DCL-2008-504, 2007 Annual Sea Turtle Report

2007 Annual Sea Turtle Report

ML080370515
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	01/29/2008
From:	Becker J Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Cordaro J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2008-504
Download: ML080370515 (14)

Text

Pacific Gas and ElectricCompanye Diablo P.0. BoxCanyon 56 Power Plant Avila Beach, CA 93424 January 29, 2008 Certified/Return Receipt PG&E Letter DCL-2008-504 #7007 0220 0004 6736 0000 Joseph G. Cordaro Wildlife Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213

Dear Mr. Cordaro:

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Enclosed is the 2007 Annual Sea Turtle Report for Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP).

As required by the biological opinion (issued: September 18, 2006) generated by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) biologists and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries staff, the enclosed annual report summarizes sea turtles observed in the vicinity of DCPP during 2007.

One live, healthy green sea turtle was found in DCPP's intake structure on July 23, 2007. The turtle was released unharmed offshore of the power plant. No other sea turtles were observed in the vicinity of DCPP during 2007.

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.

Sincerely, James R. Becker Vice PresidentDiablo Canyon Operationsand Station Director 2008504/jlk Enclosure

PG&E Letter DCL-2008-504 Joseph G. Cordaro, NMFS January 29, 2008 Page 2 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 S. Peck 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 9h' Street, Room 1341 Sacramento, CA 95814

PG&E Letter DCL-2008-504 ENCLOSURE 1

.2007 ANNUAL SEA TURTLE REPORT FOR DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION 2007 Annual Sea Turtle Report For Diablo Canyon Power Plant

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY 2007 ANNUAL SEA TURTLE REPORT FOR DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT TABLE OF CONTENTS page Incidental Take Reports ............................ 1 Intake Inspection Records .................................................... 1 Sea Turtle Photographs ........................................................ 1 Sea Turtle O bservations ...................................................... 1 Status of DCPP Incidental Take Level .................................. 1 Actions to Reduce Sea Turtle Entrainment ............................ 2 Appendix 1: Incidental Take Report- July 23, 2007 Appendix 2: Intake Inspection Records Appendix 3: Sea Turtle Photographs

INCIDENTAL TAKE REPORTS One green sea turtle was found in Diablo CanyonPower Plant's (DCPP) intake structure on July 23, 2007. The sea turtle was a live, healthy male and was released unharmed about one, half mile offshore. No other sea turtles were observed in DCPP's intake structure or in the Intake Cove during 2007. A copy of the sea turtle stranding report that was submitted on August 9, 2007 is included in Appendix 1.

INTAKE INSPECTION RECORDS In the 24-hours prior to the incidental take of the green sea turtle in July, intake operators inspected the intake forebays approximately every 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />. Inspection records covering this time period are included in Appendix 2.

SEA TURTLE PHOTOGRAPHS Several photographs were taken of the green sea turtle found in DCPP's intake structure on July 23, 2007. Six photographs that show the turtle are included in Appendix 3. Four of the six photographs were submitted via e-mail when the stranding report was submitted.

SEA TURTLE OBSERVATIONS Other than the green sea turtle found on July 23, 2007, there were no other sea turtles observed in the vicinity of DCPP during 2007.

STATUS OF DCPP INCIDENTAL TAKE LEVEL DCPP's Incidental Take Statement allows the following levels of sea turtle take for 2007 through 2026.

Species Total Entrainment Mortality Serious Iniury Green 15 turtles 3 turtles 1 turtle Leatherback 3 turtles 1 turtle 1 turtle Loggerhead 3 turtles 1 turtle 1 turtle Olive Ridley 3 turtles 1 turtle 1 turtle Since one healthy green sea turtle was taken and released in 2007, DCPP has fourteen remaining allowed green sea turtle takes for 2008 through 2026. Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley allowed takes remain at three. There have been no sea turtle mortalities or serious injuries.

ACTIONS TO REDUCE SEA TURTLE ENTRAINMENT DCPP took no specific direct actions to reduce sea turtle entrainment during 2007. Sea turtles continue to be rare in the vicinity of DCPP. In addition, all incidental takes to date have been live, healthy sea turtles that were released unharmed.

Signs reminding operations and maintenance personnel to watch for turtles during inspection rounds were installed at the intake in early 2007.

DCPP personnel attended sea turtle handling training in La Jolla, California on June 28, 2007.

APPENDIX I Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report July 23, 2007

APPENDIX 2 Intake Inspection Records July 23, 2007

Intake Bar Rack Inspection Times During the 24-Hours Prior to The Sea Turtle Siting Bar Racks Bar Racks Date Unit 1 Unit 2 7/22/07 9:01 9:01 7/22/07 23:47 23:47 7/23/07 12:09 12:09 Log sheets showing bar rack inspections on July 22, 2007 and July 23, 2007 are attached.

APPENDIX 3 Sea Turtle Photographs July 23, 2007

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