L-2016-001, Environmental Protection Plan Report, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

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

ML16015A322
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	01/07/2016
From:	Katzman E Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2016-001
Download: ML16015A322 (2)

Text

FPL.January. 7, 2016 L-2016-001 10 CFR 50.4 10 CFR 50.36.b EPP 4.1 U.S. 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 Date: December 12, 2015 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality On December 12, 2015, 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 and determined cause of the mortality to be 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 description of a reportable sea turtle mortality.

Sincerely, Eric S. Katzman Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/rcs Attachment cc: FDEP Siting Office Florida Power & Light Company //f*

6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

St. LucieNos.

Docket Units 1 andand 50-335 2 50-389 L-201 6-001 Attachment Environmental Protection Plan Report Page 1 of I Event Date: December 12, 2015 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On December 12, 2016, a dead juvenile green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant intake canal five-inch turtle barrier net. The sea turtle was sent to Nancy S. Mettee, DVM for necropsy.

Although additional trauma was noted on the turtle, the necropsy determined that the mortality was due to drowning.

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.

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 canal's 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 continuous surveillance of the intake canal's two 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.

AGENCIES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified on December 12, 2015, in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on December 12, 2015, per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b) (2) (xi).

FPL.January. 7, 2016 L-2016-001 10 CFR 50.4 10 CFR 50.36.b EPP 4.1 U.S. 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 Date: December 12, 2015 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality On December 12, 2015, 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 and determined cause of the mortality to be 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 description of a reportable sea turtle mortality.

Sincerely, Eric S. Katzman Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant ESK/rcs Attachment cc: FDEP Siting Office Florida Power & Light Company //f*

6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

St. LucieNos.

Docket Units 1 andand 50-335 2 50-389 L-201 6-001 Attachment Environmental Protection Plan Report Page 1 of I Event Date: December 12, 2015 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On December 12, 2016, a dead juvenile green sea turtle (chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant intake canal five-inch turtle barrier net. The sea turtle was sent to Nancy S. Mettee, DVM for necropsy.

Although additional trauma was noted on the turtle, the necropsy determined that the mortality was due to drowning.

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.

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 canal's 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 continuous surveillance of the intake canal's two 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.

AGENCIES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified on December 12, 2015, in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on December 12, 2015, per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b) (2) (xi).