ML021980041

Submittal of Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2002-2 from Oyster Creek Generating Station

ML021980041
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	07/08/2002
From:	Degregorio R AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2130-02-20189
Download: ML021980041 (3)

Text

AmerGen Energy Company, LLC AmerGen An Exelon/British Energy Company SM Oyster Creek US Route 9 South P.O. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 July 8, 2002 2130-02-20189 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk - NRC Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Oyster Creek Generating Station Docket 50-219 Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2002-2 This report provides detailed information regarding, the recent incidental capture of a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle at the Oyster Creek Generating Station. The turtle was captured alive during the morning of July 3, 2002 after it was observed swimming in front of the dilution water intake structure trash bars. As indicated on the attached incident report, the turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, New Jersey for examination, care, and eventual safe release.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Malcolm Browne at (609) 971-4124.

Ver trly Yurs, Ron J. DeGregorio Vice President, Oyster Creek RJD/MEB/JJR Enclosure cc: Ms. Carrie McDaniel U.S. Department of Commerce?', i NationalOceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive 0/2 Gloucester, MA 01930

Page 2 of 2 cc: Mr. Hubert Miller,Administrator, Region 1 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Mr. Peter Tam US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Project Manager Washington, DC 20555 Mr. James Wilson, Mailstop 0-11 -F1 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Senior Resident Inspector Oyster Creek Generating Station PO Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731 Mr. Dave Jenkins NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife P.O. Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625-0400

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2002-2 At approximately 0755 hours0.00874 days <br />0.21 hours <br />0.00125 weeks <br />2.872775e-4 months <br /> on Wednesday July 3, 2002, an Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) operator performing a routine inspection of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle swimming freely in Bay # 5 of the dilution water intake structure. The turtle was carefully dip netted from Bay #5 as quickly as possible and found to be apparently healthy and moving about normally. OCGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 82.8 *F (28.2 'C) and OCGS was in operation at 100%

power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the trash bars prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks had been cleaned earlier the same day at 0500 hours0.00579 days <br />0.139 hours <br />8.267196e-4 weeks <br />1.9025e-4 months <br />. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 14.0 in (35.6 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 13.3 lb (6.0 kg).

Sex was not determined. A small scrape less than 1 cm long was observed on one of the dorsal scutes of the carapace. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the capture within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> on July 3, 2002.

The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 1015 hours0.0117 days <br />0.282 hours <br />0.00168 weeks <br />3.862075e-4 months <br /> on July 3. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and fed. The scrape on the carapace was determined not to be a significant concern. The turtle will held at the MMSC for a few days before it is tagged and released into near-shore waters around Brigantine, NJ.