ML110730328

E-mail - Davis-Besse - NRC Environmental Site Audit - Week of March 7, 2011- Transmission Line Corridor-Follow-Up

ML110730328
Person / Time
Site:	Davis Besse
Issue date:	03/14/2011
From:	Bulavinetz R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Seymour M US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
References
Download: ML110730328 (1)

Text

Bulavinetz, Richard From: Bulavinetz, Richard Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 10:41 AM To: 'MeganSeymour@fws.gov'

Subject:

Davis-Besse - NRC Environmental site audit - week of March 7, 2011 - Transmission line corridor-Follow-up Megan:

Good morning.

I wanted to update you on the status of the Davis-Besse license renewal action.

The NRC met on-site last week and at the Ottawa NWR w/ the Assistant Refuge Manager, Davis-Besse representatives, and via conference call with additional USFWS staff and with NRC staff.

The licensee, First Energy Nuclear Operating Company (First Energy) will provide the NRC/USFWS within a week or two with a more detailed map depicting the entire transmission line corridor.

The map should make its way to you shortly thereafter.

In addition to the protected species previously discussed (the bald eagle, Indiana bat, eastern prairie fringed orchid),

The piping plover and Kirtland's warbler may be included.

The Kirtland's warbler was identified during a survey at the nearby Black Swamp Bird Observatory.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks, Rich Richard E. Bulavinetz Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecologist Nuclear Regulatory Commission Rockville, MD 20852 301-415-3607 301-415-2002 (fax) richard.bulavinetz@nrc.gov From: MeganSeymour@fws.gov [ma ilto: Mega nSeymour@fws.gov]

Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 2:54 PM To: Bulavinetz, Richard

Subject:

Re: Davis-Besse Transmission line corridor

Rich, To clarify, all transmission lines are existing, however vegetative maintenance along the lines may be necessary?

The initial map provided with the submission last year did not indicate the location of all transmission lines.

Based on the map you just provided, and assuming these already exist but are subject to maintenance, the main issue I see is with Bald eagles. Ottawa County has one of the highest densities of eagle nests in Ohio. Relevant to the transmission lines and the Davis Besse property, there are nests in proximity to the following areas:

2 nests on the Davis Besse property--one on the northwest corner and one on the southeast side of Navarre Marsh (land leased to Ottawa NWR) 2 nests along the Toussaint River in proximity to the Lemoyne Line 2 nests along the Beaver Line north of the Portage River MANY nests along the west side of Sandusky Bay, in the vicinity of the Beaver Line MANY nests on the north side of State Route 2 in Ottawa County, which runs parallel to the Bayshore Line (on Ottawa NWR and Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Wildlife areas)

I would suggest you provide us with a shapefile of the transmission lines so we can evaluate which nests fall within really close proximity (660 feet) of the lines/facility and for which reaches of transmission lines we would strongly recommend implementation of seasonal restrictions relative to bald eagle nests, as included in our letter from December 2009, or other measures as necessary to protect bald eagles.

Another concern is that both Ottawa and Lucas County, are known to support populations of the Eastern prairie fringed orchid, a Federal threatened species. This tall, showy orchid is found in wet prairies, sedge meadows, and moist road-side ditches. It may even occur in areas that are regularly disturbed by mowing/burning if suitable water regimes are present. If vegetative maintenance is proposed in wetland areas similar to that described here, we typically recommend that surveys for this species be conducted in early July when the orchids are in bloom. If orchids are found, further coordination with this office is recommended.

Finally, if vegetative maintenance is proposed within wetland areas in general, I would suggest coordination with the Buffalo District of the Corps of Engineers. I do not think they would regulate most vegetative clearing, but it may depend on the method/equipment being used and the current vegetative state of the wetland (emergent vs. forested, etc). I would suggest that you check with Paul Wetzel (paul.f.wetzel@usace.army.mil, 419-898-3491) for additional information.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely, Megan Megan Seymour Wildlife Biologist U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 4625 Morse Rd.

Suite 104 Columbus, OH 43230 (614) 416-8993 ext. 16 (614) 416-8994 fax 2

"Bulavinetz, Richard" <Richard.Bulavinetz@nrc.gov>

"Bulavinetz, Richard"

<Richard. Bulavinetzonrc.gov> To"megan seyrnour@fws.gov"

<meganseyrnour@fws.gov>

09/24/2010 02:04 PM cc SubjectDavis-Besse Transmission line corridor Megan:

Per our earlier discussion, I faxed you the copy of the map of the 3 t-lines in question.

No new lines are being proposed.

No additional activities along the lines other than the licensee's current 5-yr maintenance plan.

Call me if you have any questions.

Thanks, Rich Richard E. Bulavinetz Aquatic Ecologist Nuclear Regulatory Commission Rockville, MD 20852 301-415-3607 301-415-2002 (fax) richard.bulavinetz(@ nrc.Rov Hl><<',) ///>< <',)///><

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