Text

Submittal of Environmental Protection Plan Report 316(b) Related Documentation
	ML110870943
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	03/18/2011
From:	Katzman E; Florida Power & Light Co
To:	; Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
	EPP 3.2.2, L-2011-108
	Download: ML110870943 (76)
	v • d • e

Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 0

March 18, 2011 FPL L-2011-108 10 CFR 50.4 EPP 3.2.2 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Re:

St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Environmental Protection Plan Report 316(b) Related Documentation Pursuant to section 3.2.2 of the St. Lucie Environmental Protection Plan, FPL is forwarding the attached copy of 316(b) related documentation. The matter pertains to the proposed St.

Lucie Biological Plan of Study required by the revised St. Lucie Plant Industrial Wastewater Facility (IWWF) Permit No. FL0002208 and Condition 20 of the Administrative Order (AO)

AO022TL.

Please contact Vince Munne at (772) 467-7453 if there are any questions on this matter.

Sincerely, Eric S. Katzman Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/KWF Attachments - 1. Tranmittal Letter to FDEP

2. Florida Power & Light St. Lucie Plant Biological Plan of Study

3. Survey of Aquatic Environments Potentially Affected by the Operation of the St. Lucie Power Plant, Hutchinson Island, Florida an FPL Group company

St. Lucie Units I and 2 L-2011-108 Attachment I Page 1 of 2 Transmittal Letter to FDEP

St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 L-201 1-108 Attachment I Page 2 of 2 Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 March 18, 2011 FmPL.

Marc Harris, P.E.

Supervisor, Power Plant NPDES Permitting Industrial Wastewater Section Florida Department of Environmental Protection 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3545 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 RE:

FPL - St. Lucie Plant State IWW Permit No. FL0002208 (Rev. F)

Administrative Order A0022TL Condition 20 - Submittal of Biological Plan of Study

Dear Mr. Harris:

Please find four (4) enclosed copies of FPL's Biological Plan of Study (BPOS), as required by the revised St. Lucie Plant Industrial Wastewater Facility (IWWF) Permit No. FL0002208 and Condition 20 of Administrative Order (AO) AO022TL. This study was required to be submitted no later than March 23, 2011 (90 days after the effective date of the AO). Please review the BPOS and contact us with any questions or concerns as it is imperative that we begin the study as soon as possible in order to allow us adequate time to collect baseline information prior to the completion of the Extended Power Uprate for Unit I (currently estimated as February 2012).

Please contact Ron Hix at (561) 691-7641 if you have any questions on this matter.

Sincerely, Richard L. Anderson Site Vice President St. Lucie Plant LIC-PSL-2011-0 17 Enclosures cc:

FDEP - SE District - Linda Brien FDEP - PSL Office - Terry Davis FDEP - Tallahassee - Siting Office - Mike Halpin an FPL Group company

St. Lucie Units I and 2 L-2011-108 Florida Power & Light St. Lucie Plant Biological Plan of Study

FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY This document has been prepared in support of Florida Power and Light Company's (FPL's) permit modification (NPDES Permit No. FL0002208) for the extended power uprate (EPU) for both Units I and 2 at the St. Lucie Plant on Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County, Florida. It provides a detailed description of sampling activities and milestones.

Section 4.0 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual (EPA, 1977) defines Representative Important Species (RIS) as having one or more of the following traits:

commercially or recreationally valuable; threatened or endangered; critical to the structure and function of the ecosystem; and/or a necessary component of the food chain for the preceding species. The Guidance Manual recommends that not more than 15 species be designated as RIS. Based upon the rationale contained in Appendix A to this Biological Plan of Study (Biological POS) and analysis of data generated during prior 3 16(a) demonstration studies at the St. Lucie Plant, the RIS listed below will be the focus of the study. The following species meet one or more of the criteria listed above and are representative of different levels of the water column from surface to bottom (Table 1).

Representative Important Species

1. Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) - This bottom associated species was one of the most abundant species captured in both gill nets and trawls during prior studies at the plant. It spawns offshore and gravid females have been found throughout the year.

2. Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) - This bottom associated species is an important recreational species and spawns offshore. It regularly occurs in the vicinity of the plant, and gravid females have been collected during winter and spring.

3. Snook (Centropomus spp.) - Several species of snook are found in the vicinity of the plant.

The largest of these, the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis), is one of the most highly prized recreational species in Florida.

It is often found near shore. Several of the smaller snook species spawn in the ocean during the winter, whereas the common snook spawns during the summer and fall (Gilmore, et. al., 1983). All snook found in the study area are bottom associated species.

4. Seatrout (Cynoscion spp.) - Several species of seatrout, including the sand seatrout (Cynosicion arenarius) and the silver seatrout (Cynoscion nothus),

are found in the vicinity of the plant. The larger of the two, the sand seatrout, is an important recreational species. Both were relatively common in gill net and trawl collections during prior studies at the plant.

These bottom ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY

associated species spawn offshore, and gravid females have been found throughout the year.

5. Snapper (Lutjanidae) - A variety of snapper in the family of Lutjanidae are found along the southeast coast of Florida. The grayor mangrove snapper (L.

griseus) and the lane snapper (L. synagris) are two of the more important species in recreational fisheries, and both have been captured during previous studies at the plant. They are present year round and spawning occurs in the ocean during spring and summer.

6. Kingfish/Whiting (Menticirrhus spp.) - These species occur in coastal waters over sandy bottom and were routinely captured in ocean'gill nets during previous studies at the plant. They are bottom associated species that forage primarily on benthic organisms. Members of this group spawn in the ocean during spring, summer and fall.

7. Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) - This species is a commercially important and recreationally popular coastal species often found in small to large schools along sandy beaches. Florida pompano were often captured with gill nets during previous studies at the plant. This species primarily spawns in the spring and summer.

8. Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) -

This schooling coastal species is both commercially and recreationally important in eastern Florida waters and was one of the most frequently caught species in gill netting operations conducted during previous studies at the plant. Although it occurs throughout much of the year, largest concentrations occur during the fall and winter, with gravid females being present primarily during the spring and summer. Spanish mackerel feed on a variety of clupeiform fish (herrings and sardines) which are extremely abundant in the nearshore waters off Hutchinson Island.

9. Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) - As for Spanish mackerel, this recreationally important schooling predator regularly occurs in coastal waters of east Florida, although it is present in greatest numbers during the fall and winter.

It was captured in large numbers by gill net during prior studies at the plant.

Gravid females were present throughout the year.

10. Clupeiformes - This group includes a variety of anchovies, herrings and sardines, the primary source of food for most of the commercially important piscivorous fish species that migrate through the area. Clupeiformes were numerically prevalent in trawl and gill net sampling previously conducted at the plant.

11. Mullet (Mugil spp.) - There are two species of mullet, the striped, Mugil cephalus, and the white, M cumea, that are very important to fisheries along ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 2

the southeastern coast of the United States, and both are found in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant. They are not only landed in commercial fisheries but are also a principal food source for a variety of commercial and sport fishes.

Both species leave the estuaries and migrate offshore in large schools to spawn, the striped mullet in fall and winter, and the white mullet in spring.

After spawning, larvae and pre-juveniles then migrate to inshore nursery areas within the Indian River Lagoon.

12. Sea robin (Prionotus spp.) - The sea robin is a benthic oriented fish that is common over sandy substrates. Several species were commonly captured in trawl sampling during previous studies at the plant. Individuals in spawning condition were captured in winter and spring.

13. Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) - The green sea turtle is federally listed as endangered. Juveniles are found in inland estuaries where they occupy and feed on submerged aquatic vegetation. They are also regularly found in the ocean where they feed on algae that colonize exposed hardbottom and worm reef. Large numbers of juvenile green turtles occur in the ocean in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant, as evidenced by their routine entrapment in the plant's cooling water intake system.

General Approach to Monitoring RIS Prior 316(a) demonstration studies at the St. Lucie Plant involved extensive gill netting, trawling, and beach seines (see Appendix A, Table 1).

In the process, thousands of individuals, including many of recreational and commercial importance were captured.

Many died during capture or subsequent taxonomic identification and data collection.

Although at the time these traditional methods were necessary to provide the accurate taxonomic and numeric data needed to effectively assess plant effects on the fish community, in today's environmental climate, they may no longer be appropriate. For example, in 1995 the State of Florida implemented a comprehensive net ban in waters of the state out to three miles from shore. Thus, a large-scale gill netting program might raise public concern resulting in unnecessary criticism of the study.

Furthermore, traditional methods can be selective in the size and types of fish collected and may not always provide an accurate picture of the ichthyofaunal community. Thus, data regarding both relative abundances and size class structure may vary in relation to the type of gear used. Fortunately, new and much more sophisticated techniques now exist that allow for the identification and quantification of RIS. Although the technology may not always allow identification of fish to the species level, it is sufficiently robust to identify major species groups (e.g., mullet, snook, croaker, etc.). Providing that these species groups have similar life history traits, the occasional lack of species-level identifications should not substantively preclude evaluation of plant effects on the RIS.

The innovative technology to be used in the Biological POS will involve sidescan sonar, high-frequency imaging sonar, and bio-acoustic transects.

Additionally, traditional methods will be used to collect and quantify ichthyoplankton. Each of these techniques ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 3

will be applied to three separate sites within the study area, each measuring approximately 1.9 mi (3,000 m) on a side and encompassing an area of approximately 2,224 acres (900 hectares; Figure 1). Within the near and far field area surrounding the St. Lucie Plant's discharge structures, the first site will extend 9,842 ft (3,000 m) offshore along the axis of the Unit 2 multi-port diffuser. The western boundary will be set at about the 10 ft (3.0 m) depth contour. The north and south boundaries of the discharge site will each be located 4,921 ft (1,500 m) from the discharge structure and will parallel the center line. Within this bounded area, three unique habitat types are present, each with a unique benthic and fish fauna: the beach terrace (shallow sandy areas near shore in depths less than about 20 ft (6.1 m), an offshore trough (a relatively homogenous shell hash substrate in 35-40 ft (11-12 m), and an offshore shoal (sandy substrate that rises to a depth of approximately 20 ft (6.1 m; EAI, 2001).

Two additional sites of equivalent size to the discharge site and positioned similarly will serve as reference sites to document background conditions in areas unaffected by thermal discharges. One of these will be located approximately midway between the discharge site and the Ft. Pierce Inlet and the other midway between the discharge site and the St. Lucie Inlet. The exact size and location of all sites will be finalized during a reconnaissance (recon) trip performed during initiation of baseline monitoring. During this reconnaissance, sidescan sonar will be used to characterize bottom conditions within each of the three study sites to ensure comparability of bottom types among sites. Either a boat-mounted or towfish type of instrument with an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) will be used to produce continuous two-dimensional imaging of bottom topography. During the recon trip, the sidescan sonar will also be used to map areas of exposed nearshore hardbottom and worm reef as candidate sites for monitoring utilization by juvenile green sea turtles.

Baseline monitoring will commence as soon as practical after FDEP approval of the Biological POS and will continue until the EPU of Unit 1 has been completed (projected for fall of 2011). Two years of post-operational monitoring will commence once the Unit 2 EPU has been completed in the spring/summer of 2012. Depending on the results of baseline monitoring, and at the discretion of FPL, additional data collection may continue during the interim period between completion of the EPU for the two units.

Data collected during the study will be compared among study sites and years to discern any potential impacts related to the St. Lucie Plant EPU.

Monitored Variables for RIS Relative Abundances and Seasonality of Juvenile and Adult Fish RIS identification and enumeration will be performed using multi-frequency imaging sonar having a minimum operating frequency of 1.5 MHz for initial detection and 2.3 MHz or higher for species-level identifications. It shall also have a beam width of at least 30' and have the capacity to pan and tilt using remote controls. The system may be either mounted to a pole suspended from a boat or attached to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 4

Each study site will be divided into a grid of 100 cells each 984 X 984 ft (300 X 300 m) on a side. Prior to the recon trip, at least four cells each on the beach terrace and offshore shoal will be randomly selected for monitoring. An additional 17 cells will be randomly selected in the offshore trough. This design will yield a total of 25 monitored cells.

Upon confirmation that bottom types within each cell are relatively uniform, these same cells will be used for all subsequent monitoring. Sub-meter GPS will be used to mark the exact location of the 25 selected cells.

High-frequency imaging sonar monitoring for RIS will be performed monthly from July through September when water temperatures are highest, and quarterly throughout the remainder of the year for a total of six sampling events. During each event, monitoring will take place during both daytime and nighttime periods. Daytime monitoring will be conducted during the period from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset.

Nighttime monitoring will be performed during the period from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Both daytime and nighttime sampling will be done within the same 24-hour period, weather and other factors permitting.

If one photoperiod is completed and the other has to be cancelled, it will be performed at the next earliest opportunity. However, if more than two weeks pass before the second half of the paired diel sampling is completed, the entire sampling event will be repeated.

At each of the 25 randomly selected cells, the sonar unit will be deployed and observations made at a minimum of two depths (1/3 and 2/3 distance from surface to bottom). Additional sampling depths may be required to ensure complete coverage of the entire water column from the seafloor to the ocean's surface.

At each depth, the instrument will be slowly rotated for a minimum of two minutes. Recorded data will be post-processed and RIS enumerated and identified to species/species group. Data will be reported as the average number of individuals/species (or species group)/cell for each study site and sampling event.

This data will also be segregated by daytime and nighttime sampling periods.

The level of taxonomic precision that can be achieved during the study will be based in large part on the size and shape of the fish observed. Species of similar shape may not be distinguishable at the species level, as the high-frequency sonar has no color rendition.

However, snook for example, are clearly distinguishable from sheepshead, mullet and other RIS.

The level of taxonomic refinement for RIS listed in Table I reflects the anticipated level of detail that can be achieved by this non-lethal monitoring technology.

Although the RIS are the primary focus of the Biological POS, other fish species will also be identified to the lowest taxonomic level practicable and quantified. This data will be summarized in a manner consistent with that described above for the RIS.

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 5

Fish Spawning Locations and Periods Over 200 species of fish in the study area produce diagnostic spawning calls, typically at night and during evening crepuscular periods (Mok and Gilmore, 1983; Rountree et at.,

2006; Gilmore, 2002 and 2003; Gilmore et al, 2003). Sonic techniques have been used for over 30 years to isolate spawning populations and sites of inshore fish. Fish species that produce diagnostic calls and chorusing behavior off South Hutchinson Island include a variety of valuable fishery species: red drum, sand seatrout (weakfish), black drum, common snook, sheepshead, porgy, and striped croaker (listed as a "Species of Concern" by National Marine Fisheries Service). Other likely species to spawn on the continental shelf, but whose spawning calls have not yet been documented there, include the pigfish grunt, sailor's choice grunt, mutton snapper, lane snapper, gray snapper, and red porgy.

All of these species are known to produce sound (Fish and Mowbray, 1970).

In an effort to isolate spawning locations and identify those species producing sounds, an active hydrophone monitoring program will be employed. Within each study site, three shore-perpendicular transects will be established, each 9,842 ft (3,000 m) in length. The exact locations of all transects will be established during the recon trip and then these same locations will be maintained for the duration of the study.

The hydrophones used in the study will have a frequency response of 10 to 30 KHz and will be connected to a digital recording device. At 1,968 ft (600 m) intervals along each transect, the hydrophone will be lowered to mid depth from a boat powered down and silently adrift and the recorder activated for a minimum of two minutes. Monitoring will occur during the same six months used for monitoring fish abundance and will be conducted during the period from one-half hour before to two hours after sunset. This crepuscular period is when sound production is greatest. Due to the narrow window for hydrophone monitoring, several consecutive nights may be required to sample all sites.

The order in which the three sites are monitored will be randomly selected prior to each sampling event.

The intervals between stations may be adjusted based on results obtained during the recon trip.

Hydrophone recordings will be analyzed and compared to known species calls in existing sound libraries to allow species identifications.

Data will be reported as total sound pressure in decibels (1 dB re to 1 ýtPa) and average number of spawning calls/species/minute of recording time for each study site and sampling event.

Relative Abundances and Seasonality of Fish Eggs and Larvae As a means of confirming spawning activity and for assessing plant effects on larval fish, ichthyoplankton samples will be collected six times a year at each study site. Sampling will be conducted using paired bongo nets (20 cm diameter) having a 500 micron mesh.

Each net will be equipped with flow meters to allow determination of volume of water sampled.

Nighttime sub-surface tows will be made along two shore-perpendicular transects within each study site.

This activity will be paired with the fish spawning monitoring, the tows being conducted at each site after the acoustic work has been ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 6

completed. The tows will begin at a point 820 ft (250 m) seaward of the 18 ft depth contour and will continue seaward 1,640 ft (500 m). The exact location of transects will be determined during the recon trip, and then the same locations will be maintained for the duration of the study. Once the nets are retrieved aboard the vessel, the contents from both cod ends of the bongos will be combined into a single sample and preserved in 5%

buffered formalin for laboratory identification. Thus, there will be two samples per study site per sampling event.

Fish eggs and larvae will be enumerated and identified to the lowest practicable taxonomic level. Data will be reported as the average number of individuals/taxon/per unit volume of water filtered for each study site. To the extent possible sound intensity of spawning fish will be correlated with the number of eggs and larvae in the water column.

Relative Abundance and Seasonal Utilization of Worm Reef and Hardbottom Habitat by Juvenile Green Sea Turtles Sea turtle utilization of nearshore hardbottom and worm reef habitat will be assessed monthly within each of the three study sites during the period when turtle abundance is typically greatest (January through March) and quarterly for the remainder of the year.

During the recon.trip, suitable habitat will be mapped and a 0.6-mi (1-kin) transect established within each study site. If insufficient habitat exists to allow a continuous 1-km transect, two or more smaller transects may be used to provide an equivalent length.

Once established, these transects will be used for all subsequent monitoring.

Surveys will be performed from a boat equipped with an elevated platform capable of holding two observers. As the boat traverses the transect at a slow and constant speed (4.0 knots or less), one observer will look to port side and the other to starboard side.

Observers will record and identify to species, when possible, any turtle observed surfacing along the transect. Each transect will be traversed a minimum of two times during each sampling event with at least a 30 minute separation between the two passes.

Monitoring days will be selected for optimal viewing capabilities (e.g., sunny with calm seas). The order in which the three study sites are monitored will be randomly selected prior to each monitoring event. Data will be reported as the number of turtles sighted, by species, per minute of observation or linear distance.

Ancillary Water Quality During each type of sampling event at a study site, water quality will be measured at the surface, mid-depth and bottom at three equally spaced points along central transect used to monitor for fish spawning locations.. Monitored variables will include temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. All in-situ instrumentation used for this monitoring will be calibrated and maintained in accordance with FDEP standard operating procedures (FDEP, 2004).

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 7

ST. Lum PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 7

. Data Analysis and Reporting Data collected each year will be tabulated and graphically presented, as applicable.

Appropriate statistical tests will be used to determine if significant differences exist among study sites and years for any of the monitored variables. A final interpretive Biological Report evaluating all years of monitoring will be submitted to the Department for review and approval no later than 60 days after the approved Biological POS completion date, as scheduled below. Utilization of reference and discharge (impact) sites in concert with baseline and post-operational data will optimize the ability to draw inferences regarding the presence/absence of significant plant EPU effect(s) on monitored biological variables.

Adjustments to Plan of Study Following completion of baseline monitoring, FPL will review the data to determine if adjustments to the Biological POS are warranted.

Any needed changes to methods, station locations, sampling frequency, or other aspects of the program, as summarized in Table 2, will be made in consultation with the FDEP prior to initiation of post-construction monitoring.

Schedule The following schedule for initiation and completion of monitoring milestones is based on anticipated completion dates for the EPU of each unit at the St. Lucie Plant. Any changein completion dates shall be reflected in the schedule accordingly:

Activity Start Date Completion Date Approval of Biological POS March 23, 2011 April 22, 2011 Contractor Mobilization May 15, 2011 July 1, 2011 Recon Trip and Initiation of July 1,2011 March 2012 Baseline Monitoring Initiation of Post-construction 2

Monitoring1 July 2012 June 2014_

Delivery of Biological Report' June 2014 September 20143

'Dates are dependent upon uprate completion date.

2AO requirement is to continue monitoring for no less than 24 months after completion of the uprate.

3AO requirement is to submit the Biological Report to the Department for review and approval no later than 90 days after the approved Biological POS completion date.

References EAI (Ecological Associates, Inc.). 2001.

Survey of Aquatic Environments Potentially Affected by the Operation of the St. Lucie Power Plant, Hutchinson Island, Florida. Prepared by Ecological Associates, Inc., Jensen Beach, Florida, for Florida Power & Light Company. 41 pp.

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 8

EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

1977.

Interagency 316(a) Technical Guidance Manual and Guide for Thermal Effects Sections of Nuclear Facilities Environmental Impact Statements.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Enforcement, Permits Division, Industrial Permits Branch, Washington, D.C. 79 pp.

FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection). 2004. Standard Operating Procedures for Field Activities. DEP-SOP-001/01, Volumes I and 2.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Laboratories Environmental Assessment Section, Tallahassee, FL.

Fish, M. P., and W. H. Mowbray. 1970. Sounds of Western North Atlantic Fishes. A Reference File of Biological Underwater Sounds. John Hopkins Press, Baltimore.

205 pp.

Gilmore, Jr., R. G. 2002. Passive acoustic transects: mating calls and spawning ecology in east Florida sciaenids. Pages 39-48 in R. Rountree, C. Goudey and T. Hawkins (editors), Listening to Fish: Passive Acoustic Applications in Marine Fisheries.

Proceedings of the International Workshop on Applications of Passive Acoustics to Fisheries, April 8-10, 2002, MIT Sea Grant Program.

Gilmore, Jr., R.G. 2003. Chapter 11. Sound production in the spotted seatrout. Pages 177-195 in S. A. Bortone (editor), The Biology of the Spotted Seatrout. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida.

Gilmore, R. G., C. J. Donohoe and D. W. Cooke. 1983. Observations on the distribution and biology of east-central Florida populations of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch). Florida Scientist, Special Supplemental Issue, 46: 313-336.

Gilmore, R. G., A. M. Clark and J. Cooke. 2003. Technologies for sustained biological resource observations with potential applications in coastal homeland security.

Marine Technology Society Journal, 37(3): 134-141.

Herrema, D. J., B. D. Peery, N. Williams-Walls, and J. R. Wilcox.

1985. Spawning periods of common inshore fishes on the Florida east coast. Northeast Gulf Science 7(2): 153-155.

Mok, H. K. and R.G. Gilmore.

1983.

Analysis of sound production in estuarine spawning aggregations of Pogonias cromis, Bairdiella chrysoura, and Cynoscion nebulosus (Sciaenidae). Bulletin of the Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica 22:

157-186.

Rountree, R. A., R. G. Gilmore, C. A. Goudey, A. D. Hawkins, J. J. Luczkovich, and D.

A. Mann. 2006. Listening to fish: applications of passive acoustics to fisheries science. Fisheries, 31(9): 433-446.

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY 9

Figure 1. Location of three study sites for Biological Plan of Study, FPL St. Lucie Plant Uprate Project.

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m m

-u Table 1 Activity Period, Water Column Utilization and Local Spawning Months for Representative Important Species St. Lucie Plant Biological Plan of Study RIS Active Period Water Column Utilization Months Fish Captured in Spawning Condition Near Plant' Common Name Taxa Group Day [ Night Lower Mid J Upper JanfFeb Mar Apr May Jun[ JulAugSepOct o

D Archosargus Sheepshead probatocephalus Sparidae x

x x

x Atlantic croaker Micropogonias Sciaenidae x

x x

undulatus Snook Centropomus spp.

Centropomidae x

x x

Seatrout Cynosicion spp.

Sciaenidae x

x x

Spanish Mackerel Scorberomorus Scombridae x

x x

maculatus Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix Pomatomidae x

x x

x Kingfish Menticirrhus sp.

Sciaenidae x

x x

x Trachinotus Florida Pompano carolinus Carangidae x

x x

x Herring/Anchovy HerrineAnchovy/

Clupeids Clupeiformes x

x x

Sardine Mullet Mugil spp.

Mugilidae x

x x

Sea robins Prionotus sp.

Triglidae x

x x

x Herrema et al. (1985)

m mmmmmm m

m*

m m

m-m m

m m

m Table 2 Summary of Sampling Design for St. Lucie Plant Biological Plan of Study Sampling Points Frequency Sampling No. Samples Total Component per Year Period No. Study or Sampling Number of Samples/Sampling Sites Points per Depths Points per Year Site Water Quality 6

Day/Night 3

3 3

324 Imaging Sonar2 6

Day/Night 3

25 2

1800 Acoustic Recording 6

Night 3

15 1

270 Ichthyoplankton Tows 6

Night 3

2 1

36 Sea Turtle Transects 6

Day 3

2 1

36 1Concurrent with other sampling components 2A minimum of 2 depths per sample point. Additional depths may be required.

APPENDIX A FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL PLAN OF STUDY MONITORING RATIONALE Introduction Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for a revision to NPDES Permit No. FL0002208, which authorizes thermal discharges into the Atlantic Ocean from the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant on Hutchinson Island in St. Lucie County, Florida. The revision, which became effective on December 23, 2010, allows for a minor increase in effluent temperatures (approximately 2.00 F under normal operating conditions) resulting from an extended power uprate (EPU) for both Units 1 and 2 at the plant.

Administrative Order (AO) AO022TL, which also became effective on December 23, 2010, authorizes the above-referenced St. Lucie Plant EPU with conditions. Paragraph 20 of the AO stipulates that no later than 90 days after the effective date of the AO, FPL shall prepare and submit for the Department's review and approval a biological plan of study (Biological POS). The AO further identifies specific elements to be incorporated into the Biological POS. These elements were derived from historical Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance addressing the regulation of thermal effects associated with nuclear plants.

As required by Paragraph 20 of the AO, the Biological POS shall be designed to generate information relevant to the following elements: 1) "a population typically characterized by diversity at all trophic levels;" 2) "the capacity to sustain itself through cyclic seasonal changes;" 3) "presence of necessary food chain species;" 4) "non-domination of pollution-tolerant species;" and 5) "indigenous." As discussed below, based on the nature of the receiving water body (Atlantic Ocean -

open waters), the small change in discharge temperature resulting from the EPU, the limited spatial area affected, the effectiveness of the diffusers through which the cooling water is discharged, and EPA guidance on monitoring for thermal effects, the proposed Biological POS coupled with prior 316(a) studies at the St. Lucie Plant will satisfy each of these elements. The Plan will utilize Representative Important Species (RIS) to demonstrate that the EPU is not jeopardizing the protection and propagation of a balanced, indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife in the receiving water body.

Background

During construction and prior to operation of the St. Lucie Plant, extensive physical and biological baseline studies were conducted in the vicinity of the plant's ocean intake and discharge structures.

These studies were performed between 1971 and 1974 by the Florida Department of Natural Resources Marine Research Laboratory (now Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) and were summarized by EAI (2001).

(The EAI summary document, which is attached hereto, has been submitted previously to FDEP as part of FPL's permit revision process.)

They involved water quality, sediments, ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE

APPENDIX A phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrophytes, infaunal and epifaunal macroinvertebrates, worm reef communities, fish, and sea turtles. Following start-up of Unit 1 in March 1976, post-construction operational monitoring commenced to demonstrate the extent of thermal impacts (ABI, 1977, 1978, 1979a, 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983). These sampling programs addressed the same biological components of the environment characterized during baseline studies.

Both control and impact stations were established, and in combination with baseline studies, resulting data permitted strong inferences as to thermal effects.

As summarized by EAI (2001), most monitoring requirements were deleted from the St.

Lucie Plant's Environmental Technical Specifications in May 1982 after demonstration that Unit 1 operation was having no substantial, persistent, or widespread effect on biological communities in the receiving water body. This owes primarily to the design and siting of discharge structures and the enormous capacity of the ocean to quickly dissipate heat.

Unit 2 was placed on-line in May 1983 and monitoring of offshore benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities continued through 1984 to assess the combined operation of Units I and 2 (ABI, 1983, 1984, and 1985): Although offshore trawl and seine sampling was deleted from the St. Lucie Plant's Environmental Technical Specifications, an increased effort was placed on offshore gill netting to determine if thermal effluents were disrupting the normal migratory behavior of commercial species, such as mackerel and bluefish.

These studies showed that the intake and discharge structures and thermal effluents were not interfering with the natural migratory movements of commercial species.

Similarly, monitoring of macroinvertebrates indicated that heated effluents from the plant were having no measurable effect on the abundance or diversity of infaunal communities.

Prior to plant operation, modelers reviewed meteorological data and studies of currents in the nearshore area off Hutchinson Island to predict thermal plume configuration and dispersal patterns (EBASCO, 1971).

They determined that thermal plumes associated with plant operation will usually take the shape of a long oval.

Predominant flow direction within these plumes is easterly, but at any specific time, both plume shape and direction may be influenced by prevailing wind and current conditions. Because of the effectiveness of the Y-port and multi-port diffusers in mixing effluents with ocean water, a relatively small surface area of the ocean is affected by plant discharges.

Models predicted that the highest At (difference between discharge and ambient water temperatures), 5.5' F (3.16 C), would affect an area of only 0.1 acres or less.

Temperatures between 1.5'F (0.80 C) and 3.00 F (1.7' C) above background are generally limited to a plume of around 25 acres.

Temperatures less than 1.5' F (0.80 C) above ambient will affect an area of approximately 400 acres down to a depth of about 8.2 ft (2.5 in). Thus, temperature increases associated with plant operation are relatively small in terms of both absolute value and spatial scale and are limited to surface waters.

Infrared mapping of the thermal plume conducted in the summer of 1984, a period of maximum ambient summer temperatures (August-September) when both Units I and 2 ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE 2

APPENDIX A were operating at near full capacity, confirmed model predictions of the limited spatial extent of thermal effluents (Intera, 1984). At the time of the aerial surveys, temperatures in the discharge canal were around 400 C (1040 F). However, maximum surface plume temperatures in the ocean did not exceed 32' C (900 F).

316(a) Demonstrations The prevailing guidance document for addressing thermal impacts at nuclear facilities is found in the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual and Guide for Thermal Effects Sections of Nuclear Facilities Environmental Impact Statements (EPA, 1977). It was designed primarily to address initial plant siting, licensing, and construction, although it is also relevant to "major changes" in facilities operational mode. The EPA guidance for 316(a) demonstrations is designed for all types of receiving water bodies (reservoirs, rivers, bays, estuaries, and oceans) and recognizes that demonstration requirements will vary considerably in relation to prevailing physical and biological conditions at a particular site. Accordingly, three types of demonstrations may be applicable: Type 11 Demonstrations for RIS, Type III Low Potential Impact Demonstrations, and Other Type III Demonstrations.

Other Type III Demonstrations are for those sites that have low potential impact for most, but not all, biotic categories.

Specifically, Section 2.1.3 of the Interagency 316(a)

Guidance Manual "attempts to discourage the collection of masses of costly, unnecessary data" by focusing only on those biotic categories most likely to be impacted by thermal effluents at the plant site. As discussed below, the St. Lucie Plant clearly falls within the Other Type III Demonstration category. The six biotic categories that must be addressed in a site demonstration include: phytoplankton, zooplankton and meroplankton, habitat formers, shellfish/macroinvertebrates, fish, and other vertebrate wildlife.

Phytoplankton Section 3.3.1 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual includes openocean habitats in its definition of areas of low potential impact for phytoplankton.

Furthermore, comparisons of data collected during prior 316(a) demonstration (Table 1) and baseline studies at the St. Lucie Plant, as summarized by EAI (2001), provided no evidence of long-term or widespread adverse impacts of plant operation on the ocean phytoplankton community. Consequently, the projected impacts associated with issuance of NPDES Permit No. FL0002208 are sufficiently inconsequential that the protection and propagation of a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish, and wildlife in and on the receiving water body will be assured.

Zooplankton and Meroplankton Section 3.3.2 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual defines areas of low potential impact as those characterized by low concentrations of commercially important species, rare and endangered species, and/or those forms that are important components of the food web or where the thermal discharge will affect a relatively small proportion of the ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE 3

APPENDIX A receiving water body. Prior 316(a) demonstration studies at the St. Lucie Plant (Table 1) indicated that the ocean zooplankton community was characterized primarily by neritic holoplanktonic species (species that spend their entire life, cycle in the water column),

with copepods and urochordates being the first and second most dominant groups, respectively (ABI, 1983).

Meroplankton (benthic macroinvertebrate larvae that are temporary members of the plankton community) were major contributors to the zooplankton community only during brief periods. Complimentary studies demonstrated that species of commercial value found in the vicinity of the plant, the Calico scallop, penaeid shrimp, rock shrimp, and the blue crab, were infrequently collected and in very small numbers (EAI, 2001). Highest concentrations of zooplankton consistently occurred during the spring of each year, a period when the addition of thermal effluents would be expected to have the least impact.

Comparisons of data among discharge and control stations and between operational and baseline years revealed no major changes in zooplankton community composition indicative of adverse thermal effluent effects. The confinement of elevated plume temperatures to near surface waters over a small spatial scale further supports the designation of the St. Lucie Plant as an area of low potential impact for zooplankton and meroplankton.

Habitat Formers Habitat formers are assemblages of plants and/or animals characterized by a relatively sessile life stage with aggregated distributions that provide substrate, food, shelter, or nursery habitat for fish and shellfish and/or otherwise provide important ecosystem functions. As examples, these include seagrasses, macroalgae, oyster reefs, and coral reefs. During previous 316(a) demonstration studies at the St. Lucie Plant (Table 1), as summarized by EAI (2001), the ocean environment exposed to thermal effluents was found to be largely devoid of habitat formers. No seagrasses were present, and attached algae consisted primarily of small plants or fragments on pieces of unconsolidated shell and rock. With the exception of nearshore worm reef, no stable hardbottom areas were encountered, which greatly limited the occurrence of attached benthic macrophytes. It was concluded that algae played a minor role in primary productivity within the study area and that plant operation had no measurable effect on this marine community.

During recent years, intermittent hardbottom has been documented near the plant in areas landward of the discharge structures (Dial Cordy and Associates, 2010). It is possible that this hardbottom had been previously buried and was uncovered during the intense hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005 when large quantities of sediments were carried by storm surge landward of the dune line in the vicinity of the plant. The now exposed, low-relief hardbottom is dominated by turf algae (Baumberger, 2010; Dial Cordy and Associates, 2010).

The previous absence of exposed hardbottom in the nearshore environment largely precluded the establishment of exotic and invasive species, such as the green algae, Caulerpa brachypus. This species has become widespread on reefs in south Florida where it out competes native algae for space and can smother and kill sessile habitat formers, such as sponges and corals. During a recent survey of hardbottom areas in the ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE 4

APPENDIX A vicinity of the plant's intake structures, no attached macroalgae forming harmful algal blooms (HABs) was found.' However, C. brachypus was observed suspended in the water column, indicating that it may exist in nearby areas where hardbottom is present.

Regardless of its distribution, it is unlikely that C. bracypus would be affected by the EPU at the St. Lucie Plant. Research has shown that the abundance of this species is largely correlated with nutrient enrichment from land runoff, particularly from sewage (Lapointe et al., 2005a and 2005b). There are few, if any, areas on Hutchinson Island, other than the two major inlets north and south of the plant, where non-point runoff can enter the ocean, and there is limited potential for nutrient enrichment via plant discharges. The South Hutchinson Island Sewage Treatment Plant is permitted by the FDEP, under a separate permit issued to that facility, to discharge to the ocean via the St.

Lucie Plant discharge canal. However, these discharges are both infrequent (most of the treated effluent is reused for irrigation) and minor (low volume) and are not in any way related to current St. Lucie Plant or post-EPU operations.

Furthermore, the thermal plume is limited to surface waters and rarely meanders into areas where hardbottom is present.

Consequently, it is highly unlikely that the small incremental change in water temperature associated with the EPU would cause a shift in the benthic community from one dominated by indigenous species to one dominated by pollution-tolerant species.

Although changes in the occurrence or frequency of HABs in the vicinity of the plant are possible, they are much more likely to be related to the relative abundance of exposed hardbottom and/or general changes in water quality conditions, neither of which are related to plant operations.

The only appreciable habitat former documented in the vicinity of the plant during previous 316(a) demonstration studies was the nearshore, intertidal worm reef (Phragmatopoma labpidosa) community. It supports a unique assemblage of macroalgae and macroinvertebrates (ABI, 1979b). Community characteristics of the worm reefs during 1976 (a year of intermittent plant operation) and between 1977 and 1979 (a period of sustained plant operation), were compared with results of studies performed by the Smithsonian Institution in 1974 and 1975 prior to commencement of plant operations (Gore et al., 1978). There were no significant changes in the density, number of species, or dominance patterns of the associated worm reef fauna among any of the three periods.

Thus, the St. Lucie Plant did not appear to have any measurable effect on the macroinvertebrate community inhabiting the worm reefs.

This is not unexpected given the dispersal pattern of the thermal plume, which is largely away from or parallel to shore.

Based on the above analysis, the site can be considered an area of low potential impact for habitat formers. However, Section 3.3.3 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual states that "where there is a probability that the power plant will impact a threatened or endangered species through adverse impacts on habitat formers," it should not be considered a low potential impact area.

The green sea turtle, an endangered species, is known to utilize the worm reef communities. Juveniles shelter there as well as feed on the algae that colonize the reef. Green turtles may also forage on the turf algae recently documented on exposed nearshore hardbottom.

ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE 5

APPENDIX A Sea turtles are entrained with the St. Lucie Plant's cooling water and become entrapped in the plant's intake canal. The rate of entrapment for juvenile green turtles increased considerably beginning about 1993, and presently several hundred are captured and released each year (EAI, 2000).

Green sea turtle utilization of worm reef and other hardbottom habitats in the vicinity of the plant was not addressed in prior 316(a) demonstration studies. Even though no impacts to these communities are expected to result from the issuance of NPDES Permit No. FL0002208, in an exercise of due caution, the green sea turtle will be considered a RIS and an assessment of its utilization of nearshore hardbottom habitats will be included in the Biological POS.

Sheilfish/Macroin vertebrates Section 3.3.4 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual identifies areas of low potential impact as those sites where species of commercial value are absent or their occurrence is marginal, no threatened or endangered species are present, shellfish and macro-invertebrates do not serve as an important component of the aquatic community, and the site does not serve as an important spawning or nursery area for commercially valuable or protected species.

Prior 316(a) demonstration studies evaluated both epibenthic and infaunal macroinvertebrate communities. These studies, as summarized by EAI (2001),

concluded that thermal effluents from the combined operations of Units I and 2 had little impact on benthic environments in the vicinity of the plant. This owes largely to the design of the diffuser pipes that directs heated water up and away from the bottom.

Water quality monitoring during the period of combined plant operations showed that bottom water temperatures at all ocean stations in the vicinity of the discharge pipes averaged less than 1.80 F (1.0' C) higher than ambient bottom temperatures and never exceeded 3.10 F (1.7' C) above background. Furthermore, the only species of commercial importance, as noted for zooplankton and meroplankton above, were present in very low numbers. No federally listed shellfishlmacroinvertebrates occur within the vicinity of the plant. Collectively, these data support designation of the St. Lucie Plant as an area of low potential impact for she Ifish/macroinvertebrates.

Fish The aquatic region in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant has been shown to have an extremely rich fish fauna, many species of which are of commercial and/or recreational value (Gilmore et al., 1981). Furthermore, many of these species are known to be ocean spawners, and numerous gravid females were among the specimens captured during prior 316(a) demonstration studies at the plant (Herrema et al., 1985). Consequently, Section 3.3.5 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual disallows consideration of the St. Lucie Plant as an area of low potential impact for fish.

Notwithstanding the above assessment, baseline and operational monitoring performed at the St. Lucie Plant (Table 1), provided no indication of any significant or widespread effects of combined Unit 1 and 2 operation on local fish populations (ABI, 1985). In particular, the intensified ocean gill netting program instituted from 1982 to 1984 ST. LUCIE PLANT BIOLOGICAL POS MONITORING RATIONALE 6

APPENDIX A demonstrated that the ocean discharge structures and related thermal effluents did not permanently congregate fish around the structures and did not interfere with the natural migratory movements of commercial species, such as Spanish mackerel and bluefish.

Although anecdotal evidence suggests that the vertical relief provided by the structures on an otherwise relatively flat, barren bottom attract grouper and snapper, it is unlikely that the activity patterns of these species are affected in any appreciable way by the thermal effluents. Nevertheless, in an abundance of caution, FPL has included several species of fish as RIS in the proposed Biological POS.

Other Vertebrate Wildlife Section 3.3.6 of the Interagency 316(a) Guidance Manual stipulates that most sites in the United States will be classified as areas of low potential impact for other vertebrate wildlife. The exceptions are those sites where thermal effluents tend to congregate or inhibit normal activity patterns of wildlife, particularly if the affected species are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Prime examples would be power plants in Florida sited along major migratory pathways of manatees.

Although manatees do occasionally enter the ocean to travel between inlets, the principal pathway for their seasonal movement along the east coast of Florida is the Indian River Lagoon (EAI, 2002). Manatees have been observed near the beach along Hutchinson Island, and a few have been entrapped in the St. Lucie Plant's cooling water intake canal (EAI, 2001).

However, throughout the period of previous 316(a) demonstration studies at the plant there were no observations of them congregating in the vicinity of the plant's ocean discharge structures, nor are there any known anecdotal reports of such behavior.

Both sea turtles and shorebirds are regularly observed in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant. As for manatees, there is no evidence that thermal effluents are affecting their activity patterns. Sea turtles are routinely entrapped in the plant's cooling water intake canal where they are captured and returned to the ocean (EAI, 2000 and 2001). However, seasonal patterns and size classes of entrapped turtles are very similar to those captured in other areas of east central Florida where thermal discharges are absent. Collectively, these findings support designation of the St. Lucie Plant as an area of low potential impact for other vertebrate wildlife. Nevertheless, green sea turtles will be included as a RIS in the Biological POS, but only in relation to their association with habitat formers (worm reef and hardbottom) in the vicinity of the plant.

References ABI (Applied Biology, Inc.). 1977. Ecological Monitoring at the Florida Power & Light Co. St. Lucie Plant, Annual Report 1976. Volumes I and 1I. AB-44. Prepared by Applied Biology, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, for Florida Power & Light Company.

ABI (Applied Biology, Inc.). 1978. Ecological Monitoring at the Florida Power & Light Co. St. Lucie Plant, Annual Report 1977. Volumes I and II. AB-101.