Electric Company t~J Diablo Canyon Power Plant PO. Box 56 W __

Avila Beach, CA 93424 0 1A $ 00-4101 Env. Ops. 300433724174 A.UG 15 2 0 7 MAILED FROM ZIPOCODE 9342-1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dcoument Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 kl] il i*,Iil.! ii .i i -,: i