L-2014-008, Environmental Protection Plan Report, December 27, 2013, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

Environmental Protection Plan Report, December 27, 2013, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

ML14030A176
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	01/08/2014
From:	Katzman E Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2014-008
Download: ML14030A176 (2)

Text

FPL. January 8, 2014 L-2014-008 10 CFR 50.4 10 CFR 50.36.b EPP 4.1 U.S. Regulatory Commission

• t;,Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 E:-I:'::-:St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Docket:Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Environmental Protection Plan Report Event Date: December 27, 2013 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality On December 27, 2013, a dead juvenile green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant intake cooling canal five inch barrier net. A necropsy was performed that same day. The determination is that-tI te rniortality was causal to plant operations due to forced submersion.

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. description of a reportable sea turtle mortality that was causal to plant operations-atthe St--.iLcie Plant.

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4!_js Sincerely, Eric S. Katzrma*:

[-iCensing Manager.

St. ',ucie Plant

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Attachment cc: FDEP Siting Office it

ý(ý b Florida Power & Light Company 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 L-2014-008 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Attachment Environmental Protection Plan Report Page 1 of 1 Event Date: December 27, 2013 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On December 27, 2013, a dead r,-n sea turtle (,helonian mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Luci9 PT :I-°:ke cana: fiv,--inch turtle barrier net. The sea turtle was sent to Nancy S. Mettee, ,n P.scropl, *.

i.c The turtle appeared to be in otherwise good condition and devoid of any signs of trauma, thus our initial conclu.,ýon was moita!ity due to forced submersion. Subsequent results from the necropsy ccnfiirnec ihat the mortality was due to fcrced submersion, thus causal to plant oparations.

The !imits for sea turtle injuries and mortalities rasulting from plant operations were set by the National Marine Fisheries Incidental Take Statement, i3ýued and clarified by the NRC in 2001. These limits have not been exceeded.

CAUSE OF EVENT The most probable cause of the mortality is that the turtle was entrained in the plant's intake cooling system at the end of a breath cycle. The time required to traverse the intake pipe exceeded the turtle's air reserve.

CORRECTIVE ACTION The five-inch turtle net was immediately inspected by staff biologists directly after discovery of the turtle. No additional issues were identified with the net that could have contributed to the mortality. Hourly inspections of the five-inch net continue during daylight hours as well as constant surveillance of the intake canals two tangle nets.

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 biologist perform hand, and dip net turtle captures in an effort to minimize turtle residence time.

AGENCIES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified on December 27, 2013, in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit# MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on December 27, 2013, per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b) (2) (xi).