ML042260459

Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-2, Oyster Creek Generating Station

ML042260459
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	08/03/2004
From:	Massaro M AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2120-042-2837, 2130-04-20156
Download: ML042260459 (3)

Text

I AmeTGen Energy Company, LLC www.exe1oQILUI p.LUT I XAmerGenAn Exelon Company SM Oyster Creek US Route 9 South, P.O. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 August 3, 2004 2130-04-20156 2120-042-2837 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk - NRC Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Oyster Creek Generating Station Docket 50-219 Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-2 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 afternoon of July 11, 2004 after it was removed from 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, NJ for examination, feeding and eventual release.

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

Very truly yours, Michael J. saro Plant Manager MJMIMEB/dl Enclosure cc: Ms. Carrie Upite U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive 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. Robert Summers 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 Regulatory Assurance File No. 04024

Vi OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-2 At approximately 1422 hours0.0165 days <br />0.395 hours <br />0.00235 weeks <br />5.41071e-4 months <br /> on Sunday July 11, 2004, an Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) operator preparing to perform a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle swimming in the water immediately upstream of the trash racks in Bay # 5 of the dilution water intake structure. The turtle appeared briefly at the water surface before diving out of sight. In accordance with OCGS procedures, operators immediately initiated efforts to retrieve the turtle as rapidly and gently as possible. OCGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kemni). The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 81.5 F (27.5 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 swimming in the area of the trash bars prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks had been inspected earlier the same day at 1315 hours0.0152 days <br />0.365 hours <br />0.00217 weeks <br />5.003575e-4 months <br />. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection.

The turtle measured 8.8 in (22.3 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 4 lb (1.8 kg).

Some very minor scrapes were observed on the ventral surface of the carapace. No external 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 11, 2004.

The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 1623 hours0.0188 days <br />0.451 hours <br />0.00268 weeks <br />6.175515e-4 months <br /> on July 11, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, held to ensure it was feeding well. The turtle was released two days later to a safe location off of Brigantine, NJ.