L-2012-448, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality
| ML13002A051 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 12/21/2012 |
| From: | Katzman E Florida Power & Light Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| L-2012-448 | |
| Download: ML13002A051 (2) | |
Text
A1 0FPL.
December 21, 2012 L-2012-448 10 CFR 50.4 10 CFR 50.36.b EPP 4.1 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 Event Dates: November 25, 2012 and December 9, 2012 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality On November 25, 2012, and December 9, 2012, a dead juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant intake cooling canal five-inch turtle barrier net. Necropsies were performed on November 26, 2012, and December 9, 2012.
The determination is that both mortalities were causal to plant operations due to drowning.
The attached report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.1 of the St.
Lucie Units 1 and '2 Environmental Protection Plans to provide the descriptions of the reportable sea turtle mortalities that were causal to plant operations.
Very truly yours, Eric S. Katzman Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/rcs Attachment cc: FDEP Siting Office Florida Power & Light Company 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 L-2012-448 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Attachment Environmental Protection Plan Report Page 1 of 1 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EVENTS On November 25, 2012, and December 9, 2012, a dead juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant intake cooling canal five-inch turtle barrier net. The sea turtles were sent to Nancy S. Mettee, DVM for necropsy.
The preliminary necropsies determined that both sea turtle mortalities were due to forced submergence, thus causal to plant operations.
The limits for sea turtle injuries and mortalities resulting from plant operations were set by the National Marine Fisheries Incidental Take Statement, issued and clarified by the NRC in 2001. These limits have not been exceeded.
CAUSES OF EVENTS The cause of death for the mortality on November 25, 2012, was clue to a fishing hook with a three ounce sinker and excess fishing line that was lodged in the front left flipper of the turtle.
The fishing line became tangled on the five-inch net below the water line resulting in mortality.
The probable cause of death for the mortality of the December 9, 2012, was the entrainment of the sea turtle in the plant intake cooling system at the end of a breath cycle. The time required to traverse the intake pipe at the end of a breathing cycle exceeded the turtle's air reserve.
CORRECTIVE ACTION The five-inch turtle net was inspected by staff biologists directly after both events. No irregularities were identified with the net that could have contributed to the turtle mortalities.
Hourly inspections of the five-inch net continue during daylight hours, as well as daily evaluations of the entrained turtle population.
ACTIONS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE EVENTS Aggressive turtle monitoring and removal protocols remain in place; hourly inspections of the five-inch net and constant observations on the tangle nets occur during daylight hours. When visibility allows, staff biologists perform hand and dip net turtle captures in an effort to minimize turtle residence time in the canal, thus increasing their safety margin.
AGENCIES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified of these events on November 25, 2012, and December 9, 2012, in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit # MTP-12-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.
A notification was made to the NRC on November 25, 2012, and on December 9, 2012, per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b) (2) (xi).