ML060100477

Annual Report of Sea Turtle Incidental Takes - 2005

ML060100477
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	12/21/2005
From:	Swenson B AmerGen Energy Co, Exelon Corp
To:	Scida P Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
%dam200604, 2120-052-2935, 2130-05-20244
Download: ML060100477 (18)

Text

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.elonm.m AmerGen Energy Company Oyster Creek US Route 9 South. PO. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 wwwv exeloncorp.com An Exelon.Company December 21, 2005 2130-05-20244 2120-052-2935 National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 Attention: Pasquale Scida

Subject:

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION (OCGS)

DOCKET NO. 50-219 ANNUAL SEA TURTLE INCIDENTAL TAKE REPORT - 2005 Enclosed is a copy of the 2005 Annual Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report for the Oyster Creek Generating Station. The report is submitted in accordance with Condition 10 of the Incidental Take Statement of the OCGS Endangered Species Act Biological Opinion.

If you have any questions concerning this submittal, please contact Ms. Kathy Barnes, Sr. Regulatory Specialist at 609-971-4970 or Mr. Malcolm Browne, Environmental Specialist, at 609-971-4124.

Bud Swenson Vice President Oyster Creek BSIDF Enclosure cc:

NRC Document Control Desk Administrator, Region I NRC Project Manager Senior Resident Inspector 5z

ANNUAL REPORT OF SEA TURTLE INCIDENTAL TAKES - 2005 OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION LICENSE NO. DPR-16 DOCKET NO. 50-219 Prepared by:

AMERGEN ENERGY COMPANY December 2005

Introduction The Annual Report of Sea Turtle Incidental Takes provides a summary of the incidental takes of all species of sea turtles at the Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) during the past year. The report is required by Condition 10 of the Incidental Take Statement of the OCGS Endangered Species Act, Section 7 Consultation, Biological Opinion. This report covers all incidental takes which occurred during 2005..

Incidental Take Reports documenting the circumstances of incidental takes of sea turtles are completed following any OCGS sea turtle incidental take and are provided to NMFS and USNRC. Incident reports concerning the taking of endangered sea turtles entitled "Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2005-1 and 2005-2" are provided as Attachments I and II, respectively. The circumstances surrounding the two incidental takes that occurred during 2005 are summarized below. In both cases the incidental takes were reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> of the incidental take. Inspections and cleaning of cooling water intake trash bars continue to be conducted in accordance with Conditions 1 and 4 of the Incidental Take Statement.

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Annual Summary of Sea Turtle Incidental Takes - 2005 INCIDENTAL TAKE OF JULY 4,2005 At approximately 9:05 AM on Monday July 4, 2005, an OCGS Operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle among the vegetation, seaweed and debris removed from Bay # 4 of the dilution water intake structure. The turtle was retrieved as gently as possible using only a dipnet. It appeared to be dead and slightly decomposed, indicating that it may have died several hours or more prior to collection. In accordance with OCGS procedures, Operators initiated resuscitation of the sea turtle but were unable to revive it. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center representative who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 24.3YC (75.8'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 approximately 5:00 AM. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 23.2 cm (9.1 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 1.4 kg (3.0 Ib). The turtle exhibited some severe slice wounds including a partially crushed and sliced skull as well as a sliced carapace, most probably the result of a boat propeller collision. Some small scrapes were observed on the ventral 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 taken. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the incidental take within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ during the early afternoon on July 4, 2005. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, photographed and measured and a necropsy was performed. MMSC personnel indicated that the necropsy indicated that the turtle was an immature male with no digesta present in the esophagus or small intestine. The necropsy indicated the cause of death may have been the result of a prop or skeg wound. The turtle was buried by MMSC personnel at Brigantine, NJ.

INCIDENTAL TAKE OF AUGUST 5,2005 At approximately 5:00 AM on Friday August 5, 2005, an OCGS operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a live sea turtle swimming below the water surface within Bay # 4 of the dilution water intake structure. The operator retrieved the turtle as gently as possible. The turtle appeared to be alive and moving about normally but a wound to a portion of the 3

left front flipper was apparent. The injury indicated a previous entanglement with a line or net. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center representative who took custody of the turtle the same morning confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 28.20C (82.70F) 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 only about one hour earlier the same day at approximately 4:00 AM.

The turtle was not observed during that inspection.

The turtle measured 23.6 cm (9.3 in) carapace length straight line and weighed 1.9 kg (4.2 lb). The turtle exhibited the previously mentioned wound to the left front flipper. However, the turtle appeared to be in good health and moving about normally after its gentle retrieval from the water at OCGS. No external tags were present on the turtle when taken. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the incidental take within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

The turtle was taken to the MMSC in Brigantine, NJ during the morning of August 5, 2005. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, photographed and held to ensure it was feeding well. The turtle was transferred August 6, 2005 to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Island, NC for further rehabilitation. The turtle was again transferred August 12, 2005 to the North Carolina State Veterinary School, where amputation of the turtle's left front flipper was performed.

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Comparison of Annual Sea Turtle Incidental Takes With Prior Years Regarding trends in the number of incidental sea turtle takes at the OCGS, two incidental takes occurred during 2005 which is similar to the longterm average of slightly over two incidental takes per year recorded over the last decade.

However, the annual abundance of sea turtles in this vicinity appears to be highly variable, unpredictable, and unrelated to the operation of the OCGS. There are several factors that may influence the number of sea turtle incidental takes which occur at the OCGS. Barnegat Inlet, the only tidal inlet in the vicinity of Oyster Creek, which provides access to Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, was deepened during dredging operations in the early 1990's. Completion of the Barnegat Inlet dredging operation resulted in an increase in the tidal prism, or volume of water entering and exiting the inlet on a single tidal cycle, as well as a slightly greater tidal range at Oyster Creek. The deepening of Barnegat Inlet and associated waterway channels was completed immediately prior to 1992, when incidental takes of sea turtles began to occur at OCGS, and may partially explain the occurrence of the turtles.

It is likely that the local variability of sea turtle abundance is also related to biological factors including the abundance of organisms on which sea turtles prefer to feed, such as blue crabs, horseshoe crabs, and calico crabs. Blue crabs have been particularly abundant in Barnegat Bay in recent years, in contrast to other coastal bays along the Atlantic coast such as Chesapeake Bay. Physical factors, such as an oceanic front or an oceanic gyre occurring unusually close to Barnegat Inlet, may also play a part in the prevalence of sea turtles near Oyster Creek because oceanic fronts have been shown to be used as a migratory and forage habitat by sea turtles (Polovina et al, 2000). Experience has also shown that the passage of a severe storm or pressure system near Barnegat Inlet can cause major increases in winds, waves, tides and tidal prism in shallow estuarine waters such as Barnegat Bay. These events could increase the likelihood of slowly swimming organisms such as sea turtles occurring in the estuary. Despite the record number of named tropical storms and hurricanes that occurred during 2005, few major tropical storms occurred along the local portion of the Atlantic coast which could have caused sea turtles to seek or remain within shallow estuarine areas such as Barnegat Bay for longer periods of time than normal.

Many years of environmental sampling conducted near the OCGS have repeatedly demonstrated that the abundance of various marine organisms can vary considerably from year to year, often by orders of magnitude. This is particularly true for seasonal migrants, whose abundance in Barnegat Bay is highly dependent upon physical and biological factors along the migratory route. Therefore, the observed annual variation in sea turtle incidental takes at the OCGS from a minimum of zero to a maximum of eight per year is not considered particularly significant. The ultimate goal of the considerable effort being put forward at the OCGS for the protection of sea turtles is to protect the turtles that do arrive at the plant, and to release as many turtles as possible to safety. The OCGS program for 5

the protection of threatened and endangered sea turtles can be considered to be quite successful because most of the sea turtles incidentally captured at OCGS since 1992 have subsequently been released alive and well, to the Atlantic Ocean in locations free from potential cold-shock, due to the efforts of OCGS personnel.

The two incidental takes of Kemp's ridley turtles during 2005 at the OCGS did not exceed the Incidental Take Statement (ITS) limit, which was recently increased to a maximum of eight Kemp's ridleys per year with no more than four lethal takes per year. The one lethal Kemp's ridley take at the OCGS during 2005 was determined by necropsy to have most likely been the result of a collision with a boat. This is a particularly plausible explanation given that the turtle was taken on July 4, which is typically the date of heaviest recreational boat traffic in Barnegat Bay near the OCGS.

References Polovina, JJ., D.R. Kobayashi, D.M. Ellis, M.P. Seki, and G.H. Balazs. 2000.

Turtles on the edge: Movement of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) along oceanic fronts in the central North Pacific, 1997-1998. Fish. Oceanogr., 9: 71-82.

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ATTACHMENT I SEA TURTLE INCIDENTAL TAKE REPORT 2005-1

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2005-1 At approximately 0905 hours0.0105 days <br />0.251 hours <br />0.0015 weeks <br />3.443525e-4 months <br /> on Monday July 4, 2005, an Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a sea turtle among the aquatic vegetation, seaweed and debris accumulated within Bay # 1 of the dilution water intake structure. The operator retrieved the turtle as gently as possible using only a dipnet. The turtle appeared to be dead and slightly decomposed, indicating that it may have died several hours or more prior to collection. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center representative who took custody of the turtle the same morning confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 75.8 F (24.3 C) and OCGS was in operation at 100% power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been near the dilution structure prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks and intake bays had been inspected just a few hours earlier the same day at approximately 0500 hours0.00579 days <br />0.139 hours <br />8.267196e-4 weeks <br />1.9025e-4 months <br />. The turtle was not observed during that inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured 9.1 in (23.2 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 3 lb (1.4 kg).

The turtle exhibited severe slice wounds including a partially crushed and sliced skull as well as a sliced carapace, most probably the result of a boat propeller collision. Some small scrapes were observed on the ventral surface of the carapace. It was not possible to determine exactly when or how the turtle had died prior to arriving at OCGS-However, because of the nature of its wounds prior to its gentle retrieval from the water at OCGS, its death did not appear to have been a result of interaction with the OCGS intake. No tags were present on the turtle when captured.

USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the capture within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> on July 4, 2005.

The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ during the early afternoon of July 4, 2005. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured and a necropsy performed. The turtle was buried by MMSC personnel in Brigantine. NJ.

SEA TURTLE STRANDI 3 AND SALVAGE NETWO. t - STRANDING REPOR OBSERVER'S NAME / ADDRESS / PHONE:

STRANDING DATE:

First Brandi M.l.

Last Biehl Year 20.05 Month 07 Day 04 Affiliation Marine Mamrmal Stranding Center Turtle number by day 01 Address -PO Box 773, 3625 Bdqantine Blvd., Briqantine, NJ 08203 Field ID # MMSC-05-142 Coordinator mustbenotifiedwithin24 lirs; the Area code/Phone number (609) 266-0538 was doneby Nphone 609)266038 SPECIES: (check one)

El CC = Loggerhead E

CM = Green E

DC = Leatherback E

0 = Hawksbill LK = Kemp's Ridley D LO = Olive Ridley 0D UN = Unidentified Check Unidentffied ff not positive. Do Not Guess.

STRANDING LOCATION: E]Offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) finshore (bay, river, sound, niet, et State NJ County Ocean Descriptive location (be specific) Forked River, Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant, imning On water intake grating.

Carcass necropsied? EYesONo Photos taken? Eyes ONo Species verified by coordinator?

OYes OENo SEX:

o Undetermined O Female

• Male Does tail extend beyond carapace?

0 Yes; how far?).

cmrn in ENo How was sex determined?

• Necropsy M TaR length (adult only)

Latitude 39 48.85' N Longitude 74 12.42W CONDITION: (check one)

FINAL DISPOSmON: (check) o O

= Alive 01 = Left on beach where found, painted? OYes* QNoi 1 = Fresh dead 02 = VRied:

on beach / D off beach; 2 = Moderately decomposed carca painted before buried? 0 Yes* 0 No 3 =fSeverelydecpoed 3 = Salvaged: 0 all U part(s). whatwy 0l 4= Dried carcass MuscieforGenetics (NMFS) o 5

=Skeletoi, bones only 04 = Pulled up on beach/dune; painted? oYes" ONo a 6= AM, released TAGS: Contact coordinatorbefore

= AM, tkenIrehab facliwhere?

disposing of any tagged animal!_

Checked for fiper tags? U Yes 0 No 08 = Left floating, not recovered; painted? oYes* ONo Check all 4 flippers found, record tag 09 = Disposition unknown, explain number(s) I tag cation I return address None found If pointed, what color?

CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

PIT tag scan?

• Yes 0 No Using calipers Circle unit If found, record number /tag location Staight length (NOTCH-TIP)

.23.2 i in None foundMininum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) cm /in Coded wire tag scan? [0 Yes

• No Saigh wit (Widest Point)

_21.0 in i positive response, record location (flipper)

Using non-metal measuring tape Circle unit Curved lengM (NOTCH-TIP)

___ cm/in Checked for living tag? Eyes 0 No Minimurri length (NOTCH-NOTCH)

. cm fin If fou, record location (scute number & side)

Curved width (Widest Point) cm/in None found Circle unit Weight E actual /l0 est.

30 _kg /I Mark wounds / abnormalities on diagrams at left and descnbe below (note tar or oil, gear or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epibiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note If no wounds / abnormalities are found.

Skull crushed through right orbital (possible prop strike). Right carapace near shoulder (RFF) cracked (possible prop or skeci wound). Unable to determine i inhuries were pre or post-mortem. Photos, measurements, necropsy and burial by MMSC staff. Esophagus: lined with a black, gritty material. Stomach: devoid of any inciesta. Small intestine: milky-yellow mucous, no dipesta Present. Large intestine/colon: dark-brown, moist, loosely formed feces. Heart: no observed parasites, no gross lesions. Sex determined by necropsy: immature male.

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2005-1

ATTACHMENT II SEA TURTLE INCIDENTAL TAKE REPORT 2005-2

OYSTER CREEK GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2005-2 At approximately 0500 hours0.00579 days <br />0.139 hours <br />8.267196e-4 weeks <br />1.9025e-4 months <br /> on Friday August 5, 2005, an Oyster Creek Generating Station (OCGS) operator performing a routine cleaning of the trash racks noticed a live sea turtle below the water surface within Bay # 4 of the circulating water intake structure. The operator retrieved the turtle as gently as possible. The turtle appeared to be alive and moving about normally but a wound to a portion of the left front flipper was apparent. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center representative who took custody of the turtle the same morning confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelvs kempi). The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 82.7 F (28.2 C) and OCGS was in operation at 100% power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation.

Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been near the circulating water intake structure prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks and intake bays had been inspected only about one hour earlier the same day at approximately 0400 hours0.00463 days <br />0.111 hours <br />6.613757e-4 weeks <br />1.522e-4 months <br />. The turtle was not observed during that inspection.

The turtle measured 9.3 in (23.6 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 4.2 lb (1.9 kg).

The turtle exhibited a severe laceration near the base of the left front flipper. However, the turtle appeared to be in good health and moving about normally after its gentle retrieval from the water at OCGS. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the capture within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> on August 5, 2005.

The turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine NJ during the morning of August 5, 2005. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured and held for feeding and rehabilitation. The Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network Stranding Report 05-162 pre The turtle was sent the following day from MMSC to the Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Beach, NC for further rehabilitation and medical evaluation. On August 12, the turtle was transported to the NC State Veterinary School for amputation of the wounded flipper. The turtle will undergo additional rehabilitation before being released into the Atlantic Ocean.

- SEA TURTLE STRANDIriG AND SALVAGE NETWOrK - STRANDING REPORT OBSERVER'S NAME I ADDRESS / PHONE:

First Brandi M.I. N Last Biehl Affiliation Marine Mammal Stranding Center Address PO Box 773, 3625 Brigantine Blvd.

, Brigantine, NJ 08203 STRANDING DATE:

Year 20 05 Month 08 Day 5

Turtle number by day 01 Field ID #

05-162 Coordinator must be notried within 24 hrs; this was done by phone (609)2660538 0Eemail Okx Area code/Phone number (609) 266-0538 SPECIES: (check one)

O CC= Loggerhead o CM= Green o DC = Leatherback O El = Hawksbtll LK = Kemps Ridley

! LO = Olive Ridley 0 UN = Unidentified Check Unidentfie f not positve-Do Not Guess.

STRANDING LOCATION: [offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) tnshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc)

State NJ Coiify

_Ocean County Descriptive location (be specific)Forked River. Oyster Creek Nuclear Power Plant. impinged on water intake oratinq.

Latitude 39 48. 85' N Longitude 7( 12.42 W I

Carcass necropsied? OYesWio Photos taken? 3yes ONo Species verified by coordinator?

EYes ONo CONDmON: (check one)

O=Alive

! 1 = Fresh dead 0 2 = Moderately decomposed 0 3 =Severely decorposed o 4 =Dried carcass 0

5 = Skeleton, bones only FINAL DISPOSmON: (check)

Q1 = Left on beach where klnd; painted? oYes' ONo(5 02 = Bied Q on beach 10 off beach; carcass painted before buried? 0 Yes O No Q3=Salvage0alluIQ parl(s), whatW SEX:

^ Undetermined M Fernale [] Mae Does ta extend beyond carapace?

0 Yes; how far?

cm / in O No How was sex determined?

O Necropsy 0 Tail length (adull only)

TAGS: Contact coordinator before disposing of any tagged annalJ!l Checked or lipper tags? 0 Yes

• No Check all 4 flippers. f found, record tag number(s) I tag location I return address 0}4 = Puled up on beacVdune; painted? OYes LJNo

= Ale, released 7= Aie, taken b rehab. acriy, where?

Twosall Sea Turtle Hospital rTopsal. NC) 0IB = Left floating, not recovered; painted? [Yes ONo E39 = 11sposition urnown, explain

-itf paue4 what coaor?.

PlTtag scan? E3 Yes No H found, record number / tag location Coded wire tg scan? 0 Yes E No f positve response, record location (flipper)

Checked for livirg tag? (Yes N No If found, record location (scule number & side)

CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

Using calipers Ckde unit Strahtd length (OTCH-IP) 23.6

-Rin Minimur length (NOTCH-NOTCH) cm/in StIat wdh (Wdest Point) 21_5 __

in Using non-metal measuring tape.

Cick unit Curved length (NOTCH-TIP) cm /in Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) cm I in Curved width WKIest Point)

_cn

/ in Circle unit Weight flac&W I [est 42 kgE3 Mark wounds / abnormalities on diagrams at left and descrbe below (note tar or oil, gear or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epbiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note if no wounds I abnormalities are found.

Responsive. Emaciated. Left front flimer has severe laceration extendinq 4 of the way across (smal I amount of muscle and tissue attaching it). Small abrasions to riaht front flipper. Iniuries indicate a previous entanglement in a line or net. Taken to MMSC for evaluation. 08/06/05 Transferred to The Sea Turtle Hospital, Topsail, NC for further rehabilitation. 08/12/05 Left front flinner amnutation by NC State Vet School.

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle 'escue and Rehabilitation Center - Brig PPage I of 2 Topswil Waxud, Alorth Carolna, USA PATIENT FACIUTY HOME INDEX AND STAFF bay caretta holden 11 corenetta hanover boryk hope pounder ll SATELLITE TRACKING GIFTSHOP NESTING PHOTO LINKS ALBUM hammock emeraldll sullivan quarter Stacy In splash briggy noaa brunswick BRIGGY KEMP'S RIDLEY AIT I

1AUG S. 20 Lepidochelys kernpt

-Velght 1.9 kg 5 Juvenile IISCw cm i

I mI LL THE STRANDING THE TREATMENT Transported August 12 to the NC State Vet School for amputation of wounded flipper.