ML071700110
| ML071700110 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 08/14/2007 |
| From: | Eric Benner NRC/NRR/ADRO/DLR/REBA |
| To: | Bernhart D US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service |
| Logan, Dennis NRR/DLR/REBA - 415-0490 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML071700079 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC MD4260, TAC MD4261 | |
| Download: ML071700110 (5) | |
Text
August 14, 2007 Mr. David Bernhart Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue, South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
SUBJECT:
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE REINITIATION OF A FORMAL CONSULTATION UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT TO INCLUDE SEA TURTLES AT THE ST. LUCIE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT (TAC NOS.
MD4260 AND MD4261)
Dear Mr. Bernhart:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has prepared the enclosed Biological Assessment (BA) to reinitiate formal consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, regarding the continued operation of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant (SLNPP). In your May 4, 2001, Biological Opinion (BO), the current Incidental Take Statement (ITS), as clarified by letter dated July 30, 2002, authorizes the annual take limit for injured and dead (due to plant operations) loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles by percentage, up to one percent of the annual total entrained loggerhead and green turtles (combined). Additionally, there are limits causally related to plant operations of two lethal takes of Kemps ridley turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) each year and of one hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) or leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtle injured or killed every two years. There is an annual maximum of 1000 takes for all sea turtle species combined, regardless of cause. The one percent take limit for sea turtles was exceeded in 2006. The NRC is requesting with the submission of the enclosed BA that sea turtles be included in the reinitiation of formal consultation that is already underway in response to a take of the Federally endangered smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata).
On April 17-18, 2007, representatives of the NRC, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),
and the Florida Power & Light Company (the licensee that maintains and operates the SLNPP) met to observe the inspection of the southern 12-ft-diameter intake pipe and discuss possible mitigation measures to reduce impingement and entrainment of protected marine species, specifically sea turtles and smalltooth sawfish, into the SLNPP intake canal. At the visit, potential mitigation measures were discussed, and these are described in detail in the enclosed BA.
D. Bernhart We look forward to continuing to work closely with NMFS to conclude the Section 7 consultation for SLNPP. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Dr. Dennis Logan at 301-415-0490 or via e-mail DTL1@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Eric Benner, Branch Chief Environmental Branch A Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/encl: See next page
ML071700079 (Package)
ML071700110 (Letter)
ML071700161 (Report)
OFFICE DLR:REBA:AB DLR:LA DLR:REBA:ES DLR:REBA:BC NAME DLogan SFigueroa HNash (w/edits)
EBenner DATE 08/2/07 07/03/07 08/8/07 08/14/07
Florida Power and Light Company ST. LUCIE PLANT cc:
Mr. J. A. Stall Senior Vice President, Nuclear and Chief Nuclear Officer Florida Power and Light Company P.O. Box 14000 Juno Beach, Florida 33408-0420 Mr. William E. Webster Vice President, Nuclear Operations Florida Power & Light Company P.O. Box 14000 Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 Senior Resident Inspector St. Lucie Plant U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 6090 Jensen Beach, FL 34957 Craig Fugate, Director Division of Emergency Preparedness Department of Community Affairs 2740 Centerview Drive Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100 M. S. Ross, Managing Attorney Florida Power & Light Company P.O. Box 14000 Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 Marjan Mashhadi, Senior Attorney Florida Power & Light Company 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 220 Washington, DC 20004 Mr. Douglas Anderson County Administrator St. Lucie County 2300 Virginia Avenue Fort Pierce, Florida 34982 Mr. William A. Passetti, Chief Department of Health Bureau of Radiation Control 2020 Capital Circle, SE., Bin #C21 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1741 Mr. Gordon L. Johnson Site Vice President St. Lucie Nuclear Plant 6351 South Ocean Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957-2000 Mr. Christopher R. Costanzo Plant General Manager St. Lucie Nuclear Plant 6351 South Ocean Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957 Mr. Terry Patterson Licensing Manager St. Lucie Nuclear Plant 6351 South Ocean Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957 Mark Warner, Vice President Nuclear Operations Support Florida Power & Light Company P.O. Box 14000 Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 Mr. Rajiv S. Kundalkar Vice President - Nuclear Engineering Florida Power & Light Company P.O. Box 14000 Juno Beach, FL 33408-0420 Mr. J. Kammel Radiological Emergency Planning Administrator Department of Public Safety 6000 Southeast Tower Drive Stuart, FL 34997 Mr. Bill Parks Operations Manager St. Lucie Nuclear Plant 6351 South Ocean Drive Jensen Beach, Florida 34957-2000
Florida Power and Light Company ST. LUCIE PLANT cc: Mr. Seth B. Duston Training Manager St. Lucie Nuclear Plant 6351 South Ocean Drive Jensen Beach, FL 34957-2000 Shelley Norton National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue, South St. Petersburg, FL 33701