L-2005-095, Annual Environmental Operating Report

Annual Environmental Operating Report

ML051250355
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	04/26/2005
From:	Jefferson W Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2005-095
Download: ML051250355 (61)

Text

FPL Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 April 26, 2005 L-2005-095 10 CFR 50.4 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Re:

St. Lucie Units I and 2 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 2004 Annual Environmental Operating Report In accordance with Section 5.4.1.2 of the St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plans (EPP), enclosed is the Annual Environmental Operating Report for the calendar year 2004.

During the reporting period, the St. Lucie Plant was hit by two hurricanes in September 2004 -

Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne.

This report discusses the environmental impact the storms had on the St. Lucie Plant sea turtle program.

Vic Psien St. Lucie Plant WJ/spt Enclosure LS1 an FPL Group company

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ST. LUCIE PLANT ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT 2004 FPL NUCLEAR DIVISION FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY JUNO BEACH, FLORIDA QUANTUM RESOURCES, INC.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA

ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I 1.0 EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

iii 1.1 Introduction iii 1.2 Turtle Nesting Survey iii 1.3 Intake Canal Monitoring iv 1.4 Other Sea Turtle Protection Activities v

1.5 Section 7 Consultation and Biological Opinion vi

2.0 INTRODUCTION

1

2.1 Background

1 2.2 Area Description 1

2.3 Plant Description 2

3.0 SEA TURTLE PROGRAM 3

3.1 Introduction 3

3.2 Materials and Methods 6

3.2.1 Nesting Survey 6

3.2.2 Intake Canal Monitoring 7

3.3 Results and Discussion

.10 3.3.1 Nesting Survey 10 3.3.1.1 2004 Loggerhead Nesting Summary 11 3.3.1.2 Spatial Distribution of Loggerhead Turtle Nests 11 3.3.1.3 Long-Term Trends in Loggerhead Turtle Nesting 13 3.3.1.4 Seasonal Patterns of Loggerhead Turtle Nesting 14 3.3.1.5 Predation on Loggerhead Turtle Nests 15 3.3.1.6 2004 Green and Leatherback Nesting Survey 16 3.3.1.7 Trends in Green and Leatherback Turtle Nesting 16 3.3.2 Intake Canal Monitoring 17 3.3.2.1 2004 Canal Capture Summary 18 i

3.3.2.2 Relative Abundance and Temporal Distribution 18 3.3.2.3 Size-Class Distributions 19 3.3.2.4 Sex Ratios 20 3.3.2.5 Capture Efficiencies 20 3.3.2.6 Barrier Net Maintenance 22 3.3.2.7 Relative Condition 22 3.3.2.8 Mortalities 23 3.3.2.9 Recapture Incidents 26 3.3.3 Other Sea Turtle Protection Activities 26 3.3.4 Summary 27 4.0 LITERATURE CITED 31 5.0 FIGURES 34 6.0 TABLES 47 PART II

1.0 INTRODUCTION

51 2.0 SEA TURTLE MONITORING AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES 51 3.0 TAPROGGE CONDENSER TUBE CLEANING SYSTEM OPERATION 51 4.0 OTHER ROUTINE REPORTS 53 5.0 TABLE AND FIGURES 54 ii

1.0 EXECUTIVE

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The St. Lucie Plant is an electric generating station on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, Florida. The plant consists of two nuclear-fueled 850 net MWe units; Unit 1 was placed on-line in March 1976 and Unit 2 in April 1983. This document has been prepared to satisfy the requirements contained in Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), for St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating Licenses No. DPR-67 and No.

NPF-16. This report primarily discusses environmental protection activities related to sea turtles as required by Subsection 4.2 of the EPP. Other routine annual reporting requirements are addressed in Part II.

1.2 TURTLE NESTING SURVEY Since monitoring began in 1971, there have been considerable year-to-year fluctuations in sea turtle nesting activity on Hutchinson Island. However, data collected through 2004 have shown no long-term reductions in nesting on the island and power plant operation has had no significant effect on nesting near the plant. Low nesting numbers for 2004 were possibly attributed to the extremely active hurricane season which had two storms that directly hit the east coast of Florida. Low nesting activity in 1975 and again in 1981 through 1983 in the vicinity of the plant was attributed to nighttime construction activities associated with installation of plant intake and discharge structures. Nesting returned to normal or above normal levels following both periods of construction. During 1991, daytime construction activities associated with velocity cap repairs had no apparent effect on nesting. Formal requirements to conduct nesting surveys expired in 1986, but this program was continued through 1998 with agreement from federal and state agencies. In 1998, the continuation of the nesting survey program, as well as several other sea turtle protection activities, was mandated as part of the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). An amendment to the Environmental Protection Plan was iii

approved in 1999, which also included this requirement. This requirement remained in place in accordance with the most recent Biological Opinion issued by NMFS in May 2001.

1.3 INTAKE CANAL MONITORING Since plant operation began in 1976, 10,366 sea turtles (including recaptures) representing five different species have been removed from the intake canal. The majority of the turtles captured (57.8 percent were loggerheads. Variation in the number of turtles found during different months and years, including dramatic increases in green turtle captures in recent years, have been attributed primarily to natural variations in the occurrence of turtles in the vicinity of the plant, rather than to operational influences of the plant itself. The majority of turtles removed from the intake canal (about 95 percent) were captured alive and released back into the ocean.

Ongoing evaluations and improvements to the canal capture program have substantially reduced mortalities of entrapped sea turtles during recent years. Turtles confined between the barrier net and intake headwalls typically reside in the canal for a relatively short period prior to capture, and most are in good to excellent condition when caught.

However, in recent years, fresh scrapes have been observed on over 50 percent of the sea turtles captured at the intake canal. These scrapes are likely due to biofouling inside the intake pipe and occur during transport into the canal system. In 2003, a green turtle with injuries sustained during entrainment was sent to a rehabilitation facility where it later died. This incident was causal to power plant operation and underscores the need to have the intake pipes inspected and cleared of marine growth and debris.

FPL is currently assessing corrective actions to address this issue.

A 5-inch mesh barrier net completed in January 1996 substantially reduced sea turtle residence times in the intake canal. However, during major influxes of seaweed and jellyfish, this net experienced design failure and caused mortalities. To prevent this problem, FPL constructed a new improved barrier net with additional structural support.

Construction of this net was completed in November 2002. The improved design and iv

net material should withstand the seaweed and jellyfish events that caused previous design failure of the old barrier net. Additionally, dredging of the intake canal (completed in 2002) has reduced current velocities around the new barrier net. These actions have significantly reduced the potential for sea turtle mortalities in the plant's intake canal.

In correspondence relevant to the Incidental Take Statement of the May 2001 Biological Opinion there is language that turtle injury or mortality in the canal shall be counted when "resulting from plant operation." In response to this requirement, a qualified veterinarian is utilized to determine cause of death or injury in cases that are not readily apparent.

In 2004, there were three mortalities at the intake canal. Two of these events were considered causal to power plant operation. These causal events were related to Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne and were the only two causal mortalities or injuries documented in 2004. The increased vigilance of the biological staff and the continued performance of the primary barrier net were directly responsible for a mortality rate of 0.32 percent; the second lowest in the program's history.

1.4 OTHER SEA TURTLE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES As participants in the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network (STSSN), Quantum Resources biologists routinely respond to sea turtle strandings in St. Lucie and Martin Counties. During 2004, biologists responded to 19 sea turtle strandings. All stranding reports were sent to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC).

In addition, FPL conducted 15 public service turtle walks during the 2004 nesting season. This program allowed 597 members of the public to be exposed to relevant sea turtle protection issues and, in most cases, to actually view a nesting loggerhead sea turtle.

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1.5 SECTION 7 CONSULTATION AND BIOLOGICAL OPINION In 1999, FPL exceeded their anticipated incidental take limit established by the 1997 Biological Opinion (BO) set forth by NMFS. This required reinitiation of consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. As part of this consultation FPL, through Ecological Associates Inc., submitted a report entitled "Physical and Ecological Factors Influencing Sea Turtle Entrainment Levels at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant:

1976-1998.n NMFS received the report in March 2000 and considered this new information when developing the new Opinion. On May 4, 2001, NMFS issued its BO as part of the reinitiation of consultation subsequent to the 1997 BO.

In the new Opinion, there were a number of changes, most importantly the Incidental Take Statement. This, in summary, stated that FPL will exceed their take limits for a calendar year if: more than 1000 sea turtles are captured, or more than 1 percent of the total number of loggerhead and green turtles (combined) are injured or killed causal to plant operation, or more than two Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are injured or killed causal to plant operation, or if any hawksbill or leatherback sea turtles are injured or killed causal to plant operation. In a case where 1 percent of the combined loggerhead and green turtle captures are not a whole number it is rounded up (e.g. 520 combined captures = take limit of 6). If any of these events occur, reinitiation of a Section 7 consultation will be required.

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2.1 BACKGROUND

This document has been prepared to satisfy the requirements contained in Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan, for St. Lucie Unit 1 and 2 Facility Operating License No.

DPR-67 and NPF-16, respectively.

St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 use the Atlantic Ocean as a source of water for once-through condenser cooling. Since 1971, the potential environmental effects resulting from the intake and discharge of this water have been the subject of FPL sponsored biotic studies at the site. Jurisdiction for sea turtle studies is with the NRC, which is considered to be the lead federal agency relative to consultation under the Endangered Species Act. Previous results dealing with sea turtle studies are contained in 21 annual environmental operating reports covering the period from 1983 through 2003. This report describes the 2004 environmental protection activities related to sea turtles, as required by Subsection 4.2 of the St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plans.

2.2 AREA DESCRIPTION The St. Lucie Plant is located on a 457-hectare site on Hutchinson Island on Florida's east coast (Figures 1 and 2). The plant is approximately midway between Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlets. It is bounded on the east side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the west side by the Indian River Lagoon. Hutchinson Island is a barrier island that extends 36 km between inlets and attains its maximum width of 2 km at the plant site.

Elevations approach 5 m atop dunes bordering the beach and decrease to sea level in the mangrove swamps that are common on the western side. The Atlantic shoreline of Hutchinson Island is composed of sand and shell hash with intermittent rocky promontories protruding through the beach face along the southern end of the island.

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Submerged coquinoid rock formations parallel much of the island off the ocean beaches. The ocean bottom immediately offshore from the plant site consists primarily of sand and shell sediments. The Florida Current, which flows parallel to the continental shelf margin, begins to diverge from the coastline at West Palm Beach. At Hutchinson Island, the current is approximately 33 km offshore. Oceanic water associated with the western boundary of the current periodically meanders over the inner shelf, especially during summer months.

2.3 PLANT DESCRIPTION The St. Lucie Plant consists of two 850 net MWe nuclear-fueled electric generating units that use near shore ocean waters for the plant's once-through condenser cooling system. Water for this system enters through three submerged intake structures located about 365 m offshore (Figure 2). The intake structures are equipped with a velocity cap to minimize fish entrainment. Water passes through these structures and into submerged pipes (two 3.7 m and one 4.9 m in diameter) running under the beach.

It then passes into a 1500 m long intake canal, which transports it to the plant. After passing through the plant, the heated water is discharged into a 670 m long canal that leads to two buried discharge pipelines. These pass underneath the dunes and along the ocean floor to the submerged discharges, the first of which is approximately 365 m offshore and 730 m north of the intake.

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3.0 SEA TURTLE PROGRAM

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Hutchinson Island, Florida, is an important rookery for the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, and also supports nesting of the green turtle, Chelonia mvdas, and the leatherback turtle, Dermochelys coriacea. All three species are protected by state and federal statutes. The federal government has classified the loggerhead turtle as a threatened species. The leatherback turtle and the Florida nesting population of the green turtle are listed by the federal government as endangered species. It has been a prime concern of FPL that the St. Lucie Plant would not adversely affect the Hutchinson Island rookery. Because of this concern, FPL has sponsored monitoring of marine turtle nesting activity on the island since 1971.

Daytime surveys to quantify nesting, as well as nighttime turtle tagging programs, were conducted in odd numbered years from 1971 through 1979. During daytime nesting surveys, nine 1.25 km-long survey areas were monitored five days per week (Figure 3).

The St. Lucie Plant began operation in 1976; therefore, the first three survey years (1971, 1973, and 1975) were pre-operational. Though the power plant was not operating during 1975, St. Lucie Plant Unit No. 1 ocean intake and discharge structures were installed during that year. Installation of these structures included nighttime construction activities conducted offshore from and perpendicular to the beach.

Construction had been completed and the plant was in full operation during the 1977 and 1979 surveys.

A modified daytime nesting survey was conducted in 1980 during the preliminary construction of the ocean discharge structure for St. Lucie Plant Unit 2. During this study, four of the previously established 1.25 km-long survey areas were monitored.

Additionally, eggs from turtle nests potentially endangered by construction activities were relocated.

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Every year from 1981 through 2004, 36 one-km-long survey areas comprising the entire island were monitored seven days a week during the nesting season (Figure 3).

Beginning in 1994, the southern half of the island has been surveyed by Ecological Associates of Jensen Beach, Florida, and their data are included in this report. The St.

Lucie Plant Unit 2 discharge structure was installed during the 1981 nesting season.

Offshore and beach construction of the Unit 2 intake structure proceeded throughout the 1982 nesting season and was completed near the end of the 1983 nesting season.

Construction activities associated with installation of both structures were similar to those conducted when Unit 1 intake and discharge structures were installed. Eggs from turtle nests potentially threatened by construction activities were relocated.

During 1991, another major offshore construction project was undertaken to replace damaged velocity caps on the three intake structures. A large elevated platform, from which repair activities were conducted, was erected around the three structures.

Construction occurred throughout the nesting season. However, in contrast to previous offshore projects, work was restricted almost entirely to daylight hours, nighttime lighting of the work area was minimal, and no equipment or materials were used on the beach.

A sea turtle protection plan implemented in support of the project included caging of nests along a 1500 m section of beach west of the platform and release of hatchlings to unaffected areas to the north and south. This plan was intended to mitigate any negative effects potentially resulting from required safety and navigational lighting on and near the platform.

Requirement 4.2.1 of the St. Lucie Unit 2 Operating License Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan, was complete with submission of the 1986 nesting survey data (ABI, 1987). The nesting survey was continued voluntarily through 1998 with agreement from federal and state agencies. In 1998, the continuation of the nesting survey program, as well as the participation in the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network and Public Service Turtle Walks, were mandated as part of the Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service. An amendment to the 4

Environmental Protection Plan was approved in 1999, which included these requirements. Results of the 2004 nesting survey are presented in this report and discussed in relation to previous findings.

In addition to monitoring sea turtle nesting activities and relocating nests away from plant construction areas, removal of turtles from the intake canal has been an integral part of the St. Lucie Plant environmental monitoring program. Turtles entering the ocean intake structures are entrained with cooling water and rapidly transported through the intake pipes into an enclosed canal system where they must be manually captured and returned to the ocean. Since the plant became operational in 1976, turtles entrapped in the intake canal have been systematically captured, measured, weighed, tagged, and released.

Previous publications and technical reports have presented findings of the nesting surveys, nest relocation activities and canal capture program (ABI, 1994)(Quantum, 1995 through 2003). Results of studies to assess the effects of thermal discharges on hatchling swimming speed have also been reported (ABI, 1978). In July 1994, responsibility for sea turtle research and conservation activities was transferred from Applied Biology, Inc. to Quantum Resources, Inc. Methodologies employed in both the nesting surveys and canal capture operations remained essentially unchanged so that data collected in 1994 through the present are directly comparable to previous years data. The purpose of this report is to: 1) present 2004 sea turtle nesting survey data and summarize observed spatial and temporal nesting patterns since 1971, 2) document and summarize predation on turtle nests since 1971, and 3) present 2004 canal capture data and summarize comparable data collected since 1976.

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3.2 MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.2.1 Nesting Survey Methodologies used during turtle nesting surveys on Hutchinson Island are described in earlier reports (ABI 1994). In 2004, similar methods were used and surveys were designed to allow comparisons with these previous studies.

In 2004, only areas C-S were surveyed by Quantum Resources biologists (Figure 3).

Ecological Associates, Inc. surveyed areas A-C as part of a beach renourishment project south of Ft. Pierce inlet. Data from those areas as well as the south end of Hutchinson Island were supplied by Ecological Associates, Inc. and were used to provide whole island nesting totals in Figures 6, 8, and 9.

From mid-March 2004 through April 14, 2004, several preliminary nest surveys were conducted along Hutchinson Island in areas C-S. Eight leatherback nests were recorded in areas C-S prior to the beginning of formal nesting surveys on April 15, 2004.

From April 15, 2004 through September 15, 2004, nest surveys were typically conducted on a daily basis, however due to Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, this sampling regime was truncated. Biologists used all terrain vehicles to survey the island each moming. New nests, non-nesting emergences (false crawls), and nests destroyed by predators were recorded for each of the 1-km-long survey areas A-S (Figure 3).

Data collected from beach nesting surveys were reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) as part of the FFWCC Index Nesting Beach Survey and the Statewide Nesting Beach Survey. In a cooperative effort, data from stranded turtles found during beach surveys were routinely provided to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) through the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

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3.2.2 Intake Canal Monitorinq Most turtles entrapped in the St. Lucie Plant intake canal were removed by means of large-mesh tangle nets fished near the intake canal headwalls at the extreme eastern end of the intake canal (Figure 2). Nets used during 2004 were from 30 to 40 m in length, 3 to 4 meters deep and composed of 40 cm stretch mesh multifilament nylon.

Large floats were attached to the surface, and unweighted lines used along the bottom.

Turtles entangled in the nets generally remained at the water's surface until removed.

Since its inception in 1976, the canal capture program has been under continual review and refinement in an attempt to minimize both entrapment time and injuries/mortalities to entrapped sea turtles. Prior to April 1990, turtle nets were usually deployed on Monday morning and retrieved on Friday afternoon. During periods of deployment, the nets were inspected for captures at least twice each day (mornings and afternoons).

Additionally, St. Lucie Plant personnel checked the nets periodically, and biologists were notified immediately if a capture was observed. Sea turtle specialists were on call 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> a day to retrieve captured turtles from the plant intake canal system.

Beginning April 1990, after consultation with NMFS, net deployment was scaled back to daylight hours only. Concurrently, surveillance of the intake canal was increased and biologists remained on site for the duration of each day's netting activities. This measure decreased response time for removal of entangled turtles from nets and provided an opportunity to improve daily assessments of turtle levels within the canal.

Records of daily canal observations were compared with capture data to assess capture efficiencies.

In 1978, a barrier net at the AlA bridge was constructed to confine turtles to the eastern most section of the intake canal, where capture techniques have been most effective.

This net is constructed of large diameter polypropylene rope and has a mesh size of 20.3 cm x 20.3 cm. A cable and series of large floats are used to keep the top of the net above the water's surface, and the bottom is anchored by a series of concrete 7

blocks. The net is inclined at a slope of 1:1, with the bottom positioned upstream of the surface cable. This reduces bowing in the center and minimizes the risk of a weak or injured turtle being pinned underwater by strong currents.

In the past, the integrity of the barrier net was occasionally compromised, and turtles were able to move west of AlA. These turtles were further constrained downstream by an underwater intrusion detection system (UIDS) consisting, in part, of a large barrier positioned perpendicular to the north-south arm of the canal (Figure 2). The UIDS security barrier has a mesh size of 22.9 cm x 22.9 cm. Prior to completion of the UIDS in December 1986, turtles unconfined by the AlA barrier net were usually removed from the canal at the intake wells of Units 1 and 2 (Figure 2). There they were retrieved by means of large mechanical rakes or specially designed nets. Following construction of the UIDS barrier, only the smallest individuals were able to reach the intake wells.

Improvements made to the AlA barrier net during 1990 have effectively confined all turtles larger than 32.5 cm carapace length (28.7 cm carapace width) to the eastern end of the canal.

In response to the large numbers of small green turtles entrained at the intake canal in the 1990s, an improved design, small mesh barrier net was erected east of the AlA barrier net in January 1996. This barrier net was designed to confine all turtles with a carapace width greater than 18 cm to the extreme eastern portion of the intake canal.

However, the integrity of this net was often compromised by incursions of seaweed, drift algae, jellyfish, and siltation. During these events, water velocities around the net increased dramatically creating an insufficient net slope that caused several sea turtle mortalities. To address this design problem and to further alleviate mortalities, FPL constructed a new net with stronger mesh and added support structures. Dredging of the canal east of the AlA net was also conducted to minimize water velocities around the new barrier net. Construction was completed in November 2002. These improvements have enabled the new net to withstand events that caused design failure of the old barrier net, thus reducing the potential for sea turtle mortalities.

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Formal daily inspections of the intake canal were made to determine the numbers, locations and species of turtles present. Surface observations were augmented with periodic underwater inspections, particularly, in and around the barrier nets.

In 2004, methods to remove sea turtles from the intake canal included the use of tangle nets, dip nets and hand capture by free diving. Long handled dip nets, employed from small boats, the canal banks and headwall structures were moderately effective in capturing turtles with carapace lengths of about 30 cm or less. Divers were employed to hand capture turtles whenever underwater visibility permitted. This technique has proven highly effective in the capture of turtles of all sizes, particularly less active individuals often found partially buried in the sediment in the vicinity of the barrier net.

Hand capture efforts have had a significant impact in reducing entrapment times for turtles in the intake canal.

Regardless of capture method, all turtles removed from the canal were identified to species, measured, weighed, tagged and examined for overall condition (wounds, abnormalities, parasites, etc.). Beginning in July 1994, all turtles captured have been photographed dorsally and ventrally prior to release, and the photographs retained for future reference. Additionally, beginning in July 2001, Passive Integrated Transponder tags (PIT tags) were injected subcutaneously into the right front flipper of all captured turtles as outlined in the Biological Opinion issued by NMFS in May 2001. Healthy turtles were released into the ocean the same day of capture. Sick or injured turtles were treated and occasionally held for observation prior to release. When treatment was warranted, turtles were transported to an approved rehabilitation facility after consultation with FFWCC. Beginning in 1982, necropsies were conducted on all dead turtles found in fresh condition. Currently, all fresh dead turtles are held on ice for inspection and a necropsy is performed by a qualified veterinarian.

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Beginning in July 2004, blood was drawn from all turtles captured at the canal as part of a collaborative effort with the University of Florida, the Marinelife Center of Juno Beach and the Clearwater Aquarium to catalog biochemical blood parameters for wild captured sea turtles. Due to the potential sample size collected at the power plant, this will be the largest database of sea turtle blood profiles ever compiled. These blood profiles are posted monthly on a website designed for this project by the University of Florida and will aid researchers, veterinarians and rehabilitation facilities.

Florida Power & Light Company and Quantum Resources, Inc., continued to assist other sea turtle researchers in 2004. Since the program began, data, specimens and/or assistance have been given to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, National Marine Fisheries Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Turtle Specialist Group, US Army Corps of Engineers, Smithsonian Institution, South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Division, Center for Sea Turtle Research (University of Florida), Florida Atlantic University, University of Central Florida, Texas A & M University, University of Rhode Island, University of South Carolina, University of Illinois, University of Georgia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Duke University Marine Lab, Western Atlantic Turtle Symposium, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Florida Marine Fisheries Commission, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the National Research Council.

3.3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.3.1 Nestinq Survey Florida experienced four hurricanes during the 2004 sea turtle nesting season with two of these storms making landfall across Hutchinson Island. Both of these storms detrimentally affected the nesting season. Many nests were destroyed by storm surge and surveys were suspended for extended periods after each storm.

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Hurricane Francis was a Cape Verde-type hurricane that reached a peak intensity of Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It affected the Bahamas as a Category 3 hurricane and the Florida east coast as a Category 2 hurricane. Francis made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island on September 5, 2004 as a Category 2 hurricane. Francis produced notable storm surges along the Atlantic coast with the highest measurable storm surge being 5.89 ft. above mean sea level on the Florida East Coast.

Hurricane Jeanne formed from a tropical wave that moved from Africa to the eastern Atlantic Ocean where it strengthened to a tropical storm and eventually to a Category 3 hurricane. Jeanne made landfall on the east coast of Florida early on September 26, 2004 with the center of its eye crossing the coast at the southern end of Hutchinson Island just east of Stuart. Storm surge flooding of up to 6 ft above normal tides occurred along the Florida east coast from Melbourne southward to Ft. Pierce.

3.3.1.1 2004 Loggerhead Nesting Summary In 2004, 4595 loggerhead turtle nests were recorded in the 36 one-kilometer segments comprising Hutchinson Island. This figure marks the 3rd lowest nest number recorded for Hutchinson Island since whole island surveys began and is consistent with a downward trend in nesting numbers over the last several years. Despite recent years of below average loggerhead turtle nesting on Hutchinson Island, it is premature to predict whether this drop marks a significant decline in the population. This recent downward trend in nest numbers may just be a reflection of the cyclic nature of loggerhead nesting observed over time (Figure 4).

3.3.1.2 Spatial Distribution of Loggerhead Turtle Nests From 1981 through 2004, 36 one-km-long segments comprising the island's coastline have been surveyed. The distribution of nests among these 36 survey areas has shown 11

an increase in nesting from north to south along the northern half of the island (ABI, 1987, 1994). Though beach dynamics may sometimes affect the selection of nesting sites by loggerhead turtles, relationships between spatial nesting patterns and specific environmental conditions are often difficult to establish because of the interrelationship of the factors involved.

Not all ventures onto the beach by a female turtle culminate in successful nests. These "false crawls" (non-nesting emergences) may occur for many reasons and are commonly encountered at other rookeries. Davis and Whiting (1977) suggested that relatively high percentages of false crawls may reflect disturbances or unsatisfactory nesting beach characteristics. Therefore, certain factors may affect a turtle's preference to emerge on a beach, while other factors may affect a turtle's tendency to nest after it has emerged. An index that relates the number of nests to the number of false crawls in an area is useful in estimating the post-emergence suitability of a beach for nesting.

In the present study, this index is termed "nesting success" and is defined as the percentage of total emergences that result in nests (Figure 5).

Historically, the pattern of loggerhead emergences on the island has paralleled the distribution of nests (ABI, 1987, 1994) and nesting success has lacked gradients.

However, in recent years zones A through C have experienced lower nesting success due to beach renourishment activities conducted just south of Ft. Pierce Inlet. This temporary drop in nesting success has been reported at other renourished beaches throughout Florida (Steinite et al. 1998; Herren, 1999).

A variety of environmental factors (i.e., offshore bottom contours, distribution of reefs, type and extent of dune vegetation, and human activity on the beach at night) may affect loggerhead turtle emergence patterns and several have been reported to affect emergence patterns on Hutchinson Island (ABI, 1988, 1989). Undoubtedly, a combination of factors accounts for the overall distribution of emergences and therefore, the overall nesting pattern on the island.

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Nesting surveys on Hutchinson Island were initiated in response to concerns that the operation of the St. Lucie Plant might negatively impact the local sea turtle rookery.

Previous analysis, using log-likelihood tests of independence (G-test; Sokal and Rohif, 1981) demonstrated that the construction of the plant's offshore intake and discharge structures significantly reduced nesting at the plant site during construction years -

1975,1981, 1982, and 1983 (ABI, 1987). However, nesting at the plant consistently returned to levels similar to or greater than those at a control site in years following construction. During 1991 when offshore construction was restricted almost entirely to daylight hours, nests were more abundant at the plant site than at the control site. Data collected through 2004 have shown that power plant operation exclusive of nighttime intake/discharge construction has had no apparent effect on nesting.

3.3.1.3 Long-Term Trends in Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Various methods were used during surveys prior to 1981 to estimate the total number of loggerhead nests on Hutchinson Island based on the number of nests found in the nine 1.25 km-long survey areas (ABI, 1980a). Each of these methods was subsequently found to consistently overestimate island totals (ABI, 1987). Since whole-island surveys began in 1981, it has been possible to determine the actual proportion of total nests deposited in the nine areas. This has allowed extrapolation from the nine survey areas to the entire island for years 1981 to 2000. In 2001, these nine 1.25 km sections were abandoned and whole island surveys were conducted in the existing 36 one-kilometer segments.

From 1981 through 1993, the total number of nests in the nine areas varied from 32.5 to 35.6 percent of the total number of nests on the island. This is slightly higher than the 31.3 percent that would be expected based strictly on the proportion of linear coastline comprised by the nine areas. Using the 13-year mean of 33.81 percent, estimates of the total number of nests on Hutchinson Island can be calculated by multiplying the number of nests in the nine areas by 2.958. This technique, when applied to the nine 13

survey areas during the 13 years in which the entire island was surveyed, produced whole-island estimates within 5.3 percent of the actual number of nests counted.

Because the proportion of nests recorded in the nine survey areas remained relatively constant over the last 13 years, this extrapolation procedure provides a fairly accurate estimate of total loggerhead nesting for years prior to 1981, and is used to generate data points for 1971 through 1979 in Figure 6.

It is clear that loggerhead nesting activity on Hutchinson Island fluctuates considerably from year to year (Figure 6). Annual variations in nest densities are also common at other rookeries, and probably result from non-annual reproductive behavior. No relationships between total nesting activity and power plant operation or intake/discharge construction were indicated by year-to-year variations in total nesting on Hutchinson Island.

3.3.1.4 Seasonal Patterns of Loggerhead Turtle Nesting The loggerhead turtle nesting season usually begins between mid-April and early May, attains a maximum during June or July, and ends by mid-September (ABI, 1987).

Nesting activity during 2004 deviated slightly from this pattern in that the nesting season tapered off earlier than usual. This was likely due to the active hurricane season that brought the eyes of two powerful storms across Hutchinson Island in early and late September.

Cool water intrusions frequently occur over the continental shelf of southeast Florida during the summer (Smith, 1982). Typically these cold water upwelling events last less than a week and have little affect on overall nest numbers for the season. While these natural fluctuations in temperature have been shown to affect nesting patterns on Hutchinson Island, there has been no indication that power plant operation has had any affect on these temporal patterns (ABI, 1988).

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3.3.1.5 Predation on Loggerhead Turtle Nests Since nest surveys began in 1971, raccoon predation has been a major cause of turtle nest destruction on Hutchinson Island. Researchers at other locations have reported raccoon predation levels as high as 70 to nearly 100 percent (Hopkins et al., 1979).

Raccoon predation of loggerhead turtle nests on Hutchinson Island has not approached this level during any study year, though levels for individual 1.25 km-long areas have been as high as 80 percent. Overall predation rates for survey years 1971 through 1977 were between 21 and 44 percent, with a high of 44 percent recorded in 1973. A pronounced decrease in raccoon predation occurred after 1977, and overall predation rates for the nine areas have not exceeded 10 percent since 1979. A decline in predation rates on Hutchinson Island may be attributable to trapping programs, construction activities, habitat loss, and disease.

When compared to the previous two years, raccoon predation of loggerhead nests decreased in zones A through S in 2004 with a total of 64 nests depredated (Figure 7).

The bulk of these raccoon predations occurred in areas N-S and are thought to be caused by a small number of animals. As in previous years (ABI, 1994), the predation of turtle nests was primarily restricted to the more undeveloped portions of the island.

Ghost crabs have been reported by numerous researchers as important predators of sea turtle nests (Hopkins et al, 1979; Stancyk, 1982). Though turtle nests on Hutchinson Island probably have been depredated by ghost crabs since nesting surveys began in 1971, quantification of ghost crab predation did not begin until 1983.

Overall predation rates by ghost crabs have varied from 0.1 to 2.1 percent from 1983 through 2004. During 2004, 26 loggerhead nests in areas A-S were depredated by ghost crabs (Figure 7). Nests destroyed by a combination of raccoon and ghost crab predation have been included as raccoon predations in previous discussions. When these combination predations are included as crab predations, the overall predation 15

rates by ghost crabs range from 0.1 to 4.7 percent. During 2004, 53 such combination predations were recorded. However, due to the cryptic nature of these predators, ghost crab predation in areas A-S is potentially much greater than what has been presented here.

3.3.1.6 2004 Green and Leatherback Nesting Summary In 2004, 159 green turtle and 143 leatherback turtle nests were recorded in the 36 one-km segments comprising Hutchinson Island. On Hutchinson Island, green turtles have had alternating years of nesting; a high nesting year followed by a low nesting year (Figure 8). This bimodal pattern is also seen at other green turtle rookeries throughout their nesting range. The nesting total for green turtles in 2004 was much lower than expected and it could mark a shift from the alternating pattern seen in the past. It is also possible that since these turtles nest later in the season, they were more profoundly affected by the active hurricane season seen in 2004. Leatherback nesting in 2004 was lower than the previous year but remains consistent with an overall increase in nesting activity seen by this species over the past 10 years (Figure 9). Although year to year fluctuations are common, the general trend since 1971 reflects an increase in the number of nesting females of both species in the Hutchinson Island area.

3.3.1.7 Trends in Green and Leatherback Turtle Nestinq Green and leatherback turtles nest on Hutchinson Island, but in fewer numbers than loggerhead turtles. Prior to 1981, both survey (nine 1.25 km-long sections) and inter-survey areas were monitored for the presence of green and leatherback nests.

Thirty-one kilometers of beach from Area 1 south to the St. Lucie Inlet were included in that effort. During whole-island surveys from 1981 through 1993, only 2.6 percent (7) of the leatherback nests (n=266) and only 1.4 percent (12) of the green turtle nests (n=831) were recorded on the five kilometers of beach north of Area 1. Therefore, previous counts of green and leatherback nests within the 31 kilometers surveyed 16

probably were not appreciably different from total densities for the entire island. Based on this assumption, green and leatherback nest densities may be compared among all survey years, except 1980, when less than 15 kilometers of beach were surveyed.

Since surveys began in 1971, the number of nests observed on the island has ranged from 5 to 502 for green turtles and from 1 to 232 for leatherbacks (Figures 8 and 9).

Temporal nesting patterns for these species differ from the pattern for loggerhead turtles. Green turtles typically nest on Hutchinson Island from mid-June through the first or second week of September. Leatherback turtles usually begin nesting in March or April and continue to nest through early to mid-July. Considerable fluctuations in green turtle nesting on the island have occurred among survey years (Figure 8). This is not unusual since there are drastic year-to-year fluctuations in the numbers of green turtles nesting at other breeding grounds (Carr et al., 1982). Despite these fluctuations, data collected through 2004 suggest an overall increase in nesting since 1971 and may reflect an increase in the number of nesting females in the Hutchinson Island area.

Similar to previous surveys, green turtles nested in greater numbers along the southern half of the island.

Leatherback turtle nest numbers for 2004 represent another above average year and are consistent with an increase in nesting densities on Hutchinson Island during recent years (Figure 9). This increase in leatherback nesting has not only been reported for Hutchinson Island, but for nesting beaches to the north and south and may reflect an overall increase in the number of nesting females on the Atlantic coast of Florida.

3.3.2 INTAKE CANAL MONITORING Entrainment of sea turtles at the St. Lucie Plant has been attributed to the presumed physical attractiveness of the offshore structures housing the intake pipes rather than to plant operating characteristics (ABI, 1980b and 1986). The velocity caps, which are supported above the openings to each intake pipe, eliminate vertical water entrainment 17

and substantially reduce current velocities near the structures by spreading horizontal draw over a wider area. Even when both units are operating at full capacity, turtles must actively swim into the mouth of one of the pipes before they encounter current velocities sufficiently strong enough to entrain them. Consequently, a turtle's entrapment relates primarily to the probability that it will detect and subsequently enter one of the intake structures.

3.3.2.1 2004 Canal Capture Summary In 2004, 914 sea turtles were captured in the intake canal of the St. Lucie Plant.

Captures included 285 green turtles, 624 loggerheads, 2 hawksbills, 2 leatherbacks, and 1 Kemp's Ridley (Table 1).

3.3.2.2 Relative Abundance and Temporal Distribution Since intake canal monitoring began in May 1976, 5996 loggerhead (including 445 recaptures), 4260 green (including 1270 recaptures), 30 leatherback, 39 Kemp's Ridley and 41 hawksbill turtle captures have taken place at the St. Lucie Plant. Annual catches for all species combined ranged from a low of 33 in 1976 (partial year of plant operation and monitoring) to 944 in 2003.

Historically, loggerheads have been the most abundant species in the canal. Since 1977, the first full year of plant operation, the number of loggerheads captured each year ranged from 62 in 1981 to 624 in 2004 (Figure 10). Numbers have exhibited considerable year-to-year fluctuations, but recent figures show a significant increase in loggerhead capture rates at the intake canal.

The number of green turtles captured each year since 1977 have ranged from 3 in 1979 to a record high of 673 in 1995 (Figure 10). The increasing number of captures over recent years suggests that there has been an increase in the number of turtles 18

inhabiting the shallow coastal reefs adjacent to the power plant's offshore intake structures. Additional years of capture data will be required before any long-term trends can be established, but clearly there has been an increase in green turtle captures over the past 10 years when compared to the previous years of this program.

During 2004, the monthly catch of loggerheads ranged from 15 (December) to 133 (March), with a monthly mean of 52.0 (Table 2). Over the entire history of the capture program, monthly catches have ranged from 0 to 133, with the greatest number of captures occurring during March 2004. Overall, a record number of loggerheads were captured during 2004, which exceeded the previous record in 2003 by nearly 100.

During 2004, the monthly catch of green turtles ranged from 9 (April) to 56 (October),

with a monthly mean of 23.8 (Table 3). The March 1996 catch of 147 green turtles is the largest number of captures, for any species, for any month on record. In the past, seasonal abundance patterns of green turtles have typically been much more pronounced than for loggerheads, with over 50 percent of all captures occurring between January and March. From 1995 through 2004, this seasonal pattern was less defined, with captures distributed more evenly throughout the year.

Catches of leatherback, hawksbill, and Kemp's Ridley turtles have been infrequent and scattered throughout the years. Each species has shown rather pronounced seasonal occurrences; over 60 percent of all leatherbacks were captured in March and April, over 60 percent of the hawksbills were captured between July and September, and almost 90 percent of the Kemp's Ridley turtles were caught between December and April.

3.3.2.3 Size-Class Distributions The size-class distribution for loggerheads removed from the intake canal in 2004 is presented in Figure 11. The size class distributions for green turtles removed from the intake canal in 2004 are presented in Figure 12. ABI (1994) presents size-class data for 19

turtles removed from the intake canal from 1976-1993. The hawksbills captured in 2004 were all considered to be juvenile animals (Witzell, 1983).

3.3.2.4 Sex Ratios Of the 624 loggerheads captured in 2004 for which straight line carapace lengths are available, 423 were juveniles with a straight line carapace length (SLCL) less than or equal to 70 cm, 61 were adults (SLCL > 85 cm) and 140 were transitional (SLCL 70-85 cm) (Hirth, 1980). The latter group probably includes both mature and immature individuals. Of the 61 turtles classified as adults for whom sex was recorded, 49 were females and 12 were males, with females predominating by a ratio of 4:1.

Of the 285 green turtles captured in 2004 for which straight line carapace lengths are available, 281 were juveniles or sub-adults (SLCL < 83 cm) and 4 were adults (SLCL >

83 cm) (Whitherington and Ehrhart, 1989). Of the 3 individual adult green turtles where sex was noted, 1 was female and 2 were male; a male biased ratio of 2:1. ABI (1994) discusses sex ratio data for previous years for both species mentioned here.

3.3.2.5 Capture Efficiencies Netting methodologies have been under continual review and refinement as net materials, configurations, and placement have been varied in an effort to minimize sea turtle entrapment times. Additionally, alternative capture techniques have been evaluated, and potential deterrent systems tested in the laboratory. Current capture procedures have proven to provide a safe, efficient, and cost-effective program for removing entrapped turtles from the intake canal.

Formal daily inspections of the intake canal are conducted every day that capture nets are deployed, and the number, location and relative size of entrapped turtles are recorded on field observation forms. Better utilization of currents and eddies, 20

adjustments to tethering lines, multi-net deployments and increased efforts to hand capture turtles have contributed to reduced entrapment times during recent years.

Entrapment times may be extended for turtles swimming past the AlA barrier net (ABI, 1987). Because capture efforts west of the AlA bridge were generally less effective than those near the intake headwalls, most turtles breaching the AlA barrier net were not caught until they entered the intake wells of Units 1 and 2. The new primary barrier net, with few exceptions, has performed as designed and effectively confined sea turtles to the eastern 200 meters of canal. In 2004, 16 of the 914 (1.7 percent) turtles captured at the intake canal were captured between the two barrier nets. This unusually high number was the direct result of storm surge from two hurricanes that directly hit Hutchinson Island in 2004. The surge was sufficient enough to sweep turtles over the primary barrier net, effectively trapping them between the two barrier nets.

Because of their relatively small sizes, virtually all turtles reaching the intake wells are green turtles. During 2004, 5 of the 285 green turtle captures (1.8 percent) occurred at the intake wells. The number of turtles removed from the intake wells in 2004 also reflects the storm surge effect noted above. The substantial decrease in the percentage of captures at the plant intake wells compared to the 1995 figure of 14.5 percent is attributed to the effectiveness of the new 5-inch barrier net that was installed November 2002. This net has better support structures, stronger mesh material and should further reduce the percentage of turtles captured at the intake wells.

During 2004, 99.5 percent of all turtles entrapped in the canal were captured east of the AlA bridge, 778 by tangle nets, 42 by dipnets and 73 by hand capture. The effective confinement of turtles east of AlA has been a major contributor to the high capture efficiency achieved during recent years. The installation of the improved barrier net completed in November 2002 should further increase capture efficiency by more effectively confining turtles of all sizes to an even smaller area, closer to the headwalls.

21

3.3.2.6 Barrier Net Maintenance Barrier net maintenance is critical in reducing the opportunity for mortalities in the plant intake well area and in reducing residence times for turtles in the intake canal system.

Daily inspections are performed from a small boat to remove floating debris and to repair holes near or at the water surface. A formal inspection is conducted quarterly, including hole repair, debris removal, and airlift dredging of accumulated silt if needed.

Maintenance conducted in 2004 included the repair of any holes in the mesh discovered during the daily and quarterly inspections and removal of any debris. During 2004, the primary barrier net was not lowered below the surface of the water, thus eliminating the potential for turtles to move further down the canal system. However, storm surge from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne briefly swept over the net, allowing turtles to move further down the canal system. These turtles were captured by nets or divers and only five were retrieved from the intake wells.

3.3.2.7 Relative Condition Turtles captured alive in the intake canal of the St. Lucie Plant were assigned a relative condition based on weight, activity, parasite infestation, barnacle coverage, wounds, injuries and any other abnormalities which might affect overall vitality. During 2004, 94.6 percent (590) of all loggerheads found in the canal were alive and in good condition. Only 5.1 percent (32) of all loggerheads involved individuals in fair or poor condition and 0.3 percent (2) were found dead. Of the 285 green turtles removed from the intake canal during 2004, 94.7 percent (270) were in good condition, 4.9 percent (14) were in fair or poor condition and 0.4 percent (1) were found dead. Conditions for all other sea turtles captured at the intake canal in 2004 were categorized as good.

Relative condition ratings can be influenced by a number of factors, some related and others unrelated to entrainment and/or entrapment in the intake canal. A rating of good indicates that turtles have not been negatively impacted by their entrapment in the 22

Over the entire monitoring program history, 142 (2.4 percent) of the 5996 loggerheads and 68 (1.6 percent) of the 4260 green turtles entrapped in the canal were found dead.

Mortalities spanned the range of size classes for loggerheads (SLCL = 47.5-103.0 cm),

while all green turtle mortalities involved juveniles less than 42 cm in length. The four Kemp's Ridley mortalities documented at the plant during 1987 and 1988 were the only deaths for this species to date; no dead leatherback or hawksbill turtles have ever been recovered at the St. Lucie Plant.

Modifications to capture procedures, improvements to barrier nets and virtual elimination of low flow conditions within the intake pipes have resulted in a substantial reduction in sea turtle mortalities over the life of the canal capture program. Mortality rate, expressed as the percentage of total captures involving dead animals, declined from 7.8 percent during the period 1976 through 1984 to 1.8 percent since 1984, and less than 1.0 percent since 1990 (Table 1).

In 2004, three mortalities were recorded at the St. Lucie power plant intake canal; two loggerheads and one green turtle. Two of these mortalities were considered causal to power plant operation. First, a severely decomposed green turtle was found on September 25 in the power plant's intake well. Any turtle found dead in the intake wells of the power plant is considered to be a result of power plant operation, unless there is clear evidence suggesting otherwise. The second causal event occurred on September 30 and involved a loggerhead which was found floating in the headwall area of the intake canal just days after Hurricane Jeanne hit Hutchinson Island. During Hurricane Jeanne, the plant's circulating water pumps were unavailable which caused very low water flow conditions through the intake pipes. The loggerhead was found shortly after circulating pumps were reactivated. This turtle apparently entered the intake pipes during low flow conditions, became disoriented and drowned. It was later found when water flow was sufficient enough to pull the turtle into the canal system. These two mortalities were causal to power plant operation and went against the take limit established under the current Section 7 Biological Opinion set forth by NMFS. A 24

non-causal event occurred on September 14 and also involved a loggerhead. This turtle was found dead at the top of the primary barrier net with a severe kyphotic condition. It had been originally captured and released just days earlier, and its congenital condition was noted. When found on the barrier net it was not entangled and was floating at the surface. There was no evidence of injury and it appears that its genetic disposition contributed to its demise. Despite these mortality incidents, the overall mortality rate for 2004 was 0.33 percent and the second lowest in the program's history.

In 1999, FPL exceeded their anticipated incidental take limit established by the 1997 Biological Opinion (BO) set forth by NMFS. This required reinitiation of consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. As part of this consultation FPL, through Ecological Associates Inc., submitted a report entitled "Physical and Ecological Factors Influencing Sea Turtle Entrainment Levels at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant:

1976-1998." NMFS received the report in March 2000 and considered this new information when developing the new Opinion. On May 4, 2001, NMFS issued its BO as part of the reinitiation of consultation subsequent to the 1997 BO. In the new Opinion, there were a number of changes, most importantly in the Incidental Take Statement. This in summary, stated that FPL will exceed their take limits for a calendar year if: more than 1000 sea turtles are captured, or 1 percent or more of the total number of loggerhead and green turtles (combined) are injured or killed causal to plant operation, or more than two Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are injured or killed causal to plant operation, or if any Hawksbill or leatherback sea turtles are injured or killed causal to plant operation. In a case where 1 percent of the combined loggerhead and green turtle captures are not a whole number, it is rounded up (e.g. 520 combined captures equals take limit of 6). If any of these events occur, reinitiation of a Section 7 consultation will be required.

25

3.3.4

SUMMARY

A gradient of increasing loggerhead turtle nest densities from north to south along the northern half of Hutchinson Island has been shown during most survey years. This gradient may result from variations in beach topography, offshore depth contours, distribution of nearshore reefs, onshore artificial lighting, and human activity on the beach at night. Low nesting activity in the vicinity of the power plant during 1975 and from 1981 through 1983 was attributed to nighttime construction activities associated with installation of power plant intake and discharge structures. Nesting returned to normal or above normal levels following both periods of construction. During 1991, daytime construction activities associated with velocity cap repairs had no apparent effect on nesting. Statistical analyses indicate that power plant operation, exclusive of nighttime construction, has had no significant effect on nest densities near the plant. In 2004, Hurricane Francis, a Category 2 hurricane, and Hurricane Jeanne, a Category 3 hurricane, both made landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island in September possibly attributing to low nesting numbers. There were 4595 loggerhead turtle nests recorded on Hutchinson Island. This marks the 3rd lowest nesting number ever recorded since whole island surveys began. There have been considerable year-to-year fluctuations in loggerhead nesting activity on Hutchinson Island from 1971 through 2004. Fluctuations are common at other rookeries and may result from non-annual reproductive behavior. No relationship between total nesting on the island and power plant operation or intake/discharge construction was indicated.

Temporal nesting patterns of the Hutchinson Island population may be influenced by natural, large scale fluctuations in water temperature, such as those produced by the cool water intrusions that frequently occur over the continental shelf of southeast Florida during the nesting season. However, localized fluctuations in water temperature associated with power plant operation have had no apparent effect on nesting.

27

Since nesting surveys began in 1971, raccoon predation has been one of the major causes of turtle nest destruction on Hutchinson Island. From 1971 through 1977, overall predation rates in the nine survey areas were between 21 and 44 percent.

However, a pronounced decrease in raccoon predation occurred after 1977, and overall predation rates in the nine survey areas have not exceeded 10 percent since 1979. In 2004, raccoon predation in areas N-S showed an increase from 2003 and overall predation rates for areas A-S were still well below 10 percent. Ghost crab predation of turtle nests on Hutchinson Island remained low in 2004, however, due to their cryptic nature, ghost crab predation may be more significant than previously documented.

During 2004,159 green turtle and 143 leatherback turtle nests were recorded on Hutchinson Island. Nesting activity by these two species has exhibited considerable annual fluctuations, as has been recorded at other rookeries, but has remained relatively high during recent years. This may reflect an overall increase in the number of nesting green and leatherback turtles in the Hutchinson Island area.

During 2004, 624 loggerheads, 285 green turtles, 2 leatherbacks, 1 Kemp's Ridley and 2 hawksbills were removed from the St. Lucie Plant intake canal. Since monitoring began in May 1976, 5996 loggerhead, 4260 green, 30 leatherback, 41 hawksbill and 39 Kemp's Ridley turtles have been captured and tagged. Over the life of the monitoring program, annual catches for loggerhead turtles have ranged from 33 in 1976 (partial year of plant operation and monitoring) to a high of 624 in 2004. Yearly catches of green turtles have ranged from zero in 1976 to 673 in 1995. Differences in the number of turtles entrapped during different years and months are attributed primarily to natural variation in the occurrence of turtles in the vicinity of the offshore intake structures, rather than to plant operation characteristics.

Size-class distributions of loggerhead turtles removed each year from the canal have consistently been predominated by juveniles between 50 and 70 cm in straight line carapace length. Over 65 percent of all green turtles entrapped in the canal were 28

juveniles 45 cm or less in length. For both species, the largest number of captures for all years combined occurred during winter. These seasonal peaks have generally been more pronounced for green turtles, but since 1995, green turtle captures have tended to be distributed more evenly throughout the year. The sex ratio of adult loggerheads caught in the canal continued to be biased towards females.

During 2004, over 95 percent of all loggerheads and green turtles removed from the canal were categorized by physical appearance as being in good condition. However, fresh scrapes incurred during transport through the intake pipe have increasingly been noted on the carapace and soft tissue of captured sea turtles. Once in the canal, turtles confined east of the new barrier net had very brief residency times. Thus, the relative condition of most turtles was not affected by their entrapment.

During 2004, three mortalities were recorded in the intake canal. Two of these mortalities were determined to be causal to power plant operation. Given the regulations outlined in the current Biological Opinion, the take level in 2004 fell well short of the established limits. Program modifications, including continual surveillance of tangle nets during periods of deployment, improvements to the integrity of the barrier net system and greater effort to hand capture turtles have contributed to a substantial decline in sea turtle mortalities during recent years. The design and construction of an improved barrier net completed in January 1996 was expected to reduce mortalities and entrapment times for turtles in the intake canal. Data since then indicate that the new barrier net configuration has been highly effective in excluding turtles from the plant intake wells, but has not been as effective in reducing the overall mortality rate as anticipated. Improvements to the barrier net design, including stronger mesh material, additional support structures, and dredging of the canal east of AMA were completed in November 2002. These modifications have reduced the potential for sea turtle mortality dramatically.

29

4.0 LITERATURE CITED ABI (Applied Biology, Inc.), 1978, Ecological monitoring at the Florida Power & Light Co.

St. Lucie Plant, Annual Report 1977, Volumes I and 11, AB-101, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Miami.

1980a, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Plant Annual Non-Radiological Environmental Monitoring Report 1979, Volumes II and III, Biotic Monitoring, AB-244, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Miami.

1980b, Turtle Entrainment Deterrent Study, AB-290, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc.for Florida Power & Light Co., Miami.

1986, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1985, AB-563, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach.

1987, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1986, AB-579, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach.

1988. Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1987, AB-595, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach.

1989, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1988. AB-596. Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc. for Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach.

1994, Florida Power & Light Company, St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Monitoring Report, AB-631, Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc., for Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach.

Carr, A., A. Meylan, J. Mortimer, K. Bjorndal and T. Carr, 1982, Surveys of Sea Turtle Populations and Habitats in the Western Atlantic, NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-91 :1-82.

Davis, G.E., and M.C. Whiting, 1977, Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, Herpetologica 33:18-28.

Ecological Associates Inc., 2000, Physical and Ecological Factors Influencing Sea Turtle Entrainment Levels at the St. Lucie Power Plant 1976-1998, Submitted to FPL.

30

FPL, 1995, Assessment of the Impacts of the St. Lucie Nuclear Generating Plant on Sea Turtle Species Found in the Inshore Waters of Florida, Florida Power & Light Co., Juno Beach, FL.

Herren, R. M., 1999, The Effect of Beach Renourishment on Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta) Nesting and Reproductive Success at Sebastian Inlet, Florida, M.S.

Thesis University of Central Florida. 148pp.

Hirth, H.F., 1980, Some Aspects of the Nesting Behavior and Reproductive Biology of Sea Turtles, American Zoologist 20:507-523.

Hopkins, S.R., T.M. Murphy, Jr., K.B. Stansell and P.M. Wilkinson, 1979, Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affecting Nest Mortality in the Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle, Proceeding Annual Conference of Southeastern Fish and Wildlife Agencies 32:213-223.

Quantum Resources Inc., 1995, Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1994, Prepared by Quantum Resources Inc. for Florida Power & Light Company, Juno Beach, FL.

1996, Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1995, Prepared by Quantum Resources Inc, for Florida Power & Light Company, Juno Beach, FL.

1997. Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1996, Prepared by Quantum Resources Inc., for Florida Power &Light Company, Juno Beach, FL.

1998. Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1997, Prepared by Quantum Resources Inc. for Florida Power & Light Company, Juno Beach, FL.

1999. Florida Power & Light Co., St. Lucie Unit 2 Annual Environmental Operating Report 1998, Prepared by Quantum Resources Inc. for Florida Power & Light Company, Juno Beach, FL.

Smith, N.P., 1982, Upwelling in Atlantic Shelf Waters of South Florida, Florida Scientist 45(2):125-138.

Sokal, R.R. and F.J. Rohlf, 1981, Biometry, The Principles and Practice of Statistics in Biological Research, S.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 859 pp.

31

Stancyk, S.E., 1982. Non-human Predators of Sea Turtle and Their Control, Pages 139-152 in Bjorndal, K.A., ed. Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles.

Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.

Steinite, M. J., M. Salmon and J. Wyneken. 1998. Beach Renourishment and Loggerhead Turtle Reproduction: A Seven Year Study of Jupiter Island, Florida.

Journal of Coastal Research. 14(3):1000-1013.

Witherington, B.E. and L.M. Ehrhart, 1989. Status and Reproductive Characteristics of Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) Nesting in Florida. Pages 351-352 in Ogren, L.,

F. Berry, K. Bjorndal, H. Kumpf, R. Mast, G. Medina, H. Reichart and R. Witham, Editors. Proceeding of the Second Western Atlantic Turtle Symposium, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, 12-16 October 1987. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-226.

Witzell, W.N. 1983. Synopsis of Biological Data on the Hawksbill Turtle Eretmochelys Imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766). FAO Fisheries Synopsis, 137: 1-78.

32

5.0 FIGURES 33

GULF OF MEXICO

-N-0t 01 (D'LULs5045 Ft4qc)

Figure 1. Location of St. Lucie Plant 34

Figure 2. St. Lucie Plant Cooling Water Intake and Discharge System 35

A

-N-

.z.A S,

FPL ST. LUCIE PLANT LIMIT OF CURRENT SURVEY LUCIE INLET DRAWING NOT TO SCALE Figure 3. Designation and Location of Nine 1.25-Km Segments and Thirty-Six 1-Km Segments Surveyed for Sea Turtle Nesting, Hutchinson Island. 1971-2004.

36

600 500 U9 w

WIJ 400 -

o 300-z C,,

WU 200 00 z

U-0 100 A

B C

0 E

F G

H I

J K

L M

N 0

P Q

F KILOMETER ZONES Power Plant t Figure 4. Number of loggerhead turtle nests and emergences for kilometer zones A through S (North to South),

Hutchinson Island, April through September 2004.

R S

37

100%

110 U,

U,w C-,

U, 0z 90%-

80%-

70%

60% -

50%

40% -

30%

20%-

10%

0%

A B

C D

E F

G H

I J

K L

M N

0 KILOMETER ZONES Power Plant t P

Q R

S Figure 5. Loggerhead turtle nesting success (percentage of emergences resulting in nests) for kilometer zones A through S (North to South), Hutchinson Island, April through September 2004.

38

9000 8000 7000 U,

z LL 0

W Ui z

6000 5000 4000 3000 00 I

5 I

S I

a I I

I I

I I

£ I

I a

I I

S I

a 5

I I

I I

2000 1000 0

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 YEAR Figure 6. Number of loggerhead turtle nests, Hutchinson Island 1971 through 2004. Values for 1971 through 1979 are estimates (see text), values for 1981 through 2004 are from whole island surveys.

39

NAOB 14 tn 2 o5 2 Co 1 zg1 01 0

o 1

z 0 1 0

Co wU z

'/o0

• RACCOONS ONLY O CRABS ONLY O RACCOONS & CRABS 2%

0%

8%

6%

4%

2%

0%

8%

6%

4%

ii 0 %

__________i A

B C

D E

F G

H I

J K

L M

N 0

P Q

R S

KILOMETER ZONES Power Plant t Figure 7. Percentage of loggerhead turtle nests depredated by raccoons and/or ghost crabs in kilometer zones A through S (North to South), Hutchinson Island, April through September 2004.

40

600 -

500 t

400'-

U, LU z

u-300' 0

M 200'-

z 100 0

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 YEAR Figure 8. Number of green turtle nests, Hutchinson Island, 1971 through 2004. Values for 1971 through 1979 are estimates (see text). Values for 1981 through 2004 are from whole island surveys.

03 04 41

250 -

20 0

z U-0 z

50 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 YEAR Figure 9. Number of leatherback turtle nests, Hutchinson Island, 1971 through 2004. Values for 1971 through 1979 are estimates (see text). Values for 1981 through 2004 are from whole island surveys.

42

800 LOGGERHEAD GREEN 700 600 -

X 500

,, 400 4

0 I200 100 7

\\oOO, A

+

',O.+

100 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 0:

YEAR Figure 10. Number of loggerhead and green turtles removed each year from the intake canal at the St. Lucie Power Plant, 1976 through 2004.

3 04 43

U)w

-J i-IL 0

w z

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

I

• 45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 70-75 75-80 80-85 85-90 90-95 95-100 100-105 105-110 >110 STRAIGHT STANDARD CARAPACE LENGTH (cm)

Figure 11. Size distribution (SSCL) of loggerhead turtles (n = 538) removed from the intake canal, St. Lucie Plant, 2004.

44

70 60 CO~ 50 w

D 40 I-0 coC!30 Z 20 10 0

15 15-20 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 50-55 55-60 60-65 65-70 70-75 75-80 80-85 85-90 90-95 95-100- 105- > 110 100 105 110 STRAIGHT STANDARD CARAPACE LENGTH (cm)

Figure 12. Size distribution (SSCL) of green turtles (n = 285) removed from the intake canal, St. Lucie Plant, 2004.

45

6.0 TABLES 46

Year Loggerhead Green Leatherback Hawksbill Kemp's ridley Total 1976 33 (4) 33 (4) 1977 80 (5) 5 (2) 1 86 (7) 1978 138 (19) 6 (1) 3 1

148 (20) 1979 172 (13) 3 (1) 175 (14) 1980 116 (5) 10 (3) 126 (8) 1981 62 (5) 32 (2) 2 1

97 (7) 1982 101 (16) 8 1

110 (16) 1983 119 (4) 23 (4) 142 (8) 1984 148 (3) 69 (2) 1 2

220 (5) 1985 157 (4) 14 1

172 (4) 1986 195 (27) 22 (1) 1 1

1 220 (28) 1987 175 (11) 35 2

6 (2) 218 (13) 1988 134 (6) 42 (2) 5 (2) 181 (10) 1989 111 (4) 17 (1) 1 2

2 133 (5) 1990 112 (1) 20 (2) 132 (3) 1991 107 (1) 12 1

1 121 (1) 1992 123 (2) 61 (2) 1 2

187 (4) 1993 147 179 (1) 5 2

4 337 (1) 1994 164 193 (4) 2 2

361 (4) 1995 254 (1) 673 (15) 1 5

933 (16) 1996 349 (3) 549 (4) 5 3

906 (7) 1997 188 191 (5) 2 1

382 (5) 1998 393 (1) 268 1

2 2

666 (1) 1999 302 (2) 190 (4) 1 1

1 495 (6) 2000 343 (2) 346 (2) 2 691 (4) 2001 270 (1) 321 (5) 2 6

1 600 (6) 2002 341 292 (3) 3 636 (3) 2003 538 394 (3) 4 6

2 944 (3) 2004 624 (2) 285 (1) 2 2

1 914 (3)

Total 5996 (142) 4260 (70) 30 41 39 (4) 10366 (216)

Annual Mean' 214.1 152.1 1.1 1.5 1.4 370.2 Table 1. Total number of captured turtles removed from the intake canal, St. Lucie Plant, 1976 through 2004. Numbers of dead turtles are in parentheses. Annual mean does not include the partial year of 1976.

47

Number of Captures Percent of All Captures Standard Deviation Month Minimum Maximum Mean 2004 January February March April May June July August September October November December Total*

Mean Std. Deviation 614 580 665 580 527 615 697 532 360 302 238 253 10.3%

9.7%

11.2%

9.7%

8.8%

10.3%

11.7%

8.9%

6.0%

5.1%

4.0%

4.2%

6 5

1 0

0 3

0 2

1 0

0 I

53 93 133 47 52 73 87 43 47 32 21 24 21.9 20.7 23.8 20.7 18.8 22.0 24.9 19.0 12.9 10.8 8.5 9.0 12.2 17.9 28.4 17.1 14.3 17.1 22.8 14.0 11.1 8.0 7.2 5.7 53 93 133 27 52 73 36 42 47 32 21 15 5963 496.9 163.8 0

133 17.7 5.9 624 52.0 33.6 Table 2. Total number of loggerhead turtles removed each month from the 2004. Total excludes 33 loggerheads captured in the partial year, 1976.

intake canal, St. Lucie Plant 1977 through 48

Number of Captures Percent of All Captures Standard Deviation Month Minimum Maximum Mean 2004 January February March April May June July August September October November December Total*

Mean Std.

Deviation 516 455 521 315 288 278 246 263 303 412 342 321 12.1%

10.7%

12.2%

7.4%

6.8%

6.5%

5.8%

6.2%

7.1%

9.7%

8.0%

7.5%

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

61 64 147 64 91 52 61 64 77 56 50 68 18.4 16.3 18.6 11.3 10.3 9.9 8.8 9.4 10.8 14.7 12.2 11.5 20.2 18.0 32.1 16.1 18.8 15.3 14.9 14.5 18.0 18.6 15.3 15.2 31 26 23 9

17 11 12 18 31 56 35 16:

4260 355.0 0

147 285 23.8 12.7 96.8 3.5 13.3 Table 3. Total number of green turtles removed each month from the intake canal, St. Lucie Plant, 1977 through 2004.

49

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT PART II

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plans (EPP) require the submittal of an annual report for various activities at the plant site including the reporting on sea turtle monitoring programs, and other matters related to federal and state environmental permits and certifications.

2.0 SEA TURTLE MONITORING AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES Surveillance and maintenance of thle light screen to minimize sea turtle disorientation as required by Section 4 of the EPP is ongoing. The vegetation light screen located on the beach dune between the power plant and the ocean is routinely surveyed to determine its overall vitality. Evidence of sea turtle disorientation that occurs would also indicate any significant problems. Trees, vegetation or shade cloth are replaced as necessary to maintain the overall integrity of the light screen. Following landfall by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in September 2004, beach dune surveys were performed to assess the overall impact to this area and modifications are being implemented as necessary to restore the dune profile and vegetation to design requirements. Plant parking lot lighting is also designed and maintained to minimize light levels on the beach.

3.0 TAPROGGE CONDENSER TUBE CLEANING SYSTEM OPERATION A Taprogge condenser tube cleaning system (CTCS) became operational on St. Lucie Unit 2 in January 1996 and on Unit 1 in July 1996. This system utilizes sponge balls, approximately 23 mm in diameter, to clean the condenser tubes through which seawater flows to cool steam after its pass through the plant's turbines. This system 50

improves plant performance while reducing the need for chemical treatments such as biocides or chlorine to control biofouling.

Normally, the St. Lucie CTCS utilizes about 1800 sponge balls, which are continually re-circulated through each of four "water boxes" on each unit. These sponge balls are retained in the system by a ball strainer located on the outlet of each water box. The ball strainers (mesh size 5 mm) are opened routinely to discharge debris, which can decrease flow and obstruct sponge ball movement through the system. The sponge balls are collected prior to opening, or back flushing, the ball strainers. At that time, the sponge balls are examined and replaced if they are worn to the point that they can no longer effectively clean the condenser tubes.

Sponge ball inventories and estimates of sponge ball loss to the environment have been performed since system start-up on both units. The number of ball strainer back flushes has also been tracked. In addition, daily beach surveys have been performed on plant property (approximately 2.5 miles) to note any sponge balls that may occur as a result of loss from the plant. This survey area has been extended during the turtle nesting season to approximately 12 miles.

The results of the program for 2004 are presented in Table 1. Total sponge ball losses were higher from Unit 1 than Unit 2 in 2004. This was due mostly to two peaks that occurred on Unit 1, one in February and one in June. The peak in February was potentially due to a "hide out" in the system, many of the lost balls were recovered in March. The peak in June was potentially due to debris fouling the ball strainer. Only 59 sponge balls were found whole in the environment near the plant in 2004. This number indicates that few balls actually reach the environment whole.

Figure 1 indicates that estimated sponge ball loss for both units generally remained low through the year, with the previously discussed peaks in February and June attributed to Unit 1. Average daily ball loss in 2004 was slightly above 2003, but is still a decrease from 1998 (Figure 2). Estimated sponge ball loss from both units was 18.4 balls per day 51

for 2004. This reflects a decrease of about two sponge balls per day from 1998.

Average daily sponge ball loss since system start-up has been approximately 14 balls per day.

4.0 OTHER ROUTINE REPORTS The following items for which reporting is required are listed by section number from the plant's Environmental Protection Plan:

5.4.1.2 (a)

EPP Noncompliance Incidents and Corrective Actions Taken No incidents of noncompliance under EPP Section 5.4.1.2(a) were determined to have occurred during 2004.

5.4.1.2 (b)

Changes in Station Design or Operation, Tests, and Experiments in Accordance with EPP Subsection 3.1 No plant site activities were determined to be reportable under Section 5.4.1.2 (b) during 2004.

5.4.1.2 (c)

Nonroutine Reports Submitted to the NRC for the Year 2004 in Accordance with EPP Subsection 5.4.2 A report concerning the mortality of a green sea turtle found on September 25, 2004 and a loggerhead sea turtle found on September 30, 2004 was issued to the NRC during 2004. Both mortalities were determined to be causal to plant operation and also related to the effects of the two September hurricanes. The events were reported to NRC by FPL letter L-2004-247 on October 25, 2004.

52

TABLE I MONTH January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 ST. LUCIE PLANT CONDENSER TUBE CLEANING SYSTEM

SUMMARY

STRAINER BACK FLUSHES ESTIMATED BALL LOSS BAL UNIT 1 UNIT 2 UNIT 1 UNIT 2 O0 17 17 119 241 15 16 1486 406 15 19

+339 309 0#

16 0#

69 17 17 18 29 20 18 1969 38 16 17 267 360 19 18 111 113 14 12 348 52 11 8

94 327 18 13 30 65 18 13 403 206

.LS FOUND N BEACH 0

0 3

17 2

12 4

10 7

3 0

1 Total 180 184 4506 2215 59 Unit 1 system shutdown

+

Net gain in inventory.

during refueling.

53

55 -

50 45 -

40 -

CO 35 -

0 30-2-j 554 10 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG3 SEP OCT.

NOV DEC MONTH Figure 1. Estimated Average Daily Sponge Ball Loss by Month From St. Lucie Plant (Both Units) for 2004.

54

25 20 co 0

a 15 0

wc 10 5-f-o 4-1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 YEAR Figure 2. Average Daily Sponge Ball Loss From the St. Lucie Plant (Both Units) Since System Start-Up (January 1996).

55