ML042940267
| ML042940267 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 10/08/2004 |
| From: | Swenson C AmerGen Energy Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 2130-04-20226, 2130-042-2857 2004-6, 2004-7, 2004-8 | |
| Download: ML042940267 (5) | |
Text
AmerGen Energy Company, LLC www.exeloncorp.com AmerGen An Exelon Company SM Oyster Creek US Route 9 South, RO. Box 388 Forked River, NJ o8731-o388 October 8, 2004 2130-04-20226 2120-042-2857 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk - NRC Washington, DC 20555
Subject:
Oyster Creek Generating Station Docket 50-219 Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Reports 2004-6, 2004-7, & 2004-8 This report provides detailed information regarding the recent incidental captures of three juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles at the Oyster Creek Generating Station. The turtles were captured 11 September, 12 September, and 23 September 2004 after being removed from the intake water structure trash bars. As indicated on the attached incident reports, the turtles captured alive on 12 September and 23 September were taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ for examination and feeding. The turtles were transported to Virginia Marine Science Museum during late September for tagging and release to the Atlantic Ocean.
Release of the turtles from a more southerly locale will help avoid autumn cold stunning effects that could occur if released from a New Jersey location at this time of year.
The turtle captured 11 September was not alive when taken and was transferred to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center for subsequent necropsy at a University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School facility. Final necropsy results indicated that death was due to unknown causes.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Malcolm Browne at (609) 971-4124.
Sincerely, C. N. Swenson Vice President, Oyster Creek Generating Station CNSIMEB/dl Enclosures cc: 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: Pasquale Scida U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 Samuel J. Collins, Administrator, Region 1 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Peter Tam US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Project Manager Washington, DC 20555 Robert Summers Senior Resident Inspector Oyster Creek Generating Station PO Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731 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 2004-6 At approximately 1010 hours0.0117 days <br />0.281 hours <br />0.00167 weeks <br />3.84305e-4 months <br /> on Saturday September 11, 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 # 4 of the dilution water intake structure.
The turtle appeared to be either comatose or dead. In accordance with OCGS procedures, operators initiated resuscitation of the sea turtle but were unable to revive it. 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 75.8 F (24.3 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 and cleaned the previous morning. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.
The turtle measured only 8.8 in (22.3 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 4.8 lb (2.2 kg). A small puncture wound was observed on the underside of the neck. 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 September 11, 2004.
The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 1230 hours0.0142 days <br />0.342 hours <br />0.00203 weeks <br />4.68015e-4 months <br /> on September 11, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and measured. The turtle was transferred to the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where a necropsy was performed. It was not possible to determine definitively whether the turtle had died prior to arriving at OCGS or as a result of interaction with the OCGS intake.
OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-7 At approximately 2329 hours0.027 days <br />0.647 hours <br />0.00385 weeks <br />8.861845e-4 months <br /> on Sunday September 12, 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 circulating water intake structure.
The turtle appeared to be healthy, alert and moving about normally. OCGS Environmental personnel 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 76.8 F (24.9 C) and OCGS was in operation at 40% 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 circulating water trash racks had been inspected at 2000 hours0.0231 days <br />0.556 hours <br />0.00331 weeks <br />7.61e-4 months <br /> the same evening. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.
The turtle measured only 8.3 in (21.0 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed just 3.1 lb (1.4 kg). The left front flipper was nearly entirely missing due to a previous injury that had completely healed. No tags or scarring from 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 September 13, 2004.
The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 0700 hours0.0081 days <br />0.194 hours <br />0.00116 weeks <br />2.6635e-4 months <br /> on September 13, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured, fed and held for subsequent release. The turtle was transported to Virginia Marine Science Museum during the week of September 27, 2004 for PIT tagging and release to the Atlantic Ocean. Release of the turtle from a more southerly locale will help avoid autumn cold stunning effects that could occur if released from a New Jersey location at this time of year.
OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 2004-8 At approximately 2145 hours0.0248 days <br />0.596 hours <br />0.00355 weeks <br />8.161725e-4 months <br /> on Thursday September 23, 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 # 3 of the circulating water intake structure.
The turtle appeared to be alert and responsive. 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 71.4 F (21.9 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 circulating water trash racks had been inspected earlier the same day. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.
The turtle measured 9.5 in (24.2 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 4.2 lb (1.9 kg).
Small abrasions on the underside of the carapace of the turtle were observed. No tags or scarring from previous 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 September 24, 2004.
The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 0600 hours0.00694 days <br />0.167 hours <br />9.920635e-4 weeks <br />2.283e-4 months <br /> on September 24, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured, fed and held for observation prior to release. The turtle was transported to Virginia Marine Science Museum during the week of September 27, 2004 for PIT tagging and release to the Atlantic Ocean. Release of the turtle from a more southerly locale will help avoid autumn cold stunning effects that could occur if released from a New Jersey location at this time of year.