L-2017-205, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Capture of a Smalltooth Sawfish

Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Capture of a Smalltooth Sawfish

ML17340A340
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	11/28/2017
From:	Synder M Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2017-205
Download: ML17340A340 (2)

Text

November 28, 2017 L-2017-205 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 rrotection Plan Report Event Date: Noveµiber 2, 2017 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Capture of a Smalltooth Sawfish.

On November 2, 2017, a smalltooth sawfish (pristis pectinata) was captured in the St. Lucie Plant Intake Cooling Canal. The fish was safely captured using the nets deployed in the canal for sea turthi captur~s. The fish was inspected and processed per our smalltooth sawfish protocol. The fish was healthy and released back into th~ environment in good coqdition.

The attached repott 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 this important event. This event is an important environmental event because it is the second sawfish captured at St. Lucie in 2017 and exceeds the site )imit of one per five years.

Sincerely,

~~ / J @ C Michael J. Snyder FofL Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant MJS/spt Attacl:iment cc: FDEP Siting Office Florida Power & Light Company 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957

L-2017-205 Attachment DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On November 2, 2017, a smalltooth sawfish was captured in the St. Lucie Intake Cooling Canal. The fish was caught when it became entangled in our free floating sea turtle nets.

The length of the fish was 12.2 feet and weighed an estimated 400 pounds. Once captured, the fish was inspected, processed and released back into the environment in good condition.

Sawfish processing and release activities were directed by a scientist from the Florida Atlantic University-Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. In addition, the staff biologists had received smalltooth sawfish handling training by the Florida .Fish & Wilcllife Conse:wation Commission on June 2, 2016.

St. Lucie also caught a sawfish on September 17, 2017. The second one caught on November 2, 2017 exceeded our capture limit of one sawfish per five years as stated in St.

Lucie's Biological Opinion promulgated 0n March 24, 2016. This exceedance is e:lfpected to result in a Section 7 consultation-by the NRC and th@ National Marine Fisheries Service.

CAUSE OF EVENT The event occurred when the smalltooth sawfish swam into the St. Lucie Intake Cooling Canal. Once in the canal, the smalltooth sawfish was removed using the nets primarily used for the capture of sea turtles CORRECTIVE ACTION After the fish was released, the staff biologists monitored a three-mile stretch of theoeach along the release site for any possible delayed impacts on the captured smalltooth sawfish for seven consecutive days. The canal east of the 5-inch turtle barrier is inspected hourly by boat and from the canal bank. The free floating turtle tangle nets were also inspected.

ACTIONS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE EVENTS Due to the relatively narrow profile of a smalltooth sawfish, they can easily swim into the St.

Lucie Intake Cooling Canal, thus adaitional captures are likely. The second capture of a sawfish in a six-week period is a testament to increasing nurnbers of the species.

AGIENCES NOTIFIED The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were notified on November 2, 2017.

A notification-was made to the NRC on November 2, 2017 in accordance with the Site Environmental Protection Plan and the requirements of 10 CPR 50.72(b)(2)(xi).