ML050060037

Update to Oyster Creek Generating Station Sea Turtle Biological Assessment

ML050060037
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	12/28/2004
From:	Swenson C AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2120-042-2868, 2130-04-20323
Download: ML050060037 (129)

Text

AmerGen Energy Company, LLC ------

www.exceml ncorp II AmerGen.. Afl Erlm I_

A _- mp An Exelon Company Oyster Creek US Route 9 South, RO. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 December 28, 2004 2130-04-20323 2120-042-2868 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk - NRC Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Oyster Creek Generating Station Docket 50-219 Update to Oyster Creek Generating Station Sea Turtle Biological Assessment

Reference:

NRC Letter to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requesting reinitiation of the formal Section 7 consultation on sea turtles, August 26,2004 The enclosed biological assessment is provided by AmerGen Energy Company, LLC in compliance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended) [the Act] and in support of the NRC's request in the referenced letter as an update to the Sea Turtle Biological Assessment (BA) for the Oyster Creek Generating Station.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr.

Malcolm Browne of our Radwaste/ Environmental Department at (609) 971-4124.

Sincerely, gA/ v S exI5 cw C. N. Swenson Vice President, Oyster Creek Generating Station CNS/M[EB/dif

Enclosure:

Assessment of the Impacts of the OCGS on Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii),

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Atlantic Green (Chelonia mydas) Sea Turtles (December 2004) 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

,),Zs

2130-04-20323 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 I US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Peter Tam US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Project Manager Washington, DC 20555 Michael T. Masnik US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Project Manager Washington, DC 20555 James H. Wilson 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

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION ON KEMP'S RIDLEY (Lepidochelys kempii), LOGGERHEAD (Caretta caretta) AND ATLANTIC GREEN (Chelonia mydas) SEA TURTLES Prepared by AmerGen Energy Company,LLC December 2004

TABLE OF CONTENTS Secti,on Page No.

1.0 Summary and Conclusions.. .- 1-1 2.0 Introduction . ......................................- 2-1 2.1 Purpose .. 2-1 2.2 Endangered Species Act. 2-1 2.3 Chronology of Events Leading Up To This Assessment. .. 2-1 3.0' Site Description .. ......... '; 3-1

- 3.1 Location ...... '.

' . 3-1 3.2 Barnegat Bay Morphology-and Bathymetry . 3-1 3.3 Hydrology of Barnegat .Bay .................... 3-2 3.3.1 Influence of.Barnegat Inlet  : -'

Modifications on'Barnegat Bay' Hydrology ....... .... ' '

• 3-3

- 3.4 Barnegat Bay Salinity...................... 3-3 3.5 Water Temperature in Barnegat Bay. 3-4 3.6 Water Transparency in Barnegat Bay........... 3-5 4.0 Oyster Creek Generating Station Description Desripion...........-......-... ... ;.......... 4-1 4.1 Oyster Creek Generating Station ................ 4-1 4.1.1 Circulating-Water System .......... 4-1 4.1.1.1 Circulating Water System I '

Intake Structure .................. '.' 4-2 4.1.1.1.1 Trash Bars &'Trash Rake Assembly... 4-2 4.1.1.1.2 Traveling:Screens................. 4-3 4.1.1.1.3 Circulating Water Pumps .. ' 4-4 4.1.1.1.4 Sea Turtle' Retrieval/Rescue Equipment . ...................

' ... ' 4-5 4.1.1.1.5 Other Equipment ............... 4-5 4.1.1.2 Condensers. 4-5 4.1.2 Dilution Water System ............- 4-6 4.1.2.1 Dilution Water System Intake Structure . ....................... 4-7 4.1.2.1.1 Trash Bars'.-.: .. .............. 4-7 4,.1.2.1.2 Other Equipment... .. '.- .. . 4-7 4.1.3 Thermal -Plume Studies., ..... 4-7 5.0 Information on Sea Turtle:Species ................... 5-1 5.1 General Sea Turtle'Information............... 5-1 5.2 Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) ...... 5-3 5.2.1 Description.'....'........ '.. 5-3 5.2.2 Distribution. 5-4 5.2.3..... Food . . . ...

'.:.;... ... 5-5 5.2.4 Nesting.-...'....- 5-5 5.2.5 Population Size-.'.. .................. 5-6 5.3 Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelvskempii). 5-8 5.3.1 Description.'.-',,.'... 5-8 5.3.2 Distribution. 5-8 5.3.3 Food. 5-9 Ii

Section 7 Page No.

5.3.4 Nesting . . . 5-9 5.3.5. . Population Size ....... 5- 9 5.4 Atlantic Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) 5-12 5.4.1. Description . . ....... 5-12 5.4.2 Distribution . . ...... 5-12 5.4.3 Food . ................................. 5-12 5.4.4 Nesting . . ........ 5-12 5.4.5 Population Size . . ........ 5-13 5.5 Leatherback Turtle (DermochelYs.coriacea) . . ...................... 5-13 5.5.1 Description . . .5-13 5.5.2 -Distribution . . .5-14 5.5.3 Food ... 5-14 5.5.4 Nesting . ............................... 5-14 5.5.5 Population Size . . . .5-14 5.6 Sea Turtles In Coastal Waters of New Jersey . . .. 5-14 5.6.1 Sea Turtles in Barnegat Bay. 5-16 6.0 Onsite Information ..... 6-1 6.1 Occurrence of Sea Turtles at Oyster Creek Generating Station . . . . 6-1 6.1.1 Details of Incidental Captures at OCNGS ... 6-2 6.1.1.1 Incidental Capture of--

June 25, 1992 ... 6-3 6.1.1.2 Incidental Captures of.

September 9 and 11, 1992 . . .6-3 6.1.1.3 Incidental;Capture of October 26, 1992 ... 6-4 6.1.1.4 Incidental Capture of->

October 17, 1993. . ..............

..... 6-4 6.1.1.5 Incidental Capture of June 19, 1994 . .  ; ..

............. 6-5 6.1.1.6 Incidental Capture of July 1, 1994. . . 6-6 6.1.1.7 Incidental Capture of July 6, 1994 ... 6-6 6.1.1.8. Incidental Capture: of-July 12, 1994 ... 6-7 6.1.1.9. Incidental Capture of September 4, .1997 ... 6-7 6.1.1.10 Incidental Capture~of , -

August 18, 1998 ..... 6-8 6.1.1.11 Incidental Capture of-,

September 23, 199 ... 6-9 6.1.1.12 Incidental Capture-of.

October 23, 1999. .. 6-9 6.1.1.13 Incidental Capture of June 23, 2000 ... 6-10 ii

Section Page No.

6.1.1.14 Incidental Capture of July 2, 2000.- .................... 6-10 6.1.1.15 Incidental-Capture of August 3,:2000..................... 6-11 6.1.1.16 Incidental Capture of August 28, .2000.................... 6-11 6.1.1.17 Incidental Capture of September 18, 2000................. 6-12 6.1.1.18 Incidental Capture of July 8,-.2001 .. .................- 6-13 6.1.1.19 Incidental Capture of C. July 22, .2001...................... 6-13 6.1.1.20 Incidental Capture of August,14, 2001.................... 6-14 6.1.1.21 Incidental-Capture of.

June 29, 2002 ... ......... - 6-14 6.1.1.22 Incidental-Capture of.

July 3, 2002;. 6-15 6.1.1.23 Incidental.Capture of.--

.. September.24,.2003................. 6-15 6.1.1.24 Incidental Capture of October 24, 2003. 6-16 6.1.1.25 Incidental.Capture of- -

July 4, .2004............. 6-17 6.1.1.26 iIncidental'. Capture of July 11i,;2004...................... 6-17 6.1.1.27- Incidental Capture of July'16,>2004 ..................... 6-18 6.1.1.28 Incidental Capture of July 20, 2004 ................-.- 6-19 6.1.1.29 Incidental Capture of August 7,:2004 ...................-.- 6-19 6.1.1.30 Incidental Capture of:

September: 11; 2004.................. 6-20 6.1.1.31 Incidental Capture of September;12, 2004................. * . 6-21 6.1.1.32 Incidental:Capture of September 23, 2004................. 6-22 6.1.2 Annual Comparison ....-  ;-6-22 6.1.3 Species Composition and Size..... 6-24 6.1.4 - Seasonal Distribution of Occurrences.- ...... 6-24 6.1.5 Location of Incidental Captures at the OCGS............. ....... 6-25 6.1.6 Condition of Turtles Captured at Intake Structures............... 6-26 7.0 Assessment of Present Operations.................. 7-1 7.1 Impacts of Continued Operation of Oyster Creek Generating Station on Sea Turtle Populations........................... 7-1 iii

Section Page No.

7.1.1 Impacts Due to Incidental Capture (Impingement) of Turtles on Circulating Water System and Dilution Water System Intake Trash Racks...-. 7-1 7.1.1.1 Assessment of Impact on Loggerhead Sea Turtle Populations .7-2 7.1.1.2 Assessment of Impact on Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Populations . .................. 7-3 7.1.1.3 Assessment of Impact on.

Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Populations ........... - .'. 7-4 7.2 Other Potential Station Impacts on Sea Turtles ... 7-5 7.2.1 Acute Thermal Effects .7-5 7.2.2 Chronic Thermal Effects...... ..... . 7-5 7.2.3 Cold Shock .7-6 7.2.4 Biocides ............................. '. 7-7 7.3 Mitigating Measures .............. 7-7 7.3.1 Sea Turtle Surveillance and'"

Handling .7-7 7.3.1.1 Surveillance of Circulating Water System and Dilution. Water System Intakes.-7-7 7.3.1.2 Special Precautions During Trash Rack Cleaning ........... .. -. '. 7-8 7.3.1.3 Actions Taken if a Sea Turtle is Observed.... 7-8 7.3.1.4 Sea Turtle Handling and Resuscitation .7-9 7.4 Notification and Reporting of Incidental Captures ............... 7-9 7.5 Discussion of General Impacts on Sea Turtle Populations . . 7-10 8.0 References .. 8-1 Appendix I. Oyster Creek Generating-Station Sea Turtle Surveillance,%Handling, and Reporting Instructions (Procedure 106.12).

iv

-SECTION 1.0 -

SUMMARY

AND CONCLUSIONS :' '--

,This -"Biological Assessment" -was . prepared 'by '-Environmental Scientists. at the Oyster-.Creek-. Generating Station (OCGS) for

-submittal to the U.S.' Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the National Marine Fisheries.Service (NMFS)-:to.comply'.with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (the Act). The purpose of this

.assessment.is to-examine the;.potential impacts-associated with the continued operation -of the, OCGS on -sea turtle- species protected under:the Act,'and to support the NRC's August 26,'2004 request to the NMFS for reinitiation :of. formal-<-Section 7: consultation on sea turtles at the OCGS. The.'request to reinitiate 'consultation-was prompted by, the fifth incidental-. take of a :Kemp's :ridley sea turtle~at the OCGS on August-7, 2004. As a-result of that-event, the.OCGS exceeded the Incidental: Take Statement-annual limit for

.that species.

The OCGS isf located' along the -western shdr'e' of Barnegat Bay between 'the' South 'Branch- of -Forked River: and 'Oyster'.'Creek,'"in

-Ocean County, New Jersey. -, Monthly' mean salinity-values observed in western. Barnegat Bay -near the 'OCGS vary 'seasonally' from approximately 18.5 ppt to over 28 ppt. Monthly mean ambient water temperatures in this portion of -the'Bay rane 'from'a winter mean of --10C (33'.8 0F) to approximately 28 C (82.4 F) during the summer (Kennish'andLutz, 1984). - -.

The OCGS consists of a' single' boiling water nuclear 'reactor with

'an:electrical 'capacity of'-approximately 650 megawatts'. 'When' the OCGS .is .in operation, water. flows; from Barnegat'Bay 'into 'Forked River and. the- OCGS,' where 'some'of 'the flow' is-used to -cool the power. plant condensers.-- Heated water -discharged from the OCGS flows.eastward in Oyster Crebekback'into'Barnegat-Bay.

The .OCGS has two water - intake: structures, the'-circulating water system. intake and-the dilution water 'system intake'. During normal operation, the circulating water system' moves approximately 1,740 m /min (0.46 million gpm) of water through the main condensers for cooling' purposes . '.Addit'ionally, up -to two dilution pumps (each with a,.984 m3 /min or 0.261million gpm capacity) -divert water from the, intake canal'-to the'.discharge canal' to reduce the 'temperature of 'the circulating water discharge '(Kennish, :1978) .'"-Both intakes utilize trash bars' to remove debris-'from' the" water.'-The circulating water' system, intake has-vertical '.'traveling screens which have been-modified withRistroph fish buckets 'and'a'fish return system.

1- 1'

I if Four species of sea turtles have been reported from coastal New Jersey waters. These sea turtle species are: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), Atlantic green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea).

Two of these sea turtles species, the Kemp's ridley and the leatherback, are listed as endangered. The loggerhead is listed as threatened. Atlantic green turtles in U.S. waters are listed as threatened except for the Florida breeding population that is listed as endangered. Due to the inability to distinguish between these populations away from the nesting, beach,- Atlantic green turtles are considered, endangered wherever they occur in U.S.

waters (NMFS 2004). Only the loggerhead,- Kemp's' ridley and Atlantic green turtle have been captured at-the OCGS.':

The loggerhead sea turtle is the- most' common- sea turtle in the coastal waters- of the United States- and.-occurs in many, other locations throughout. the world.': Population numbers along the south Atlantic- Coast :-(North Carolina:-to .Florida).. have been estimated.at 387,594 adult and subadult turtles (NMFS 1987).. The loggerhead population in the southeast.-is threatened by reductions in nesting and foraging -habitat due to the continued: development of coastal areas 'and losses 'resulting from incidental capture in shrimp trawls. An estimated 5,000 to 50,000 turtles have been lost annually from trawling without the use of turtle excluder devices (TED's) (NMFS:1991a). As a result of-the'.implementation' of NMFS. regulations requiring the use of TED's,-and -efforts' to protect nesting beaches, the U.S. loggerhead population is widely believed to be increasing (Turtle Expert Working Group.2000).'

The Kemp's ridley is the, most endangered of the sea- turtle species. A single colony of'this species,.-almost all of which nest near Rancho Nuevo, Mexico, essentially 'represent'.'the. -world population for this species. The population level was estimated at 2,200 turtles. (Marquez 1989). The Kemp's ridley population is also impacted by coastal development and shrimp..trawling.- Incidental take by the shrimp industry:-has been identified as the largest source of mortality (between 500 and 5,000-killed' annually) for L.

kempii (Magnuson et al.. 1990). However,: -subsequent 'to- the implementation of;the NMFS TED regulations in 1989, significant increases in nesting activity have been observed and the population appears to be. increasing rapidly (Crouse et al. -1992; Turtle Expert Working Group 1998; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; Marquez et-al. 2001).

Sea turtles have been observed and incidentally-captured at the OCGS from 1992 through 2004, but were -never captured during more than 10 years of field sampling associated.with.the station,-which began in. 1975'. Their scarcity in Barnegat -Bay "is largely attributable to the fact that access to' the. bay. is extremely limited. The only direct access to Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean is via a single, narrow inlet, approximately 300 m (1,000 ft) wide.

1- 2

.Only thirty-two sea turtles have been captured at the OCGS-'during more than 35 years-of operation...Nineteen.'of these turtles' were alive at the' time of capture '(5 of 7. loggerheads; 11 of 21 Kemp's

'ridleys; 3 of 4 Atlantic greens),.,and safely-returned to the wild.

Thirteen of the turtles removed from-the OCGS intake were dead at the time of capture. Of these, two loggerheads exhibited severe boat prop wounds and were moderately decomposed indicating that death - occurred prior- to encountering; the'. intake.' One of .the dead sea turtles was a juvenile. green'sea :turtle'captured during late October 1999...-This individual exhibited no significant wounds but given-the time -of year, its: death may have been related to cold stunning. The. remaining ten sea turtles found: dead -at the OCGS intake structures ;were all; Kemp's' ridleys.. The condition-of four of these deadKemp's ridleys at the time of'capture suggests that their deaths may have been attributable to factors other! than interaction,-with the :OCGS ..intake;". One of the 'two'dead Kemp's ridleys. taken in 1994 .,exhibited a: strong odor of decomposition,

-suggesting that.'it may have .died prior to becoming impinged on the dilution water system intake. "A Kemp's ridley 'taken'.in July-of

.2001 had, a deep. slice-,wound. on 'its neck; that -could have been caused by..an, encounter with:-a-boat. Two of the three dead Kemp's ridleys taken during :2004.:had puncture woundson the carapace or neck that could have resulted from collisions with boats. The most likely cause of death'. of. one -individual' taken. in 1993 -was determined by necropsy to be drowning at the dilution water system intake. The deaths of the remaining five Kemp's -ridleys may' also be- attributable to drowning.at 'either the dilution water system or circulating water.system intake, although -the cause of, death was

-not definitively. determined.- In'.summary, a'maximumof eleven and as :few.as six sea turtles -have died as:a result of OCGS operations "during the past-.35 years. All sea turtles captured at the OCGS

,were subadults or juveniles.. . -

The-.occurrence of thirty-two'sea turtles at the'OCGS-'betweentl992 and'2004,,.although none had been observed before'despite intensive sampling efforts, -is ,-probably attributable to fat. least two factors. : Modifications-'to Barnegat Inlet; completed in 1991, 'and

.subsequent,'dredging of.:the ;inlet -have' resulted' in significant

-increases 'in the .depth -of the.;-inlet 'and- the: 'volume- of '.water passing: through -the .inlet' during .-each tidal :exchange.' These changes may have made Barnegat Bay .more accessible'to sea turtles migrating.' up !the ' Atlantic. coast. In 'addition, there is ::'a

significant body:'of evidence indicating that sea turtle:'population

'levels,. particularly .. the Kemp's:` ridley. population, have been increasing rapidly..duringzthe' past- several' years (Crouse'-et:'al.

1992; Turtle Expert'. Working _Group 1998; Marquez -et -al. -1999; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; Marquez et al. 2001). These increases .in 'abundance are' probably a,. result -of:' decreased mortality..associated with :the j.implementation of- the' NMFS TED regulations.in.1989 as well 'as ongoing efforts to protect nesting beaches. .'. .. r ,'  ; . ';

1- 3

It remains to be seen whether or not the changes to Barnegat Inlet will be permanent or, as has happened in the past, shoaling will occur over time, reducing access to Barnegat Bay via the inlet.

Similarly, additional data on sea turtle populations and commercial fishing by-catch must be gathered in order to fully evaluate the effectiveness of the TED regulations on reducing sea turtle mortality.

There were no changes' in the design or the mode of operation of the OCGS that could explain the incidental take of eight Kemp's ridley sea turtles at the facility during 2004, when the previous annual maximum had been two individuals. This phenomenon was most likely ascribable to the combined effects of the rapidly increasing Kemp's ridley population and the unusually warm ocean water temperatures along the New Jersey coast during the summer of 2004. Water temperatures during the June-September period of 2004 were the third warmest since record keeping began, in 1912 (National Weather Service 2004). These abnormally high ocean water temperatures, along with the abundant food, supply in the form of blue crabs found in Barnegat Bay (MacKenzie 2003), provided excellent conditions to attract the increasing numbers of juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridleys migrating up the Atlantic coast in search of productive foraging grounds during 2004.

The primary concern with sea turtles at the-OCGS is whether or not any station related losses of these endangered or threatened species "jeopardizes their continued existence." Federal regulation defines this term as engaging, in an action that reasonably would be expected, directly or indirectly, to 'reduce appreciably the likelihood of both the survival and recovery of the listed species in the wild by reducing the reproduction, numbers, or distribution of that species." A comparison was made of sea turtle losses at the OCGS, assuming worst-case losses, with conservative population estimates for each turtle species. The maximum, estimated, annual loss of. loggerheads at the station' is three turtles, which represents approximately 0.0008 percent of the population in the southeast U.S. The estimated, worst-case annual loss of Kemp's ridleys at the OCGS is four. turtles, which would represent 0.18 percent of the population. The estimated worst-case annual loss of Atlantic green turtles at the OCGS is one turtle, which would represent a small fraction of one percent of the estimated population size. It is unlikely that losses at these levels would "appreciably reduce" the distribution's or numbers of any of these species. Losses to reproduction would be restricted to "production foregone" due to the loss of juvenile/subadult animals that could potentially be recruited into the breeding population at some time in the future.

Thermal impacts from the operation of the OCGS, such as acute and chronic thermal impacts and cold shock, are not a concern. The thermal effluent from the station forms only a shallow thermal plume within Barnegat Bay. All sea turtle species found' in Barnegat Bay have strong swimming ability and can easily avoid thermally affected areas where water temperatures exceed their 1- 4

preferences. In addition, no sea turtles have ever been observed within the discharge canal of the OCGS.

In order to minimize the impact of OCGS operations on threatened or endangered sea turtles, a variety of measures have been instituted, including all of the "reasonable and prudent measures necessary to minimize the impact on listed species" specified in the Incidental Take Statement dated July 18, 2001. To ensure the timely removal of sea turtles from the intake structures, and optimize their chances for survival, a formal procedure has'been developed for station personnel that defines the surveillance, handling and reporting requirements necessary to minimize the impact on sea turtles incidentally captured at the OCGS. The procedure requires an inspection of the intake structures for the presence of sea turtles at least twice per 8-hour shift, and the cleaning of the intake trash bars on at least a daily basis, throughout the sea turtle season. This represents a doubling of the frequency of intake structure inspections specified prior to 1994. The intake structures are provided with high intensity lamps and floodlighting to facilitate inspection and removal efforts.

Guidance on the identification, handling, and resuscitation of sea turtles is also included in the procedure. In addition, large color posters, which illustrate the distinguishing features of sea turtles, resuscitation techniques, and reporting requirements, are prominently posted at the intake structures. Custom-made dipnets and a lift net designed to facilitate the gentle removal of sea turtles from the intake are stored at the intake structures during the sea turtle season. OCGS procedures also includes precautions to be taken during routine cleaning of the intake trash bars to ensure that any sea turtles mixed in with the accumulated debris are removed and properly handled.

In accordance with the requirements of the Incidental Take Statement, the National Marine Fisheries Service, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, have been notified of all sea turtle captures at the OCGS, within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> by telephone and by written report within 30 days. All live sea turtles have been taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, in Brigantine, NJ, an authorized agent of the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network.

Dead sea turtles were submitted to Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania for necropsy. Annual reports of sea turtle captures have been provided as part of the Annual Environmental Operating Report for the OCGS.

In summary, the continued operation of OCGS will not jeopardize the continued existence of the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley or Atlantic green sea turtles. The estimated losses of these species attributable to the operation of the station, particularly the water intakes, will not "appreciably reduce" the distribution or numbers of these species. Losses to reproduction would be restricted to "production foregone" due to the loss of juvenile or subadult animals, which could potentially be recruited into the breeding female population in the future.

1- 5

SECTION 2.0

---INTRODUCTION

.;2.1 PURPOSE -

This A.Biological Assessment" is submitted to-the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory -Commission (NRC). by AmerGen Energy Company, LLC, the licensee and owner of the'.Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS),

in compliance-with.Section 7.of theEndangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended). [the Act], and in'.support of the NRC's rAugust 26, 2004 request to the National Marine 'Fisheries Service (NMFS)- for reinitiation -of formal Section 7. consultation -on sea turtles *at the OCGS.

.The purpose of this assessment is to examine the potential impacts associated with the.continued operation-of the OCGS on sea turtle species. protected under the'-Act'. The primary species of concern "are the . Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)- and loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles, both of which have been captured on the circulating water or dilution intake trash bars at 'the OCGS.

The-:U.S. Fish and. Wildlife-'Service, -"List of Endangered- and

.Threatened Wildlife and Plants,!, lists the status of the Kemp's ridley. sea turtle as -endangered and the loggerhead sea turtle 'as Threatened (50 CFR 17.11) .'"Four specimens of Atlantic green' sea turtle -(Chelonia- mydas) have.:also been captured-'at the OCGS.

Atlantic green sea turtles in-U.S. waters are listed as-threatened

'except for the Florida breeding population, which is listed as

'endangered. Due to the inability' to distinguish between these populations away 'from 'the -nesting beach,' these :sea turtles *are considered endangered- wherever_ they occur 'in-U.S. waters (NMFS 2001). The .leatherback. turtle (Dermochelys' coriacea) is: also' listed as endangered in U.S. waters and.is known to occur in New Jersey waters, but has not been observed at the OCGS. The NMFS has jurisdiction for these species (50 CFR 222.23(a) and 50 CFR 227.4(b)).

2.2 ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT This "Biological Assessment" is part of the formal consultation process provided under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

Detailed procedures for this consultation process are defined in 50 CFR 402.

2.3 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS ASSESSMENT A review of the sea turtle strandings at the OCGS was requested in a letter from the NMFS to the NRC in November 1993 (Mantzaris 1993). This letter followed communications between the OCGS, NRC and NMFS regarding the capture of sea turtles at the OCGS during 1992 in spite of the OCGS having operated for many years (1969-1991) prior to any being taken.

2--1

The issue of sea turtles at the OCGS was initially addressed in 1992 when sea turtles were first observed at the station's circulating water and dilution structure intake trash bars. The matter was discussed jointly by OCGS, NRC, and NMFS (informal Section 7 review). Subsequent to an additional sea turtle being captured in 1993, NMFS advised NRC that a formal consultation process including preparation of a Biological Assessment would be required (Mantzaris 1993). The OCGS Environmental Affairs Department was authorized by the NRC to prepare the Biological Assessment and the "Assessment of the Impacts of the Oyster Creek Generating Station on Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii),

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and Atlantic Green (Chelonia mydas)

Sea Turtles" was completed in 1994. The NMFS issued a Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Statement on September 21, 1995.

The Biological Assessment was updated in 2000 to include information on sea turtle incidental captures which occurred at the OCGS between 1994 and July 2, 2000, in support of the renewal of the Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Statement originally issued in September of 1995. The NMFS subsequently issued a new Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Statement on July 18, 2001.

On August 7, 2004, the OCGS recorded the fifth incidental take of a Kemp's ridley sea turtle since the beginning of the year, thereby exceeding the Incidental Take Statement limits for the facility. As a result, the NRC formally requested reinitiation of Section 7 consultation on sea turtles at the OCGS (Kuo 2004). This update of the Biological Assessment, issued in support of that request, includes detailed discussions of the incidental captures of sea turtles at the OCGS that have occurred since the current Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Statement was issued on July 18, 2001, and addresses "reasonable and prudent measures necessary to minimize impacts" on listed sea turtles taken by AmerGen Energy Company, LLC'at the OCGS.

2-2

- 'SECTION 3.0

.SITE'DESCRIPTION 3.1 LOCATION

.The.Oyster Creek Generating .Station-is located along the eastern

,edge of the'.coastal pine.barrens.of New Jersey in-Lacey and Ocean Townships,.Ocean County -(Figure:3-1). The OCGS'site-is'located 'to

.the.west -of U.S. Route '9,' and 'is bounded on the north, south and west by~.the South Branch- of Forked-.River, Oyster: Creek, and--the man-made intake ,and. discharge. canals. Barnegat. Bay'- forms 'the

,eastern site boundary (Figure 3-2). The power plant 'structures are situated-.approximately midway ;between Oyster 'Creek and-the "South Branch of Forked River and about :425 meters (1,394- ft) west of Route.9. ' ' - - ' - '

• The station site is approximately 55 km'(34 mi) north of Atlantic City, New Jersey and ..70 km (44 mi) east" of- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Approximately- 15 km (9 mi)' north of the' site '.are several small residential communities: Toms>River, South'.Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate, Island Heights and Gilford Park. West of the Garden State' Parkway.- the' land` is primarily undeveloped woodland,- and wooded wetlands are found along the banks of small creeks .to the north, south"and west of

• the 'site. 'East of -the -station.along the--shoreline' of Barnegat Bay,. the land is characterized -by alternating:- sections- -'f residential' development -and .'undeveloped 'coastal 'wetlands 'and

'adjacent .uplands. -. The' terrain':"surrounding :the site is relatively flat along the shoreline to 'gently'rolling inland.  :

.3.2 BARNEGAT BAY-MORPHOLOGY AND.--BATHYMETRY' The OCGS utilizes BarnegatiBay as a source of cooling water, via the South Branch .of ..Forked:-River,' 'and'.the: bay -serves -as-'the receiving water body for, thermal discharges, ':via -Oyster- Creek (Figure 3-2). Barnegat Bay.-:is 'a shallow, lagoon-type estuary typical. of the back bay'systenis>.Of barriertisland coastlines. L'The long axis'of Barnegat Bay extends-.approximately 50 km (31 mi): in roughly..a- north-south' direction' and-.'parallels the mainland,

• forming an irregular tidal basin ranging from l:to"6 km (0.6 --3.7 mi). in 'width .and 0.3 to 6- m ,(1 -- 20 ft')- in depth '(Kennish :and 3--1

Olsson 1975; Kennish 1978). The bay is bordered on the west by the New Jersey mainland, on the north by Point Pleasant and Bay Head, on the east by Island Beach and Long Beach Island, and on the south by Manahawkin Causeway. Island Beach and Long Beach Island comprise a barrier island complex breached only at Barnegat Inlet, which is located 10.5 km (6.5 mi) southeast of the OCGS.

This single, relatively narrow inlet provides the only direct access to the bay from the Atlantic Ocean (Figure 3-1).

The surface area and volume of Barnegat Bay have been estimated to be 1.67 x 10' m' (64.5 square miles) and 2.38 x 108 M 3 (8.40 x 109 ft3 ), respectively (U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 1974). About 73 percent of the estuary is less than 2 m (6.6 ft) deep at mean low water, which is characteristic of lagoon-barrier island systems (Barnes 1980). The bay's eastern perimeter is shallower (less than 0.9 m or 3.0 ft) than the central and western sectors which are 0.9 to 4.0 m (3.0 - 13.0 ft) deep, with extensive shoal areas exposed at low tide (Chizmadia et al. 1984). The greatest depths of 3 to 4 m (10 - 13 ft) occur along the Intracoastal Waterway, a narrow channel traversing the length of the bay. The Intracoastal Waterway is heavily utilized by both recreational boaters and commercial fishing boats, and is maintained at a depth of approximately 2 m (6.6 ft) for navigation purposes by the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers (Marcellus 1972).

3.3 HYDROLOGY OF BARNEGAT BAY The bay communicates with Manahawkin Bay to the south and, via the Bay Head-Manasquan Canal, with the Manasquan River to the north (Chizmadia et al. 1984). The primary exchange of ocean and bay water occurs through Barnegat Inlet, where Carpenter (1963) estimated an exchange rate of 7 percent per tide and a net discharge rate of 56.7 m3 /sec (2,002 ft 3 /sec).

The salinity regime and circulation patterns within the bay are affected by the inflow of relatively high salinity waters originating in the Atlantic Ocean which enter the northern and central bay via the Bay Head-Manasquan Canal and Barnegat Inlet, respectively. Because the proportion of bay water which escapes seaward each tidal cycle is relatively small, Chizmadia et al.

(1984) estimate that 96 tidal cycles are required for complete turnover of estuarine water to take place. Marcellus (1972) reported a mean tidal current through Barnegat Inlet of 1.1 m/sec (3.6 ft/sec) during flood tide and 1.3 m/sec (4.3 ft/sec) during ebb tide. Ashley (1988) measured peak flood tide flow velocities 3-2

• of 1.1 rm/sec (3.6 ft/sec) and peak ebb velocities of 1.0 m/sec (3.3 ft/sec). '. I ' ' ' I' ' ' -'

3.3.1 INFLUENCE OF BARNEGAT- INLET MODIFICATIONS ON BARNEGAT BAY HYDROLOGY

.Beginning in 1988, a multi-year project by the 'U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was undertaken to .re-align the south jetty at.-Barnegat Inlet- and .to dredge accumulated.'sediments from within the inlet.

The new alignment, of the inlet's -south-jetty so that -it is nearly parallel to the north jetty was completed in 1991. The new jetty configuration has not changed the-effective width of the inlet, which remains approximately 300 meters (1000 ft) wide, through which Atlantic Ocean waters can' enter Barnegat Bay. The mean tidal.range

.-. at Barnegat Inlet was-reported by Ashley -(1988). to'be approximately..0.6 m'(2 ft)-prior to the jetty .modifications, and

-the tide range, became progressively damped 'in-a- landward direction. The small size of.Barnegat' Inlet and-the shallowness of the bay both restrict tidal flow and attenuate tidal energy, thereby minimizing tidal.'fluctuations. The depth of the inlet was significantly increased'via dredging during the 1991-1993 period, which permits a freer interchange of ocean and bay waters.' 'The less restricted tidal flow due to the dredging and jetty modifications has. resulted inK a. significantly. greater volume 'of water passing through Barnegat: Inlet. during a given *tidal-cycle (Table 3-1). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data indicate that the average tidal prism has more than doubled since completion-of'the

• modifications,.and the mean 'tide. range at "Barnegat Inlet -has

-increased by over 30 percent (Ashley 1988; Seabergh et al. 2003).'

.3.4- BARNEGAT-BAY SALINITY -'

Maximum Barnegat Bay,.salinities of over 30 ppt are found -near Barnegat Inlet due to the input of Atlantic Ocean water. Most freshwater, however,--enters'the "estuary 'from'surface runoff and ground water seepage along the western shore of the bay (Chizmadia et al. 1984). Several tributaries that drain the New Jersey Pine Barrens provide a mean -surface runoff of 10.2 m3 /sec (360 ft3 /sec).

Toms River provides -the gr'eatest? freshwater input (5.7 m3 /sec;,'201 ft 3 /sec) to-the estuary,--and 'Cedar Creek provides an additional 3.1 m3 /sec (110 ft 3 /sec) '(U.S; Atomic' Energy Commission 1974).

Other significant 'tributaries 'of' the bay include the Metedeconk River, Kettle Creek, Forked River, Oyster Creek, and Manahawkin Creek (Figure 3-1). The freshwater input from these tributaries creates a slight salinity gradient from west to east. The 3--3 :.

salinity of the central bay, in the vicinity of the OCGS, is typically about 25 ppt (Chizmadia et al. 1984).

A relatively pronounced salinity gradient occurs along the north-south axis of the bay due to the freshwater input of Pine Barrens streams in the northwestern portion and the location of Barnegat Inlet in the southern portion of the bay (Figure 3-3). Relatively high salinity waters entering the northernmost section of the bay through the Bay Head-Manasquan Canal result in elevated salinities in that portion of the bay (Chizmadia et al. 1984).

3.5 WATER TEMPERATURE IN BARNEGAT BAY Barnegat Bay is a meteorological transition zone between the continent and the ocean. The temperature extremes of both the summer and winter seasons are moderated within the bay by the proximity of the ocean. On an average annual basis, the warmest months of the year are July and August, and the coldest months are January and February. Tatham et al. (1977) reported winter water temperatures in western Barnegat Bay as low as -1.50 C (29.3 0F) and summer temperatures approaching 300C (860 F) . Periods of relatively rapid temperature change occur in spring and fall.

Atlantic Ocean water that enters the estuary typically exhibits a somewhat less extreme annual range of temperature, however year-to-year variations can be considerable. According to the National Weather Service (2004), ocean water temperatures along the southern New Jersey coast during the summer (June-September) of 2004 were the third warmest since record keeping began more than 90 years ago in 1912. The average ocean water temperature during the summer of 2004 (measured at Atlantic City, NJ) was 21.7 0 C (71.1 0 F), or 1.40C (2.50F) above normal and 3.0OC (5.40F) warmer than the previous year. Ocean water temperatures during the summer of 2003 were among the coolest on record, averaging 18.7 0 C (65.7 0 F).

Ice typically forms each winter adjacent to the shoreline of Barnegat Bay, but more extensive ice covering across a major portion of the bay has occurred only during the coldest of recent winters. Periodically, during winter or early spring, ice from Barnegat Bay is drawn into the OCGS intake canal.

3-4

3.6 WATER TRANSPARENCY IN BARNEGAT BAY Water transparency in Barnegat Bay, as measured by Secchi depth, ranges from 0.2 to 2.5 m (0.7. 8.2 ft). The annual average Secchi depth in the vicinity of Oyster Creek is 1.1 m (3.6 ft)

(Vouglitois 1983)..

3-5 :

_  :. . - -- in-Table 3-1. Barnegat Inlet average tidal prisms, adjusted to mean tidal conditions (from Ashley 1988; Seabergh et al.

2003).

June 1932 2.29 December 1940 3.21 April 1941 3.45 November 1941 3.31 September 1943 2.12 June 1945 2.01 May 1968 1.39 March 1980 1.17 September 1987 1.17 June 1993 2.55 NOTE: New south jetty constructed 1988-1991.

3-6

- . -. MANASoUAN iNLET-MANA3OUA 'RIk!R-DAY, HEAD -MNSUf;ANL ,. BAY HEAD

'METEDECONK,:RIVZW~~

! :v'-S-* ' . t00

'-. * .M TK- S -- -ATLANC OCEAN:

!,, r.- , .C01) .s CEDAR CR15 k *.*..- *:~...FORKIED

.LAND DEAC I .:

• ~: -SARNEGAT INLET' I

• ..HATTECRAS

. 1f ASLAND:

Fiur 3-,. Ma ofBanga* aySNwJesy hoig h OCOS - YSTER CREKGEERTIG TATONm.-CUEA Mi-tlni Bih (ate Kens an uz18)

Figure 3-1. Map of Barn~egat Bay, New Jersey'showing the location of the Oyster Creek Generating Station.

Inset shows Barnegat Bay in relationship to the Mid-Atlantic Bight (after Kennish and Lutz 1984).

3-.7

U.)

I l0 Figure 3-2. Location map of the Oyster Creek Generating Station and vicinity.

1 917 202123 2526 19 27 28 29 30 313.'

'2 3

' 23 _ 25; 0'-12 926i 3 2425 `-27 28 29 - ;31-

-4 51-6 AUGUST -,

3 ':-12' It;;,

-: 4 1271AUGUST -

o19 3 .20 2 25 .. 26 27 8 29 31 .0 4 21-2AUJGUST 2 15

-2 1562 SEPT BER9 - . ' 0 31 2'-419- 30- , , 0 1 018.. 20 245 6 10. 11 29 .3 12- 14 3 .5 1617 i8

---Toms River-  ;-- . -MILS::--:;;ei Manahawkin

- - -:.-  : ,- .SALINITY IPPT) WITH DEPTH TOMS RIVER TO MANAI AWIN BAY.16 Ba Figure 3-3. Salinity profile of Barnegat Bay from Toms River to Manahawkin Bay for August and Septernber -1963 (after Carpenter 1963).

3-9

• SECTION

4.0 OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION DESCRIPTION-4.1 OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION The Oyster Creek Generating .. Station (OCGS) consists of a boiling water nuclear. .reactori. with ---an electrical capability of approximately 650 megawatts. The OCGS -began- commercial operation late .in 1969. The facility, was- owned and operated by Jersey Central Power '& Lightr Company/GPU -Nuclear until August- of 2000 when it was sold to the current owner/operator, AmerGen Energy Company, LLC.  : *' ' '.

The containment structure housing the reactor and the turbine, auxiliary and service buildings'- for 'the OCGS are 'located on 'a semicircular plot of land bounded by the intake and discharge canals -and by U.S. Route.;;9 (Figure 4-1). -'Two separate intake

,structures withdraw water from the intake'canal:(Figs.' 4-~2through 4-9). .The circulating water ;system 'intake (CWS) 'provides cooling water for the main condensers and also provides cooling'water' for safety-related heat exchangers and other 'equipment within the station. The dilution water system (DWS) minimizes the thermal effects -on the discharge canal and Barnegat Bay by "thermally diluting the circulating water. from the condenser with colder water drawn from the intake:canal. ; Water from both systems is discharged via discharge tunnels' to the head of the discharge canal, located-immediately west'of-the plant (Fig.-4-2) '

4.1.1 CIRCULATING WATER SYSTEM The once-through--,CWS is designed to remove waste heat from the stations main: condensers. -rThe CWS withdraws cooling water from the intake canal, routes it to the condensers, "and returns -warmed water:tothe discharge canal" (Figure 4-2).. 'During normal plant operation, four 435 m 3 /min" (0.115 million' gpm) 'circulating-'water pumps (Figs. 4-3 and 4-4) withdraw a total of 1740 m3 /min (0.46 million gpm). The typical-temperature'rise across the-condensers in this operating mode is 110-12.8°C (200 -230 F) . Measurements of the intake velocity of water.:approaching the CWS intake ports show flows of 17-20 cm/sec '(0.56-0.66 ft/sec) -with four 'circulating water pumps-operating and all six.intake bays open.

4- .

- - l R -

The station's New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) Discharge to Surface Water Permit regulates the intake velocity as well as the effluent characteristics of the CWS. The maximum permissible average intake velocity for water approaching the CWS intake ports is 30 cm/sec (1 ft/sec). The maximum temperature difference between the intake and discharge water is 12.80 C (230 F); the maximum effluent temperature is 41.10 C (106'F).

Both of these temperature limits apply during normal operating conditions (i.e.; when four circulating water pumps are operating and condenser backwashing is not underway.)

When fewer than four circulating water pumps are operating, or during condenser backwashing, alternate temperature limitations apply. The maximum temperature difference between the intake and discharge water under those conditions is 18.3 0C (330 F); the alternate maximum effluent temperature is 43.3 0 C (110°F) . The operation of dilution pumps (see Section 4.1.2) reduces the water temperature in the discharge canal by approximately 2.80 C (5%F) for each pump operated. Two dilution pumps are typically operated during the summer months, thereby providing a 5.60 C (100F) reduction in discharge canal temperature.

4.1.1.1 CIRCULATING WATER SYSTEM INTAKE STRUCTURE The CWS intake consists of six separate, independent intake bays or port cells (Figures 4-3 and 4-4). Each intake port is equipped with its own trash bars and traveling screens. Provisions for stop logs are made within each port to facilitate dewatering the intake bays for maintenance.

Originally, the circulating water intake structure consisted of trash bars followed by conventional traveling screens whose primary purpose was to collect and remove debris from intake water. Traveling screens were intermittently cleaned via a front wash, high-pressure spray system activated by differential pressure, a timer, or manual intervention.

To mitigate fish impingement losses, modifications have been made to the original installation by adding: horizontal, water-filled fish survival buckets on the traveling screen baskets (Ristroph modification); a low pressure rear spray wash fish removal system; and a modified fish and trash sluiceway system specifically designed to gently return fish to the discharge canal.

4.1.1.1.1 TRASH BARS AND TRASH RAKE ASSEMBLY Six sets of trash bars protect each of the six intake ports from large debris, mats of eel grass, marine algae or detritus entrained in the intake water flow (Fig. 4-5). The trash bar assemblies, sometimes referred to as trash racks, are 7.3 m (24 4-2

-ft) high and extend from the deck of ,the CWS intake structure at

,-elevation :+6.0 ft MSL .(mean sea level) to'the bottom of 'each CWS intake port, elevation -18.0 LMSL, and are approximately 3.3 m (11 ft) wide. .Constructed of -0.95.-cm (3/8 in) wide steel bars on-7.5 cm (3.0 in) centers," the openings between the trash bars are 6.6 cm (2.6 in) wide.

The trash bars are inspected at least twice during each 8-hr work shift, throughout -the sea.. turtle- season (see Section .7and Appendix I), and debris-is: removed as- needed' by' a' mobile mechanical trash- rake. The trash rake/trash cart assembly is a self-contained unit that traverses the entire width of the intake on rails; ~it contains a -trash hopper that transports the material removed from the bars to a-.-debris container at the 'south end of the intake. Figures, 4-5 -through *4-8 illustrate ' the trash rake/trash-cart assembly at the CWS-and DWS intake structures.

The trash rake is 1.-8 .m (6.-0 ft) wide and is controlled by a single- operator. -from- a -manual- pushbutton contr~ol'- panel that is mounted on.,the Nunit's frame assembly. - The trash -rake unit consists of an integral frame -assemnbly that houses the'-traversing drive, hoisting machinery, hopper and hydraulic control assemblies. The hoisting machinery includes a cable-operated raking device-..that -is designed -to- remove -large floating or submerged -objects that -may accumulate on the trash- bars.- Wide-flanged wheels-permit-the. raking -device to travel' along the face of the inclined trash .,bars, !and guide fthe-' cleaning ':-device vertically over -the bars.' The curved tines-bof`'the' trash rake extend approximately 2.5 cm'(l-.-0 in) beyond:the plane of the trash bars to ensure:effective cleaning'-of the-trash'bars.- - ' '

Lighting of the intake bays and trash bars is provided by nearby high-intensity lamps, as well:-a's d6wna'ward-facing 'floodlights mounted on each corner of'the trash cart (Figs. 4-5 and 4-8).

Personnel- .cleaning'the..CWS and-DWS intake trash:racks du'ring the June 1 -October -31 period; -observe the- trash rake 'during the cleaning operation.so that -the rake may be stopped if 'asea turtle is - sighted. '.' The debris gathered -from -the trash racks 'is hand raked into. the ,trash car. hopper. Personnel performing this task are instructed-to- look for sea turtles and to.-take particular care to ensure:,that sea. turtles'are not' mistaken for horseshoe'crabs.

The. floodlights attached to- the'trash rake unit are utilized during the evening.hours to-aid station personnel' in spotting sea turtles. , .- ' . -- -

- ,;' , A - , i .,-:

4.1.1.1.2 TRAVELING SCREENS Each CWS intake cell is equipped with a vertical traveling screen.

Each traveling screen unit contains thirty-five, stainless steel mesh (0.95 cm; -3/8 inch) fish-removal type screen panels. Each 4-3 -.

screen panel has a 5.1 cm (2 in) wide lip, which creates a water-filled bucket. As the screen is raised through and out of the water, most impinged organisms such as small fish or invertebrates drop off the screen into the bucket, which prevents them from falling back into the screen well and becoming re-impinged. These organisms are subsequently washed into a fish-return system that gently returns them to the discharge canal.

Normally the screens operate at a speed of 75 cm/sec (2.5 ft/sec).

They can also be operated at an alternate speed of 300 cm/sec (10 ft/sec) in order to accommodate large debris loads.

For maximum fish survival, the screen wash operates with both low-pressure and high-pressure spray headers. As the screen basket travels over the head sprocket, organisms slide onto the screen face and are washed by one low-pressure spray header located outside the screen unit, and two low-pressure spray headers located inside the screen unit, into an upper sluice. This spray wash is designed to minimize de-scaling and other injuries that would occur with conventional high-pressure spray headers.

Subsequently, heavier debris is washed into a lower sluice by two high-pressure spray headers.

Because all sea turtles captured at the OCGS have measured at least 18.3 cm (7.2 in) carapace length, it is not anticipated that a sea turtle small enough to pass through the 6.6 cm (2.6 in) openings of the trash racks will ever occur at the OCGS. However, in the unlikely event that such a small sea turtle occurs at the OCGS, the fish return system would gently return it to the discharge canal automatically (i.e., without the need for manual intervention by OCGS personnel).

4.1.1.1.3 CIRCULATING WATER PUMPS There are four circulating water pumps located on the CWS intake structure (Fig. 4-4). They are vertical wet-pit type pumps rated at 435 m3 /min (0.115 million gpm) which discharge through 1.7 m (6.0 ft) lines to the main condensers and ultimately to a 3.2 m (10.5 ft) square concrete discharge tunnel. The once-through cooling system piping running from the intake to the discharge is approximately 200 m (650 ft) in length. A 1.5 m (5 ft) concrete recirculation pipe for ice control runs below the water level from the discharge tunnel back to the intake structure. The area in close proximity to the CWS intake is kept from freezing due to the intake deicing system and the turbulence induced by the circulating water and dilution pumps.

4-4

4.1.1.1.4 SEA TURTLE RETRIEVAL/RESCUE EQUIPMENT As indicated in Section 4.3.2 of Procedure 106.12, "Sea Turtle Surveillance, Handling and Reporting Instructions", for Operations personnel (Appendix I), a rescue sling suitable for lifting large sea turtles (in excess, of.._20,..,kg or 44 lbs) is., kept at the Circulating Water System-'intake structure. The sea turtle rescue sling/lift net (Figure,4-10)-:consists of a weighted ,tubular metal frame. of 2.5-cm (1 in) .O.D...stainless-steel measuring 120 cm (48 in) on a side from which 6.4 cm (2.5 in) mesh nylon netting is suspended. Ropes attached at each corner of the rescue sling are joined into a bridle and single lift rope- which are designed to allow the user to drop the sling below a turtle at the trash bars, then lift-it'out of the water to the.intake-structure deck..-

Custom made long-handled. dipnets suitable - for. retrieving ,the smaller turtles most commonly -encountered at :the OCGS have also been fabricated for use Vat the- CWS and-DWS intake, structures

-(Figure 4-11). The turtle dipnets .are constructed of .3.3 ,cm'(1.3 in). O.D.-.-aluminum tubing and consist of a .240-cm. (8 ft) handle attached to a rounded rectangular* net frame measuring 75 x. 45 cm (2.5<-x 1.5 ft). Nylon. netting of 0.63 cm .(1/4 .in) mesh- is suspended' from the dipnet frame. .. These dipnets:-will be stored within easy reach, attached to fences, railings, or buildings at the CWS and DWS -intake structures during the sea turtle season (June 1--. October 31). , .

Both the rescue' sling and -the. long-handled dipnets are only

-adequate for retrieving turtles -.from *the water.-^surface, or.within about 1 m (3.3 ft)..-of the surface~because the use of either device requires-that the sea turtle be visible from the surface.

4.1.1.1.5 OTHER EQUIPMENT . - - -

Screen-Wash-and Fish-Return Systems -

The high pressure and low-pressure screen wash 'systems remove marine life and debris from-the CWS intake-traveling screens.: The contents -of the upper fish and- lower debris' sluices - are returned to the discharge canal through return sluices at the CWS intake.

The--fish-return system has been designed .to.- return the. fish -and marine 'life washed from the traveling: screens as gently, and gradually as -possible to the:plant's receiving waters. - -.

• 4 t - - ' ' ,

4.1.1.2 CONDENSERS' There are three sections '-to- the main condenser, one: located immediately below each low-pressure turbine (Fig. 4-9). .- There are 14,560 tubes in each main condenser section carrying circulating water from the intake canal. This provides approximately 13,000 4-5

m' (139,880 ft') of cooling surface area. Each section is 12.2 m (40 ft) long by almost 6.1 m (20 ft) wide and 9.9 m (32.5 ft) high. Two 1.8 m (6 ft) diameter pipes deliver circulating water to each section of the main condensers.

The discharge piping from the main condenser is joined through 1.8 m (6 ft) lines into a common 3.2 m (10.5 ft) square concrete discharge tunnel. The discharge tunnel transports the condenser cooling water across the site to the discharge canal (Figs. 4-2 and 4-9).

4.1.2 DILUTION WATER SYSTEM The dilution water system (DWS) is designed to minimize thermal effects on the environment by withdrawing ambient temperature water from the intake canal and routing it to the discharge canal where it mixes with the main condenser discharge flows (Fig. 4-2).

The dilution flow is provided by three low-speed, 984 m3 /min (0.26 million gpm) axial flow dilution pumps, with 2.1 m (7ft) diameter impellers (Fig. 4-6). The number of dilution pumps operated is governed by the station's NJPDES Discharge to Surface Water Permit and a maximum of two pumps (1,968 m3 /min; 0.52 million gpm) are operated at one time.

In order to reduce the attraction of migratory fish to the station's discharge canal in the fall, when these species would normally leave Barnegat Bay, two dilution pumps are put into operation when the ambient (intake) water temperature is less than 15.5 0 C (600 F). In order to reduce the temperature of the discharge canal during the summer months, when the water temperature as measured at the U.S. Route 9 Bridge over Oyster Creek (Fig. 4-1) exceeds 30.5 0 C (870 F), one dilution pump is put into operation.

If, after one dilution pump has been in operation for at least two hours, the water temperature at the U.S. Route 9 Bridge continues to exceed 870F, a second dilution pump is put into operation. The station's third dilution pump is held in reserve to be put into operation within 40 minutes of such time as an insufficient number of dilution pumps are operable in order to meet the intent of the permit requirements described above.

The operation of two dilution pumps during the seasonal periods required by the NJPDES permit reduces the discharge canal temperature by approximately 5.60 C (100 F). During the remainder of the year, one dilution pump is typically operated, providing a temperature reduction of approximately 2.8°C (50 F). Following this seasonal operational regime results in the operation of two dilution pumps during about 70 percent of the June-October sea turtle season.

4-6

The average intake velocity in* front of the DWS intake, with' two pumps in operation, is' approximately '73 cm/sec (2.4 ft/sec)'.:

4.1.2.1 DILUTION WATER SYSTEM INTAKE STRUCTURE The DWS intake is a reinforced concrete structure located 'on the west side of the intake canal (Figs. 4-2 and 4-6). It consists of six intake bays. Each intake bay. is fitted with trash bars identical-to those employed at the CWS-intake (Figs..-4-5 anrd 4-6).

Unlike the CWS, there-'are no travelling screens at the DWS intake structure.

4.1.2.1.1 TRASH BARS:.

The DWS trash bars are 0.95 cm-(3/8 in) steel' bars set on 7.'5 'cm (3.0 in) centers.: There are'six DWS trash- bar assemblies, each

'3.3 m (11- ft). wide. The DWS -is fitted with a mobile 'mechanical trash rake similar in design'and operation:to the trash rake used at the CWS I intake (Figures 4 5' through 4-8). The 'process 'of inspecting and cleaning the trash:bars at the DWS is ideitical to that described for the'CWS in Section 4.1.1.1.1, Section 7.3, and Appendix I. - , . I 4.1.2.1.2 OTHER EQUIPMENT Floating Debris/Ice Barrier , '

A floating barrier-has been designed-and installed upstream of the CWS and DWS intake' structures to' divert floating debris such as wood, eelgrass or ice away from the CWS intake and towards the!DWS intake. The barrier is .intended to prevent iexcessive' amounts of debris-or ice from -accumulating on the CWS 'traveling 'screens 'or trash bars. -,The floating. barrieri is of wooden construction' and extends approximately 60'cm -(2 ft) below'- the surface-'from just upstream, of the: CWS- intake to: just upstream' of' the -DWS' intake (Figure 4-2). -

4.1.3 THERMAL-PLUME.STUDIES ' ' -

Heated condenser cooling water discharged from the CWS and ambient temperature intake canal water discharged from the DWS meet and mix in the discharge canal and ultimately are returned to Barnegat Bay via the discharge canal (Figures 4-1 and 4-2).

The cooling water discharged from the OCGS has been studied on several occasions to determine the distribution, geometry, and dynamic behavior of the thermal plume. Dye studies as well as real-time mobile mapping of the plume track have been performed (Carpenter 1963; Starosta et al. 1981; JCP&L 1986).

4- 7

Three rather different thermal regimes can be observed in- Oyster Creek and Barnegat Bay. In Oyster Creek, initial mixing of the condenser discharge with dilution water produces a reduction in discharge temperature.of between 2;.8 to 5.'60C (5 to 100F) depending upon whether one or two dilution pumps is operating; little temperature decay is observable east of U.S. Route 9 until the discharge reaches Barnegat Bay. Minimal horizontal or vertical temperature change occurs in Oyster'Creek between U.S. Route 9 and the bay because of the relatively' shortresidence time and' the lack of turbulence or. additional dilution'. In Barnegat Bay, temperatures are rapidly reduced as substantial mixing with ambient temperature bay water and heat rejection to the atmosphere' occurs. In the bay, the plume spreads on' the surface, thereby abetting atmospheric heat rejection. Thus, there is a very small area near the OCGS condenser discharge of- -relatively'high 'excess temperature in which 'turbulent -dilution mixing 'produces rapid temperature reductions; a somewhat' larger area in Oyster' Creek between the OCGS and Barnegat Bay- in which little further temperature reduction occurs; and a still larger area in the bay in which the plume spreads on the surface.

About 150 m (492 ft) east of the mouth of Oyster Creek the water depth decreases from approximately 3.4 m (11 ft) to 1.5 m (5 ft),

causing turbulence and mixing and directing' the plume toward the surface. In general, excess temperatures do not impinge on the bottom of the bay except in the area immediately adjacent to the mouth of Oyster Creek. Shoreline plumes may extend from the surface to the bottom since the water depths are usually less than 1.5' m (5 ft). In Barnegat Bay, the plume occupies a relatively large surface area with low excess temperatures where the balance of the heat discharged by the OCGS'is dissipated to the atmosphere or diluted by entrained'bay water. The surface excess temperature isotherm of 2.20 (40F) under all operating conditions is contained in a rectangle approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) "along the east-west axis and 5.6 'km (3.5 mi) along the north-south axis bounding the mouth of Oyster Creek. For the 0.8°C (1.50F) isotherm, the rectangle is 2.4 km (1.5 mi) by 7.2 km (4.5 mi). All measured plumes exhibited a plume length of approximately two to three times their width (JCP&L 1986).

4- 8

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-and adjacent, bay localities. (After Kennish and

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Figure 4-2. Schematic diagram of the Oyster Creek Generating Station Circulating Water System (CWS) and Dilution Water System (DWS) flows.

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4-12

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Figure-4-7. View-of the Oyster Creek Generating Station Intake

'Canal looking upstream from, the .Dilution Water System

- Intake (top)-;cl6seup of trash.rake.and trash cart

(bottolm).

4-15

Figure 4-8. Trash rake and trash cart apparatus at the Dilution Water System (top) and the Circulating Water System (bottom) intakes at the Oyster Creek Generating Station. Note floodlights attached to trash carts.

4-16

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J !

-SECTION 5.0 INFORMATION ON SEA TURTLE SPECIES 5.1 GENERAL,'SEA TURTLE INFORMATION Living sea "turtles 'are taxonomically represented by two families, five genera,. and seven species (Hopkins and-Richardson 1984; ,Carr 1952). The 'family' Chelonii'daea is comprised of four genera.and six distinct species."' These species are Caretta'.caretta (loggerhead),

Chelbnia mydas' (Atlantic green turtle),~ Chelonia- depressa (flatback)', Eretomolchelys imbiicata (hawksbi 1), Lepidochelyskempii (Kemp's ridley),and L. olivacea (olive 'ridley). The' family Dermochelyidae is comprised of only one,. genus and species, Dermochelys coriacea, com=only' referred to as the leatherback sea turtle.

Most' of these seven "sea turtle- species are, distributed throughout all- of; thetropical oceans'. However,- the loggerhead occurs primarily' in- temperate latitudes, and the ',leathe'rback, although

-nesting in the tropics,' frequently migrates into cold waters at higher latitudes because of its unique physiology (Mager l985),.,

Sea turtles are believed to'be descended from species known from.the late 'Jurassic-'and 'Cretaceous periods' that', were 'included in. the extinct family' Thallassemyidae (Carr' 1952'; Hopkins and Richardson 1984);'. - Modern 'sea -turtles -have short, thick, 'incompletely retractile'- necks,- -'and- 'legs thatb have. been modified to become flippers' (Bustard-'1972; 'Carr 1952). 'All' species, except the leatherback, have-'arhard, bony 'carapace modified for.- marine existence by*'streamlin'ing-'and 'weight' reduction- '(Bustard .1972)

Chelonians-have 'only a thin layer of bone covered by overiaying

'.scutes and D.'coriacea'-has'a smooth-scaleless black soft carapace- with '- seven' 'longitudinal-keels e(Carr 1952). .,,These differences `-'in structure are the principal reason for their designation as the only species in' the monotypic family Dermochelyidae (Carr 1952). . . .....

.Sea'turt1&sspend most'of their' ives'in a anuatic ronment and males of many 'species m ay never leave the water (Hopkins .and 5-1

Richardson 1984; Nelson 1988). The recognized life stages for these turtles are egg, hatchling, juvenile/subadult, and adult (Hirth 1971). A generalized sea turtle life cycle is presented in Figure 5-1.

Reproductive cycles in adults of all species involve some degree of migration in which the animals return to nest at the same beach year after year (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). Nesting generally begins about the middle of April and continues into September (Hopkins and Richardson 1984; Nelson 1988; Carr 1952). Mating and copulation occur just off the nesting beach and it is theorized that sperm from one nesting season may be stored by the female and thus fertilize a later season's eggs (Ehrhart 1980). A nesting female moved shoreward by the surf lands on the beach and crawls to a point above the high water mark (Carr 1952). She then proceeds to excavate a shallow body pit by twisting her body in the sand (Bustard 1972).

After digging the body pit she proceeds to excavate an egg chamber using her rear flippers (Carr 1952). Clutch size, egg size, and egg shape are species specific (Bustard 1972). Incubation periods for loggerheads and Atlantic green turtles average 55 days but range from 45 to 65 days depending on local conditions (Nelson 1988).

Hatchlings emerge from the nest at night, breaking the eggshell and digging their way out of the nest (Carr 1952). They find their way across the beach to the surf by orienting to light reflecting off the breaking surf (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). Once in the surf, hatchlings exhibit behavior known as "swim frenzy," during which they swim in a straight line for many hours (Carr 1986). Once into the waters off the nesting beach, hatchlings enter a period known as the "lost year." Researchers are presently trying to determine where young sea turtles spend their earliest years, what habitat(s) they prefer at this age, as well as typical survival rates during the "lost year" (i.e., during their post-hatchling early pelagic stage). It is currently believed the period encompassed by the "lost year" may actually turn out to be several years and various hypotheses have been put forth regarding sea turtle activities during this period. One is that hatchlings may become associated with floating sargassum rafts offshore. These rafts provide shelter and are dispersed randomly by the currents (Carr 1986). Another hypothesis is that the "lost year" of some species may be spent in a salt marsh/estuarine system (Garmon 1981).

The functional ecology of sea turtles in the marine and/or estuarine ecosystem is varied. The loggerhead is primarily carnivorous and has jaws well-adapted to crushing molluscs and crustaceans and grazing on encrusted organisms attached to reefs, pilings and 5-2

wrecks; the Kemp's ridley is omnivorous and feeds on swimming crabs, crustaceans, and molluscs-(Seney et al. :2002); the Atlantic green turtle is a~herbivore and grazes on marine' grasses' and algae; and, the leatherback is a specialized feeder. preying primarily upon jellyfish. _Until recently, -sea 'turtle populations were- relatively large and subsequently -played-.a' significant' role in 'the'marine ecosystem. This role has beenrgreatly reduced'in most locatiorns as a.result of declining turtle populations.> -These--population declines were a result _of, .. among' other things,, natural 'factors' such as disease and predation, habitat loss, commercial over utilization, commercial fishing by-catch mortality and the -lack of '-comprehensive regulatory mechanisms - to ensure -their protection throughout' their geographic range. This has led to several species being threatened with extinction. -' -

Due to-changes-in habitat use.during different life history stages and seasons, sea'.:turtle '`populations -are difficult' to census (Meylan 1982);.Because of these problems,' estimates of population numbers have been derived from various indices such -as numbers of nesting females, numbers of hatchlings per kilometer of nesting beach 'and:number of subadult carcasses -(st'ra ndings)"washed ashore (Hopkins and Richardson.1984). .-Six of the 'seven'extant-'species of sea turtles .are protected runddr :the Endangered -Species Act. 'Three of the turtles, Kemp's ridley,- hawksbill and leatherback',: are

-listed as endangered..'..TheK'.Florida -nesting'population-'of- Atlantic green turtle and Mexican' west coast population'of olive ridley are also endangered. All.'of .the -remaining' populations of' Atlantic green -turtle,- olive ridley. and loggerhead" are threatened. ' The only unlisted species is the locally-protected'Australiani' flatkack turtle (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). Only three species of sea

-turtles (loggerheads,.- Kemp's- ridleys-and occasionally ! Atlantic greens), occur- in- Barnegat Bay. and- coastal -waters neear" the '-OCGS.

Leatherbacks.do.occur.in- coastal'-New Jersey-waters but typically are found at. considerable- distances offshore.,-- Atlantic green turtles have only:-been sporadically reported-,from the"New Jersey coast.- Regional.sea'turtle distribution will'be discussed inmore detail later -in this section. '-.'::... -: ' ',

.- ~~~~~

, ' . . ' . .' '."  !' . '  ; - ' ' -. ' ~~~~~'  :'  :

-5.2 LOGGERHEAD (Caretta caretta)--:'-':- -  : --  : -

5.

2.1 DESCRIPTION

The adult loggerhead turtle has a slightly elongated, heart-shaped carapace that tapers towards the posterior and has a broad triangular head (Pritchard et al. 1983). Loggerheads normally weigh up to 200 kg (450 lb) and attain a carapace length (straight line)

up to 120 cm (48 in) (Pritchard et al. 1983). Their general coloration is reddish-brown dorsally and cream-yellow ventrally (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). Morphologically, the loggerhead is distinguishable from other sea turtle species by the following characteristics: 1) a hard shell; 2) two pairs of scutes on the front of the head; 3) five pairs of lateral scales on the carapace;

4) plastron with three pairs of enlarged scutes connecting the carapace; 5) two claws on each flipper; and, 6) reddish-brown coloration (Nelson 1988; Dodd 1988; Wolke and George 1981).

Loggerhead hatchlings are brown above with light margins below and have five pairs of lateral scales (Pritchard et al. 1983).

5.2.2 DISTRIBUTION Loggerhead turtles are circumglobal, inhabiting continental shelves, bays, lagoons, and estuaries in the temperate, subtropical and tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans (Dodd 1988; Mager 1985).

In the western Atlantic Ocean, loggerhead turtles occur from Argentina northward to Newfoundland including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea (Carr 1952; Dodd 1988; Mager 1985; Nelson 1988; Squires 1954). Sporadic nesting is reported throughout the tropical and warmer temperate range of distribution, but the most important nesting areas are the Atlantic coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). The Florida nesting population of loggerheads has been estimated to be the second largest in the world (Ross 1982).

The foraging range of the loggerhead sea turtle extends throughout the warm waters of the U.S. continental shelf (Shoop et al. 1981).

On a seasonal basis, loggerhead turtles are common as far north as the Canadian portions of the Gulf of Maine (Lazell 1980), but during cooler months of the year, distributions shift to the south (Shoop et al. 1981). Loggerheads frequently forage around coral reefs, rocky places and, old boat wrecks; they commonly enter bays, lagoons and estuaries (Dodd 1988). Aerial surveys of loggerhead turtles at sea indicate that they are most common in waters less than 50 m (164 ft) in depth (Shoop et al. 1981), but they occur pelagically as well (Carr 1986).

5- 4

5.2.3 FOOD .;- .;. -

Loggerheads are primarily carnivorous (Mortimer 1982).' They eat a variety of benthic-organisms including. molluscs, Icrabs, shrimp, jellyfish, sea urchins, sponges, squids, and fishes'`(Nelson 1988; Seney et al. 2002). Adult loggerheads have been observed feeding in reef and hard bottom areas (Mortimer 1982). In the seagrass lagoons of Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, subadult loggerheads' fed 'almost exclusively --on horseshoe ::crab (Mendonca: and Ehrhart 1982).

Loggerheads may also eat animals discarded by commercial trawlers (Shoop and Ruckdeschel 1982)..' This benthic feeding characteristic may contribute to the capture of these turtles in trawls. -

5.2.4 NESTING The nesting season of the loggerhead is confined to the warmer months of the year ;in the. temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. In south.Florida nesting may occur from April-!through September but usually peaks in, late June and' July (Dodd 1988; Florida Power & Light Company 1983).

Loggerhead females generally nest every other year or every third year, (Hopkins- and- Richardson .1984) but 'multi-annual 'remigration intervals ranging from one to six-years have been reported (Bjorndal et al.- 1983; Richardson et-al.:1978). When a'loggerhead'nests,- it usually will;lay 2 to.3 clutches of eggs.per season and-will 'lay 35 to 180 eggs per clutch (Hopkins and Richardson '1984).' i-The'-eggs

!.hatch in. 46 to 68 days and hatchlings. emerge 2 'or- 3 days later (Crouse 1985;-Hopkins.and Richardsonl1984; Kraemer 1979).'

Hatchling loggerheads are a little less than 5 cm (2 in) in length when they emerge from:the nest.(Hopkins and Richardson 1984;-Florida Power & Light: Company.. 1983); They emerge,-from' the' nest "as a group at night, .orient, themselves :.seaward and .rapidly move - towards "the water (Hopkins: and Richardsonr 1984). 'Many hatchlings fall'-prey' to sea birds and- other predators,.following emergence.-'-Those hatchlings that reach' the water. quickly, move offshore and exist 'pelagically (Carr .1986). . '  ; --. . -

There are.-at least four loggerhead-nesting' subpopulations in the western North Atlantic (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). The Northern Nesting Subpopulation occurs from 'North- Carolina' -to northeast--Florida. The Southern Florida Nesting Subpopulation is the largest -loggerhead. nesting assemblage in 2the, Atlantic, occurring from 290 N on the east coast 'to' Sarasota on 'the west coast. The Florida Panhandle -Nesting Subpopulation' is found at 'Elgin'Air Force 5- 5

Base and the beaches near Panama City, Florida. The Yucatan Nesting Subpopulation occurs on the eastern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Historically, only minor nesting activity has occurred elsewhere in the western North Atlantic, with the exception of Central America (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000).

Nesting by loggerheads as far north as the New Jersey coast is considered rare. Anecdotal reports of loggerhead nests at Ocean City, NJ and Island Beach State Park during the 1980's are among the few known nesting activities in local waters (Schoelkopf, personal communication, 1993). More recently, a loggerhead nest was found at Holgate, NJ on Long Beach Island during the summer of 1994 (Schoelkopf, personal communication, 1994).

5.2.5 POPULATION SIZE Loggerhead sea turtles are the most common sea turtle in the coastal waters of the United States. Population size and temporal trends in abundance have been estimated using nesting data, stranding data and aerial surveys.

Based on numbers of nesting females, numbers of hatchlings per kilometer of nesting beach and number of subadult carcasses (strandings) washed ashore, the total number of mature loggerhead females in the southeastern United States has been estimated to be from 35,375 to 72,520 (Hopkins and Richardson 1984; Gordon 1983).

The annual average adult female population along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts for the period 1989-1998 was estimated to be 44,780 individuals based upon nesting data (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000).

Adult and sub-adult (shell length greater than 60 centimeters) population estimates have also been based on aerial surveys of pelagic animals observed by NMFS during 1982 to 1984. Based on these studies the number of adult and sub-adult loggerhead sea turtles from Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Key West, Florida was estimated to be 387,594 individuals (NMFS 1987). This number was arrived at by taking the number of observed turtles and converting it to a population abundance estimate using information on the amount of time loggerheads typically spend at the surface.

Some sea turtles that die at sea wash ashore and are found stranded.

The NMFS Sea Turtle Salvage and Stranding Network (STSSN) collects stranded sea turtles along both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; STSSN 2004). The largest number of loggerhead strandings during the period 1986-2001 (Figure 5-2) 5- 6

. occurred along the. southeast Atlantic Coast (14,404 turtles; 61% of total), followed by the Gulf'7Coast (5,320:turtles; 22% of total) and the northeast Atlantic ".Coast (4,047 turtles; 17% of total).

Strandings in- the southeast. U.S. and the Gulf. of Mexico declined in the early 1990's, . but have,:generally- increased since' then.

Strandings in the northeast.,have.--more than doubled' during the same time period. (Turtle Expert Wo6kingiGroup 2000; STSSN 2004).

Frazer (1986) suggested that loggerhead turtle nesting- populations in the.U.S. were declining, Ibut positive steps have been taken to reverse that trend. In September'.of 1989, -NMFS regulations requiring the use of turtle excluder. devices (TED's) on commercial shrimp trawls were implemented. Based upon onboard observations of offshore shrimp trawling in the southeast.,Atlantic, NMFS estimated that over 43,000 loggerheads were captured in shrimp trawls annually. The number of loggerhead mortalities from this activity was estimated to be 9,874 turtles annually (NMFS 1987). An estimated 5,000 to 50,000 loggerheads -were.killed annually during-.commercial'Ishrimp fishing activities prior to regulations requiring the use-of TED's (NMFS 1991a). . The use of TED's may reduce sea turtle mortality in.shrimp trawls by as much as.97.percent.(Crouse et al'.;1992). Studiess of TED

-effects -on reducing strandings,'in South Carolina and Georgia during the period 1980-1997 demonstrated reductions in strandings-ranging from 40.to 58 percent (Crowder.et al.' 1995; Roylb and-Crowder 1998).

Following the implementation of' ,the TED requirement, strandings of drowned threatened and endangered -sea turtle species, in areaswhere strandings were historically high,:'were- dramatically lower. for a few years (Figure 5-2), .suggesting --a reduction in: shrimp trawl related mortality. (Crouse et al. 1992;'--Turtle Expert Working Group':.2000).

Increases in strandings since 1993 are indicative' of an increasing loggerhead population (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000).

Sea turtle nesting activity".-on two key -'beaches 'also.'increased considerably subsequent to -the implementation of the TED regulations (Crouse et al. 1992). The total number of `"loggerhead nests;'-laid along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts from 1989 through 1998

.ranged from 53,014 to .92,182 per-.year."The number-of'nests increased

,at an average rate of approximately 3.'6 percent per year'-and reached the maximum observed number'(92,l82):-in 1998 (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000).

-In addition to-the apparent'.success of the TED program,':restrictions

• on development in :.coastal -areas..-have :becomel more- widespread 'in recent-years and may reduce the rate of nesting-habitat loss for sea turtles. ' -' , , -

5- -7

-The observed trends in strandings and nesting activity in' recent years, along with some evidence of a 'shift in size 'class distribution toward smaller turtles, ' suggest that 'the U.S.

loggerhead population. is increasing (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000) and that, effective measures have -been 'taken to mitigate a major source of loggerhead mortality. Various"population estimates suggest that the number of adult and'subadult turtles isprobably in the hundreds of thousands in the southeastern United States alone.

In addition, large populations of loggerheads' 'occur in many 'other parts of the world (Ross and Barwani 1982; NMFS 1991a). These facts suggest that although'this species needs-to be conserved, it is not in any immediate risk of becoming endangered. -

5.3 KEMP'S RIDLEY. (Lepidochelys'kempii) 5.

3.1 DESCRIPTION

The adult Kemp's ridley has a circular-shaped 'carapace and'a 'medium sized pointed head. Ridleys. are the smallest of extant sea turtles.

They normally weigh up to 42 kg (90 lb) and attain-a carapace length (straight line) up to 70 cm (27 in) (Pritchard et al. 1983). Their general coloration is olive-green dorsally and yellow 'ventrally (Hopkins and Richardson 1984). Morphologically,- the Kemp's ridley is distinguishable from other sea turtle species by the following characteristics: -1)' a hard shell; 2) two' pairs- of scutes on the front of the head; 3) five pairs of lateral scutes on the carapace; 4). plastron. with four pairs of scutes, with'pores, connecting the carapace; 5) one claw on each front flipper and two on each back flipper; and, 6) olive-green coloration' (Pritchard et al. 1983; Pritchard and Marquez 1973).

Kemp's ridley hatchlings are dark grey-black above and white below (Pritchard et al.- 1983; Pritchard and Marquez 1973).

5.3.2 DISTRIBUTION Kemp's ridley turtles, inhabit sheltered coastal -areas and- frequent larger estuaries, bays and lagoons in the, temperate, subtropical and tropical waters of the northwestern Atlantic- Ocean and Gulf 'of Mexico (Mager 1985).

The foraging range- of adult Kemp's ridley sea- turtles appears to be restricted to the Gulf of Mexico. However,- juveniles and subadults occur throughout the warm coastal waters of the U.S'. Atlantic coast (Hopkins and Richardson 1984; Pritchard and Marquez 1973).

Juveniles/subadults travel northward with vernal warming to feed in 5- 8

the productive coastal waters of Georgia through:'New England, but

.return southward with the .:onset of winter to escapethe cold (Henwood and Ogren 1987; Lutcavage and Musick 1985; Morreale et al.

1988; Ogren 1989).

5.3.3. FOOD-- -

Kemp's. ridleys are omnivorous and feed on swimming crabs,.

crustaceans,. fish, jellyfish--and molluscs (Pritchard 'and -Marquez 1973; Seney et al. 2002). -

5.3.4 NESTING-

,Nesting.of Kemp's ridleys-is.mainly'restricted to a-stretch of beach near Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (Pritchard and Marquez 1973; Hopkins and Richardson..1984).'!- Occasional nesting has been reported in Padre Island, Texas and- Veracruz, Mexico (Mager '1985; Turtle Expert- Working-Group 2000)..

The nesting season of the Kemp's ridley is confined -to the warmer months of the year primarily;from April through-July. 7-Kemp's ridley

. -females generally nest every. year to every third-year (Mdrquez et

-al. 1982;.Pritchard et al. 1983). They will.lay-2-to'3'-clutches of

-eggs -per -season and -will lay 50 to 185 eggs per 'clutch. The' eggs hatch in 45 to !70 days 'and hatchlings emerge 2 'or 3 days later

-(Hopkins and Richardson 1984). - -

Hatchling--ridleys are.,about 4.2 -'cm (a little less -than 2' in). in

• .lengthwhen they-emerge from.the nest (Hopkins and Richardson 1984).

They emerge from .the nest as- a group at night, orient'themselves seaward, and rapidly move towards :the water (Hopkins ",and- Richardson 1984). -Following emergence,-:many hatchlings fall'prey:to'sea birds, raccoons and crabs. Those hatchlings that reach the water quickly move: offshore. Their.; existence after emerging'. is ':not' well understood but is probably pelagic (Carr 1986).

-. -The post-pelagic stages are commonly found dwelling 'over crab-rich sandy-'or muddy bottoms. -Juveniles frequent.bays,.-coastal lagoons, and river'mouths

.(NMFS.1992b). - -

5.3.5 POPULATION SIZE

-The Kemp's ridley is the-most-endangered of the sea' turtle species.

With the exception-of occasional:'nesting'elsewhere in-the.'Gulf of Mexico, there-is only a 'single known colony of this species, -aalmost

. all of which nest -near -Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. '-An estimated-40,000'females nested'on a'single-day in 1947, but between 5- 9

1978 and 1990 there were less than 1,000 nests per season: (Figures 5-3 and 5-4). Based on nesting information from Rancho Nuevo, Ross (1989) estimated that the population was declining at a rate of approximately 3 percent per year. The lowest number of nests was observed in 1985 (740 nests), but since that time the number of nests has increased by approximately 11.3 percent per year (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). In 1994, 1,565 nests were observed at Rancho Nuevo, and more Kemp's ridley nests have been laid each year since 1990 than in any previous year on record since 1978 (Byles, 1994). By 2000, the number of nests found at, Rancho Nuevo increased to 3,788 (Marquez et al. 2001). It has been suggested that this increase in nesting activity reflects the reduction in shrimp trawl related mortality realized since the implementation of the NMFS TED regulations in September of 1989 (Crouse et al. 1992; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). This hypothesis is supported by analyses of the number of nests counted versus hatchlings released (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). The results of those analyses indicate that there has been an increase in survivorship from hatchling to maturity during the late 1980's and early 1990's. The increase in nesting activity-is also likely to be attributable in part to an increase in recruitment to the population as a result of beach and nest protection efforts at Rancho Nuevo (Marquez et al. 1999; Turtle Expert Working group 2000). The adult Kemp's ridley population-was estimated by. Mrquez.(1989) to be approximately 2,200 adults based on the numbers, of nests produced at Rancho Nuevo, this species' nesting cycle, male-female ratios, and fecundity. More recently, the Turtle Expert Working Group (1998; 2000) reported that age-based population models suggest that the Kemp's ridley population is increasing rapidly and that the trend was expected to continue into the future. As a result, we can expect to find increasing numbers of juveniles and subadults migrating northward each year as Atlantic coastal waters warm, to feed in the productive coastal estuaries.

Population estimates of immature L. kempii are difficult to develop.

Increases have been noted in the number of juvenile captures during the late 1980's and early 1990's in long-term tagging studies in the northeast Gulf of Mexico (Ogren, unpubl.. .data).. If this increase is indicative of an overall increase in the juvenile population, more recruitment into the adult population should occur in the future (NMFS 1991a).

Kemp's ridleys also die at sea and wash ashore. The NMFS Sea Turtle Salvage and Stranding Network (STSSN) collects stranded sea turtles along both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; STSSN 2004; Figure 5-5). The largest number of Kemp's ridley strandings during the period 1986-2001 occurred along the Gulf Coast 5-10

5.4 ATLANTIC GREEN TURTLE .(Chelonia mydas) 5.

4.1 DESCRIPTION

The Atlantic green -turtle is a -medium to large sea turtle with a nearly oval carapace and a small rounded head (Pritchard et al.

1983). Its carapace is smoothand olive-brown in color with 'darker streaks. and spots. -Its .plastron 'is- yellow. Full-grown adult Atlantic. greens normally weigh -100 to 150 kg, (220 to '330'-lb) and attain a carapace length .(straight.line) of 90 :to 100 cm (35 to 40 in) (Pritchard et --al."-1983; ".Hopkins --and :Richardson 1984; Witherington and Ehrhart. 1989). Morphologically, this species, can be distinguished-.from the .other sea turtles by' 'the following

-characteristics: 1) a relatively smooth -shell with- no overlapping scutes; 2) one pair. of scutesi'on-: the front of the':head;': 3)-four pairs of lateral scutes on the-carapace; 4) plastron with four pairs of -enlarged: scutes connecting the carapace; 5) one-'claw' on each flipper; and, 6) olive, dark-brown mottledcoloration (Nelson' 1988; Pritchard et al. 1983; Carr 1952).

5.4.2- DISTRIBUTION - -

.Atlantic green -turtles are! circumglobally distributed mainly in waters between the northern and southern 20'C (680F) isotherm (Mager 1985). In the western Atlantic, several major assemblages have been identified and studied (Parsons-.1962; Pritchard 1966;-'Schulz 1975; 1982; Carr-et al. 1978). -In--the..continental U.S.,- however, the'only known.Atlantic green turtle-nesting occurs'on-the Atlantic coast' of Florida (Mager, 1985). . In U.S.' Atlantic waters, Atlantic green turtles are found around the-'U.S. Virgin Islands,- Puerto Rico, 'and the continental United 'States from Texas to Massachusetts (NMFS, 1991b). - - ,. . . , ; -

5.4.3 FOOD - -  :-

Atlantic green sea turtles .leave ,their pelagic habitat phase and.

enter -benthic feeding grounds:upon reaching a.:carapace length of 20 to 25 cm- (8-10 in) .. :They-.'are primarily- herbivores- eating, sea grasses and algae (NMFS 1991b). -Other organisms living-on sea grass blades and algae add to their diet (Mager 1985).

5.4.4 NESTING . - -

Atlantic green turtle nesting: occurs on -the:Atlantic coast of Florida from June to September (Hopkins and Richardson 1984).

Mature females may nest one to seven times per season at about 10 to 5 -12

(3,495 turtles; 60% of total), followed -by the southeast Atlantic Coast (1,555 turtles; 27% of total) and the northeast Atlantic Coast (748 turtles; 13% of total). The number of strandings along the Gulf Coast increased sharply in 1994 and 1995 but subsequently remained fairly constant (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). Along the southeast Atlantic Coast, the number- of strandings decreased somewhat during the early 1990's but tended to increase from 1993 through 2001. The number of strandings along the northeast Atlantic Coast was low and variable through 1997 but a noticeable increase was observed during the 1998-2001 period (Figure 5-5). A dramatic increase in strandings of Kemp's ridleys. was also observed along the North Carolina coast-from 1993 to 1999' (Boettcher 2002). Prior to 1993, twenty or fewer Kemp's ridley strandings were reported annually. The number-of stranded individuals steadily increased&from 12 in 1992 to a maximum of 122 in 1999. The timing of these increases in Kemp's ridley strandings seem to coincide with' the implementation of the NMFS TED regulations described above, and suggest that the population is increasing.

An analysis of the size of stranded Kemp's ridleys indicated that many more large immature individuals were stranded during the 1990's relative to the 1980's (Turtle Expert Working Group 2000). These results also suggest that juvenile mortality has decreased and the population is increasing.

Onboard observation of offshore shrimp trawling by NMFS in the southeast Atlantic indicated that over 2,800 ridleys are captured in shrimp trawls annually. The number of ridley. mortalities attributable to: this activity was estimated to be 767 turtles annually and most of these (65%) occurred in the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico (NMFS 1987). Magnuson et al. (1990) estimated the annual shrimp trawl by-catch mortality to be between 500 and 5,000 individuals. As discussed above, significant reductions in this source of mortality have been achieved as a result of the implementation of the TED regulations by the NMFS in 1989 (Crouse et al. 1992). The-reduction in shrimp trawl related mortality, as' well as the efforts to protect nesting beaches, have probably resulted in the recent indications that the population is rapidly increasing (Turtle Expert Working Group 1998; 2000).

Despite these improvements, the data suggest that this population remains at critically low levels. This species was listed' as endangered in 1970 and is considered the most endangered of all sea turtles (NMFS 1991a; Burke et al. 1994).

5-11

18 day intervals (Carr et al. 1978). Average ' clutch sizes vary between 100 and 200 eggs that usually hatch within 45 to 60 days (Hopkins and Richardson 1984) .'Hatchlings emerge, mostly-at' night,

.travel quickly to. the water,,'and swim -out rto sea. At--this point, they .enter a period -that-is -poorly understood but is likely spent pelagicallydin areas where- currents concentrate debris and floating vegetation such as sargassum :(Carr; 1986) ..  :

5.4.5 POPULATION SIZE .

The number of Atlantic green. sea turtles: that- existed--before commercial exploitation and the total number that now- exists are not known. Records-show drastic declines in the Florida catch during the 1800's and similar declines -occurred in other areas where they were commercially harvested-in the past, such'as -Texas (Hildebrand 1982; Hopkins and Richardson 1984). . -

The elimination or deterioration of many nesting beaches and - less frequent encounters with Atlantic green turtles provide inferential evidence that -stocks are -generally declining (Mager' 1985; Hopkins and Richardson 1984). - - .

5.5 LEATHERBACK TURTLE (Dermochelys coriacea) 5.

5.1 DESCRIPTION

, The leatherback.turtle is the largest of the:sea turtles. It-has an elongated,, ,,somewhat 'triangularly shaped body .with '-longitudinal ridges or ,keels. . It has alleathery blue-black shell--composed of a thick layer: of. oily,.. .vascularized- cartilaginous: material,

,strengthened. by- a mosaict;of thousands: of--- small -bones.'- This blue-black shell- may.also have -variable white spotting (Pritchard et al. 1983)..;- -Its -plastron_.is -white. - Leatherbacks normally 'weigh up to 300 kg (660 lb) and attain-a '.carapace -length-:(straight line) of 140 cm (55 in) (Pritchard et al. 1983; Hopkins and Richardson 1984).

Specimens as large as 910 kg (2,000 lb) have-been.-'6berved. -  ;

-Morphologically :this,,species. can be easily distinguished 'from the other<-sea turtles, by;- the following characteristi'cs: 1) its smooth unscaled carapace; 2) carapace-,:with seven'longitudinal 'ridges; 3) head and flippers covered with unscaled skin; and, 4) no claws on the flippers (Nelson .1988; Pritchard et al'. 1983, Pritchard 1971; Carr 1952).

' ~~~~~~~. IW ...........,, ' ,- A - a.

5-13

5.5.2 DISTRIBUTION Leatherbacks have a circumglobal distribution and- occur in the Atlantic,. Indian and Pacific Oceans. They range 'as far north as Labrador and Alaska to as far south as Chile and the Cape of Good Hope. Their occurrence farther north than other sea turtle species is probably related to their ability to maintain a warmer body temperature over a longer period of time (NMFS 1985). Thompson (1984) reported that leatherbacks prefer water temperatures of about 20'C (+50) and were likely to be associated with cooler, more productive waters than the Gulf Stream.

Aerial surveys have shown leatherbacks to be present from April to November between North Carolina and Nova Scotia, but most likely to be observed from the Gulf of Maine south to Long Island during summer (Shoop et al. 1981).

5.5.3 FOOD The diet of the leatherback consists primarily of soft-bodied animals such as jellyfish and tunicates, together with juvenile fishes, amphipods and other organisms (Hopkins and Richardson 1984).

5.5.4 NESTING Leatherback turtle nesting occurs on the mid-Atlantic coast of Florida from late February or March to September (Hopkins and Richardson 1984; NMFS 1992a). Mature females may nest one to nine times per season at about 9 to 17 day intervals. Average clutch sizes vary between 50 and 170 eggs that usually hatch within 50 to 75 days (Hopkins and Richardson 1984; Tucker 1988). Hatchlings emerge, mostly at night, travel quickly to the water, and swim out to sea. The life history of the leatherback is poorly understood since juvenile turtles are rarely observed.

5.5.5 POPULATION SIZE The world population estimates for the leatherback have been revised upward to over 100,000 females in recent years due to the discovery of nesting beaches in Mexico (Pritchard 1983).

5.6 SEA TURTLES IN COASTAL WATERS OF NEW JERSEY Four species of sea turtles are known to occur in the coastal marine and estuarine waters of New Jersey, based on the records of sea turtle strandings compiled by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center 5-14

(Schoelkopf 1994; Schoelkopf 2000; Bailey 2004). The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) is a member of the Northeast Sea Turtle Salvage and Stranding Network supported by NMFS.

The records of-the MMSC include-strandings of sea- turtles along the seaside beaches of New LJersey 'as -well- as 'New 'Jersey' s- coastal

-embayments and estuaries such as'Barnegat-Bay and Delaware Bay. The four species of sea turtles reported from these' areas "include loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp's ridley, as well as Atlantic' green sea turtles.--

The MMSC has -reported 1,254. sea turtle strandings in- coastal New Jersey, from Delaware Bay to Sandy-Hook-between 1977 -and -2004 (Table 5-1). Only thirty-two of- those strandings (2.6% of 'total) 'occurred at the OCGS during' 1977-2004'. The details of the strandings' that occurred at the OCGS are discussed in Section 6.0.

---Loggerheads were the most commonly stranded turtle,-compri'singabout two-thirds of the strandings-in New Jerseybetween 1977 and -2004.

Kemp's ridleys and leatherbacks were less common (5.4 and 26 pei'cent of the strandings, respectively). Less than two percent of the reported- strandings 'were'-Atlantic green 'sea-tirtles (Schoelkopf

-1994';- Schoelkopf 2000; Bailey.2004). Similar to the',trends' observed at other 'locations along the Atlantic Coast (Turtle -Expert Working Group 2000; Boettcher 2002, STSSN 2004), the'numb'er'of strandings in

-New Jersey has-generally tended to increase sihce the late 1980's (Table 5-1).X;-

The-,vast -majority-of 'the strandings in New Jersey have 'occurred between June' and October '(Table 2), coincident' with' the seasonal movements of juveniles and subadults along the -Atlantic' coast, although leatherbacks occur virtually all year -in New Jersey.

Stomach content analyses from dead'turtles have,'shown- that -primary

,food items- for loggerheads&are often blue crab and horseshoe crab.

.Blue crabs ._ occur during - most of the year in' the OCGS intake' and discharge 'canals. and -adjacent -areas of'-Barnegat Bay. Horseshoe crabs move -into Barnegat. Bay-to lay eggs "in -ther!spring and summer, which coincides with the northward seasonal movement of loggerheads along the coast. :Kemp's ridley:: stomachs 'that'have 'been 'examined also - often - contain- primarily -,blue' crab.' From a functional ecological viewpoint, loggerhead and- 'KeIp's --

- ridleys 'would be secondary consumers. They are-not likely to be an 'important link in the Barnegat Bay food web,' however,--because-of their apparently low abundance.

5 -15

5.6. 1 SEA TURTLES IN BARNEGAT BAY A considerable body of evidence exists which indicates that sea turtles are not commonly found in Barnegat Bay. From 1975 to 1985, GPUN and its environmental consultants conducted an intensive biological monitoring program designed to describe and quantify the marine biota of Barnegat Bay. The program included sampling organisms impinged upon the CWS travelling screens and entrained in the cooling water flow of the condenser and dilution pump intakes at the OCGS. In addition, thousands of trawl, seine and gill-net samples were collected in Barnegat Bay, Forked River and Oyster Creek (Danila et al. 1979; Ecological Analysts, Inc. 1981; EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. 1986; EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. 1986a; Jersey Central Power and Light Company 1978; Tatham et'al. 1977; Tatham et al. 1978).

Impingement and entrainment sampling involved the presence of 2 to 4 biologists at the intake structures during day and night sampling periods. No sea turtles were captured or observed during more than 20,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> of sampling.

Nearly 3,000 trawl- samples were collected during day and night sampling periods. These samples consisted of 5-minute hauls of a 4.9-meter (16 ft) semiballoon otter trawl. The trawl had a 3.8 cm (1.5 in) stretch mesh body, a 3.2 cm (1.25 in) stretch mesh cod end and a 1.3 cm (0.5 in) stretch mesh inner liner. No sea turtles were found in any of these samples. More than 2,000 seine samples were collected during day and night periods using 12.2 meter (40 ft) and 45.7 meter (150 ft) seines with 0.6 cm (0.25 in) and 1.3 cm (0.5 in) stretch mesh, respectively. No sea turtles were found in any of these samples.

Gill-net samples were collected using a 91.4 x 1.8 meter (300 x 6 ft) net consisting of three, 30.5 m (100 ft) panels of 38, 70 and 89 mm (1.5, 2.75, and 3.5 in) monofilament stretch mesh or a 61.0 meter (200 ft) net, identical to that described above but without the 70 mm (2.75 in) mesh panel. Several hundred samples were collected during day and night periods but no sea turtles were captured.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental- Protection, Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, has conducted periodic trawl and seine sampling in Barnegat Bay since 1971 (NJDEP 1973; Makai 1993; McLain 1993; Byrne 2004) and have reported no sea turtle captures.

Similarly, Rutgers University reports that only one loggerhead turtle was captured during more than 5 years of periodic trawl 5-16

sampling in Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor,

.- estuaries located immediately south of Barnegat Bay (Able 1993).

The scarcity..of sea turtles 'in Barnegat 'Bay is not surprising considering the.fact that the only direct access to the bay'from the Atlantic Ocean'is through a single, narrow inlet, 'approximately 300 m (1000.ft) wide. -By contrast,:the inlet to Delaware Bay is over 18 km.(11 mi) wide (Figure 5-6),-providing unrestricted access from the Atlantic.-Ocean. Largely as- a -'result of this accessibility, sea turtles have been much-more common in Delaware Bay.- At the Salem Generating Station located,-on upper Delaware Bay, 'Public Service Electric and Gas (1989) has captured sea turtles in'the-vicinity of their- cooling water intakes -since- 1980, only 'three -years after the first of two generating units began operating. As many as 25 sea turtles have been captured at that facility in a single'-year.

The location of the-generating station relative to the inlet 'from the ocean,- as -well as: the rate and velocity of the cooling-'water flows should also be 'considered when comparing incidental capture rates at the Salem and Oyster Creek generating stations. The bCGS is located much. closer to' Barnegat Inlet than Salem Generating Station is to the mouth of Delaware Bay.' :-However; a sea turtle entering Barnegat *Bay must- travel. :along several kilometers of-' narrow, relatively shallow navigation-channels, characterized by very heavy boat traffic, and pass through the wooden support structures of 3

-bridges, in order to-reach:the OCGS (Figure 5-7).

The rate of cooling water. withdrawal for either the- CWS or the DWS for OCGS (1740 'and 1968 m3 /min--respectively) is 'about 25'percent of that for .'the cooling water -system at Salem (approximately 7565 m3 /min). Similarly,:'the intake-velocity-at the OCGS -CWS intake (17-

• 20 cm/sec) is -approximately 25 percent 'of that at Saiem '(61-72 cm/sec). :The intake ;velocity at the DWS' intake :for the OCGS '(73 cm/sec): is. similar to that at -Salem's cooling- water intake. 'These factors play an important role in minimizing the number of incidental takes, as -well as the potential' for mortality, at' the OCGS intakes..

, ,, ;,, a  :::i -'"

- There were no changes -in the design-or'the mode'of' operation of'the OCGS that could explain the occurren'ce of thirty-two sea turtles at the facility-between '1992 and -2004, -when none had been' observed before'.despite-intensive:-sampling;efforts. This phenomenon was most likely attributable to 'changes'-in-the -accessibility'of Barnegat Bay and -increases -in- sea ,turtle' population' levels that -occurred in

,:approximately the'same time frame.-These same factors'also help 5-17

explain the recent increase in the number of incidental captures of Kemp's ridleys at the OCGS.

The modifications to Barnegat Inlet that were completed in 1991 resulted in a significant increase in the depth of the inlet, and concomitant increase in the volume of water moving through the inlet during each tidal cycle. The average tidal prism following completion of the inlet modifications is approximately 2.5 times greater than during the 1980's prior to the modifications (Seabergh et al. 2003). In addition, the removal of shoals near the inlet entrance reduced the amount of turbulence associated with breaking surf. These changes may have made the inlet and Barnegat Bay more accessible to sea turtles migrating along the Atlantic coast.

The nesting and stranding data discussed above provide clear indications that both the loggerhead and the Kemp's ridley populations have been increasing since the early 1990's. These increases are probably attributable to the implementation of the NMFS TED requirements in September of 1989 and the efforts to protect nesting beaches (Crouse et al. 1992; Turtle Expert Working Group 1998; Marquez et al. 1999; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; Marquez et al. 2001; STSSN 2004). The use of TEDs has apparently resulted in a significant reduction in shrimp trawl by-catch mortality. According to NMFS estimates (NMFS 1991a), shrimp trawls may have killed as many as 5,000 to 50,000 loggerhead and more than 700 Kemp's ridley turtles each year, prior to the use of TEDs. As a result of this significant reduction in sea turtle mortality and associated increases in population size, increasing numbers of juvenile and subadult sea turtles should be undertaking seasonal migrations along the Atlantic coast. This theory is supported by the observed increases in sea turtle strandings along the Atlantic Coast (Table 5-1; Figures 5-2 and 5-5; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; Boettcher 2002; STSSN 2004) and the recent increase in the number of incidental captures of Kemp's ridleys at the OCGS (Figure 6-1).

Environmental factors, as well as population size and the accessibility of Barnegat Bay, probably played a role in the increase in the number of incidental captures of Kemp's ridleys at the OCGS during 2004. One of the key environmental factors affecting the seasonal migrations of juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridley sea turtles is water temperature. Ocean water temperatures along the southern New Jersey coast during the June-September period of 2004 were the third warmest since record keeping began more than 90 years ago in 1912 (National Weather Service 2004). The average ocean water temperature during the summer of 2004 was 1.4 0 C (2.5 0 F) above normal and 3 0 C (5.4 0 F) warmer than the previous year. These abnormally high 5-18

ocean water temperatures provided -excellent conditions to attract juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridleys migrating up the Atlantic Coast in search of productive'foraging':grounds-during 2004..-

In addition to -favorable ,water,temperatures,' the -New Jersey coast also offered rich feeding grounds for Kemp's ridleys. migrating up the 'Atlantic Coast.. 'According' to. MacKenzie (2003), New Jersey landings of blue crabs-, a fa'vorite foo'd item for- Kemp'Is ridley sea turtles,-increased from'less t~han one million pounds per year during the 1960I's to'nearly eight million pounds in 1993. Although landings declined somewhat after 1993, they remained in the four 'to seven million pbund ran'ge',thro-ugh 2-0'02'.-

.. It is dif ficult to -predi'ct'-futur'e- tre-ndsin 'the'occurrenc'e !-'of sea

-- turtles,'- at 'the -OG.

Environmental' factors, suc~h as----water temperature and food availability,- -"probably -play'-, A role in determining -the- number of -sea- turtles that -enter-' Barneg'atBay in a given year. These - factors .are- diff icult to predict,- however, and their ~impact ~on - the - movements *of --sea 'turtles,> is - dif ficu'lt to quniy. fthe number of individuals migratii-g p and 0dw h Atlantic coast is the major Idetermining factor, incidental -captures may increase if the "TED reguLlations'are as'effective as~ they' seem to be after the _first several 'years of experience,--and the efforts to protect nesting beaches result in increased ,recruitment'-,to 'the populations. If accessibility. to_ Barnegat Bay is' the most 'im]~ortant

• facto'r,, the frequency of incidental.-captures at the OCGS may decline with t-ime.-Barnegat '-In'let -iii nb6tioriously 'dynamic, the position of

• the channel "shifting 'feqently'and the volume of the tidal, prism

'continuously 'decreasing-du to sgedimenhtati6fi - (Table 3-'I; ,A shley

'1988; Seabergh ~et- al-..2003);" "-As- aresult'-accessibility to the a

.through the -inlet 'was--probably* at 'its -- maximum -following" the completion---of' the- inlet-- modifica'tions -in' 1991 -"and 'subsequent dredging in-1993-and is likely-to decrease 'withtime.'-

'5-1.9

TABLE 5-1 SEA TURTLE STRANDINGS IN NEW JERSEY COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WATERS REPORTED BY THE MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING CENTER, 1977-2004.

(SCHOELKOPF 1993; SCHOELKOPF 2000; BAILEY 2004)

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION lt~31arnz s Jnl) 1nmTT~Tr. r-_v4 F'-tt tViV lD X1'

[IJr.Dm :m-rLJT4'is. j' 14& D l v. . .Z 'qIJVIL't 1977 1 0 1 0 0 1978 4 0 2 0 0 1979 11 0 10 0 0 1980 9 0 2 0 0 1981 4 0 13 0 0 1982 2 0 13 0 0 1983 8 4 9 0 0 1984 8 0 2 0 0 1985 22 1 7 0 0 1986 15 0 2 0 0 1987 37 1 33 0 0 1988 13 0 6 0 0 1989 17 7 3 0 0 1990 26 0 9 1 0 1991 55 4 13 2 0 1992 39 5 5 1 0 1993 17 6 28 2 1 1994 33 4 9 1 1 1995 74 1 40 1 8 1996 51 2 5 0 0 1997 35 1 14 0 0 1998 47 1 4 0 1 1999 79 4 9 1 1 2000 40 5 9 3 5 2001 35 4 13 1 5 2002 44 6 19 0 5 2003 38 2 19 1 2 2004* 45 10 26 2 7

• Note: 2004 data as of November 6, 2004 5-20

TABLE 5-2 SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF SEA TURTLE STRANDINGS IN NEW JERSEY COASTAL AND ESTUARINE WATERS, 1980-2001 (National Marine Fisheries Service 2000; STSSN 2004).

I"MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION ( * )

fi~~j

.. .,..._,_...._. TDRA*

January 1(0) 1(0) 4(0) 0 0 February 0 1(0) 3(0) 0 0 March 0 0 0 0 1(0)

April 0 0 1(0) 0 0 May 0 0 2(0) 0 0 June 61(3) 1(1) 5(0) 0 3(0)

July 116(1) 12(9) . 20(0) 1(1) 11(0)

August 150(1) 10(3) ' 44(0) 1(1) 7(0)

September - 170(2) 11(6) i 75(0) 2(0) 7(0)

October 80(0) 3(2) 54(0) 2(2) 0 November, 8(0) 1(0).. 18(0)  : 3(0) 1(0)

December 1 (0) 1 (0) 3 (0) I0 0

• Note: Number of incidental captures at the OCGS through November 2004 in parentheses.

- I 5-2 I

in TERRESTRIAL STAGES PELAGIC STAGES Figure 5-1. Generalized sea turtle life cycle (After PSE&G 1989).

5-22

1000 1200 -

=,600 ClD

- lt t1alll m-.-:.

~~o F t.IIM

-. 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990~ 199.1 1992 1993. 1994 1995 - 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 YEiAR Figure 5-2. Loggerhead sea turtle strandings by-region, 1986-2001 (After Turtle Expert Working Group 2000 and STSSN 2004).

C11 tntntl

' '.'emps Ridid'Y,.'-.:',

DewaiDeilnwThis Decade3 % Year:

40,000 -

800 700 I...30,000,

.I. I -- -- i..I ~.. . . 4 300

. 20,000 Figur\e5-.

anua Esiae nube 300% of netn female.Kemp's

• 10000s

. 4000 Figure 5-3. Estimated annual number of nesting female Kemp's Ridley sea turtles (After Ross 1989).

5-24

6000-

' f.Pre-TED Implementation

. Post-TED Implementation 5000-0 0

z.

4000-IL . .

0 I.

3000-C)n i I.

I 20i 0 I . . . w Id

- 2000-I1I t*)

^; (n

.I f I 11 1000-l to cD Y)

.L

. CD CDC.

0)

&bLi 0

0) t-o)

I

-I (II r.t.--

I t-0)

T-I CD Nx 0)

I I I CO 0)

I I CD I I CD I

Li

, I CD 0)

II E

rUIN I

COD 0

1T-i I

IIIII-IIII

_)

I

• ~ummi..-T.-

I I CM 0) 0)

I T

0)

CD I i cO 0)

CD I I co C) an 0

0

'- . _- 1_ _ N Year Figure 5-4. Number of Kemp's ridley nests at'Rancho Nuevo before and after implementation of.the TED'Regulations'in 1989 (After Turtle Expert Working Group 2000 and Marquez et'al. 2001).

500 -

450 -

400 - 'i 350 - 'I 0 -30 o)250g -ggllaF z

m~~~ 200 - X-dWWllZg 0~50 tj150 - 1i 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999 2000 2001 YEAR Figure 5-5. Kemp's ridley sea turtle strandings by region, 1986-2001 (After Turtle Expert Working Group 2000 and STSSN 2004).

e :i E%

me >4 SARNSAT SAY:;,.

Figure 5-6. Relative widths of the mouth of Delaware Bay and Barnegat Inlet. Inset shows Barnegat Inlet vicinity in greater detail.

5-27

4.i., Dischrge . Itak Caa- *,.. - j

-k.-,, yster reek -/C,,:.e %J n V1.

,z..y 4 A,

'it t mega t~**"S i u i; . 0 t'X 1 .*t .~ ~ h?

A'.4.,,"a __ v-" - - -n

___ kr cea

-".7- c? 1 ~ ~ rNaviatin Chnne Figure 5-7. Probable pathway of sea turtles moving from the Atlantic Ocean to the OCGS via Barnegat Inlet.

SECTION 6.0 ONSITE INFORMATION 6.1 OCCURRENCE OF SEA TURTLES AT- THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION -

As discussed in Section 5.0, despite--intensive sampling-efforts, no sea turtles were observed during the 22 years of OCGS operation prior to 1992; thirty-two sea turtles have been captured since

• 1992 (Tables .5-2 and 6-1; Figure 6-1).. Three' sea turtles were

,taken in 1992:* a dead loggerhead (Caretta caretta) with deep boat propeller wounds drifted -into 'the dilution water intake on- June 25, 1992; a live loggerhead taken twice in September 1992; :and a live Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) was taken October 26, 1992. 'During 1993, the only sea turtle observed at the OCGS was a dead -juvenile Kemp's ridley turtle taken on October 17, 1993.

Four, sea turtles were.taken in 1994: a live juvenile loggerhead

.in June, a dead loggerhead subadult. taken during July (and for which the necropsy showed that death due -t-o 'infections and boat propeller wounds had occurred prior to capture at the OCGS), and two dead Kemp's ridley juveniles taken during July '(Table'6-1).'

No sea turtles were observed: or taken at the OCGS during the three-year period from August'of- 1994 through August:of 1997.

One sea turtle was taken each year in 1997 and 1998: a dead Kemp's ridley. subadult- taken -during:September 1997, and a live loggerhead subadult-taken during August 1998 which was transported to Florida and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean. -

Two sea turtles were taken in'1999: a live Kemp's ridley subadult taken during September 1999 which was transported to Virginia and subsequently released into' the Atlantic Ocean,- and a dead juvenile Atlantic green sea turtle -(Chelonia mydas) taken during October 1999. - -

Five sea turtles-were taken 'in 2000: a live, loggerhead juvenile was taken during- June 2000- which was transported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) -in Brigantine, NJ, and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey; a dead juvenile 6-1

III Kemp's ridley was taken during early July 2000; a live Atlantic green sea turtle juvenile and a live Kemp's ridley juvenile were taken during August and a live loggerhead subadult was taken during September of 2000. The latter three sea turtles were taken to the MMSC and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean in North Carolina.

Three sea turtles were taken in 2001: a live Atlantic green sea turtle was taken in July, delivered to the MMSC and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey; dead Kemp's ridley juveniles were taken during July and August of 2001. The Kemp's ridley taken during July exhibited wounds possibly attributable to an encounter with a boat propeller.

Two sea turtles were taken in 2002: live Kemp's ridley juveniles were taken during late June and early July; both individuals were taken to the MMSC and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey.

Two sea turtles were taken in 2003: a live Kemp's ridley juvenile taken in September was delivered to the MMSC and later released into the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey; a live Atlantic green sea turtle juvenile taken during the latter part of October was transferred to the MMSC where arrangements were made to have it released into the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia, in order to eliminate the possibility of post-release cold shock.

Eight sea turtles were taken in 2004: all of the sea turtles taken during 2004 were Kemp's ridley juveniles, five were captured alive and the remaining three were dead; the live individuals taken during July and August were delivered to the MMSC and subsequently released into the Atlantic Ocean in New Jersey; the live sea turtles captured in September were also taken to the MMSC where arrangements were made to have them released into the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia, in order to eliminate the possibility of post-release cold shock.

6.1.1 DETAILS OF INCIDENTAL CAPTURES AT THE OCGS Descriptions of the circumstances surrounding each of the incidental captures at the OCGS based on available information are provided in Sections 6.1.1.1 through 6.1.1.32. This information is also summarized in Table 6-1. In some cases, observations or inferences about the turtles' behavior or orientation could be made. However, when turtles were removed from more than about 1 m (3 ft) below the surface, or if they were obscured by debris near the surface, detailed information on their exact location and 6-2

orientation was not always 'available. The OCGS Sea Turtle Observation/Capture Report Form, an attachment to the Sea Turtle Surveillance, Handling and Reporting Instructions (Appendix I),

was implemented in June of .1995 in order to standardize the gathering of data related to incidental captures.

-6.1.1.1 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JUNE 25, 1992-A dead sea turtle was removed: from the 'dilution water 'system intake trash bars at approximately 12:50 PM on June 25, 1992.

Members of the OCGS Environmental-Affairs Department'identified it

,as a juvenile loggerhead measuring 35.5 cm (14 in)-carapace'length

-and noted that this turtle had several deep gashes on its side that appeared to be boat propeller wounds. The MMSC-of Brigantine, NJ'was notified and requested to perform a necropsy.

MMSC confirmed that the specimen was a juvenile loggerhead. The MMSC necropsy determined that the cause of death was from boat propeller wounds and that the specimen had died prior to becoming

-impinged on OCGS trash bars.

6.1.1.2 INCIDENTAL CAPTURES OF SEPTEMBER 9 AND 11, 1992 During the early evening (approx. 6:00 PM) of'September 9, 1992 a live sea turtle was noticed by OCGS Operations personnel during a routine inspection of the circulating water system (CWS) intake trash bars. The turtle was carefully removed by several plant personnel, tentatively identified as a juvenile loggerhead," and released alive into the OCGS discharge canal. Although this individual was alive and healthy when released, it was noted that it had a small wound surrounded -by scar tissue just behind its head. The turtle's carapace length was 46.7 cm (18.4 in). '

During a mid-afternoon (approx. 2:00 PM) tour of the circulating water system intake' structure'- on September' 11, 1992, an OCGS security officer noticed a live sea turtle impinged on the CWS trash bars. When the -tuftle- was 'removed- from the intake structure, it was identified as' a' juvenile loggerhead with- a neck wound identical to that noted on the loggerhead released at OCGS on September 9, 1992.- The MMSC-'was notified 'and the -turtle was released in healthy condition to MMSC personnel who took it 'their Brigantine facility for examination, holding, ' tagging and subsequent release'. MMSC-personnel confirmed the turtle to'be a juvenile loggerhead and. observed -that it had a'-small (0.6 cm;'-0.25 in) wound with scar tissue on the dorsal-mi'dline -just behind the head. MMSC Director Robert Schoelkopf stated that he believed it to be the same juvenile loggerhead that was collected and released at the OCGS on September 9, 1992. The turtle was tagged by MMSC 6-3 -

- In personnel and released in the Atlantic Ocean near Brigantine in healthy condition.

6.1.1.3 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF OCTOBER 26, 1992 During an early morning routine inspection of the CWS intake, an OCGS Operations department representative noticed a live sea turtle impinged against the trash bars. The turtle was initially found at about 3:00 AM with its head out of the water and pointing upward. The turtle was carefully retrieved as quickly as possible and found to be in good condition. Environmental Affairs department personnel who took custody of the turtle identified it as a subadult Kemp's ridley and made arrangements for its immediate transfer to the MMSC. Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the intake structure prior to removal, it may have been there between three and eight hours.

MMSC personnel who examined the turtle found that it was very healthy, swam freely, and required no direct care. However, two scars from slash-like wounds were apparent on the plastron, indicating that the turtle had been wounded at some time prior to its incidental capture at the OCGS. The turtle measured 32 cm (12.6 in) carapace length.

The water temperature in the OCGS intake canal at the time of the impingement was 11.1 0C (520F). Because of concerns that the turtle might be subject to cold stunning if released into New Jersey coastal waters, MMSC personnel made arrangements for the turtle to be transported to North Carolina prior to being released to ensure that cold stunning would not occur. The turtle was tagged and released on October 31, 1992 at Kure Beach, North Carolina.

6.1.1.4 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF OCTOBER 17, 1993 OCGS Operations department personnel conducting a routine morning (approx. 12 noon) inspection of the dilution water system intake on October 17, 1993 noticed a sea turtle impinged against the trash bars. The turtle was found to be limp, immobile and with no apparent breathing when retrieved. OCGS Environmental Affairs personnel who examined the turtle identified it as a juvenile Kemp's ridley. No tags, prominent scars or slash-like propeller wounds were apparent on the turtle. Minor scrape marks that were observed on the plastron may have occurred during removal of the turtle from the dilution intake area. The turtle measured 26 cm (10.3 in) carapace length.

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The water temperature in the intake canal at the time of the impingement, was approximately 14.4 0 C (580 F).- Although it was impossible to'sayprecisely how long the turtle had been on the intake structure prior to removal, it may have been -between four and eight hours. Within three to four hours after wits capture, the turtle was placed in a freezer for temporary storage at an on-site OCGS biological laboratory.- At the. suggestion of the National Marine Fisheries Service, arrangements were'mnade to-'have a necropsy of the turtle performed by sea turtle expert Dr.;Steven Morreale of Cornell University and his associates at- the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. The following is'an excerpt from Dr. Morreale's necropsy:

... The overall condition of this turtle was one of an otherwise healthy young' Kemp's 'ridley, typical' of the many that I have examined in northeastern waters. The lack of food in the gut is -typical of the sea turtles that I have seen at this time of year and'is indicative of a behavioral change 'prior to migrating southward.

The lack of any obvious trauma- would tend to" implicate drowning as the cause of death to this animal. The-lack of fluid in the lungs is'not. necessarily contradictory to this conclusion. It.,is'my opinion that sea turtles suffocate underwater rather than inhaling water.""' The superficial scrapes on the plastron and'neck were very fresh and probably occurred on the intake (trash racks).

However, 'I could not tell- whether these occurred prior' to or after death. ' The only potentially contradictory evidence- of this turtle having died as a result of impingement was the condition of the specimen. From'the information given'to me about the timing of death, the water temperature, and the 'subsequent handling of the carcass, I expected to:: observe slightly 'less decomposition. The moderate levels of decomposition.'of liver and gonad tissues are usually more representative of a turtle that' has been' dead for one to 'two days 'at those temperatures."

6.1.1.5 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JUNE 19, 1994 During the early'afternoon- (approx. 1:30 PM) of June 19, 1994, OCGS Operations' personnel conducting a- routine inspection of the circulating water'system intake'area observed a sea turtle'in'the

1. 4 CWS intake bay' (CWS -"and DWS intake' bays- are' sequentially numbered from 1 through 6, north.: to south). The turtle was swimming freely a few feet upstream of the face of the CWS intake trash bars. The turtle was removed carefully and as quickly as 6-5

possible and found to be active, healthy and with no apparent wounds. OCGS Environmental Affairs department personnel identified it as a juvenile loggerhead turtle and immediately notified the MMSC of the capture. The turtle measured 36.8 cm (14.5 in) carapace length.

Although it was impossible to determine precisely how long the turtle had been near the intake structure prior to retrieval, it is believed to have been in the vicinity for a relatively short period of time. Within three to four hours of the time of its capture, the turtle was taken to MMSC. Personnel at MMSC examined and tagged it, and subsequently released it offshore of Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.6 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 1, 1994 During a routine mid-morning (approx. 10:00 AM) cleaning of the dilution water system intake trash bars on July 1, 1994, a dead sea turtle was retrieved from the trash bars in front of DWS bay

1. 5. The turtle was removed as quickly as possible by OCGS Operations personnel. It was found to be inactive and exhibited a strong odor of decomposition. Environmental Affairs personnel identified it as a juvenile Kemp's ridley turtle and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate it. The turtle measured 27.7 cm (10.9 in) carapace length.

Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been at the intake structure prior to removal, it is known that the intake bay in which the turtle was found had been cleaned during the previous afternoon. No prominent scars or slash-like propeller wounds were apparent on the turtle. The turtle was sent to marine turtle experts at the Center for the Environment, Cornell University for necropsy. However, no record of the necropsy was received despite several requests.

6.1.1.7 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 6, 1994 At approximately 6:15 AM on July 6, 1994, OCGS Operations personnel conducting routine cleaning of the dilution water system intake area removed a sea turtle from the DWS trash bars in bay

1. 4. OCGS Environmental Affairs personnel who took custody of the turtle identified it as a subadult loggerhead (carapace length 61.4 cm or 24.5 in) and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate it.

Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been at the intake structure prior to removal, the trash bars at the DWS intake had previously been cleaned 6-8 hours earlier.

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At least three deep scars or -slash-like propeller wounds were apparent on the (turtle. These scars were not fresh because blue mussels were attached and growing within the scars.:

Several hours after its capture, the turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ. MMSC Director -Robert Schoelkopf performed' a necropsy of the carcass. Mr.> Schoelkopf reported that the turtle did not die -at the intake nor did it suffocate.- The lungs were found to be in good condition. The turtle was believed to have died one to two days prior to arriving at the OCGS, probably due to a long-term illness. Decomposition of all four appendages, as well as a large notch along the turtle's marginal scutes, were attributed by;Schoelkopf to bacterial or fungal infections.

6.1.1.8 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 12, 1994 At approximately 10:40 PM -on July 12, 1994, OCGS Operations personnel conducting rbutine cleaning of the dilution water system intakes removed-a seaturtle- from the trash bars at bay #4.' The turtle was found to be-inactive,--but had no apparent wounds. OCGS Environmental Affairs personnel -who -'took custody of- the 'turtle identified it -as a juvenile -Kemp's ridley turtle (26.7 cm or 10.5 in carapace length) and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate it.

- . . I Although it was impossible to-say precisely how long 'the turtle had been at the intake -structure prior to removal, it may have been there for up to several hours. - No'prominent'scars or slash-like propeller wounds were evident on the turtle.

This turtle was sent. to marine turtle experts' 'at the Center for the Environment, Cornell University-'for necropsy. However, - no record of the necropsy was received-despite several'requests.

6.1.1.9 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 During the early morning- (approx. 3:18 AM) of September 4, 1997, Operations personnel conducting 'routine -cleaning of the dilution water system intakes noticed ab'sea 'turtle: among-the 'eelgrass; on the trash bars- at'.bay: #6 'of the-DWS. The'turtle, which' was carefully removed.as quickly'as 'possible,':was limp, immobile and had no- apparent'breathing;! ':OCGSH'Environmental Affairs-personnel who took custody of the turtle"identified it as a subadult Kemp's ridley turtle (48.8 cm or 19 in carapace length) and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate it.

6-7 -

Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been at the intake structure prior to removal, it may have been there for up to several hours. No prominent scars or slash-like propeller wounds were evident on the turtle. Damage to two dorsal scutes, which may have occurred either during removal of the turtle from the DWS or prior to its capture, was noted.

Because this turtle was collected immediately after the Labor Day weekend, which is one of the periods of busiest Barnegat Bay boat traffic, the damage to the turtle may have resulted from a collision with a boat.

6.1.1.10 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF AUGUST 18, 1998 During the morning (approx. 9:59 AM) of August 18, 1998, OCGS Operations personnel conducting a routine inspection of the circulating water system intake area observed a sea turtle in the

1. 4 CWS intake bay. The turtle was swimming freely a few feet upstream of the face of the CWS intake trash bars. The turtle was removed carefully and as quickly as possible using a sea turtle dip net and found to be alive and moving about actively. However, a twelve-foot length of 1/4" polypropylene rope with a bucket attached to one end was tightly wrapped around the base of the right front flipper of the turtle, causing restricted circulation and movement of that limb. It was apparent from the atrophied and partially decayed condition of the right front flipper that the turtle had been injured by becoming entangled in the rope long before its incidental capture. OCGS Environmental Affairs department personnel identified it as a subadult loggerhead turtle and notified the MMSC of the capture.

The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was 80.50 F (26.9 0 C) and the OCGS was in operation at full power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation.

The turtle measured 50.8 cm (20.0 in) carapace length and weighed 53.9 lb (24.4 kg).

After the turtle was examined by Environmental Affairs personnel, it was transferred to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ. MMSC personnel attempted to locate a facility where the turtle could receive appropriate medical treatment and rehabilitation prior to releasing it. The turtle was transported to Sea World in Orlando, FL, which provided specialized surgery and rehabilitation and eventually released the turtle in the ocean.

6-8

6.1.1.11 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1999 During an.early morning routine -inspection of the CWS intake, an OCGS- Operations department "representative noticed a -live sea turtle impinged against the trash bars.' The turtle was initially found at about 3:10 AM. The turtle was' carefully retrieved as quickly as possible and found to be in good condition.

Environmental Affairs department personnel who took'custody of the turtle identified it as a subadult Kemp's ridley and made arrangements for its immediate transfer to the MMSC. The turtle measured 26.4 cm (10.3.in) carapace length and-weighed 2.9 kg '(6.3 lb).

The water temperature at the time of the capture was approximately 67.2 0F (19.6 0 C) and the OCGS was -in operation at full -power'-with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps operating.

After the turtle was examined by Environmental Affairs personnel, it was transferred to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ. MMSC personnel

-attempted to locate a facility in *a warmer climate' where- the turtle could be transferred for eventual release in the ocean. The turtle was transported to the Virginia State Aquarium, which tagged and eventually released the turtle in, the ocean 'off of Virginia Beach, VA.

6.1.1.12 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE:OF OCTOBER 23, 1999 '

During an early morning routine 'inspection of the DWS intake, an OCGS Operations department representative noticed a sea turtle among materials removed from the trash-bars in 'DWS Bay #4. -The

,turtle was initially found-to be either dead or comatose'at 'about 2:00 AM. Attempts:were made-to resuscitate the turtle for several

hours,' after. the incidental capture, but - the attempts were unsuccessful. Environmental Affairs department-personnel.'who took custody of the turtle identified it' as 'a juvenile Atlantic green sea turtle., The turtle measured 27.0 cm (10.6 in) -carapace length and weighed 2.8 kg (6.1l1b). -

The water temperature :at-'the time of :the' capture-was approximately 62.8 0 F (17.1 0C)' and the OCGS -was in-operation at full power with four. -circulating water pumps -and two dilution pumps operating'.

Although' it' was impossible to say precisely how long the 'turtle had been near the intake structure -prior to removal, the intake trash bars had been mechanically cleaned the previ6us day.

6-9

In-The cause of death was not immediately apparent. There were no obvious boat propeller wounds and no open wounds that would have been life threatening. After the turtle was examined by Environmental Affairs personnel, arrangements were made for it to be examined further by Dr. Steven Morreale, a Cornell University sea turtle expert who has conducted numerous necropsies on sea turtles in the past. However, no record of the necropsy was received despite several requests.

6.1.1.13 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JUNE 23, 2000 During an early morning routine inspection of the DWS intake, an OCGS Operations department representative noticed a sea turtle in front of the trash bars in DWS Bay #1. The turtle was carefully dip netted from the trash bars and found to be very active and with no visible wounds or signs of injury. OCGS Environmental Affairs personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile loggerhead. The turtle measured 47.8m cm (18.8 in) carapace length and weighed approximately 17.2 kg (38 lb). The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 77.5 0 F (25.3 0C) and the OCGS was in operation at full power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps operating.

After the turtle was examined by Environmental Affairs personnel, arrangements were made for it to be transferred to the MMSC. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, fed and eventually released to safety in the Atlantic Ocean off Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.14 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 2, 2000 During the afternoon (approx. 3:00 PM) of July 2, 2000, Operations personnel conducting routine cleaning of the dilution water system intakes noticed a sea turtle approach the trash bars at bay #1 of the DWS. The turtle, which was carefully removed as quickly as possible, was limp, immobile and had no apparent breathing. OCGS Environmental Affairs personnel who took custody of the turtle identified it as a juvenile Kemp's ridley turtle (27.3 cm or 10.8 in carapace length) and tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate it.

Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been at the intake structure prior to removal, it may have been there for up to several hours. No prominent scars or slash-like propeller wounds were evident on the turtle. Minor scrapes to two dorsal scutes, which may have occurred either during removal of the turtle from the DWS or prior to its capture, were noted. Because this turtle was collected during the Independence 6-10

Day weekend, which is one of-the periods of busiest Barnegat Bay boat traffic, the damage to the turtle may have resulted from a collision with a boat.

6.1.1.15 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF:AUGUST 3, 2000 At approximately 3:25 PM on' Thursday August 3, 2000, an OCGS operator performing a routine inspection of the' dilution, trash racks noticed a live sea turtle in Bay # 4 of the. dilution intake structure. The turtle was carefully removed as quickly as possible and found to be' alive, moving about' normally and with no apparent injury. ;OCGS ,Environmental Affairs personnel who .took custody -of the turtle confirmed 'it to be a juvenile Atlantic green sea turtle. The water temperature at the' time of the incidental capture was approximately-28.8 0 C (83.90 F) and the OCGS was in operation at full 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 intake structure prior to removal, the dilution trash racks had been mechanically cleaned earlier the same day.

-The turtle "measured 29.2 cm (11-.5 in) carapace length straight line and weighed '3.4 kg '(7.6 lb).. Sex was not determined. No tags were present on the' turtle when captured. The majority'of the dorsal, surface of the 'turtle' was heavily encrusted with barnacles. Several marginal scutes on the 'posterior 'dorsal surface had a dull grayish coloration, which may be an indication of a fungal infection. -

The turtle -was transferred- to the MMSC in Brigantine", NJ on August 3, -.2000, where it was examined and given initial care.

It was transferred on September7,- 2000-to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Island,' NC for final care before release. It was released October 12, 2000 in the Atlantic Ocean off Topsail~'Beach, NC.

6.1.1.16 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE- OF AUGUST 28, 2000 At approximately 1:12 -AM on 'Monday August 28, 2000, an (OCGS) operator performing a routine .inspection of the 'dilution- trash racks noticed a live sea turtle in'Bay # 1' of the' dilution intake structure. The turtle was carefully removed as quickly as possible and found to be' alive,> moving about normally 'and with no apparent injury. OCGS Environmental -personnel' who 'took custody of' the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle. -The water- temperature at the time: of- the incidental capture was approximately 26.5 0 C (79.8 0F) and the 6-11

-- -- J-n-OCGS was in operation at 72 percent power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. The turtle measured 26.2 cm (10.3 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 2.9 kg (6.5 lb). Sex was not determined. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the intake structure prior to removal, the dilution trash racks had been mechanically cleaned the previous day and inspected earlier the same night that the turtle was captured.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, fed, tagged and given initial care. The turtle was transferred on September 7, 2000 to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Island, NC, where it received final care prior to being released to safety in offshore Atlantic Ocean waters.

6.1.1.17 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 At approximately 1:10 PM on Monday September 18, 2000, an (OCGS) operator performing a routine inspection of the trash racks noticed a live sea turtle in Bay # 4 of the circulating water intake structure. The turtle was carefully removed as quickly as possible and found to be alive, moving about normally and with no apparent injury. OCGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a subadult loggerhead sea turtle. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 20.40C (68.8 0F) and the OCGS was in operation at full 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 intake structure prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks had been cleaned the previous afternoon.

The turtle measured 57.2 cm (22.5 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 26.5 kg (58.5 lb). Sex was not determined. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. The majority of the dorsal surface of the turtle was heavily encrusted with barnacles. A few of the scutes on the posterior dorsal surface had partially peeled, which may have occurred when some barnacles scraped off of the turtle.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, fed, and tagged. The turtle was taken during late September to a more southerly location in Nags Head, NC (where cold-stunning was less likely) and released into the Atlantic Ocean.

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-6.1.1.18 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OFJULY 8, 2001 At approximately 2:30 PM. on Sunday- July .8, 20014, an (OCGS) operator performing a routine inspection of the trash racks

-noticed *aclive sea turtle.. swimming freely in Bay # 4- of the circulating, water intake, structure. The turtle `was '-carefully removed as quickly as possible and found-to be.alive, "'moving about normally and with no apparent injury. OCGS Environmental personnel who took' custody' of- the turtle confirmed'it-::to be a juvenile Atlantic green sea turtle. The water temperature at the

-time of the incidental capture'-was approximately 26.7 C'(80.1 0F) and the OCGS'- was .in. operation' - at full 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- in -the -vicinity-of: the intake -structure 'prior 'to removal, the circulating water 'trash-racks had -been cleaned-the previous afternoon.

The-turtle measured- 26.7 cm (10.'5 in) carapace length: straight line.-and-weighed -2.3 kg (5.1 lb). Sex was not determined.- '-No tags were present on 'the turtle 'when captured. :' The 'dorsal surface of the turtle was encrusted with-several'barnacles.  :

The turtle was taken on the date of capture to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ.,: At the MMSC;, the turtle was examined, fed, and

-tagged..- After -:determining-'that the'tuirtle -was healthy and

capable of swimming 'and 'feeding normally, -MMSC :personnel

-released it into the Atlantic-Ocean near Brigantine, NJ.- ;

6.1.1.19 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 22, 2001 - ' -: -

At approximately 5:44 PM :on Sunday July' 22, '2001,' an' (OCGS) operator performing a routine inspection and cleaning of the trash racks noticed ax.dead'sea:_turtle being'removed'from Bay #-5 of the dilution' water.-intake:-structure by the"trash rake.The turtle was.found to have a'deep slice wound:b'etween its head and carapace. on' the' left -side of -its .neck.- OCGS Environmental personnel who took ;custody;of..the turtle confirmed it -to~be--a juvenile Kemp's ridley'sea.turtle. The -water temperature at the time of the 'incidental- capture-was -approximately '26.9C-(80.'40F) and the OCGS was in operation.'at 100 percent power -with' four circulating -.water pumps and -two dilution -pumps in operation.

Although it is 'impossible -tosay precisely -how long the -turtle 6-13'

In had been on the trash bars prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks had been cleaned earlier the same day at 3:30 AM.

The turtle measured 26.0 cm (10.3 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 2.9 kg (6.3 lb). Sex was not determined. No tags were present on the turtle when captured.

The turtle was temporarily kept frozen at the Oyster Creek Generating Station pending delivery to an expert qualified to perform a necropsy on it.

6.1.1.20 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF AUGUST 14, 2001 At approximately 3:34 AM on Tuesday August 14, 2001, OCGS Operations personnel removed a dead juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle from Bay #6 of the dilution water intake structure. The temperature of the intake canal at the time of capture was 27.8 0 C (82.0OF) and the OCGS was operating at 100 percent power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation.

The turtle measured 22.8 cm (8.9 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 1.8 kg (4.0 lbs). No tags were observed on the turtle which appeared fresh dead and had some minor scrapes along its dorsal surface and near the posterior notch. There was no evidence of boat propeller damage.

The turtle was transferred to MMSC personnel who indicated that a necropsy would likely be performed by the University of Pennsylvania. However, the University of Pennsylvania advised MMSC that the turtle could not be necropsied because it had been frozen. Subsequently, all dead turtles have been kept unfrozen until transferred to MMSC.

6.1.1.21 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JUNE 29, 2002 At approximately 2:00 AM on Saturday June 29, 2002, an OCGS Operator performing a routine inspection of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle swimming freely in Bay #5 and Bay #6 of the circulating water intake structure. The turtle was carefully dip-netted from Bay #6 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 26.2 0 C (79.2 0F) and the OCGS was operating at full power with four circulating 6-14

water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it' is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been in the vicinity of the intake structure, the circulating water trash racks had been cleaned at 10:00 PM on June 28, approximately four hours prior to the turtle's capture. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack cleaning process.

The turtle measured 25.4 cm (10.0 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs). Sex was not determined.- 'A scar was observed on the right side of' the carapace; no tags were observed on the animal.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC at approximately 4:55 AM on June 29 where it was examined and fed. The wound on the carapace was determined not to be a significant 'concern. The turtle, was held at the MMSC for a few days' before it was - tagged and released into the Atlantic Ocean near Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.22 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 3, 2002 At approximately 7:55 AM on Wednesday July 3, 2002, an 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental-capture was approximately 28.2 0 C (82.8 0F) -and OCGS was operating at 100 percent -power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it is impossible to say preciselyhow 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 5:00 AM. The turtle was not observed during that tirah rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 35.6  :'cm.' (14.0 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 6.0 kg' (13.3 lb)'.- Sex was'not determined. A small scrape less than 1 cm'-(0.4' in) long was observed on one of the dorsal scutes of the carapace.- No tags-were present on the turtle when captured.:

The turtle was taken -to :"the MMSC in- Brigantine, NJ at approximately 10:15 AM 'on July 3. 7'At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and fed. The scrape on the carapace'was determined not to be a significant concern. --The turtle was held at the'MMSC for a few days before it'was-tagged and released into near-shore 6-15 '

-__n_

waters around Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.23 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2003 At approximately 2:55 PM on Wednesday September 24, 2003, an OCGS operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle among the vegetation and debris removed from Bay # 6 of the dilution water intake structure. The turtle was 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 22.8 0 C (73.0F) and the OCGS was operating at 100 percent 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 prior day at 1:45 PM. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 31.1 cm (12.2 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 5.2 kg (11.5 lb). Sex was not determined.

Some small scrapes were observed on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the carapace. No tags were present on the turtle when captured.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 5:45 PM on September 24, 2003. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and fed. The scrapes on the carapace were determined not to be a significant concern. The turtle was held at the MMSC for less than a day before it was tagged and released into near-shore Atlantic Ocean waters around Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.24 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF OCTOBER 24, 2003 At approximately 8:50 AM on Friday October 24, 2003, an OCGS Operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle against Bay #4 of the circulating water intake structure. The turtle was found to be apparently healthy and moving about normally. OCGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Atlantic green sea turtle. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 11.7 0 C (53.1 0F) and the OCGS was operating at 98 percent power with three circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the 6-16

trash bars prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks had been inspected earlier -the same morning at 5:00 AM. The turtle-was not observed during that trash-rack inspection.

The turtle measured 36.2 cm (14.2 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 6.9 kg (15.3 lb). Sex was not determined. Some small scrapes and chips were observed on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the carapace. No' tags were' present on the turtle when captured.

-The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 10:30 AM on October 24, 2003. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and fed-. The scrapes on the carapace *were determined not to be a significant concern. The-turtle was held at the MMSC until arrangements were made to transfer it to the Virginia Marine Science Museum (VMSM). VMSM is a more southerly

-location where the turtle could be observed, -fed, and eventually released without fear of it dying due to- cold shock.

6.1.1.25 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 4, 2004 At -approximately 12:15~ PM on -Sunday July A, 2004, an 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. The water' temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 25.6 0 C (78.10 F) and the OCGS was operating at 100 *percent 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 earlier the same day at 8:00 AM. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection.

The turtle measured 26.5 cm (10.4 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 5.4-;kg (11.9 lb). Some' small-scrapes were observed on the ventral surface 'of the carapace. - It was- n6t possible-.to determine 'definitively whether -the turtle' had- died prior to-arriving at OCGS or as a-result-of interaction with-the OCGS intake. No tags were present on the turtle when-captured.

The turtle was taken to. the MMSC in- -Brigantine, NJ at approximately 3:00 PM on July 4, 2004. 'At the MMSC, the turtle 6-17. -

I _

was examined, measured and a necropsy was performed. MMSC personnel indicated that the necropsy indicated that the lungs were compressed, but that the cause of death was indeterminate.

The turtle was buried by MMSC personnel at Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.26 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 11, 2004 At approximately 2:22 PM on Sunday July 11, 2004, an 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 27.5 0 C (81.5 0 F) and OCGS was operating at 100 percent 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 1:15 PM. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection.

The turtle measured 22.3 cm (8.8 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 1.8 kg (4.0 lb). Some very minor scrapes were observed on the ventral surface of the carapace. No external tags were present on the turtle when captured.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 4:23 PM on July 11, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and held to ensure it was feeding well. The turtle was released two days later to a safe location off of Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.27 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 16, 2004 At approximately 11:00 AM on Friday July 16, 2004, an 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 and in good condition when captured. OCGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was 6-18

approximately 24.4 0 C (76.0F) and the OCGS- was operating at 100 percent power with four circulating water pumps-and two dilution pumps in. operation.- Although'it is impossible to say precisely how long therturtle had been on the'trash bars prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks 'had been inspected earlier the same day at 9:00 AM. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection. - '

The turtle measured 28.0 cm (11.0 in) carapace length-straight line and weighed 3.1 kg :(6.9 lb).' Some -small' scrapes were observed on the plastron (undersurface of the carapace). No tags were present on the turtle when captured.

The turtle was taken to the -MMSC in Brigantine, NJ 'at approximately 1:00 PM on July 16, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined,- fed and observed. -The turtle was-released by MMSC personnel to a safe-location off Brigantine," NJ.

6.1.1.28 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF JULY 20,-2004 At approximately 12:13 PM on- Tuesday July 20, 2004, an -OCGS Operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle among the vegetation and -debris removed from Bay # I of the circulating 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 26.5WC (79.7 0F) and the OCGS -was 'operating 'at 100 '.percent power with four circulating :water pumps andc 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 beenr'inspected at' 9:15 -PM the previous evening. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection.  : ' -

The turtle measured only 18.3 cm :(7.2 in) carapace length straight -line and weighed just 0.-8 kg (1l.S8lb). A small'puncture wound about 1.3 cm .(0.5 in)-rin'-diameter was observed on the 'left rear surface of' the carapace.- 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. -'No tags were present on the turtle- when captured. '

6-19' -

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 10:00 AM on July 21, 2004. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured and a necropsy was performed. MMSC personnel included the results of the necropsy on the STSSN form and the turtle was buried by MMSC personnel at Brigantine, NJ.

6.1.1.29 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF AUGUST 7, 2004 At approximately 9:00 AM on Saturday August 7, 2004, an 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 confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 22.7 0 C (72.8 0 F) and the OCGS was operating at 100 percent 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 5:15 AM the same morning. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection.

The turtle measured 27.0 cm (10.6 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 3.2 kg (7.0 lb). A small bruise on the plastron was noted. Also, a healed scar from a previous injury (i.e., not related to interaction with the 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.

The turtle was taken to the 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.

6.1.1.30 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 At approximately 10:10 AM on Saturday September 11, 2004, an 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 24.3 0 C (75.8 0F) and the 6-20

OCGS was operating at 100 'percent 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 22.3 cm (8.8 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 2.2 kg (4.8 lb). A small puncture wound was observed on the underside of the neck. No tags were present on the turtle when captured.

The ;turtle was taken to the `MMSC in 'Brigantine, NJ at approximately 12:30 PM 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-idefinitively whether the turtle -had died prior to arriving at'~-'OCGS- or as a result of interaction with the OCGS intake.

6.1.1.31 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE-OF SEPTEMBER 12, 2004 At approximately 11:29 PM on Sunday September 12, 2004,--an 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. The water temperature at'the time of the incidental.-capture was approximately.24.9 0 C (76.8 0F) -and the OCGS was operating at 40 percent 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 8:00 :PM the-same:evening. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack'inspection. -

The turtle measured 21-.0 cm (8."3'in) 'carapace- length straight line and weighed 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). -The left front flipper'was

-. ;-a previous injury 'that had nearly .Lentirely-missifig due :to completely healed. ,No tags: or scarring'from tags were present 'on the turtle when captured.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in' -Brigantine, NJ at approximately 7:00 AM on September 13, 2004. At the MMSC, the 6-21>

~~In-turtle was examined, measured, fed and held for subsequent release. The turtle was transported to the Virginia Marine Science Museum during the week of September 27, 2004 for tagging and release to the Atlantic Ocean. The release of the turtle from a more southerly locale eliminated the possibility of autumn cold stunning effects that could have occurred if the turtle had been released from a New Jersey location at that time of year.

6.1.1.32 INCIDENTAL CAPTURE OF SEPTEMBER 23, 2004 At approximately 9:45 PM on Thursday September 23, 2004, an 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. The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 21.9 0 C (71.4 0F) and OCGS was operating at 100 percent 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.

The turtle measured 24.2 cm (9.5 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 1.9 kg (4.2 lb). 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.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 6:00 AM 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 the Virginia Marine Science Museum during the week of September 27, 2004 for tagging and release to the Atlantic Ocean. The release of the turtle from a more southerly locale eliminated the possibility of autumn cold stunning effects that could have occurred if the turtle had been released from a New Jersey location at that time of year.

6.1.2 ANNUAL COMPARISON 6 -22

During any particular year the number of sea turtles collected at the Oyster Creek CWS and DWS intakes ranged from zero (in all years from 1970 to 1991, as well as 1995 and 1996) to eight during 2004 (Table 6-2 and Figure 6-1). The number of loggerheads incidentally captured at the, OCGS'ranged from zero to two- animals annually. The number! of Kemp's ridleys' incidentally captured ranged from zero to eight animals annually. The number of Atlantic

-green sea turtles incidentally captured ranged from zero to one animal annually.

There have been no changes in the design or the mode of operation of the OCGS that could explain the incidental take of eight Kemp's 'ridley sea turtles: at the facility during 2004, when the previous annual maximum had been two individuals (Figure 6-1). This phenomenon was probably 'ascribable to the combined effects of the rapidly increasing population and the unusually warm ocean water -temperatures 'along the 'New Jersey coast during the summer of 2004.

As described above in Section'5.-3.5, the size of the Kemp'-s ridley population has been rapidly increasing in recent years (Crouse et al. 1992; Turtle Expert Working Group 1998; Marquez et al. 1999; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000;-Marquez et al.- 2001); The 3,788 nests observed at Rancho Nuevo, Mexico in 2000 was the highest on record since 1969 and three to four times higher than the annual nest counts during the 1980's (Marquez et al.'2001). According to the Turtle Expert Working Group (1998; 2000), the Kemp's'ridley population, as measured by the above-described nesting activity, is *increasing exponentially. This contention is, supported 'by observations from along the .Atlantic coast where increasing numbers.of Kemp's. ridleys have been observed. A dramatic 'increase in strandings of this species-. has been observed, for example, along the North Carolina coast-"since 1993 (Boettcher 2000). Prior to 1993, twenty or fewer Kemp's ridley strandings were reported annually. The number of "stranded individuals has steadily increased since 1993 to a maximum of 122 in 1999. A similar, although less dramatic, trend has been observed in New( Jersey stranding data reported by 'the MMSC -(Table 5-1). It has' been suggested that this apparent increase in .population size 'reflects the reduction in shrimp trawl related mortality realized since the implementation of the NMFS TED regulations in September of 1989 (Crouse -et 'al. 1992; Turtle Expert 'Working Group :2000). The increase is also likely to be attributable in part to an' increase in recruitment to the population, as a result of beach and nest protection efforts at Rancho Nuevo (Marquez et al. 1999;-Turtle Expert Working 'Group 2000).-. Given' the evidence for the recent 6-23 '-

- __ ___ Ii-expansion of the Kemp's ridley population, it should not be surprising to see increasing numbers of this species in New Jersey waters, particularly if environmental conditions are favorable.

One of the key environmental factors affecting the seasonal migrations of juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridley sea turtles is water temperature. Ocean water temperatures along the southern New Jersey coast during the June-September period of 2004 were the third warmest since record keeping began more than 90 years ago in 1912 (National Weather Service 2004). The average ocean water temperature during the summer of 2004 was 1.4 0 C (2.5 0F) above normal and 3 0 C (5.4 0 F) warmer than the previous year. These abnormally high ocean water temperatures provided excellent conditions to attract juvenile and subadult Kemp's ridleys migrating up the Atlantic coast in search of productive foraging grounds during 2004.

In addition to favorable water temperatures, the New Jersey coast also offers rich feeding grounds for Kemp's ridleys migrating up the Atlantic coast. According to MacKenzie (2003), New Jersey landings of the blue crab, a favorite food item for Kemp's ridley sea turtles, increased from less than one million pounds per year during the 1960's to nearly eight million pounds in 1993. Although landings declined somewhat after 1993, they remained in the four to seven million pound range through 2002.

Given the relatively small number of sea turtles captured at the OCGS and the fact that they have only occurred during some of the years between 1992 and 2004, it is difficult to predict how many may be captured in the future. However, based on the levels of incidental capture observed at the OCGS to date, it is estimated that zero to three loggerheads, zero to nine Kemp's ridleys and zero to two Atlantic green sea turtles could be expected to be taken from the OCGS intake during any given year.

6.1.3 SPECIES COMPOSITION AND SIZE Seven loggerhead sea turtles, twenty-one Kemp's ridleys, and four Atlantic green sea turtles have been captured at the circulating and dilution water intakes of the OCGS between 1992 and 2004 (Figure 6-1).

The loggerheads were all juveniles or subadults. Carapace lengths (straight length) ranged from 35.5 to 61.4 cm (14 to 24 in) with a mean of 48.0 cm (18.9 in) (Figure 6-2). The Kemp's ridleys were also juveniles or subadults. Their carapace lengths ranged from 18.3 to 48.8 cm (7.2 to 19.2 in) with a mean of 27.2 cm (10.7 in) 6-24

(Figure 6-2). The four Atlantic green sea turtles were all juveniles. Their carapace lengths ranged from 27.0 to 36.2 cm (10.6 to 14.3 in), with an average length of 29.8 cm (11.7 in).

6.1.4 SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OCCURRENCES Four out of thirty-two sea turtle strandings at the OCGS were reported during June, -eleven' during July, five during August, eight during September, and four during October. No sea turtles were collected during the late fall-winter (November-February) or spring periods (March-May) (Table 6-3).

The timing of sea turtle occurrences at the OCGS corresponds well with the available information on-the seasonal movements of these animals. Based on aerial surveys of pelagic turtles (Shoop et al.

-1981), sea turtles migrate up the coast from the southeast in the spring and summer months. They. move into the bays and coastal waters as water temperatures reach suitable levels and forage on crabs and other preferred foods (Keinath et al. 1987; Morreale and Standora 1989; Seney et al.--2002). As water temperatures in -the bays and coastal* waters start to decline, these animals move southward to the warmer waters of,-the southeast Atlantic Coast.

Recapture information from tagged animals provides evidence for such movements in loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys' (Shoop et al.

1981; Henwood 1987; PSE&G 1989).

6.1.5 LOCATION OF INCIDENTAL CAPTURES AT THE OCGS The incidental. captures of" loggerhead and Atlantic 'green sea turtles at the OCGS were, equally divided between the CWS and'DWS intake structures. Four loggerheads were captured' at 'the CWS, compared with three at the DWS. Two Atlantic green 'sea' turtles were taken at the CWS intake-and' two at the DWS intake-.

Seventy-one percent (15 -out 'of 21) of the Kemp's ridley sea turtles incidentally captured at. the OCGS were taken at -the DWS intake structure. It is not 'clear why more Kemp's ridleys have been taken at the DWS intake -!when compared 'with the CWSI'intake'.

The floating-debris/i'ce barrier-:described in 'Section'4.1.2.1.2'is designed to divert floating debris away from the' 'CWS and towards the DWS intake. This passive device may also divert sea :turtles toward the DWS intake, however,:the-barrier only extends about 60 cm (2 ft) below the surface and it is unclear why 'only' Kemp's ridleys would be affected in this manner.

The size and associated 'swimming ability of the sea turtles may also be a factor. The averagetlength (carapace straightlength) of 6-25 -

___ Iil the Kemp's ridleys taken at the OCGS was 27.2 cm (10.7 in),

compared with average lengths of 29.8 cm (11.7 in) for Atlantic green turtles and 48.0 cm (18.9 in) for loggerheads. During normal operation of the OCGS, two dilution water pumps withdraw 1,968 m3 /min, and four circulating water pumps withdraw 1,740 m3 /min from the intake canal. The generally larger loggerhead and Atlantic green sea turtles may be stronger swimmers than the smaller Kemp's ridleys, and may be able to avoid the higher flow area near the DWS intake selectively moving towards the lower flow area near the CWS intake.

6.1.6 CONDITION OF TURTLES CAPTURED AT INTAKE STRUCTURES Nearly 60 percent (19 of 32) of all sea turtles captured at the OCGS intakes were alive at the time of capture and subsequently released (Tables 6-1 and 6-2). The remaining 40 percent (13 of 32) were dead at the time of capture. The survival rate of the most commonly encountered species, the Kemp's ridley, averaged 51 percent during the ten years that they were captured at the OCGS (Figure 6-3). The Kemp's ridley survival rate during 2004, the year that the highest number of individuals was taken (8 individuals compared to a maximum of 2 in prior years), was 63 percent, exceeding the mean survival rate by 12 percent (Figure 6-3). Detailed descriptions of each incidental capture at the OCGS are provided in Section 6.1.1. The following paragraphs summarize the condition of the sea turtles captured during the 1992-2004 period.

Five of the seven loggerheads incidentally captured at the OCGS were alive at the time of capture and subsequently released. The two dead loggerheads captured in 1992 and 1994 both had boat propeller wounds and were partially decomposed when impinged at the DWS intake structure. One of the live loggerheads taken at the OCGS, a juvenile, was removed alive from the CWS intake and released in good condition on September 9, 1992. The same individual was subsequently recaptured at the CWS intake on September 11, 1992, delivered to the MMSC where it was examined, found to be healthy and released into the Atlantic Ocean. Another live loggerhead juvenile was removed from the CWS intake in good condition on June 19, 1994, delivered to the MMSC, and also subsequently released into the ocean. Three additional live loggerheads that were captured in August 1998, June 2000 and September 2000 were subsequently released into the ocean in Florida, New Jersey and North Carolina respectively.

Eleven of the twenty-one Kemp's ridleys taken at the OCGS were alive at the time of capture and subsequently released. The only 6-26

Kemp's ridley taken in 1992 was alive at the time of capture on the CWS intake and released into the Atlantic Ocean in North Carolina after MMSC personnel had observed its behavior for several days.

Only one Kemp's ridley was taken during 1993.- That individual was dead at the time of capture (October 17) on the DWS intake. The results of a necropsy, performed--by Dr. Steven Morreale of the Cornell University Center for the Environment, indicated that the most likely cause of death was drowning at the DWS intake.

The two Kemp' s ridleys. captured during 1994, were both dead at the time of capture on the DWS intake. The individual taken on July 1 exhibited a strong odor of decomposition, suggesting that it may have died prior to becoming impinged on the DWS intake. The second individual, captured dead on July.12, exhibited no permanent scars and appeared to have died recently. Both turtles were sent to the Cornell University Center for the Environment.

One Kemp's ridley captured at the DWS 'intake on September 4 of 1997 was dead at the time of,-capture. This individual exhibited no prominent scars but some damage to the dorsal' scutes-may have been attributable to interactions. with boats during the - Labor Day weekend, a period.characterized by unusually heavy boat traffic on Barnegat Bay.

The only Kemp's ridley taken during 1999 was captured alive at the DWS intake on September 23.: The turtle was -delivered-to MMSC personnel who arranged for Sit to be released into the ocean near Virginia Beach, VA.-

One of the two Kemp's ridleys captured in 2000 was taken alive at the DWS intake. on.August 28. Following several days of observation at the MMSC, arrangements were made 'to have the turtle released into the ocean in North Carolina. A Kemp's ridley taken at' the'DWS intake on July 2, 2000, was dead!-at the time of capture. -No prominent scars were observed, however, some scrapes on the dorsal scutes may have been attributable to a collision with a boat during the Independence.-Day weekend,' a period -of unusually heavy boat traffic on Barnegat Bay.-.

Two Kemp's ridleys taken on- July -22 and August 14 of 2001 were both dead at the time of- capture on the DWS intake.' The turtle captured in July was found to have *a deep slice wound between its head and carapace on the left side of its neck, however the cause of death has not been determined. The individual taken in August was one of the smallest sea turtles ever taken at the OCGS, with a 6-27'

- -- __ In_~

carapace length of 22.8 cm (8.9 in). The turtle's small size may have limited its ability to avoid the DWS intake. This individual appeared to have died recently and exhibited no prominent wounds.

The two Kemp's ridleys taken on June 29 and July 3 of 2002 were both alive when captured on the CWS and DWS intakes, respectively.

Subsequent to a period of observation at the MMSC, they were released into the ocean near Brigantine, NJ.

The only Kemp's ridley captured at the OCGS during 2003 was taken alive at the DWS intake on September 24. The turtle was delivered to the MMSC and subsequently released into the ocean near Brigantine, NJ.

Five of the eight Kemp's ridleys taken at the OCGS during 2004 were captured alive and subsequently released into the ocean in New Jersey and Virginia. An individual captured at the DWS intake on July 4 exhibited no prominent wounds and appeared to have died recently. A Kemp's ridley captured at the CWS intake on July 20 was the smallest sea turtle ever captured at the OCGS, with a carapace length of 18.3 cm (7.2 in). This individual's small size may have limited its ability to avoid the CWS intake. It also had a small puncture wound on the left rear surface of its carapace and appeared to have died recently, however it was not possible to determine the cause of death. A dead Kemp's ridley removed from the DWS intake on September 11 had a small puncture wound on the underside of its neck. A necropsy performed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine did not determine definitively whether the turtle had died prior to arriving at the OCGS or as a result of interaction with the OCGS intake.

Three of the four Atlantic green sea turtles captured at the OCGS were alive at the time of capture and subsequently released. One individual taken at the DWS intake in October 1999 appeared to have died shortly before capture. Its cause of death is uncertain, but may be attributable to drowning or natural causes.

Information collected at Salem Generating Station has shown that both anthropogenic and natural causes of death contribute to sea turtle mortalities in local estuaries (PSE&G 1989). Furthermore, based on other necropsy information available from the MMSC, boat-related injuries appear to be common occurrences in both stranded loggerheads and Kemp's ridleys in Delaware Bay and coastal New Jersey (Schoelkopf 1994). This is consistent with NMFS findings that show boat-related injuries as a common carcass anomaly (NMFS 1988).

6-28

TABLE 6-1. Sea turtle incidental captures at the Oyster Creek Generating Station 1969-2004.

DATE TIME ':`-SPECJES,;. 'CARAPACE-: r CAPTURED AT -z'INTAKE:

ALIVE. BOAT 7 -i

,'OF - 'OF >AND I' ENGT (cM) SORDWS/-, TEMP." WHE FRES

. PROP,:-; RELEASE '

COLLECTION 'CAPTURE LIFE STAGE:&WEG g(N0. PUMPS OP.) deg F'(C) CAPTURED? WOUNDS? . SITE 6/25/1992 12:50 PM Loggerhead 35.5 cm DWS 70.8 F No No Yes N/A juvenile 9.6 kg 2 pumps (21.6 C) 9/9/1992 6:00 PM Loggerhead 46.7 cm CWS 78.2 F Yes N/A No NJ juvenile 19.1 kg 4 pumps (25.6 C) 9/11/1992* 2:00 PM Loggerhead 46.7 cm CWS 79.2 F Yes N/A No NJ juvenile 19.1 kg 4 pumps (26.2 C) 10/26/1992 3:00 AM Kemp's rldley 32.0 cm CWS 52.0 F Yes N/A No NC subadult 5.7 kg 4 pumps (11.1 C) 12:00 10/17/1993 Noon Kemp's rldley 26.0 cm DWS 58.0 F No Yes No N/A juvenile 3.0 kg 2 pumps (14.4 C) 6/19/1994 1:30 PM Loggerhead 36.8 cm CWS 81.1 F Yes N/A No NJ an' juvenile 9.8 kg 4pumps (27.3 C) 7/1/1994 10:00 AM Kemp's ridley 27.7 cm DWS 78.3 F No No No N/A D1I juvenile 3.6 kg 2 pumps (25.7 C) 7/6/1994 6:40 AM Loggerhead 61.4 cm DWS 80.5 F No No Yes N/A subadult 40.4 kg 2 pumps (26.9 C) .

7/12/1994 10:40 PM Kemp's ridley 26.7 cm DWS 83.2 F No Yes No N/A Juvenile 3.3 kg 2 pumps (28.4 C) 9/4/1997 3:18 AM Kemp's ridley 48.8 cm DWS 73.2 F No Yes No N/A subadult 18.1 kg 2 pumps (22.9 C) 8/18/1998 9:59 AM Loggerhead 50.8 cm CWS 80.5 F Yes N/A No FL subadult 24.4 kg 4 pumps (26.9 C) 9/23/1999 3:10 AM Kemp's rldley 26.4 cm CWS 67.2 F Yes N/A No VA subadult 2.9 kg 4 pumps (19.6 C) 10/23/1999 2:00 AM Green sea 27.0 cm DWS 62.8 F No ** No N/A

. turtle juvenile 2.8 kg 2 Pumps C Q7.1 II - -:-1 -; I ~- '. H o '! >i;. .;- -  :

<+1, ., ' ....A ~~ ..- ~.-

. sa; -_-..- rv?-~

A., -,'+ t -; n ;T,-X

-.. :o A, 4 -t,~ T- -;:~- E NOTE: No sea turtles were captured during the first 22 years of OCGS operation, 1969-1991.

• Loggerhead captured on 09/11/1992 was the same turtle that was captured on 09/09/1992.

• • To be determined by necropsy.

TABLE 6-1. Sea turtle Incidental captures at the Oyster Creek Generating Station 1969-2004 (Continued).

--DATE;N"'., -TIME,-T L'7,SPECIES',- C AAE CPTREDW~ A2:INTAKE.... 'ALIVE..&4'7. BO T OF

~ ~ FAD LENG cm_)%EMP C'HES. -- FRESH` PROP,. ,-..RELEASE.`,,

COLLECTIO "CAPTURE LIFE STAGE$ ~kg) (No PUMP Pj.) dg. F(C) 'CAPTURED?, D_________ ,, 1IT'.

6/23/2000 1:00 AM Loggerhead 47.8 cm DWS 77.5 F Yes N/A No NJ juvenile 17.2 kg 2 Pums (25.3 C)_____

7/2/2000 3:00 PM Kemp's ridley 27.3 cm DWS 78.1 F No **No N/A Juvenile 3.2 kg 2 pumps (25.6 C)_____

8/3/2000 3:25 PM Green sea 29.2 cm DWS 83.9 F Yes N/A No NC turtle juvenile 3.4 kg 2Pums (28.8 C)___ _____

8/28/2000 1:1 2 AM Kemp's ridley 26.2 cm DWS 79.8 F Yes N/A No NC juvenile 2.9kg2 pumps (2.C)_____

9/18/2000 1:10PM Loggerhead 57.2 cm OWS 68.8 F Yes N/A No NC subadult 26.5 kg 4 pumps (20.4 C)_____

7/8/2001 2:30 PM Green sea 26.7 cm CWS 80.1 F Yes N/A No NJ turtle juvenile 2.3 kg 4 pumps (26.7 C)_____

7/22/2001 5:44 PM Kemp's ridley 26.0 cm DWS 80.4 F No ** Possible N/A juvenile 2.9 kg PS (26.9 C)_____

0 8/14/2001 3:34 AM Kemp's ridley 22.8 cm DWS 82.0 F No **No N/A juvenile 1. g2 pumps (27.8 C)_____ ________

6/29/2002 2:00 AM Kemp's ridley 25.4 cm . CWS 79.2 F Yes N/A Possible NJ Juvenile 2.6 kg 4 pumps (26.2 C)_____ ________

7/3/2002 7:55 AM Kemp's ridley 35.6 cm DWS 82.8 F Yes N/A No NJ

_ __ _ Juvenile 6.0 kg 2 pumps (28.2 C)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

9/24/2003 2:55 PM Kemp's ridley 31.1 cm DWS 73.0 F Yes N/A No NJ

_ __ _ juvenile 5.2 kg 2 pumps (22.8 C)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

10/24/2003 8:50 AM Green sea 36.2 cm CWS 53.0 F Yes N/A No VA turtle juvenile 6.9 kg 3 pumps (11.7 C) _____ _________

,`;,-,;"'_ -_ - .,, -' - ..  ?',-  ;:.; 1, 1. I -,'_. ; "  ; .. % . ., -_ I, " ", .. ....

z _, __ 1.

- 1. ,:_ - 7' -. , - -- . I NOTE: No sea turtles were captured during the first 22 years of OCGS operation, 1969-1991.

'*To be determined by necropsy.

TABLE 6-1. Sea turtle Incidental captures at the Oyster Creek Generating Station 1969-2004 (Continued).

-DATE 'TIME - SPECIES- CARAPACE - CAPTURED AT 'INTAKE-'. .A - t BOAT

.LN' . T -RELEASE'

'<O' i .;O;- - ';. ND' ('cm) !t'CWS'OR 7 DWSi; 'TEMP. W--';HEN'S; FRESH- ,<PROPREAS

&WEIGHT.,.

COLLECION ICAPTURE" ' LiFE STAGE (kg).$ eI (NO: PUMPS OP.),

nI '~'4E CAPTURED?, . DEAD? WOUNDS? P. SIE 7/4/2004 12:15 PM Kemp's ridley 26.5 cm DWS 78.0 F No Yes No N/A juvenile 5.4 kg 2 pumps (25.6 C) 7/11/2004 2:22 PM Kemp's ridley 22.3 cm DWS 81.5 F Yes N/A No NJ juvenile 1.8 kg 2 pumps (27.5 C) 7/16/2004 11:00 AM Kemp's ridley 28.0 cm DWS 76.0 F Yes N/A No NJ juvenile 3.1 kg 2 pumps (24.4 C) 7/20/2004 12:13 AM Kemp's ridley 18.3 cm CWS 79.7 F No Yes No N/A juvenile 0.8 kg 4 pumps (26.5 C) 8/7/2004 9:00 AM Kemp's ridley 27.0 cm DWS 72.8 F Yes N/A No NJ a%

juvenile 3.2 kg 2 pumps (22.7 C) w HI 9/11/2004 10:10 AM Kemp's ridley 22.3 cm DWS 75.8 F No Yes Yes N/A Juvenile 2.2 kg 2 pumps (24.3 C) (Healed) 9/12/2004 11:29 PM Kemp's rldley 21 .0 cm CWS 76.8 F Yes N/A No VA juvenile 1.4 kg 4 pumps (24.9 C) 9/23/2004 9:45 PM Kemp's rldley 24.2 cm CWS 71.4 Yes N/A No VA Juvenile 1.9 kg 4 pumps (21.9 C)

NOTE: No sea turtles were captured during the first 22 years of OCGS operation, 1969-1991.

• • To be determined by necropsy.

TABLE 6-2 MORTALITY OF SEA TURTLES CAPTURED FROM INTAKE TRASH BARS AT THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION 1969-2004 (LIVE/DEAD)

-YEAR -"lLOGGERHEAD' KEMP-`S RIDLEY`.,'

'-. GREEN" - TOTALS 1969 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1970 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1971 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1972 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1973 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1974 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1975 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1976 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1977 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1978 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1979 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1980 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1981 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1982 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1983 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1984 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1985 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1986 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1987 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1988 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1989 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1990 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1991 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1992 1/1 1/0 0/0 2/1 1993 0/0 0/1 0/0 0/1 1994 1/1 0/2 0/0 1/3 1995 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1996 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1997 0/0 0/1 0/0 0/1 1998 1/0 0/0 0/0 1/0 1999 0/0 1/0 0/1 1/1 2000 2/0 1/1 1/0 4/1 2001 0/0 0/2 1/0 1/2 2002 0/0 2/0 0/0 2/0 2003 0/0 1/0 1/0 2/0 2004 0/0 5/3 0/0 5/3 TOTALS, 5/2 l 11/10 3/1 l l 19/13 6-32

TABLE 6-3 SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF SEA TURTLES AT THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION INTAKES 1969-2004 MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION

'MONTH ILOGEtRHEAD

,WG P'S- - GEN JAN 0 0 0 0 FEB 0 0 0 0 MAR 0 0 0 0 APR 0 0 .0 0 MAY 0 0 0 0 JUN 3 1 0 4 JUL 1 9 1 11 AUG 1 3 1 5 SEP 2 6 0 8 OCT 0 2 2 4 NOV 0 0 0 0 DEC 0 0 0 0

[.TOTALS.:J 7 21 4 l 32 6-33

NUMBER OF SEA TURTLE INCIDENTAL CAPTURES AT THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION 1992-2004*

9

.,..,,., b,.-

..>t.

8

-w.,

7 C-0 nI 0

o LOGGERHEAD

> 5 U KEMP'S RIDLEY (A) 0 ATLANTIC GREEN 2

I I I I §IitIii

!-to-;14

,.,,,. - .*4*, -.

.. 711, -

I I-1

, II, !,."

I .

[111111

,v...,,',".

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 YEAR Figure 6-1. Number of sea turtle incidental captures at the Oyster Creek Generating Station 1992-2004. Note: No sea turtles were captured during the first 22 years of OCGS operation, 1969-1991.

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION SEA TURTLE LENGTH FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION 1969-2004 Standard Carapace Length (cm) 1tO-9-

I 7-"

61 Number ,5 a' 4 -

wI Un 31 2-"

1I 16-20 cm l 21-25 cm 26-30 cm l 31-35 cm 36-40cm l 41-45cm 46-50cm l 51-55cm l 56-60 cm 61-65 cm 1 L kempil 1 6 10 2 1 0 1 0 0 C. care0fa 0 O 0O O 2 0 2 1 1 1 NC. mydas 0 0 3 0___

Figure 6-2. Frequency Distribution of Carapace Lengths for Kemp's ridley, Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles captured from intake structures at the OCGS from 1969 through 2004.

SURVIVAL RATE OF KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLES CAPTURED AT THE OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION 120 ,

100 100 100 100 100 4-804-uJ 63

-J 60-50 51 40-a' 0)

WI CY 20-I-0 0 0 0 0 1992 1993 1994 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 MEAN YEAR Figure 6-3. Survival rate of Kemp's ridley sea turtles captured at the Oyster Creek Generating Station. Note: No Kemp's ridleys were taken during 1995, 1996 and 1998; No sea turtles were captured during the first 22 years of OCGS operation, 1969-1991.

-SECTION 7.0 ASSESSMENT;OF PRESENT OPERATIONS The primary concern with sea.turtles at the OCGS is whether or not any station related losses-,of these endangered 'or -threatened sea turtle. species :"jeopardizes 'their continued existence."' -Federal regulation (50. CFR, 402)- - defines- "jeopardizes the 'continued existence" as "engaging -in:an- action that reasonably 'would be expected, directly or indirectly, to' reduce appreciably -the

.,likelihood of both.-the survival and recovery of the listed species in the wild by reducing.the'reproduction, numbers, or.distribution of that species." Therefore,' the:question relative to. the OCGS is: Do the activities associated with the operation of the Oyster Creek Generating Station "appreciably reduce" the reproduction, numbers or distribution of either the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley or Atlantic green-sea turtles? -

7.1 IMPACTS OF CONTINUED OPERATION OF OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION ON SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS 7.1.1 IMPACTS DUE TO INCIDENTAL CAPTURE (IMPINGEMENT) OF TURTLES ON CWS AND DWS INTAKE TRASH RACKS Thirty-two sea turtles have: been retrieved from either the circulating,.water 'or dilution water system 'intake, at the OCGS during the period.-1969 through- 2004. Nineteen of these turtles werealive and,-returned to the Atlantic Ocean.- Typically the live sea turtles were delivered to : the Marine - Mammal Stranding 'Center (MMSC) in Brigantine,':New Jersey and subsequently' released 'ito nearby ocean waters by MMSC' personnel.- However,' five Kemp' s ridleys, two Atlantic green,-and two loggerhead 'sea turtles'were transported by.MMSCpersonnel'to warmer Atlantic-Ocean watersfor release in North Carolina, Virginia, and' Florida due to the cold and falling ocean water temperatures in New Jersey at. the time they were captured at the OCGS (Table-6-1).`'

Thirteen.of the ,turtles removed -from the OCGS intake were dead at the time of capture. Of -theise, -two loggerheads.exhibited severe boat prop wounds and 'were moderately decomposed indicating that death occurred prior to encountering-the intake.' -The intake trash bars routinely capture floating debris during normal operation; dead and injuredturtles-which wash ashore, buoyed by the gase's of decomposition, would be expected -to be part of the 'debris load in the intake! canal removed -'by: the station."'7 One' of the-' dead sea turtles was .a juvenile. green-'sea turtle captured during 'late October 1999. This individual exhibited no significant wounds but given the time of year, its death may have been related to cold stunning.. The remaining -ten sea turtles found dead at the OCGS intake structures were all. Kemp's ridleys. The condition of four of these dead]Kemp's ridleys at'the time of capture suggeststhat.

their deaths may have been attributable to' factors other than 7- 1'

interaction with the OCGS intake (Section 6.1.1). One of the two dead Kemp's ridleys taken in 1994 exhibited a strong odor of decomposition, suggesting that it may have died prior to becoming impinged on the DWS intake. A Kemp's ridley taken in July of 2001 had a deep slice wound on its neck that could have been caused by an encounter with a boat. Two of the three dead Kemp's ridleys taken during 2004 had puncture wounds on the carapace or neck that could have resulted from collisions with boats. The most likely cause of death of one individual taken in 1993 was determined by necropsy to be drowning at the DWS intake. The deaths of the remaining five Kemp's ridleys may also be attributable to drowning at either the DWS or CWS intake, although the cause of death was not definitively determined. Therefore, it is apparent that there have been a maximum of eleven, and as few as six, dead turtles removed from the intake during the 35 years since the OCGS began operation in 1969 whose cause of death may have been attributable to station operations.

Based on these levels of incidental capture at the OCGS intake, it is estimated that zero to three loggerheads, zero to nine Kemp's ridleys and zero to two green sea turtles would be expected to be taken from the intake during any given year.

7.1.1.1 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS The annual number of loggerheads incidentally captured at the OCGS has ranged from zero to two turtles. Five of the seven loggerheads captured were alive and released back into the wild.

The two dead loggerheads taken were moderately decomposed when collected, suggesting death prior to involvement with the station.

Carapace wounds suggested that the damage from boat propellers caused the death of one of these loggerheads, and the effects of a variety of diseases had resulted in the death of the other.

Therefore, if live and long dead animals are removed from the assessment of impact, the OCGS has had no impact on loggerhead sea turtle populations to date.

Adult and subadult loggerhead sea turtle populations have been estimated to be approximately 387,000 in the southeast United States (see Section 5.0). The estimated number of mature females in this same area has been estimated to range between 35,000 and 72,000 turtles (Gordon 1983; Hopkins and Richardson 1984; NMFS 1987; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000).

In order to determine if any future losses attributable to the OCGS "appreciably reduce" the reproduction, numbers or distribution of loggerheads, it is necessary to compare on-site information with breeding information, population estimates, and distribution information for this species.

Although three loggerhead nests were reported from New Jersey in the 1980's and 1990's (Schoelkopf 1994), loggerhead nesting in the United States primarily occurs along coastal beaches in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Also, all loggerheads 7-2

. incidentally captured at the CWS and DWS intakes were juveniles or subadults, too young.to reproduce, which-tare' more prevalent along the mid-Atlantic- coast than adults (Van Buskirk and Crowder, 1994). -

.Therefore, based..on -the immaturity of the specimens;captured and the fact that loggerhead nesting.does' not typically occur in New Jersey,. the only;.loss' ,to loggerhead reproduction would 'be 'from

' production foregone due .to.the loss of juvenile/subadult animals on the intake which could :potentially be' recruited 'into -the breeding female population at some time in the future.

The observed worst case .incidental catch level for :loggerheads at the OCGS has been two turtles during 'any given year, 'with- no mortality attributable to the'OCGS. However, for'the purposes of this assessment we will- assume -,that three deaths per year is a worst-case estimate of loggerhead mortality associated' with-'the OCGS. ., . ..  :' . . .

If we compare this with the estimated population size of 387,000

'animals, this. mortality would'. represent - 0.0008 percent 'of the

,populationin' the ,southeast- U.S.: It :should be kept in'mind that the,population estimate on-which this percentage is based does not include juveniles or subadults in the region or populations from areas other than the U.S. This means that the population size is probably,- underestimated and 'the 'worst-case' estimate of 'losses attributable to the OCGS is overestimated. Mortality at this level will not "appreciablyreduce" the distribution or numbers of loggerhead *sea turtles along:the -Atlantic Coast -of the United States. -

7.1.1.2 ASSESSMENT OF'..IMPACT ON, KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS ' - ,

The number.of .Kemp's ridleys-incidentally captured at the'OCGS has ranged from zero to eight per year during the 1969-2004 period.

Eleven of -the twenty-one-Kemp's ridleys' captured at the 'OCGS'were alive and were successfully released back into -the 'wild.Six'"of the ten Kemp's 'ridleys found 'dead at the OCGS appeared 'to have died recently-and exhibited:.no significant wounds."-The 3remaining four-, had significant .wounds or'l:a strong odor of "decomposition, suggesting that:'-their: deaths'-could have. been"--attributable 'to factors -other than- interaction'with' the OCGS intake.': The'observed worst-case, incidental -catch "level'-was in 2004'when five- live and three- dead Kemp's -ridleys. were' taken 'at the OCGS CWS and DWS intakes. .,- - - - ' -

In order _to determine if 'the, OCGS "appreciably"_ reduces" the reproduction, -numbers 'or distributi6n' "of Kemp's ridley'-sea turtles,. it, is ;necessary,'to 'compare' on-site -information with breeding information,- population estimates,-' and distribution information for this.species. ,The adult Kemps ridley sea turtle population was ,estimated'.'to be :approximately. 2,200 turtles ,in 1989, based on ,breeding. females -observed in Mexico (seeSection 5.0). Since, with a few minor.'exceptions, this breeding colony-is 7-3

the only known colony in the world, this estimate essentially represents the worldwide breeding population for Kemp's ridleys.

All specimens captured at the OCGS were juveniles or subadults, not yet capable of reproducing (Van Buskirk and Crowder, 1994).

Therefore, based on the immaturity of the specimens captured and the fact that Kemp's ridley nesting does not occur in New Jersey, the only loss to Kemp's ridley reproduction would be from production foregone due to the mortality of juvenile/subadult animals on the intake which could potentially be recruited into the breeding female population at some time in the future.

If we assume a worst-case incidental mortality rate at the OCGS of four Kemp's ridley sea turtles during any given year and compare it with the estimated population size of 2,200, they would represent 0.18 percent of the population. This population estimate does not include juveniles and subadults. Also, studies of Kemp's ridley nesting activity have shown that the population has been increasing rapidly since the population estimate was developed in 1989 (Turtle Expert Working Group 1998; Turtle Expert Working Group 2000; Marquez et al. 2001). Therefore, this is clearly an underestimate of the actual population size. It is unlikely that losses at this level would "appreciably reduce" the distribution or numbers of Kemp's ridley sea turtles along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

7.1.1.3 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON ATLANTIC GREEN SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS Only four Atlantic green sea turtles were incidentally captured at the OCGS during the 1969-2004 period, with one individual taken each year in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. Three of these turtles were alive at the time of capture and released back into the wild.

The only dead specimen was taken in late October of 1999, and its death could have been attributable to cold stunning. All of the Atlantic green sea turtles taken at the OCGS were juveniles.

In order to determine if the OCGS "appreciably reduces" the reproduction, numbers or distribution of Atlantic green sea turtles, it is necessary to compare on-site information with breeding information, population estimates, and distribution information for this species. Although the green turtle occurs worldwide in tropical and semitropical waters, they are found in U.S. Atlantic waters around the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the continental United States from Texas to Massachusetts (NMFS and USFWS, 1991b). In U.S. Atlantic waters, green turtles nest in small numbers in the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and in larger numbers along the east coast of Florida. As many as 477 Atlantic green turtle nests per year have been documented to occur along a 21 km stretch of beach in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

The Florida Department of Natural Resources (FDNR) has found up to 2,288 clutches of Atlantic green turtle eggs per year in nests on Florida beaches (FDNR, unpubl. data). However, more information is needed before detailed maps or estimates of population number and structure can be made for green turtle populations in U.S.

territorial waters (NMFS and USFWS, 1991b).

7-4

Based on the immaturity of'the Atlantic green' turtles' captured at the OCGS and the fact that nesting of Atlantic green turtles is not known to occur as far north as New 'Jersey, -the 'only loss to green turtle reproduction would be from production foregone due to the mortality of juvenile/subadult animals on the 2intake which could potentially be~recruitedtinto' the breeding'female'population at some time in the future.

-If.we assume a worst-case incidental2mortality rate at the OCGS of

.one Atlantic green sea turtle during any given year and compare it with .an assumed population size 'of several 'thousand,' this loss would represent- only a very small fraction of one percent of the population. It is unlikely that losses at this -level 'would

",appreciably reduce" the'distribution or numbers of Atlantic green sea turtles along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.'

7.2 OTHER POTENTIAL STATION IMPACTS ON SEA TURTLES 7.2.1 ACUTE THERMAL EFFECTS

-,The discharges -from the circulating' water- -and ':dilution- water systems;of the OCGS are located'45 'and 105 m (150 and 450 ft)' west

• of'the reactor building, respectively (Figure-4-2). As discussed in Section- 4.0, the temperature.' rise 'of -the CWS discharge is typically about .11 C' (20'F) .-above ambient intake.' canal temperatures. Because of.the:'relatively high discharge velocities (65-95 cm/sec; 2.1-3.1 ft/sec)', 'a sea turtle is 'not likely' to remain in the immediate vicinity of the 'condenser discharge "for any length of time. Furthermore,;turtles in the area would easily be able to avoid entrainment in the thermal discharge flow by swimming away. Downstream of .the, condenser, discharge,' complete mixing with ambient temperature water- from 'the 'DWS occurs, reducing the discharge canal-water 'temperatures by approximately 5.60C (100 F) when two dilution pumps are 'operating. The'resulting water temperature of.-'approximately 5.6 C (100F) above' 'ambient should not be stressful for-any sea turtle species.' Therefore,'it is concluded that no adverse'-acute thermally related'impa'cts will be sustained by any of the sea turtle species.

7.2.2 -CHRONIC THERMAL-EFFECTS The thermal discharge from Oyster Creek. Generating Station' will not adversely impact the reproduction or migratory'behavior of sea turtles inhabiting Barnegat Bay or coastal oceanic'waters 'in the vicinity of the OCGS.

Because :the, vast -.majority. of' reproduction occurs'.in the southeastern 'United States or .other distant locations in the case of the loggerhead and green sea turtles, and Mexico in the 'case of

.the Kemp's ridley,-"notreproductive impacts are expected. '

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection -evaluation of the impact of.the OCGS thermal plume on Barnegat Bay concluded that the effects on fish distribution and abundance were small and 7-5 s

Jn-localized with few or no regional consequences (Summers et al.

1989). Similarly, due to the shallow nature of the plume, the relatively small area affected, and the small temperature increases within Barnegat Bay, the movements of sea turtles in the bay should not be adversely impacted. The areal extent of the thermal plume, as measured by the 1.10C excess temperature isotherm, depends upon prevailing wind conditions and tidal stage but has been estimated to be less than 1.6 km (5,300 ft) in an east-west direction by 5.6 km (18,500 ft) in a north-south direction, under all conditions (Starosta et al. 1979, JCP&L 1986). More importantly, as discussed in Section 4.1.3, outside of the immediate vicinity of the mouth of Oyster Creek, the plume is primarily a surface phenomenon. As such, it is easily avoidable by sea turtles that move freely about in the water column, spending a large portion of their time foraging on the bottom.

7.2.3 COLD SHOCK Cold shock mortalities of fishes have occurred at the OCGS in the past. These events occurred when migratory species, attracted to the heated condenser discharge, remained in the discharge canal after they would normally have migrated out of Barnegat Bay in response to falling autumn water temperatures. Subsequent station outages, after ambient water temperatures had fallen below 100C (500 F), resulted in cold-shock fish kills. The number and severity of these events has been reduced as a result of the operation of two dilution pumps in the fall, when ambient water temperatures began to drop, to decrease the attractiveness of the discharge canal as overwintering habitat (Summers et al. 1989).

Cold-shock mortality of sea turtles has not been observed and is not expected to occur at the OCGS for a number of reasons. The area where sea turtles could overwinter is extremely limited, including only the immediate vicinity of the condenser discharge, prior to any mixing with the DWS flow. Winter water temperatures in the discharge canal, downstream of the area where CWS and DWS flows mix, routinely fall below 7.20C (450 F).

The small area where winter water temperatures would be suitable for overwintering sea turtles is characterized by a relatively high discharge velocity of 65-95 cm/sec (2.1-3.1 ft/sec). This would require continuous swimming activity, 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> per day, in order for a sea turtle to maintain its position in the heated discharge flow.

Food availability in the potential overwintering area would be extremely limited and probably insufficient to support the amount of swimming activity required to maintain a turtle in the heated discharge flow throughout the winter. Their preferred food, blue crabs and horseshoe crabs, would not be found in this area during the winter months. In addition, the canal bottom has a very hard substrate in the vicinity of the condenser discharge, and does not support a wide variety of benthic organisms that might serve as sea turtle forage.

7- 6

. I 7.2.4 BIOCIDES Low level, intermittent chlorination is used to control biofouling in the, OCGS -service-water system !and circulating -water systems.

New Jersey Pollutant' Discharge"Elimination System (NJPDES) permit conditions limit chlorine- discharge levels, to a maximum 'daily concentration of 0.2 mg/l or a maximum daily chlorine usage of 41.7 kg/day.. The-main condenser cooling water:'is- chlcrinated for approximately, 2 :hours per -day., The chlorine demand' in the' main condenser discharge, consumes-.almost all remaining free chlorine and results,.in .essentially no' chlorine being released to the discharge canal..

Given the very.. small quantities'of chlorine applied, the short duration of. the application' periods, the fact -that' residual chlorine levels in the condenser discharge are' at 'or near-'zero, and the fact that the condenser discharge is combined with unchlorinated DWS flow,. the use -of this. biocide will' not have Iany impact on sea turtles that:may'loccur in the discharge'-canal or Barnegat Bay. . . '

7.3 MITIGATING MEASURES ' '

.In order to minimize the-potential'impact of-station operations on threatened or endangered sea turtles, a ~:variety of 'mitigating

.measures "have been instituted"at: the OCGS. :These'measures' include all of the "reasonable and prudent measures necessary'to minimize the impact on listed species" specified in the Incidental Take

,Statement dated July 18,:2001, and are described' in this section'.

7.3.1 SEA TURTLE SURVEILLANCE AND HANDLING The surveillance and handling requirements necessary 't'o minimize the impact of OCGS operations on sea turtles are defined in the Sea Turtle Surveillance,: Handling,and"Reporting" Instructions Procedure for Operations personnel (Appendix I) and associated Operations Department tour:.sheets.' . These instructions apply- to all Operations, Department. personnel responsible "'fori'conducting surveillances -of the intake structures,-'cleaning' trash bars," and making notifications. ' ' -

7.3.1.1 SURVEILLANCE OF. CIRCULATING WATER SYSTEM AND DILUTION WATER*SYSTEM INTAKES

• * -  ; *' '-_f - ': ". a The CWS and' DWS - intake-'trash- bars,' and the 'area immediately upstream of;the trash.bars,'.'are inspected for'-the presence'of sea turtles at least .twice per. 8-hour shift- during:'-the June 1'-

October 31 period. ,This-represents-a-doubling'of-the':frequency--of intake structure inspections specified prior to the incidental capture of two:.Kemp's ridley. sea' turtles'du'ring' July of 1994.

Prior to 1994, only two individuals of this species had been observed at the :.OCGS, -both -during the 'month-of -- October. In response;.to.the incidental takes of 1994, 'the frequency of intake structure. inspections-:.was' increased. 'to -the current level'.'`'The first inspection is normally ,conducted 'one to-two hours into the 7- 7

work-shift; the second inspection is normally performed five to six hours into the work-shift. Although emergencies or other responsibilities may periodically prohibit strict adherence to this schedule, the intent of the schedule is to prevent the individual inspections from being clustered together in a relatively short time period. The time that each inspection is completed is recorded on intake area tour sheets.

Because the sea turtle season typically coincides with the period of greatest debris loading at the intakes, additional inspections of the intakes are often made during this period to ensure that they are sufficiently clean of debris. The cleaning of all of the CWS and DWS intake trash bars may take several hours when debris levels are high. These additional activities at the intake structures provide further opportunities for plant personnel to observe sea turtles.

The Sea Turtle Surveillance, Handling, and Reporting Instructions for Operations personnel (Appendix I) provides guidance on how to distinguish sea turtles from Diamondback Terrapins. In addition, large color posters which illustrate the distinguishing features of sea turtles have been placed in prominent locations at both the CWS and DWS intake structures (Fig. 7-1). This information is also published in the OCGS employee newspaper each spring in order to increase the level of awareness of station personnel just prior to the period when sea turtles are likely to occur in the vicinity of the station.

Station personnel conducting sea turtle surveillances will use portable spotlights during night inspections in order to assist them in spotting turtles. It should be noted, however, that visibility is limited to approximately 1 m (3 ft) below the water's surface.

7.3.1.2 SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS DURING TRASH RACK CLEANING Personnel cleaning the CWS and DWS intake trash racks during the June 1 - October 31 period observe the trash rake while cleaning operations are underway so that the rake may be stopped if a sea turtle is sighted. The debris gathered from the trash racks is hand raked into the trash car hopper. Personnel performing this task are instructed to look for sea turtles and to take particular care to ensure that sea turtles are not mistaken for horseshoe crabs. The floodlights attached to the trash rake unit (Figs. 4-5 and 4-8) are utilized during the evening hours to aid station personnel in spotting sea turtles. Note, however, that organisms are only visible in the upper few feet of water at the intakes because water transparency is typically about 1 m (3 ft).

7.3.1.3 ACTIONS TAKEN IF A SEA TURTLE IS OBSERVED Sea turtles observed on the trash racks or in the vicinity of the intake structures are recovered as soon as possible, taking care to prevent injury to the animal. The method of recovery depends upon the size and location of the turtle. A rescue sling suitable for 7- 8

larger turtles ;(in excess of:.,40.'pounds) is kept at the CWS intake structure. This device- consists -:of large-mesh netting-on a rigid metal frame with ropes attached to each corner (Fig. 4-10).- Long handled dip -nets. suitable .for ,the smaller turtles most commonly encountered have also been fabricated (Fig. 4-11). Thesedip nets are stored within easy reach, attached to fences, railings, or buildings at the. CWS and .DWS:intake structures: during the sea turtle season (June 1 - October 31).

Both the rescue sling. and the -long handled dip nets are-adequate for retrieving turtles from the surface to approximately, 1 m (3 ft) below the surface. The use of either device requires that the sea turtles be visible .from- the :surf ace. The retrieval of sea turtles from the trash bars, more than 1 m (3 ft) below the water's surface, requires the-use ,of the trash rake -alone or in combination with the dip nets or rescue sling..

7.3.1.4 SEA TURTLE HANDLINGAND RESUSCITATION In accordance with the Sea Turtle- Surveillance, -Handling and Reporting Instructions for Operations personnel (Appendix I), sea turtles removed from the intake :.structures,, regardless of their condition, are kept moist and out of direct sunlight. Fiberglass tubs suitable for holding sea'. turtles are--stored at the CWS intake structure.. Station-personnel are.cautioned not to assume that an

.inactive turtle is dead and that they, should, attempt. to revive

.inactive animals immediately.after they are -retrieved. .Specific guidance onhandling and resuscitation is provided in thetwritten

-instructions and on, large .color .posters..- placed in prominent locations at both the CWS and .DWS .intake :structures (Fig. 7-2):.

Special instructions are also provided for, cold-stunned turtles

"'(Appendix I)-.'

Live sea turtles are delivered to the, local- affiliate, of the Sea Turtle Salvage and. Stranding Network (Marine Mammal. Stranding Center in Brigantine, :New: Jersey) , for examination and subsequent release into the ocean.' Dead sea turtles have been sent-to Cornell University and..the University-:of Pennsylvania.for-necropsy.

7.4 NOTIFICATION AND-REPORTING OF.INCIDENTAL CAPTURES OCGS Procedure OP-OC-106-101. "Significant. Event Notification and Reporting" and LS-MA-1253 "Exelon Reportability Reference Manual, Reportable Event.Plant Specific,-'OC-08", direct station personnel to report all sightings.or captures of sea.turtles to the NRC-and the NMFS".-within-., 24 .- hours of .the event.-" The- Sea Turtle Surveillance,-Handling,'and Reporting Instructions.for Operations personnel "(Appendix I) ...call for -.the OCGS .Controlz Room -to, be notified.-immediately'of'.any;sea.!turtle.'observati'ons .or captures.

The.OCGS Shift-Manager oridesignee-is.required to complete the Sea Turtle Observation/Capture Report form,. an attachment to Appendix

-I. -. In - addition, - a written -,report -is.: prepared - by -.. OCGS Chemistry/Environmental personnel and. submitted.to. both regulatory agencies within 30 days of the event. The written report provides the details of the capture or sighting including the time and 7-9.

III place of capture; the length, weight and condition of the turtle; the disposition of the turtle, and any other pertinent information. Annual reports of sea turtle captures have been provided as part of the Annual Environmental Operating Report for the OCGS.

7.5 DISCUSSION OF GENERAL IMPACTS ON SEA TURTLE POPULATIONS Five factors have been listed by the federal government as factors contributing to the decline in sea turtle populations (43 FR 146:32800-32811):

1. Destruction or modification of habitat;

2. Over utilization for commercial, scientific or educational purposes;

3. Inadequate regulatory mechanisms;

4. Disease and/or predation; and,

5. Other natural or man-made sources.

The destruction and/or modification of habitat from coastal development and losses due to incidental capture during commercial fishing are likely the two major factors impacting sea turtle populations along the Atlantic Coast of the United States. The continued development of beachfront and estuarine shoreline areas is likely to be impacting foraging and nesting grounds for several sea turtle species. Incidental capture (take) is defined as the capture of species other than those towards which a particular fishery is directed. As implied by this definition, the commercial fishing industry has been implicated in many of the turtle carcass strandings on southeast U.S. beaches. The annual by-catch of sea turtles by shrimp trawlers in the southeast alone has been estimated by Henwood and Stuntz (1987) to be nearly 48,000 turtles (primarily loggerheads), resulting in over 11,000 turtle deaths per year. In a study conducted for Congress, the National Academy of Sciences concluded that incidental drowning in shrimp trawls "kills more sea turtles than all other human activities combined.. ." and may result in as many as 55,000 sea turtle drownings annually in U.S. waters (Magnuson et al. 1990).

The drowning of sea turtles in commercial fishing nets is not the only anthropogenic source of mortality. Other human-related causes include injuries from encounters with boats, plastic ingestion, and entanglement in trash. In New Jersey and New York, boat related damage is a commonly observed injury in stranded turtles. The loggerhead, because it is the most abundant sea turtle in U.S. coastal waters, is the species most frequently encountered by fishermen and other boat operators. More research needs to be conducted to identify all of the sources of sea turtle mortality and to develop methods of mitigating those losses.

7-10

- LI. -

The unintenti onal entrapment of -sea turtles during non-fishery related industrial .processest' such as the' generation of electricity," is another .-'source of incidental capture and mortality.- We have documented the 'capture of thirty-two sea turtles at- the OCGS during 'more than 35 years of operation. A maximum of eleven and as few as six of these turtles may have died as a result of their encounter with the station' s intakes.

Relative to losses from other,'sources§, such 'as'commercial fishery by-catch, ~this loss is extremely small. According to the Turtle Expert Working Group (2000).,, the cumulative effect of all power plant related sea turtle mortality, is considered to be relatively

.small. Even though any loss,-of any Individual of an endangered or threatened -species is -importLnit, the magnitude- of the potential

-losses of logred epsridley and Atlantic greensatute associated.'with the. operation 'of the Oyster Creek Generating Station would not be expected to significantly imac the U.S.

Atlantic coast populations of these sea turtle species.

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Figure 7-1. Sea Turtle Identification Poster Placed at OCGS Intake Structures.

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Figure 7-2. Sea Turtle Resuscitation Poster Placed at OCGS Intake Structures.

RE IT:TION PLACE THE TURTLE ON ITS BREASTPLATE AND RAISE THE HIND FLIPPERS SLIGHTLY ABOVE THE FRONT FLIPPERS.

PERIODICALLY, ROCK THE TURTLE SLIGHTLY BY LIFTING ONE SIDE, THEN LIFTING THE OTHER SIDE.

GENTLY PINCH TAIL TO CHECK FOR RESPONSE.

3 KEEP THE TURTLE SHADED AND MOIST AND OBSERVE FOR 24 HOURS.

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SECTION

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