DCL-2009-537, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Submittal of 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

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., Submittal of 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

ML092870467
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	10/06/2009
From:	Peters K Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Cordaro J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2009-537
Download: ML092870467 (5)

Text

Pacific Gas and Electric Company' Iiablo Canyon Power Plant P.0. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 PG&E Letter DCL-2009-537 .Certified/Return Receipt 7007-2680-0000-5565-4247 October 06, 2009 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 1-6 intake forebay by the site biologist at approximately 1:15 pm on September 08, 2009. The turtle was identified as a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). Photographs of the specimen have been provided in addition to the report.

As authorized in DCPP's incidental take statement issued September 18, 2006, DCPP staff removed the turtle from the intake structure for release offshore of the Facility. The turtle was removed by salmon net and transported to a boat. Biologists took appropriate measurements and photographs. The turtle was estimated to weigh 8 pounds, with a shell length of 14 and / inches. The turtle appeared to be in good health based on visual observation. There were no abrasions or indication of any injury. The turtle was tagged on the right front flipper with tag #MC-25. Biologists transported the turtle by boat about one half mile southwest of DCPP. In the water following release, the turtle swam away strongly in a westerly direction.

The turtle discovery and release was reported to NMFS on September 08, 2009, 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 September 08, 2009, in accordance with NUREG-1 022, Revision 2, Event Reporting Guidelines, 10 CFR 50.72 and 10 CFR 50.73.

Live green sea turtles have been found at DCPP's intake area on eight previous occasions during commercial operations: July 23, 2007, 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 Letter DCL-2009-537 Joseph G. Cordaro, NMFS October 06, 2009 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.

Sincerely, Kenneth J. Peters Station Director- Diablo Canyon Power Plant 2009537/jlk/bkc Enclosures (2) cc w/enclosures: Alan B. Wang NRR Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08B1 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Michael S. Peck Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Diablo Canyon Power Plant 104/5 Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4125 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Kathy Hill California Department of Fish and Game

.1416 9th Street, Room 1341 Sacramento, CA 95814

MARINE MAMMAL AND MARINE TURTLE STRANDING REPORT SID#

(NMFS USE)

• ., FIELD NO.: NMFS REGIS' TRATION NO.

COMMON NAME:Green Sea Turtle GENUS: Chelonia SPECIES: mydas EXAMINER Name: James L. Kelly Agency:Pacific, Gas & Electric CO.Phone: (805) 545-3194 Address:Diablo Canyon Power Plant, P.O. Box 56, Avila Beach, California 93424 LOCATION San Luis LOCATION San Luis TYPE OF OCCURRENCE State: CA County: Obispo Kass Stranding: (Yes) /No) # Animals One (1)

Human Interaction: (Yes*7-o) / (?)

City: Avila Beach Check one: 1. Boat collision

2. Shot Locality Details: Diablo Canyon 4. Fishery interaction X-5. OtherFound Alive in Intake Structure Power Plant (DCPP) 9-miles NW of I How determined:

Avila Beach. 1-6 Forebav Bar Rack of the Plantý Intake Structure. Other Causes (if known):

• Latitude: 350 12' 44" N

• Longitude: 1200 51' 13" W DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION: DATE OF EXAMINATION:

Yr 2009 Mo September Day 08 Yr 2009 MoSeptember Day 08 CONDITION: Check one:_Xl.Alive CONDITION: Check one:_Xl.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 LIVE ANIMAL - Condition and Disposition: TAGS APPLIED?: / J 1 Check one Xl.Released at site TAGS PRESENT?: Yes-7 or more: _2.Sick 3.Injured Dorsal Left Right

__4.Died

_5.Euthanized ag No.(s): MC-25 6.Rehabilitated and released

? Unknown Color(s): Silver ransported to: 0.5-miles Offshore Sype: FliDper (Died) /QReser Date: September 08, 2009 Placement Front/Rea

• Rear CARCASS - Disposition, check one: MORPHOLOGICAL DATA:

Check one: _l.Left at site Sex - Check one: _l.Male

_2.Buried 2.Female

__3.Towed 7X? Unknown

_4.Sci. collection (see below)

_5.Edu. collection (see below) Straight Length: 14.25 (cm) (est)

• -6.Other rWeight: 8.0 (kg) * "

__? Unknown PHOTOS TAKEN? )esi/ '(No)

NECROPSIED? (Yes) / (No)

REMARKS: Straight Length (Notch-Tip) 14.25-inches Tail Length 1.75-inches Maximum Length (Notch-Notch) 13.88-inches (Tail did not extend beyond Straight Width (Widest Point) 12.88-inches the carapace.)

Curved Length (Notch-Tip) 19-inches Very Healthy Specimen -

jISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL: 1 Barnacle,_2 Barnacle Scars It is estimated that completion OMB#0648-.0178 of this form requires 20 minutes.

PG&E Letter DCL-2009-537 October 06, 2009 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - September 08, 2009 Photographs Page 1 of 2

PG&E Letter DCL-2009-537 October 06, 2009 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - September 08, 2009 Photographs Page 2 of 2