ML042540017

Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-5

ML042540017
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	09/02/2004
From:	Massaro M AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2120-042-2850, 2130-04-20205
Download: ML042540017 (3)

Text

ArnerGen Energy Company, LLC www.exeloncorp.com AmerGen M An Exelon Company 6yster Creek US Route 9 South, P.O. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 September 2, 2004 2130-04-20205 2120-042-2850 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk - NRC Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Oyster Creek Generating Station Docket 50-219 Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-5 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 August 7, 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, observation, feeding and eventual release in nearby ocean waters.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Malcolm Browne at (609) 9714124.

Very truly yours, Michael J. M faro Plant Manager MJM/MEB/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. Samuel J. Collins, Administrator, Region I 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

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-5 At approximately 0900 hours0.0104 days <br />0.25 hours <br />0.00149 weeks <br />3.4245e-4 months <br /> on Saturday August 7, 2004, an Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle among the vegetation and debris removed from Bay # 5 of the dilution water intake structure. The turtle appeared to be alive, healthy and moving about normally. OCGS personnel who took custody of the turtle photographed it and 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 72.8 F (22.7 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 inspected at 0515 hours0.00596 days <br />0.143 hours <br />8.515212e-4 weeks <br />1.959575e-4 months <br /> the same morning. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 27 cm (10.6 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 3.2 kg (7.0 lb).

A small and minor bruise on the plastron was noted. Also, a healed scar from a previous injury (i.e., not related to interaction with OCGS) was noted on the left side of the turtle's head immediately in front of its left eye. 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 August 7, 2004.

The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ during the morning of August 7, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured, observed, tagged and subsequently released to safety in the ocean off Brigantine, NJ.