DCL-2008-557, National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Report for Dead Californian Sea Lion Discovered in Diablo Canyon Power Plant Intake Structure

National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Report for Dead Californian Sea Lion Discovered in Diablo Canyon Power Plant Intake Structure

ML083440312
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	11/26/2008
From:	Peters K Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Cordaro J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
DCL-2008-557
Download: ML083440312 (3)

Text

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Diablo Canyon Power Plant R 0. Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 PG&E Letter DCL-2008-557 Certified!Return Receipt

1. 7007-0220-0004-6736-0468 November 26, 2008 Joseph G. Cordaro Wildlife Biologist

.National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213

Dear Mr. Cordaro:

Enclosed is a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal and Marine Turtle Stranding Report for a dead California sea lion (Zalophus californianits)discovered in the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) intake structure. The sea lion was discovered on October 31, 2008 against the Unit-2 intake structure 2-6 bar rack by divers performing an inspection. Verbal notification of this incident was reported to NMFS on October 31, 2008.

As authorized in a letter dated June 3, 1994 from NMFS, DCPP removed the dead sea lion from the intake structure and towed it out to sea. The sea lion was estimated to be about 4 feet in length. The carcass had been observed previously on the ocean bottom near the intake structure prior to drifting onto the 2-6 bar rack. The animal had no marks or injuries. There was no obvious indication of cause of death. The sea lion was partially decomposed by the time it drifted onto the bar racks, and therefore was most likely a victim of natural phenomenon. It is highly unlikely that operation of the Diablo Canyon intake structure was a factor in the sea lion's death.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the enclosed report, or require additional information, please contact Jim Kelly of my-staff at (805) 545-3194..

Sincerely, nehPeter

/ation Director- Diablo Canyon Power Plant 2008557/jlkfbkc Enclosure (1)

PG&E Letter DCL-2008-557 Joseph G. Cordaro, NMFS November 26, 2008 Page 2 cc w/enclosure: Alan B. Wang, NRR Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08B I 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4125 U*.S.Nuclear Reulat6or' C6inii-si6fi' 4 Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Michael S. Peck Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Diablo Canyon Power Plant 104/5 Kathy Hill California Department of Fish and Game 1416 9th Street, Room 1341

-Sacramento, CA 95814 _.....

-MARINE MAMMAL AND MARINE TURTLE STRANDING REPORT SID#

(NMFS USE)

,FIELD NO.: NMFS REGIST RATION NO.

COMMON NAME:California Sea LiOnGENUS: Zalophus SPECIES: californianus EXAMINER Name: James L. Kelly Agency:Pacific Gas & Electric Phone: (805) 545-3194 Address: Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) P.O. Box 56, Avila Beach, California 93424 LOCATION San Luis LOCATION San Luis TYPE OF OCCURRENCE State: CA County:Obispo Kass Stranding: (Yes) /N. Animals One (1)

Human Interaction: (Yes)' / (?)

city: Avila Beach Check one: 1. Boat collioT6i"

2. Shot Locality Details: Diablo Canyon 45. Fishery interaction S5. Other Apparently Natural Death Power Plant (DCPP) 9-Miles NW of How determined:

Avila Beach. 2-6 Forebay Bar Rack

ýof the Intake Structure. Other Causes (if known):No external signs of cause of

• Latitude: 350 12' 44" N death - partially decomposed. Possible domoic acid

• Longitude: 1200 51' 13" poisoning or other natural phenomenon.

DATE OF INITIAL OBSERVATION: DATE OF EXAMINATION:

Yr 2008 ,Mo October Day 31 Yr 2008 Mo October Day 31 CONDITION: Check one:__.Alive CONDITION: Check one:_l.Alive 2.Fresh dead 2.Fresh dead

-3.Moderate decomp. "-3.Moderate decomp.

_4.Advanced decomp. _4.Advanced decomp.

5.Mummified 5.Muzmmified L ? Unknown  ? Unknown IVE ANIMAL - Condition and Disposition: TAGS APPLIED?: (Yes) /j No Check one _l.Released at site TAGS PRESENT?: (Yes) /

or more: _2.Sick S3.Injured Dorsal Left Right

__4.Died

_5.Euthanized ag No.(s):

_6.Rehabilitated and released

_? Unknown Color(s):

ransported to: Te:

(Died) / (Released) Date: P acement Front/Rear Front/Rear CARCASS - Disposition,-check one: -MORPHOLOGICAL--DATA:"-

heck one: __l.Left at site Sex - Check one: __l.Male 2.Buried 2.Female 1*3.Towed F? Unknown

_4.Sci. collection (see below)

_._5.Edu. collection (see below) Straight Length:. 48 (cm)/ / est)

_._6.Other

• Weight: (kg)/(lb)/(est?)

_? Unknc.. PHOTOS TAKEN? (Yes) / No NECROPSIED? (Yes) / =No REMARKS: The dead sea lion was found on the 2-6 bar rack of the power plant intake structure.

It had apparently drifted onto the bar rack just before discovery. The sea lion carcass-had been observed on the ocean bottom in front of the intake for, several days before it drifted into'the bar rack.

uISPOSITION OF TISSUE/SKELETAL MATERIAL:

It is estimated that completion OMB#0648-.ý0178 of this form requires 20 minutes.