L-2023-179, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality
| ML23348A319 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 12/14/2023 |
| From: | Strand D Florida Power & Light Co |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk |
| References | |
| L-2023-179 | |
| Download: ML23348A319 (1) | |
Text
December 14, 2023 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 Date: December 12, 2023 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality L-2023-179 10 CFR 50.4 EPP-4.1 On December 6, 2023, a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the St. Lucie intake cooling canal. A necropsy was performed with results provided to Florida Power & Light on December 9, 2023. The determination is that the mortality was causal to plant operations.
The attached report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.1 of the St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plan, Appendix B to Renewed Facility Operating License DPR-67.
If you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Kenneth Mack at 561-904-3635.
Sincerely, vL-- s-I2 Dianne Strand General Manager, Regulatory Affairs Florida Power & Light Company Attachment cc:
FDEP Siting Office Audra Livergood, National Marie Fisheries Service Briana Grange, Biologist, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Meghan Koperski, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Florida Power & Light Company 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT L-2023-179 Attachment Page 1 of 1 On December 6, 2023, a juvenile green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the St. Lucie Plant intake. The sea turtle was rescued but died afterward. It was sent to Nancy S. Mettee, DVM for necropsy. The necropsy determined that the causality was due to plant operations. The limits for green sea turtle injuries and mortalities resulting from plant operations have not been exceeded.
CAUSE OF EVENT The turtle was found in distress and tangled at the bottom of a net in the intake canal.
The turtle was rescued but died afterward. The cause of death was determined to be drowning.
CORRECTIVE ACTION Hourly inspections of the five-inch net are performed during daylight hours, as well as constant surveillance of the two tangle nets that are deployed east of the five-inch turtle net. A biologist also inspects the net daily at 2200 hours0.0255 days <br />0.611 hours <br />0.00364 weeks <br />8.371e-4 months <br /> to evaluate net condition and determine intrusion rates of biota that could impact net health.
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. Plant intake wells are inspected 4 times daily to look for marine life. The action thresholds for net cleaning have been lowered, thus the net is generally kept free of accumulated debris that could impact sea turtles.
AGENCIES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified on December 9, 2023 in accordance with the Marine Turtle Permit MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan. A notification was made to the NRC on December 9, 2023 per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), "Any event or situation, related to the health and safety of the public or onsite personnel, or protection of the environment, for which a news release is planned or notification to other government agencies has been or will be made."