DCL-2012-538, Transmittal of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report

Transmittal of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report

ML12310A347
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	10/17/2012
From:	Cortese K Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Wilkin S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2012-538
Download: ML12310A347 (5)

Text

acific Gas andPacific GaDiablo Gas and Power.Plant Canyon Electric Company Electric Company P.O. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 PG&E Letter DCL-2012-538 Certified/Return Receipt 7010-1060-0000-4204-4340 October 17, 2012 Sarah Wilkin, Stranding Coordinator National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213

Dear Ms. Wilkin:

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.

A live sea turtle was discovered in the 1-2 intake structure forebay by plant operations personnel at approximately 3:45 p.m. on September 21, 2012. 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 that afternoon (September 21, 2012) for release offshore of the facility. The turtle was removed by salmon net and transported to a facility 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 18 pounds, with a shell length (notch-tip) of 19 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 left front flipper with tag #MC-0, and subsequently transported by boat and released in the ocean approximately one mile southwest of DCPP. The turtle swam away strongly in a southerly direction following release.

Discovery and release of the turtle was reported to NMFS via telephone on September 21, 2012, within the required 48-hour reporting period.

Live green sea turtles have been discovered at DCPP's intake on ten previous occasions during commercial operations: August 08, 2010, 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-2012-538 Sarah Wilkin, NMFS October 17, 2012 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 W. Cortese Manager- Chemistry and Environmental Operations 2012538/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 Laura Micewski 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 Marine Region California Department of Fish and Game 20 Lower Ragsdale Dr. Suite 100 Monterey, CA 93940

MARINE MAMMAL AND MARINE TURTLE STRANDING REPORT SID#

(NMFS USE)

FIELD NO.: NMFS REGISTRATION 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 (DCPP), P.O. Box 56, Avila Beach, California 93424 LOCATION San Luis LOCATION San Luis TYPE OF OCCURRENCE State: CA County:0bispo Rass Stranding: (Yes) /4 # Animals One (1)

Human Interaction: (Yes) / No) / (?)

City: Avila Beach Check one: 1. Boat collision

2. Shot Locality Details: Diablo Canyon 4. Fishery interaction Other Found alive and healthy in the Power Plant (DCPP) 9-Miles NW of power plant intake structure.

How determined:

Avila Beach. 1-2 Forebay Bar Rack of the Plant Intake Structure. Dther Causes (if known):,

• Latitude: 350 12' 44" N

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

Yr 2012 Mo September Day 21 Yr 2012 - Mo September Day 21 CONDITION: Check one:jl.Alive CONDITION: Check one:_Il.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?: JYe / No Check one X I.Released at site TAGS PRESENT?: ZY/(jýT or more: _2.Sick 3.Injured Dorsal Left Right

__4.Died

_5.Euthanized ag No.(s): MC-0

__6.Rehabilitated and released

_? Unknown Color(s): Silver Transported to: 1.0-Miles SW Offshore T e: Fli_ per 2

(Died) /Relae=) Date: September 21, 012P.Tlacement CFront Rear Front/Rear CARCASS - Disposition, check one: MORPHOLOGICAL DATA:

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

_2.Buried 2.Female

_3.Towed -E? Unknown

__4.Sci. collection (see below)

-_5.Edu. collection (see below) Straight Length: 19 (cm)/M (est)

• 6.Other Weight: 18 (kg) ( /=

_? Unknown PHOTOS TAKEN? (Ys/ (No)

IECROPSIED? (Yes) / (No)

REMARKS: Straight Width (Widest Point) 18 & 1/2 inches; Tail Length 1 inch.

A Lepas Barnacle was attached to the right edge of shell 1/3 of the length back from the front of the shell. Turtle appeared stronq and healthy. No abrasions. No indications of any injury_.__

jISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL:

X% /7 It is estimated that completion U OMB#0648-.0178 of this form requires 20 minutes.

PG&E Letter DCL-2012-538 October 17, 2012 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - September 21, 2012 Photographs Page 1 of 2

PG&E Letter DCL-2012-538 October 17, 2012 Specimen Photographs - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant - September 21, 2012 Photographs Page 2 of 2