L-2018-128, Environmental Protection Plan Report Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

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

ML18165A429
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	06/14/2018
From:	Snyder M Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2018-128
Download: ML18165A429 (2)

Text

JUN 1 4 2018 L-2018-128 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: May 29, 2018 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality On May 29, 2018 a dead juvenile green sea turtles (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 of the necropsy is that the mortality is causal 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.

Michael J. Snyder Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant MJS/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-2018-128 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Attachment Environmental Protection Plan Report Page 1 of 1 Event Date: May 29, 2018 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On May 29, 2018 a dead juvenile green sea turtle (chelonian 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 on May 29, 2018.

The necropsy report determined that the mortality was causal due to forced submergence.

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

CORRECTIVE ACTION The five-inch turtle net was inspected by staff biologists directly after the mortality. No issues were identified that could have contributed to the mortalities.

Hourly inspections of the five-inch net are performed during daylight hours, as well as constant surveillance of the 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 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 May 29, 2018 in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit# MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on May 29, 2018 in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b) (2) (xi).