DCL-2017-501, Diablo Power Plant - 2016 Annual Sea Turtle Report

Diablo Power Plant - 2016 Annual Sea Turtle Report

ML17060A248
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	01/27/2017
From:	Johnston K Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Viezbicke J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
References
DCL-2017-501
Download: ML17060A248 (5)

Text

Pacific Gas and Electric Company" Diablo Canyon Power Plant P. 0. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 PG&E Letter DCL-2017-501 Certified/Return Receipt

1. 7014-2120-0004-6299-7855 January 27, 2017 Justin Viezbicke California Stranding Network Coordinator NOAA Fisheries 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213 2016 Annual Sea Turtle Report for Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP)

Mr. Viezbicke, 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 2016.

No sea turtles were found within the power plant intake structure forebays during 2.016.

Additionally, no sea turtles were observed near the power plant during 2016.

If you have any ques.tions or concerns regarding the enclosed report, or require additional information, please contact Bryan Cunningham at (805) 545-4439.

Sincerely, Kenneth E. [Johnston Director, Operations Services - Diab/o Canyon Power Plant 2017501//bkc Enclosures ( 1)

PG&E Letter DCL-2017-501

. Justin Viezbicke, NOAA Fisheries January 27, 2017 Page 2 cc w/enclosure: Siva P. Lingam NRR Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08B1 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Chris Newport NRC Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Diablo Canyon Power Plant 104/5 Regional Administrator Licensing Assistant, Operations Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV.

1600 East Lamar Boulevard Arlington, TX. 76011-4511

• u.s. Nuelear"Re*gulatory Commission Document Control Desk WashingtorJ, D.C. 20555-0001

)

PG&E Letter DCL-2017-501 NOAA Fisheries January 27, 2017 Enclosure 1 Pacific Gas & Electric Company Nuclear Power Generation 2016 Annual Sea Turtle Report Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) _f I '~ ' :

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PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY 2016 ANNUAL SEA TURTLE REPORT DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT (DCPP)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Incidental Take Reports .................................................... .. 1 Intake Inspections .............................................................. . 1 Sea Turtle Observations .................................................... . 1 Sea Turtle Photographs .................................................... .. 1 Status of DCPP Incidental Take Level .............................. .. 1 :i*:'

Actions to Reduce Sea Turtle Entrainment .......................... . 1

-- **- ~---_:- ---_:. ___-*=.::~---~--

Incidental Take Reports .

No sea turtles were found or observed in Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) intake structure forebays during 2016. Therefore, there were no incidental take reports generated~

Intake Inspections Observations of DCPP intake structure forebays continue to be conducted approximately every 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br /> by the Shift Operations Intake Watch.

Sea Turtle Observation Biological monitoring and other activities occurred routinely in the waters around DCPP throughout 2016. During 2016, no sea turtles were observed near the power plant Sea Turtle Photographs As no turtle observations occurred during 2016, no photographs of specimens were taken.

Status of DCPP Incidental Take Levels DCPP's 2006 Incidental Take Statement allows the following levels of sea turtle take for the period 2007 through 2026.

Species Total Entrainment Mortality Serious Injury 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 Sea turtles taken and released since 2006: Five healthy green sea turtles (one in 2007, one in 2009, one in 2010, one in 2012, and one in 2014).

As five (5) healthy green sea turtles were taken and released unharmed since 2006, DCPP has ten (10) remaining allowed green sea turtle takes for 2017 through 2026. Leatherback, Loggerhead, and Olive Ridley allowed takes remain at three per species. There have been no sea turtle mortalities or serious injuries associated with power plant intake operations.

Actions to Reduce Sea Turtle Entrainment DCPP took no specific actions to reduce sea turtle entrainment during 2016. Sea turtles continue to be rare in the vicinity of the power plant. In addition, all incidental takes to date have involved only live, healthy, and uninjured sea turtles that were released unharmed.

Signs reminding operations and maintenance personnel to routinely watch for turtles during inspection rounds and other work activities were installed at the intake structure in early 2007, and remained in place throughout 2016.

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