ML050330406

Submittal of Non-Routine Environmental Report

ML050330406
Person / Time
Site:	Cook
Issue date:	01/21/2005
From:	Zwolinski J Indiana Michigan Power Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
AEP:NRC:2401-10
Download: ML050330406 (5)

Text

Indiana Michigan Power Company 500 Circle Drive Buchanan, MI 49107 1395 INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER January 21, 2005 AEP:NRC:2401-10 Docket Nos: 50-315 50-316 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Mail Stop O-P1-17 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant Units 1 and 2 SUBM[TTAL OF NON-ROUTINE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT In a letter dated January 21, 2005, Indiana Michigan Power Company, the licensee for Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant (CNP) Units 1 and 2, submitted a non-routine environmental report to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding waterfowl entrainment in the intake cribs of CNP.

In accordance with Section 5.4.2 of Part II of Appendix B of the Environmental Technical Specifications for CNP, a copy of the non-routine report is being provided to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as an attachment to this letter.

This letter contains no new commitments.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this notification, please contact John P. Carlson, Environmental Manager, at (269) 465-5901, extension 1153.

Sincerely, JohiA. Zwolinski Safeky Assurance Director JEN/jn attachment

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission AEP:NRC:2401-10 Page 2 C: J. L. Caldwell - NRC Region III K. D. Curry - AtP Ft. Wayne, w/o attachment J. T. King - MPSC, w/o attachment C. F. Lyon - NRC Washington DC MDEQ - DW & RPD, wlo attachment NRC Resident Inspector

ATTACHMENT TO AEP:NRC:2401-10 NON-ROUTINE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT WATERFOWL REPORT

• __._Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group INDIGANA WICHIGAN OneCook Place BridgmanMI 49106 POWERaep.com Mr. Robert Lumadue US Fish and Wildlife Service - Resident Agent in Charge 3800 Packard Rd. Suite 160 Ann Arbor, MI 48108 January 21, 2005 Re: Waterfowl Report

Dear Mr. Lurnadue:

As reported to your office and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, wild ducks were entrained in the intake cribs of the Donald C. Cook Plant starting on 12/22/04. The species are believed to be primarily lesser scaup, with some bufflehead, common goldeneye, and common merganser. Beginning 12/27/04 we have been performing observations to determine the approximate number of ducks rafting in the area of the plant's intake cribs. This number has been between approximately 100 and 1000 ducks. It is believed these ducks have congregated in the area due to the open water and abundant food supply of zebra mussels on the limestone riprap covering our intake pipes.

Through 1/18/05, ninety-nine (99) ducks have been entrained in the plant's intake cribs and collected on the intake screens within the screenhouse. The frequency in which the ducks have been entrained in the intake cribs has significantly slowed since 01/01/05. Actions taken by the plant include reducing the number of tunnels taking in water from three to two. This is a routine activity performed in the winter when Lake Michigan water temperatures decrease. While this does increase the velocity at the two remaining intakes, it lowers the overall intake area by approximately 30%. Other actions taken include the collection, identification, and storage of any ducks entrained and a daily observation of the duck population rafting in the vicinity of the intakes. Per your department's request, we have contacted the US Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Service. Mr. Anthony Duffiney and Gregory Rigney arrived on 01/18/05 with laser testing equipment to attempt to reduce the number of ducks rafting in the vicinity of the plant intake structures.

Please note that the intake cribs are cleaned of zebra mussels each fall. The cleaning was last completed in November of 2004 at a cost of approximately $86,000. This cleaning has proven effective in previous years in preventing duck entrainment. In the spring, when the shore ice recedes and allows safe access to the intake cribs, we will conduct an underwater camera inspection to determine if any other factors may have contributed to the entrainment of these animals.

History

• Zebra mussels were first identified at the Cook Plant in 1990.

• Ducks were first entrained in 1991.

• The Cook Plant worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan DNR in 1991-1992 to attempt to keep ducks from feeding in the vicinity of the intake cribs. The tactics used by Cook Plant environmental personnel included: installation of a bird canon, 2005-44

January 21, 2004 Mr. Robert Lumadue Page 2 using personnel with shotgun blanks, installation of "predator eye" balloons, installation of owl decoys, harassing ducks by boat, and harassing ducks with a helicopter. The tactics were only temporarily effective.

• Ms. Christine Custer of the USF&WS and John Carlson of the Cook Plant worked together to perform duck necropsy and wrote a paper on the first confirmed change in migratory behavior due to a zebra mussel infestation in 1993.

• The most effective tactic to minimize the number of ducks feeding at the intake crib structure has been the cleaning of the intake crib. This cleaning has been performed each year since 1992.

Feel free to contact me at (269) 465-5901 x2102 at any time to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely, Jon H. Harner Environmental Supervisor 200544