DCL-2010-536, Submittal of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a Sea Turtle Discovered in the Diablo Canyon Intake Structure

Submittal of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a Sea Turtle Discovered in the Diablo Canyon Intake Structure

ML102440033
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	08/25/2010
From:	Hinds B Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Cordaro J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2010-536
Download: ML102440033 (5)

Text

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Diablo Canyon Power Plant P.O. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 805/545-6000 PG&E Letter DCL-2010-536 August 25, 2010 Joseph G. Cordaro, Wildlife Biologist National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213

Dear Mr. Cordaro:

Certified/Return Receipt 7007-2680-0000-5565-4636 Enclosed is a 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.

P A live sea turtle was discovered in the 2-7 intake structure forebay by plant operations personnel at approximately 9:50 p.m. on August 08, 2010. The turtle was identified as a-green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

As authorized in DCPP's incidental take statement issued September 18, 2006, DCPP staff removed the turtle from the intake structure early the following morning (August 09, 2010) for release offshore of the Facility. The turtle was removed by salmon net and transported to a boat. The plant biologist completed measurements of the specimen and photographs were taken. The photographs are enclosed in addition to the stranding report. The turtle was estimated to weigh 25 pounds, witha shell length (notch-tip) of 20 and 7/8 inches, and 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-24, and subsequently transported by boat and released in the ocean approximately two miles southwest of DCPP. The turtle swam away strongly in a southerly direction following release.

Discovery and release of the turtle was reported to NMFS on September 09, 2010, within the required 48-hour reporting period.

Live' green sea turtles have been discovered at DCPP's intake on nine previous occasions during commercial operations: September 08, 2009, 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-2010-536 Joseph G. Cordaro, NMFS August 25, 2010 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, Brad C. Hinds Manager - Chemistry and Environmental Operations 2010536/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 REGISTRATION I0 COMMON NAME: Green Sea Turtle GENUS: Chelonia SPECIES: mydas EXAMINER Name:

James L. Kelly Agency:Pacific Gas & Electric CoPhone: (805) 545-3194 Address:

Diablo Canyon Power Plant. P.O. Box 56. Avila Beach, California 93424 LOCATION San Luis State:

CA County:Obispo City:

Avila Beach tYPE OF OCCURRENCE 4ass Stranding: (Yes) /

o

1. Animals One (1)

Human Interaction: (Yes)Ig ao) / (?)

Check one:

1. Boat collision

2.

Shot

4. Fishery inferaction 1_5. Other Found alive and healthy in Locality Details: Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP)-9-Miles NW of Avila Beach. 2-7 Forebay Bar Rack power plant intake structure.

How determined:

of the Plant Intake Structure Jther Causes (if known):

I.

• Latitude-:

350 12' 44"

• Ionnitude" 1200 51' 13" N

TIw DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION:

DATE OF EXAMINATION:

Yr 2010 Mo Auaust Day 08 Yr 2010 Mo August Day 09 CONDITION: Check one:X l.Alive CONDITION: Check one:_X1.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?:

/

No Check one XI.Released at site TAGS PRESENT?: {Yes-J/

or more: _2.Sick

3. Injured Dorsal Left

'Right

__4.Died

_5.Euthanized ag No.(s)"

MC-24

_6.Rehabilitated and released

_?

Unknown Color(s):

Silver Transported to: 2.0-miles SW Offshore ot Type:

(Died) /((Re Date: August 09, 2010 Placement Front/ReaFr(ont Rear CARCASS - Disposition, check one:

MORPHOLOGICAL DATA:

Check one: __l.Left at site Sex -

Check one: _l.Male

_2.Buried 2.Female

_3.Towed

-?

Unknown

__4.Sci. collection (see below)

_5.Edu. collection (see below)

Straight Length: 20 & 7/8 (cm)

(in) (est)

__6.Other ____________

• Weight:

25 (kg)/AW

_?

Unknown PHOTOS TAKEN?

• es / (No)

NECROPSIED? (Yes)

/

(No)

REMARKS:

Straight Width (Widest Point) 19 & 7/8 inches. Tail Length 7/8 inches.

Turtle appeared strong and healthy. No indications of any injury.

jISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL:

OMB#0648-0s178 It is estimated that completion of this form requires 20 minutes.

PG&E Letter DCL-2010-536 August 25, 2010 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - August 09, 2010 Photographs Page 1 of 2

PG&E Letter DCL-2010-536 August 25, 2010 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - August 09, 2010 Photographs Page 2 of 2