L-2024-023, Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

ML24066A079
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	03/06/2024
From:	Catron S Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
L-2024-023
Download: ML24066A079 (1)

Text

March 6, 2024 L-2024-023 10 CFR 50.4 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 Protection Plan Report Event Date: February 12, 2024 Unusual or Important Environmental Event -Turtle Mortality

On February 5, 2024, a deceased, 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 February 12, 2024. The determination is that plant operations were causal to mortality. 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.

If you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Kenneth Mack at 561-904-3635.

Steve Caron Licensin and Regulatory Compliance Director - Nuclear Fleet 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 L-2024-023 Attachment Page 1 of 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT

On February 5, 2024, a deceased, juvenile, Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the St. Lucie Plant intake. 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 deceased turtle was recovered from a 5" net in the intake canal. Advanced tissue autolysis hindered detailed examination but the cause of death was, most likely, traumatic interaction with powerplant structures.

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 February 12, 2024 in accordance with the Marine Turtle Permit MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on February 12, 2024 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."