ML11259A214

E-mail with Attachment from G. Bacuta, NRR to C. Eccleston, NRR, Section S/Hc Air Impacts Chapter 2 & 4.1

ML11259A214
Person / Time
Site:	Salem, Hope Creek
Issue date:	06/18/2010
From:	Bacuta G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Eccleston C Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
FOIA/PA-2011-0113
Download: ML11259A214 (141)

Text

Kin, Ikeda From:

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Attachments:

Bacuta, George Friday, June 18, 2010 2:49 PM Eccleston, Charles McCoppin, Michael; Rosenberg, Stacey; Jolicoeur, John; Bacuta, George; Imboden, Andy RE: Section S/HC Air impacts Chapter 2 & 4.1 18June2010_Charle's DraftChapter 2 V 2 (Tech Edited version) (2).doc Charles: Attach my comments. Just e-mail or call me if you need additional assistance. Thanks....

George From: Bacuta, George Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 2:20 PMIV To: Eccleston, Charles Cc: McCoppin, Michael; Rosenberg, Stacey

Subject:

RE: Section S/HC Air impacts Chapter 2 & 4.1 Charles buddy, Been reviewing Air, Solid, Hazardous Waste Sections (C 2 & 4), I got several comments and wili send input by COB tomorrow (6/18, Friday).

Best, George From: Bacuta, George Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 3:40 PM To: Ecclesion, Charles

Subject:

RE: Section S/HC Air impacts Chapter 2 & 4.1 Than!.s. I'll take a look. Will do before 6/21.

George From: Eccleston, Charles Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 3:39 PM To: Bacuta, George Cc: Eccleston, Charles

Subject:

Section S/HC Air impacts Chapter 2 & 4.1 George buddy, Here is Chapter 2 and Section 4.1 of the Salem/Hope Creek SEIS. Please review the air impacts and make any changes in redline/strike out mode. Can you return this by next Monday 6!21?

Cheers, Charles H. Eccleston N uc lea1r Reactor Regu lation Licensing Renewal, Project Manager 301.415.8537 clh a rles.ecclestonc.,nrc.,ov 1

1 2.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 2

Salem Nuclear Generating Station (Salem) and Hope Creek Generating Station (HCGS) are 3

located at the southern end of Artificial Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem 4

County, New Jersey. The facilities are located at River Mile 50 and River Mile 51, respectively, 5

approximately 17 miles (mi) south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Philadelphia is about 40 mi 6

northeast and the city of Salem, New Jersey, is 8 mi northeast of the site (AEC, 1973). Figure 7

2-1 shows the location of Salem and HCGS within a 6-mi radius, and Figure 2-2 is an aerial 8

photograph of the site.

9 Because existing conditions are partially the result of past construction and operation at the 10 plants, the impacts of these past and ongoing actions and how they have shaped the 11 environment are presented in this chapter. Section 2.1 of this report describes Salem and 12 HCGS as a combined site (site), the individual facilities, and their operations; Section 2.2 13 discusses the affected environment; and Section 2.3 describes related Federal and State 14 activities near the site.

15 2.1 FACILITY AND SITE DESCRIPTION AND PROPOSED PLANT OPERATION 16 DURING THE RENEWAL TERM 17 Artificial Island is a 1,500-acre (ac) island that was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 18 (USACE) beginning in the early 20th century. The island began as buildup of hydraulic dredge 19 spoils within a progressively enlarged diked area established around a natural sandbar that 20 projected into the river. The low and flat tidal marsh and grassland has an average elevation of 21 about 9 feet (ft) above mean sea level (MSL) and a maximum elevation of about 18 ft above 22 MSL (AEC, 1973).

23 Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated Nuclear, LLC (PSEG) owns approximately 740 ac 24 on the southern end of Artificial Island. The Salem and HCGS facilities occupy 373 ac (220 ac 25 for Salem and 153 ac for HCGS) in the southwestern corner of the island. The remainder of 26 Artificial Island is undeveloped.

27 Adjacent land owners include the U.S. Government and the State of New Jersey. The northern 28 portion of Artificial Island, a very small portion of which is within the State of Delaware boundary, 29 and a 1-mi wide inland strip of land abutting the island are owned by the U.S. Government 30 (AEC, 1973). The State of New Jersey owns the remainder of Artificial Island, as well as much 31 of the nearby inland property. The distance to the PSEG property boundary from the two Salem 32 reactor buildings is approximately 4,200 ft. Distance to the PSEG property boundary from the 33 HCGS reactor building is 2,960 ft.

34 There are no major highways or railroads within about 7 mi of the site. Land access is provided 35 via Alloway Creek Neck Road to Bottomwood Avenue. The site is located at the end of 36 Bottomwood Avenue and there is no traffic that bypasses the site. Barge traffic has access to 37 the site by way of the Intracoastal Waterway channel maintained in the Delaware River 38 (AEC, 1973).

39 Figures 2-3 and 2-4 show the property boundaries and facility layouts for the Salem and HCGS 40 facilities.

September 2010 2-1 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1__

2 Figure 2-1. Location of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating 3

Station Site, within a 6-Mile Radius (Source: PSEG, 2009a; PSEG, 2009b)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-2 September 2010

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Affected Environment Comment [GCB11]: Please check your geographic locations of Philadelphia, Delaware and Baltimore with the north direction on the map, and make necessary changes. According to Figure 2.5, Baltimore is southwest of the Salem/HC facility.

1 2

Figure 2-5. Location of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating 3

Station Site, within a 50-Mile Radius (Source: PSEG, 2009a; PSEG, 2009b) 4 5

6 7

8 Industrial activities within 10 mi of the site are confined principally to the west bank of the Delaware River, north of Artificial Island, in the cities of Delaware City, New Castle, and Wilmington. There is no significant industrial activity near the site. With little industry in the region, construction and retail trade account for nearly 40 percent of the revenues generated in the Salem County economy (USCB, 2006). Smaller communities in the vicinity of the site Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-6 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

(Haddock's Bridge, NJJ; Salem, NJ; Quinton, NJ; and Shenandoah, DE) consist primarily of 2

small retail businesses.

3 Located about 2 mi west of the site on the western shore of the Delaware River is the Augustine 4

State Wildlife Management Area, a 2,667-ac wildlife management area managed by the 5

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, 2010a).

6 Southwest of the site, also on the Delaware side of the Delaware River, is the Appoquinimink 7

Wildlife Area. Located less than a mile northeast of the site is the upper section of the Mad 8

Horse Creek Fish and Wildlife Management Area. This is a noncontiguous, 9,500-ac wildlife 9

area managed by the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW) with sections 10 northeast, east, and southeast of the site (NJDFW, 2009a). Recreational activities at these 11 wildlife areas within 10 mi of the site consist of boating, fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, 12 picnicking, and swimming.

13 Salem currently employs a workforce of approximately 665 regular, full-time employees and 14 HCGS currently employs a workforce of approximately 513 regular, full-time employees. The 15 facilities share up to an additional 270 PSEG corporate and 86 matrixed employees for a total of 16 about 1,500 site employees (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

17 2.1.1 Reactor and Containment Systems 18 2.1.1.1 Salem Nuclear Generating Station 19 Salem is a two-unit plant, which uses pressurized water reactors (PWR) designed by 20 Westinghouse Electric. Each unit has a current licensed thermal power at 100 percent power of 21 3,459 megawatt-thermal (MWt) (PSEG, 2009a). Salem Units 1 and 2 entered commercial 22 service June 1977 and October 1981, respectively (Nuclear News, 2009). At 100 percent 23 reactor power, the currently anticipated net electrical output is approximately 1,169 24 megawatt-electric (MWe) for Unit 1 and 1,181 MWe for Unit 2 (Nuclear News, 2009). The Salem 25 units have once-through circulating water systems for condenser cooling that withdraws 26 brackish water from the Delaware Estuary through one intake structure located at the shoreline 27 on the south end of the site. An air-cooled combustion turbine peaking unit rated at 28 approximately 40 MWe (referred to as "Salem Unit 3") is also present (PSEG, 2009a),

29 (PSEG, 2009b).

30 In the PWR power generation system (Figure 2-6), reactor heat is transferred from the primary 31 coolant to a lower pressure secondary coolant loop, allowing steam to be generated in the 32 steam supply system. The primary coolant loops each contain one steam generator, two 33 centrifugal coolant pumps, and the interconnected piping. Within the reactor coolant system 34 (RCS), the reactor coolant is pumped from the reactor through the steam generators and back 35 to the reactor inlet by two centrifugal coolant pumps located at the outlet of each steam 36 generator. Each steam generator is a vertical, straight tube-and-shell heat exchanger that September 2010 2-7 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Containment Structure 1 1 2

Figure 2-6. Simplified Design of a Pressurized Water Reactor (NRC, 2010a) 3 produces superheated steam at a constant pressure over the reactor operating power range.

4 The steam is directed to a turbine, causing it to spin. The spinning turbine is connected to a 5

generator, which generates electricity. The steam is directed to a condenser, where it cools and 6

converts back to liquid water. This cool water is then cycled back to the steam generator, 7

completing the loop (NRC, 2010a).

8 The secondary containment for radioactive material that might be released from the core, 9

following a loss-of-coolant accident, are the units' independent containment and fuel handling 10 buildings and their associated isolation systems. The structures serve as both a biological shield 11 and a pressure container for the entire RCS. The reactor containment structures are vertical 12 cylinders with 16-ft (4.88-meter [m]) thick flat foundation mats and 2-to 5-ft (0.61-to 1.52-m) 13 thick reinforced concrete slab floors topped with hemispherical dome roofs. The side walls of 14 each building are 142 ft (43.28 m) high and the inside diameter is 140 ft (42.67 m). The concrete 15 walls are 4.5 ft (1.37 m) thick and the containment building dome roofs are 3.5 ft (1.07 m) thick.

16 The inside surface of the reactor building is lined with a carbon steel liner with a varying 17 thickness of 0.25 inch (0.635 centimeter [cm]) to 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) (PSEG, 2007b).

18 The cores of the Salem reactors are moderated and cooled by light water (1H20 as compared to 19 heavy water, 2H20) at a pressure of 2,250 pounds per square inch absolute (psia). Boron is 20 present in the light water coolant as a neutron absorber. A moderator, or neutron absorber, is a 21 substance that slows the speed of neutrons, increasing the likelihood of fission of a uranium-235 22 atom in the fuel. The cooling water is circulated by the reactor coolant pumps. These pumps are 23 vertical, single-stage centrifugal pumps equipped with controlled-leakage shaft seals 24 (PSEG, 2007a).

25 Both Salem units use slightly enriched uranium dioxide (UO2) ceramic fuel pellets in zircaloy 26 cladding (PSEG, 2007a). Fuel pellets form fuel rods, and fuel rods are joined together in fuel 27 assemblies. The fuel assemblies consist of 264 fuel rods arranged in a square array. Salem 28 uses fuel that is nominal enriched to 5.0 percent (percent uranium-235 by weight). The Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-8 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

combined fuel characteristics and power loading result in a fuel burn-up of about 60,000 2

megawatt-days per metric ton uranium (PSEG, 2009a).

3 The original Salem steam generators have been replaced. In 1997, the Unit 1 steam generators 4

were replaced and in 2008 the Unit 2 steam generators were replaced (PSEG, 2009a).

5 2.1.1.2 Hope Creek Generating Station 6

HCGS is a one-unit station, which uses a boiling water reactor (BWR) designed by General 7

Electric. The power plant has a current licensed thermal power at 100 percent power of 8

3,840 MWt with an electrical output estimated to be approximately 1,083 MWe (73 FR 13032),

9 (Nuclear News, 2009). HCGS has a closed-cycle circulating water system for condenser cooling 10 that consists of a natural draft cooling tower and associated withdrawal, circulation, and 11 discharge facilities. HCGS withdraws brackish water with the service water system (SWS) from 12 the Delaware Estuary (PSEG, 2009b).

13 In the BWR power generation system (Figure 2-7), heat from the reactor causes the cooling 14 water which passes vertically through the reactor core to boil, producing steam. The steam is 15 directed to a turbine, causing it to spin. The spinning turbine is connected to a generator, which 16 generates electricity. The steam is directed to a condenser, where it cools and converts back to 17 liquid water. This cool water is then cycled back to the reactor core, completing the loop 18 (NRC, 2010b).

Emergeacy Wale, Supply Systems Figure 2-7. Simplified Design of a Boiling Water Reactor (Source: NRC, 2010b)

September 2010 2-9 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

The secondary containment for radioactive material that might be released from the core, 2

following a loss-of-coolant accident, is the reactor building. The structure serves as both a 3

biological shield and a pressure container for the entire RCS. The reactor building structure is a 4

vertical cylinder with 14-ft (4.28-m) thick flat foundation mats and 2-to 5-ft (0.61-to 1.52-m) 5 thick reinforced concrete slab floors. The side walls of the cylinder are approximately 250 ft 6

(72.2 m) high, topped with a torispherical dome roof, and surrounded by a rectangular structure 7

that is up to 132 ft (40.2 m) tall (PSEG, 2006b).

8 The HCGS reactor uses slightly enriched U02 ceramic fuel pellets in zircaloy cladding 9

(PSEG, 2007a). Fuel pellets form fuel rods and fuel rods are joined together in fuel assemblies.

10 HCGS uses fuel that is nominal enriched to 5.0 percent (percent uranium-235 by weight) and 11 the combined fuel characteristics and power loading result in a fuel burn-up of about 60,000 12 megawatt-days per metric ton uranium (73 FR 13032).

13 2.1.2 Radioactive Waste Management 14 Radioactive wastes resulting from plant operations are classified as liquid, gaseous, or solid.

15 Liquid radioactive wastes are generated from liquids received directly from portions of the RCS 16 or were contaminated by contact with liquids from the RCS. Gaseous radioactive wastes are 17 generated from gases or airborne particulates vented from reactor and turbine equipment 18 containing radioactive material. Solid radioactive wastes are solids from the RCS, solids that 19 came into contact with RCS liquids or gases, or solids used in the RCS or steam and power 20 conversion system operation or maintenance.

21 The Salem and HCGS facilities include radioactive waste systems, which collect, treat, and 22 provide for the disposal of radioactive and potentially radioactive wastes that are byproducts of 23 plant operations. Radioactive wastes include activation products resulting from the irradiation of 24 reactor water and impurities therein (principally metallic corrosion products) and fission products 25 resulting from defective fuel cladding or uranium contamination within the RCS. Radioactive 26 waste system operating procedures ensure that radioactive wastes are safely processed and 27 discharged from the plant within the limits set forth in Title 10 of the Code of Federal 28 Regulations (CFR) Part 20, "Standards for Protection against Radiation," and 10 CFR Part 50, 29 "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities."

30 When reactor fuel has been exhausted, a certain percentage of its fissile uranium content is 31 referred to as spent fuel. Spent fuel assemblies are removed from the reactor core and replaced 32 with fresh fuel assemblies during routine refueling outages, typically every 18 months. Spent 33 fuel assemblies are stored in the spent fuel pool (SFP). Salem's SFP storage capacity for each 34 unit is 1,632 fuel assemblies, which will allow sufficient storage up to the year 2011 for Unit 1 35 and 2015 for Unit 2 (PSEG, 2009a). The HCGS SFP facility is designed to store up to 3,976 fuel 36 assemblies (PSEG, 2009b).

37 In 2005, the NRC issued a general license to PSEG authorizing that spent nuclear fuel could be 38 stored at an independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at the PSEG site. The general 39 license allows PSEG, as a reactor licensee under 10 CFR 50, to store spent fuel from both 40 HCGS and Salem at the ISFSI, provided that such storage occurs in pre-approved casks in 41 accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 72, subpart K (General License for Storage of 42 Spent Fuel at Power Reactor Sites) (NRC, 2005). At this time, only HCGS spent fuel is stored at 43 the ISFSI. However, transfers of spent fuel from the Salem SFP to the ISFSI are expected to 44 begin approximately 1 year before the remaining capacity of the pool is less than the capacity 45 needed for a complete offload to spent fuel (PSEG, 2009b).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-10 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2.1.2.1 Radioactive Liquid Waste 2

Both the Salem and HCGS facilities operate systems to provide controlled handling and 3

disposal of small.quantities of low-activity, liquid radioactive wastes generated during station 4

operation. However, because the Salem units are cooled by a once-through RCS and the 5

HCGS unit is cooled by a closed-cycle RCS, the management of potentially radioactive liquids is 6

different. Potentially radioactive liquid waste streams at the Salem facility are managed by the 7

radioactive liquid waste system (RLWS) and the chemical and volume control system (CVCS).

8 At HCGS, potentially radioactive liquid waste streams are managed under the liquid waste 9

management system (LWMS).

10 The bulk of the radioactive liquids discharged from the Salem RCS are processed and retained 11 inside the plant by the CVCS recycle train. This minimizes liquid input to the RLWS. Liquid 12 radioactive waste entering the RLWS is released in accordance with Federal and State 13 regulation. Prior to release, liquids are collected in tanks, sampled, and analyzed. Based on the 14 results of the analysis, the waste is processed to Iremove radioactivity before releasing it to the comment [GCB12]: Provide brief description 15 Delaware Estuary via the circulating water system and a permitted outfall. Discharge streams of process for reader to understand how radioactivity is "remove" (or decrease) from (in) 16 are appropriately monitored, and safety features are incorporated to preclude releases in tank liquids before discharge.

17 excess of the limits prescribed in 10 CFR 20, "Standards for Protection Against Radiation" 18 (PSEG, 2009a).

19 In 2003, PSEG identified tritium in groundwater from onsite sampling wells near the Salem Unit 20 1 fuel handling building (FHB). The source of tritium was identified as the Salem Unit 1 SFP. In 21 November 2004, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Bureau of 22 Nuclear Engineering (BNE) approved a groundwater remediation strategy and by September 23 2005, a full-scale groundwater recovery system (GRS) had been installed (PSEG, 2009a). The 24 GRS pulls groundwater toward the recovery system and away from the site boundary.

25 Since 2005, tritium-contaminated groundwater from the GRS is transferred to the LWMS where 26 it mixes with other liquid plant effluent before being discharged into the Salem once-through, 27 condenser cooling water system discharge line. The recovered groundwater is sampled prior to 28 entering the discharge line to demonstrate compliance with offsite dose requirements. The 29 water is subsequently released to the Delaware Estuary via a permitted outfall in accordance 30 with plant procedures and NRC requirements for the effluent release of radioactive liquids.

31 Surface water sampling as part of the radiological environmental monitoring program (REMP) 32 does not show an increase in measurable tritium levels since the GRS was initiated.

33 Potentially radioactive liquid wastes entering the HCGS LWMS are collected in tanks in the 34 auxiliary building. Radioactive contaminants are removed from the wastewater either by 35 demineralization or filtration. This ensures that the water quality is restored before being 36 returned to the condensate storage tank (CST) or discharged via the cooling tower blowdown 37 line to the Delaware Estuary via a permitted outfall. If the liquid is recycled to the plant, it meets 38 the purity requirements for CST makeup. Liquid discharges to the Delaware Estuary are 39 maintained in compliance with 10 CFR 20, "Standards for Protection Against Radiation" 40 (PSEG, 2009b).

41 Both Salem and HCGS release liquid effluents into the environment. Re-releases are controlled 42 and monitored. Doses from these releases represent a fraction of the regulatory allowable 43 100 millirem per year (mrem/yr) doses specified in the facility operating license and NRC 44 regulations. Radiological monitoring began in 1968, and monitoring results are presented in the 45 REMP reports. The NRC staff reviewed the Salem/HCGS radioactive effluent release reports September 2010 2-11 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

from 2004 through 2009 for liquid effluents (PSEG, 2005a), (PSEG, 2006a), (PSEG, 2007a),

2 (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c), (PSEG, 2010a).

3 Radioactivity removed from the liquid wastes is concentrated in the filter media and ion 4

exchange resins, which are managed as solid radioactive wastes.

5 2.1.2.2 Radioactive Gaseous Waste 6

The Salem and HCGS radioactive gaseous waste disposal systems process and dispose of 7

routine radioactive gases removed from the gaseous effluent and released to the atmosphere.

8 Gaseous wastes are processed to reduce radioactive materials in gaseous effluents before 9

discharge to meet the dose limits in 10 CFR Part 20 and the dose design objectives in Appendix 10 I to 10 CFR Part 50.

11 At both facilities, radioactive gases are collected so that the short-lived gaseous isotopes 12 (principally air with traces of krypton and xenon) are allowed to decay. At Salem, these gases 13 are collected in tanks in the auxiliary building and released intermittently in a controlled manner.

14 At HCGS, gases are held up in holdup pipes prior to entering a treatment section where 15 adsorption of gases on charcoal provides additional time for decay. At HCGS, gases are then 16 filtered using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters before being released to the 17 atmosphere from the north plant vent.

18 Radioactive effluent release reports from 2004 through 2009 for gaseous effluents were 19 reviewed by the NRC staff (PSEG, 2005a), (PSEG, 2006a), (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a),

20 (PSEG, 2009c), (PSEG, 2010a). While variations in total effluents and effluent concentrations 21 can vary from year to year due to outages and plant performance, based on the gaseous waste 22 processing system's performance from 2004 through 2008, the gaseous discharges for 2009 23 are consistent with prior year effluents. The NRC staff identified no unusual trends.

24 2.1.2.3 Radioactive Solid Waste 25 Solid radioactive waste generated at the Salem and HCGS facilities are managed by a single 26 solid radioactive waste system. This system manages radioactive solid waste, including 27 packaging and storage, until the waste is shipped offsite. Offsite wastes are processed by 28 volume reduction and/or shipped for disposal at a licensed disposal facility. PSEG provides a 29 quarterly waste storage report to the Township of Haddock's Bridge.

30 The State of South Carolina's licensed low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facility, 31 located in Barnwell, has limited the access from radioactive waste generators located in States 32 that are not part of the Atlantic Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact. New Jersey is 33 a member of the Atlantic Interstate Low-Level Radioactive Waste Compact and has access to 34 the Barnwell LLW facility (Barnwell). Shipments to Barnwell include spent resins from the 35 demineralizers and filter cartridges (wet processing waste). To control releases to the 36 environment, these wastes are packaged in the Salem and HCGS auxiliary buildings.

37 The PSEG low-level radwaste storage facility (LLRSF) supports normal dry active waste (DAW) 38 handling activities for HCGS and Salem. DAW consists of compactable trash, such as 39 contaminated or potentially contaminated rags, clothing, and paper. This waste is generally 40 bagged, placed in Sea-van containers, and stored prior to being shipped for volume reduction 41 by a licensed offsite vendor. The volume-reduced DAW is repackaged at the vendor and 42 shipped for disposal at a licensed LLW disposal facility (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). DAW Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-12 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

and other non-compactable contaminated wastes are typically shipped to the Energy Solutions' 2

Class A disposal facility in Clive, UT.

3 The LLRSF also maintains an NRC-approved process control program. The process control 4

program helps to ensure that waste is properly characterized, profiled, labeled, and shipped in 5

accordance with the waste disposal facility's waste acceptance criteria and U.S. Department of 6

Transportation (DOT) and NRC requirements. The LLRSF is a large facility that was designed to 7

store and manage large volumes of waste. However, the facility is operated well below its 8

designed capacity. The facility is also designed to ensure that worker radiation exposures are 9

controlled in accordance with facility and regulatory criteria.

10 LLRSF LLW reports from __.

through 2009 were reviewed by the NRC staff L(*Document 11 available May 30_

_. The solid waste volumes and radioactivity amounts generated in -

12 2009 are typical of previous annual waste shipments. Variations in the amount of solid 13 radioactive waste generated and shipped from year to year are expected based on the overall 14 performance of the plant and the number and scope of outages and maintenance activities. The 15 volume and activity of solid radioactive wastes reported are reasonable and no unusual trends 16 were noted.

17 No plant refurbishment activities were identified by the applicant as necessary for the continued 18 operation of either Salem or HCGS through the license renewal terms. Routine plant operational 19 and maintenance activities currently performed will continue during the license renewal term.

20 Based on past performance of the radioactive waste system, and the lack of any planned 21 refurbishment activities, similar amounts of radioactive solid waste are expected to be 22 generated during the license renewal term.

23 2.1.2.4 Mixed Waste 24 The term "mixed waste" refers to waste that contains both radioactive and hazardous 25 constituents. Neither Salem nor HCGS have processes that generate mixed wastes and there 26 are no mixed wastes stored at either facility.

27 2.1.3 Nonradioactive Waste Management..

Comment [GCB13]: Write --up in this Section 2.1.3 does not necessarily follow current 28 The Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governs the disposal of solid and RERB's SEIS template or format, unless the template or format has been revised since 29 hazardous waste. RCRA regulations are contained in Title 40, "Protection of the Environment,"

March 2008. Template is available at 30 Parts 239 through 299 (40 CFR 239, et seq.). Parts 239 through 259 of these regulations cover G:AADRO\\DLR\\RERB\\REB Commonlicense Renewal Templates\\EIS Templates\\SEIS 31 solid (nonhazardous) waste, and Parts 260 through 279 regulate hazardous waste. RCRA TEMPLATE 2008 REVTISIONost OGC Review 32 Subtitle C establishes a system for controlling hazardous waste from "cradle to grave," and Mar 2008\\Word Pieces. Modify / rewrite as 33 RCRA Subtitle D encourages States to develop comprehensive plans to manage nonhazardous appropriate.

34 solid waste and mandates minimum technological standards for municipal solid waste landfills.

35 RCRA regulations are administered by the INJDEP and address the identificationgeneration, Comment [GCB14]: Cite MOA letter between 36 minimization, transportation, and final treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous and State and EPA or applicable State regulation.

37 nonhazardous wastes. Salem and HCGS generate nonradiological waste, including oils, 38 hazardous and nonhazardous solvents and degreasers, laboratory wastes, expired shelf-life 39 chemicals and reagents, asbestos wastes, paints and paint thinners, antifreeze, project-specific 40 wastes, point-source discharges regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 41 System (NPDES), sanitary waste (including sewage), and routine and daily refuse (PSEG, 42 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

September 2010 2-13 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8 9

2.1.3.1 Hazardous Waste The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies certain nonradioactive wastes as "hazardous" based on characteristics, including ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity

.(identification and listing of hazardous wastes is available in 40 CFR 261). State-level regulators may add wastes to the EPA's list of hazardous wastes. RCRA provides standards for the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste for hazardous waste generators (40 CFR 262). The Salem and HCGS facilities generate small amounts of hazardous wastes, including spent and expired chemicals, laboratory chemical wastes, and occasional project-specific wastes.

PSEG is currently a small-quantity hazardous waste generator (PSEG, 2010b), generating less than 220 pounds/month (lb/month) (100 kilograms/month [kg/month]). Hazardous waste storage (180-day) areas include the hazardous waste storage facility (Location Nos. SH3 and SH30),

the combo shop (Location No. SH5), and two laydown areas east of the combo shop (Location Nos. SH6 and SH7).

.Pro.id.

Hazardous waste generated at the facility include: F003, F005 (spent non-halogenated solvents), F001, F002 (spent halogenated solvents), D001 (ignitable waste), D002 (corrosive wastes), D003 (reactive wastes), and D004-DO1 1 (toxic [heavy metal] waste) (PSEG, 2008b).

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Comment [GCB15]: Provide historical amounts generated in the last five years and provide brief description where most of the waste come from.

18 The EPA authorized the State of New Jersey to regulate and oversee most of the solid waste 19 disposal programs, as recognized by Subtitle D of the RCRA. Compliance is assured through 20 State-issued permits. The EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) 21 database showed no violations for PSEG (EPA, 2010a).

22 Proper facility identification numbers for hazardous waste operations include:

23 24 25 S

S DOT Hazardous Materials Registration No. 061908002018QS EPA Hazardous Waste Identification No. NJD 077070811 NJDEP Hazardous Waste Program ID No. NJD 077070811 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), applicable facilities are required to provide information on hazardous and toxic chemicals to local emergency planning authorities and the EPA (Title 42, Section 11001, of the United States Code [U.S.C.] [42 U.S.C. 11001]). On October 17, 2008, the EPA finalized several changes to the Emergency Planning (Section 302), Emergency Release Notification (Section 304), and Hazardous Chemical Reporting (Sections 311 and 312) regulations that were proposed on June 8, 1998 (63 Federal Register [FR] 31268). PSEG is subject to Federal EPCRA reporting requirements, and thus submits an annual Section 312 (TIER II) report on hazardous substances to local emergency agencies.

2.1.3.2 Solid Waste A solid waste is defined by New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 7:26-1.6 as, "any garbage, refuse, sludge, or any other waste material except it shall not include the following: 1.

Source separated food waste collected by livestock producers, approved by the State Department of Agriculture, who collect, prepare and feed such wastes to livestock on their own farms; 2. Recyclable materials that are exempted from regulation pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26A;

[and] 3. Materials approved for beneficial use or categorically approved for beneficial use Comment [GCB16]: List main chemicals or category of chemicals.

I Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-14 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.7(g)." The definition of solid waste in N.J.A.C. 7:26-1.6 applies only 2

to wastes that are not also defined as hazardous in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26G.

3 During the site audit, the NRC staff observed an active solid waste recycling program. Solid 4

waste ("trash") is segregated and about 55 percent is transferred to recycling vendors 5

(PSEG, 2009a). The remaining volume of solid waste is disposed at a local landfill.

6 A common sewage treatment system treats domestic wastewater from both facilities. Following 7

treatment, solids (i.e., sludge) are either returned to the system's oxidation ditch or removed to a 8

sludge-holding tank, based upon process requirements. Sludge directed to the sludge-holding 9

tank is aerated and dewatered before being trucked offsite for disposal. During the site audit, 10 the NRC staff viewed the PSEG sewage sludge waste volumes from 2005 through 2009. The 11 average annual volume for these years was about 50,000 pounds (Ibs). Site officials stated that 12 the disposal volume is generally driven by the facilities' budgets.

13 2.1.3.3 Universal Waste 14 15 16 17 18 19 In accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:26G-4.2, "Universal waste" means any of the following hazardous wastes that are managed under the universal waste requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:26A-7, whether incorporated prospectively by reference from 40 CFR Part 273, "Standards for Universal Waste Management," or listed additionally by the NJDEP: paint waste, batteries, pesticides, thermostats, fluorescent lamps, mercury-containing devices, oil-based finishes, and consumer electronics.

20 PSEG is a small quantity handler of universal waste (meaning the facility cannot accumulate 21 more than 11,000 lbs [approximately 5,000 kilograms (kg)] of universal waste at any one time),

22 generating common operational wastes, such as lighting ballasts containing polychlorinated 23 biphenyls (PCBs), lamps, and batteries. Universal waste is segregated and disposed of through 24 a licensed broker. Routine building space renovations and computer equipment upgrades can 25 lead to substantial short-term increases in universal waste volumes.L 26 27 2.1.3.4 Permitted Discharges 28 The Salem facility maintains a New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) 29 permit, NJ0005622, which authorizes the discharge of wastewater to the Delaware Estuary and 30 stipulates the conditions of the permit. HCGS maintains a separate NJPDES permit, NJ0025411 31 for discharges to the Delaware Estuary. All monitoring shall be conducted in accordance with 32 the NJDEP's "Field Sampling Procedures Manual" applicable at the time of sampling 33 (N.J.A.C. 7:14A-6.5(b)4), and/or the method approved by the NJDEP in Part IV of the site 34 permits (NJDEP, 2002a).

Comment [GCB17]:

List historical amounts of materials disposed, describing collection and disposal process.

Comment [GCB18]: Insert sub-Rem for Toxic (or TSCA) Waste discussion (e.g. asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, PCBs, dioxlnslfurans, etc.). See RERB template at:

G:\\ADRO\\DLR\\RERB\\REB Common\\License Renewal Templates\\EIS Templates\\SEIS TEMPLATE 2008 REVISION\\Post OGC Review Mar 2008\\Word Pieces.

35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 As discussed previously, a common sewage treatment system treats domestic wastewater from both HCGS and Salem. The sewage treatment system liquid effluent discharges through the HCGS cooling tower blowdown outfall to the Delaware Estuary. The residual cooling tower blowdown dechlorination chemical, ammonium bisulfite, dechlorinates the sewage treatment effluent (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

Salem and HCGS share the nonradioactive liquid waste disposal system (NRLWDS) chemical waste treatment system. The NRLWDS is located at the Salem facility and operated by Salem staff. The NRLWDS collects and processes nonradioactive secondary plant wastewater prior to September 2010 2-15 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

discharge into the Delaware Estuary. The waste water originates during plant processes, such 2

as demineralizer regenerations, steam generator blowdown, chemical handling operations, and 3

reverse osmosis reject waste. The outfall is monitored in accordance with the current HCGS 4

NJPDES Permit No. NJ0025411 (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

5 Oily waste waters are treated at HCGS using an oil water separator. Treated effluent is then 6

discharged through the internal monitoring point, which is combined with cooling tower 7

blowdown before discharge to the Delaware Estuary. The outfall is monitored in accordance 8

with the current HCGS NJPDES Permit No. NJ002541 1.

9 Section 2.1.7 of this report provides more information on the site's NPDES permits and effluent 10 limitations.

11 2.1.3.5 Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization 12 As described in Section 2.1.3.2, PSEG operates an active solid waste recycling program that 13 results in about 55 percent of its "trash" being recycled. PSEG also maintains a discharge 14 prevention and response program. This program incorporates the requirements of the NJDEP, 15 EPA Facility Response Plan, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 16 Natural Resource Damage Assessment Protocol. Specific documents making up the program 17 include:

18 Spill/Discharge Prevention Plan 19 Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan 20 Spill/Discharge Response Plan 21 Environmentally Sensitive Areas Protection Plan 22 PSEG also maintains the following plans to support pollution prevention and waste 23 minimization:

24 0

Discharge Prevention, Containment, and Countermeasure Plan 25 0

Discharge Cleanup and Removal Plan 26 0

Facility Response Plan 27 0

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan 28 0

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 29 0

Pollution Minimization Plan for PCBs 30 2.1.3.6 Release of Plant-Related Radionuclides 31 To provide a history of spills for the Salem and HCGS site, an expanded 10 CFR 50.75(g) report 32 was provided to the NRC staff at the site audit. For completeness, it included some legacy items 33 that are not required to be retained under 10 CFR 50.75(g). The only 50.75(g) events named in 34 the report (i.e., instances where significant contamination remains after cleanup) are the April 35 1995 HCGS incident and the Salem condensate polisher event from May 2007 described below.

36 HCGS, April 5, 1995: Approximately 88 millicuries (mCi) released from the 37 decontamination solution evaporator steam from HCGS's south plant vent 38 due to inadequate rigor during the design review process.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-16 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Salem, May 24, 2007: 2.8 mCi of Cesium-1 37 released in front of the Salem 2

Unit 2 condensate polisher as a result of burst site glass during operation, in 3

which resin was blown through the wall into the switchyard.

4 In 2002, low-level tritium contamination was detected on the shoes of several Salem 5

technicians. In September of the same year, a remedial investigation identified that the source 6

of the contamination was water leaking from the Salem SFP (Arcadis, 2006). Remediation 7

activities conducted between 2002 and 2006 helped to further define the pathway of the 8

contamination to the shallow groundwater where tritium concentrations exceeded the NJDEP 9

Groundwater Quality Criteria (GWQC). The source of the contamination was identified as water 10 from the SFP leaking into the seismic gap between the SFP building and the Salem Unit 1 11 containment building (Arcadis, 2006).

12 In 2006, PSEG performed a preliminary assessment and site investigation (PAISI) describing 13 the environmental status of a release of tritium, strontium, and plant-related gamma emitting 14 radionclides (GER). Groundwater samples indicated that tritium had not migrated beyond the 15 shallow groundwater in the area south of the Salem auxiliary building, and that GERs had not 16 migrated beyond the seismic gap. Monitoring of the GERs in the seismic gap also indicates that 17 releases from the SFP have stopped (Arcadis, 2006). However, given that there is no transport 18 mechanism to remove the GERs from the area of the seismic gap, the GERs with long half-lives 19 are expected to remain until plant decommissioning.

20 2.1.4 Facility Operation and Maintenance 21 Various types of maintenance activities are performed at the Salem and HCGS facilities, 22 including inspection, testing, and surveillance to maintain the current licensing basis of the 23 facility and to ensure compliance with environmental and safety requirements. Various 24 programs and activities currently exist at Salem and HCGS to maintain, inspect, test, and 25 monitor the performance of facility equipment. These maintenance activities include inspection 26 requirements for reactor vessel materials, boiler and pressure vessel inservice inspection and 27 testing, a maintenance structures monitoring program, and maintenance of water chemistry.

28 Additional programs include those implemented in response to NRC generic communications; 29 those implemented to meet technical specification surveillance requirements; and various 30 periodic maintenance, testing, and inspection procedures. Certain program activities are 31 performed during the operation of the unit, while others are performed during scheduled 32 refueling outages. Nuclear power plants must periodically discontinue the production of 33 electricity for refueling, periodic inservice inspection, and scheduled maintenance. Salem and 34 HCGS are on an 18-month refueling cycle (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

35 Aging effects at Salem and HCGS are managed by integrated plant assessments required by 36 10 CFR 54.21. These programs are described in Section 2 of the facilities' Nuclear Generating 37 Station License Renewal Applications - Scoping and Screening Methodology for Identifying 38 Structures and Components Subject to Aging Management Review, and Implementation 39 Results (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

40 2.1.5 Power Transmission SystemI--------------------------------------

41 Three right-of-way (ROW) corridors and five 500-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines connect Salem 42 and HCGS to the regional electric grid, all of which are owned and maintained by Public Service 43 Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) and Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI). Each corridor is 350 ft Comment [GCB19]: RERB's SEIS template or format, unless the template or format has been revised since March 2008. Template is available at G:ADRO\\DLR\\RERB\\REB Common\\License Renewal Templates\\EIS Templates\\SEIS TEMPLATE 2008 REVISION\\Post OGC Review Mar 2008\\Word Pieces. Modify / rewrite as appropriate.

September 2010 2-17 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

(107 m) wide, with the exception of two-thirds of both the HCGS-Red Lion and Red Lion-Keeney 2

lines, which narrow to 200 ft. Unless otherwise noted, the discussion of the power transmission 3

system is adapted from the applicant's environmental reports (ER) (PSEG, 2009a),

4 (PSEG, 2009b) or information gathered at the NRC's environmental site audit.

5 For the operation of Salem, three transmission lines were initially built for the delivery of 6

electricity: two lines connecting to the New Freedom substation near Williamston, NJ 7

(Salem-New Freedom North and Salem-New Freedom South), and one line extending north 8

across the Delaware River terminating at the Keeney substation in Delaware (Salem-Keeney).

9 After construction of HCGS, several changes were made to the existing Salem transmission 10 system, including the disconnection of the Salem-Keeney line from Salem and its reconnection 11 to HCGS, as well as the construction of a new substation (known as Red Lion) along the 12 Salem-Keeney transmission line. The addition of this new substation divided the Salem-Keeney 13 transmission line into two segments: one connecting HCGS to Red Lion and the other 14 connecting Red Lion to Keeney. Consequently, these two segments are now referred to 15 separately as Salem-Red Lion and Red Lion-Keeney. The portion of the Salem-Keeney line 16 located entirely within Delaware, Red Lion-Keeney, is owned and maintained by Pepco (a 17 regulated electric utility that is a subsidiary of PHI).

18 The construction of HCGS also resulted in the re-routing of the Salem-New Freedom North line 19 and the construction of a new transmission line, HCGS-New Freedom. The Salem-New 20 Freedom North line was disconnected from Salem and re-routed to HCGS, leaving Salem 21 without a northern connection to the New Freedom transmission system. Therefore, a new 22 transmission line was required to connect Salem and the New Freedom substation; this line is 23 known as the HCGS-New Freedom line and it shares a corridor with the Salem-New Freedom 24 North line. Prior to and following the construction of HCGS, the Salem-New Freedom South line 25 provides a southern-route connection between Salem and the New Freedom substation.

26 The only new transmission lines constructed as a result of HCGS were the HCGS-New 27 Freedom line, the tie line, and short reconnections for Salem-New Freedom North and 28 Salem-Keeney. The HCGS-Salem tie line and the short reconnections do not pass beyond the 29 site boundary.

30 Transmission lines considered in-scope for license renewal are those constructed specifically to 31 connect the facility to the transmission system (10 CFR 51.53(c)(3)(ii)(H)); therefore, the 32 Salem-New Freedom North, Salem-Red Lion, Red Lion-Keeney, Salem-New Freedom South, 33 HCGS-New Freedom, and HCGS-Salem lines are considered in-scope for this supplemental 34 environmental impact statement (SEIS) and are discussed in detail below.

35 Figure 2-8 illustrates the Salem and HCGS transmission system. The five transmission lines are 36 described below within the designated ROW corridor (see Table 2-1):

37 2.1.5.1 New Freedom North Right-of-Way 38 Salem-New Freedom North - This 500-kV line, which is operated by 39 PSE&G, runs northeast from HCGS for 39 mi (63 kilometers [km]) within a 40 350-ft (107-m) wide corridor to the New Freedom switching station north of 41 Williamstown, NJ. This line shares the corridor with the 500-kV HCGS-New 42 Freedom line.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-18 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

HCGS-New Freedom - This 500-kV line, which is operated by PSE&G, 2

extends northeast from Salem for 43 mi (69 km) within a 350-ft (107-m) wide 3

corridor to the New Freedom switching station north of Williamstown, NJ.

4 This line shares the corridor with the 500-kV Salem-New Freedom North 5

line. During 2008, a new substation (Orchard) was installed along this line, 6

dividing it into two segments.

7 2.1.5.2 New Freedom South Right-of-Way 8

Salem-New Freedom South - This 500-kV line, which is operated by 9

PSE&G, extends northeast from Salem for 42 mi (68 km) within a 350-ft 10 (107-m) wide corridor from Salem to the New Freedom substation north of 11 Williamstown, NJ.

12 2.1.5.3 Keeney Right-of-Way 13 Salem-Red Lion - This 500-kV line extends north from HCGS for 13 mi 14 (21 km) and then crosses over the New Jersey-Delaware State line. It 15 continues west over the Delaware River about 4 mi (6 km) to the Red Lion 16 substation. In New Jersey, the line is operated by PSE&G, and in Delaware 17 it is operated by PHI. Two thirds of the 17-mi (27-km) corridor is 200 ft 18 (61 m) wide, and the remainder is 350-ft (107-m) wide.

19 Red Lion-Keeney -This 500-kV line, which is operated by PHI, extends 20 from the Red Lion substation 8 mi (13 km) northwest to the Keeney switch 21 station. Two thirds of the corridor is 200 ft (70 m) wide, and the remainder is 22 350-ft (107-m) wide.

September 2010 2-19 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

2 Figure 2-8. Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station 3

Transmission Line System (Source: PSEG, 2009b)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-20 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

The ROW corridors comprise approximately 149 mi (240 km) and 4,376 ac (1,771 hectares 2

[ha]). The lines cross within Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties in New Jersey and New 3

Castle County in Delaware. All of the ROW corridors traverse the marshes and wetlands 4

adjacent to the Salem and HCGS sites, including agricultural and forested lands.

5 All transmission lines were designed and built in accordance with industry standards in place at 6

the time of construction. All transmission lines will remain a permanent part of the transmission 7

system and will be maintained by PSE&G and PHI regardless of the Salem and HCGS facilities' 8

continued operation (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). The HCGS-Salem line, which connects 9

the two substations, would be de-a'ctivated if the Salem and HCGS switchyards were no longer 10 in use and would need to be reconnected to the grid if they were to remain in service beyond 11 the operation of Salem and HCGS.

12 Five 500-kV transmission lines connect electricity from Salem and HCGS to the regional electric 13 transmission system via three ROWs outside of the property boundary. The HCGS-Salem 14 tie-line is approximately 2,000 ft (610 m). This line does not pass beyond the site boundary and 15 is not discussed as an offsite ROW.

16 Table 2-1. Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station 17 Transmission System Components Approximate Length ROW width Approximate ROW area Line Owner kV ml (km) ft (m) ac (ha)

New Freedom North ROW Salem-New Freedom North PSE&G 500 39 (63) 350 (107) 1,824 HCGS-New Freedom PSE&G 500 43 (69)

New Freedom South ROW Salem-New Freedom South PSE&G 500 42(68) 350 (107) 1,782 Red Lion ROW Salem-Red Lion PSE&G 500 17 (27)

"'200/350 (107) 521 Red-Lion Keeney PHI 500 8 (13)

(a)200/350 (107) 249 Total acreage within ROW 4,376 (a) two-thirds of the corridor is 200 ft (70 m) wide Source: PSEG, 2009a; PSEG, 2009b 18 2.1.6 Cooling and Auxiliary Water Systems 19 Salem and HCGS use different types of cooling water systems (CWS) for condenser cooling but 20 both withdraw from and discharge water to the Delaware Estuary. Salem Units 1 and 2 use 21 once-through circulating water systems. HCGS uses a closed-cycle system that employs a 22 single natural draft cooling tower. Unless otherwise noted, the discussions below were adapted 23 from the Salem and HCGS ERs (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b) or information gathered at the 24 site audit.

25 Both sites use groundwater as the source for fresh potable water, fire protection water, industrial 26 process makeup water, and for other sanitary water supplies. Under authorization from the 27 NJDEP (NJDEP, 2004a) and Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) (DRBC, 2000), PSEG September 2010 2-21 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

can service both facilities with up to 43.2 million gallons (163 million liters) of groundwater per 2

month.

3 Discussions on surface water and groundwater use and quality are provided in Section 2.1.7.

4 2.1.6.1 Salem Nuclear Generating Station 5

The Salem facility includes two intake structures, each equipped with equipment used to 6

remove debris and biota from the intake water stream (i.e., removable ice barriers, trash racks, 7

traveling screens, and a fish return system). The CWS withdraws brackish water from the 8

Delaware Estuary using 12 circulating water pumps through a 12-bay intake structure located 9

on the shoreline at the south end of the site, and discharges water north on the CWS intake 10 structure via a discharge pipe that extends 500 ft (152 m) from the shoreline. Heavy duty trash 11 racks protect the circulating water pumps and traveling screens from damage by large debris.

12 The trash racks are constructed of 0.5-inch (1.27-cm) wide steel bars with slot openings that are 13 3 inch (7.6 cm) wide. No biocides are required in the CWS.

14 The CWS provides approximately 1,050,000 gallons per minute (gpm) (3,974,670 liters per 15 minute [Ipm]) to each of Salem's two reactor units. The total design flow is 1,110,000 gpm 16 (4,201,794 Ipm) through each unit. The intake velocity is approximately 1 per second (fps) (0.3 17 meters per second [mps]) at mean low tide (a rate that is compatible with the protection of 18 aquatic wildlife) (EPA, 2001). The CWS provides water to the main condenser to condense 19 steam from the turbine and the heated water is returned back to the estuary (the flow path is 20 shown in the lower right of Figure 2-3).

21 Approximately 400 ft (122 m) north of the CWS intake structure, a separate intake structure 22 withdraws water for the SWS, which supplies cooling water to the reactor safeguard and 23 auxiliary systems. The structure contains four bays, each containing three pumps. The 12 24 service-water pumps have a total design rating of 130,500 gpm (493,922 Ipm). The average 25 velocity throughout the SWS intake is less than 1 fps (0.3 mps) at the design flow rate. Like the 26 CWS intake structure, the SWS intake structure is equipped with trash racks, traveling screens, 27 and filters to remove debris and biota from the intake water stream. Debris collected from the 28 system is removed and transported to a landfill for disposal. Backwash water is returned to the 29 estuary.

30 To prevent organic buildup and biofouling in the heat exchangers and piping of the SWS, 31 sodium hypochlorite is injected into the system. SWS water is discharged via the discharge pipe 32 shared with the CWS. Residual chlorine levels are maintained in accordance with the site's 33 NJPDES permit.

34 2.1.6.2 Hope Creek Generating Station 35 HCGS uses a single intake structure to supply water from the Delaware Estuary to the SWS.

36 The intake structure consists of four active bays that are equipped with pumps and associated 37 equipment (trash racks, traveling screens, and a fish-return system) and four empty bays that 38 were originally intended to service a second reactor which was never built. Water is drawn into 39 the SWS at a rate of 0.3 fps (0.09 mps) passing through trash racks and traveling screens. After 40 passing through the traveling screens, the estuary water enters the service water pumps.

41 Depending on the temperature of the Delaware Estuary water, two or three pumps are normally 42 needed to supply service water. Each pump is rated at 16,500 gpm (62,459 Ipm). To prevent 43 organic buildup and biofouling in the heat exchangers and piping of the SWS, sodium 44 hypochlorite is continuously injected into the system.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-22 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Water is then pumped into the stilling basin in the pump house. The stilling basin supplies water 2

to the general SWS and the fire protection system. The stilling basin also supplies water for 3

backup residual heat removal service water and for emergency service water.

4 The SWS also provides makeup water for the CWS by supplying water to the cooling tower 5

basin. The cooling tower basin contains approximately 9 million gallons (34 million liters) of 6

water and provides approximately 612,000 gpm (2.317 million Ipm) of water to the CWS via four 7

pumps. The CWS provides water to the main condenser to condense steam from the turbine 8

and the heated water is returned back to the estuary (the flow path is shown in the lower right of 9

Figure 2-4).

10 The HCGS cooling tower is a 512-ft (156-m) high, single counterflow, hyperbolic, natural draft 11 cooling tower (PSEG, 2008c). While the CWS is a closed-cycle system, water is lost due to 12 evaporation. Monthly losses average from 9,600 gpm (36,340 Ipm) in January to 13,000 gpm 13 (49,210 Ipm) in July. Makeup water is provided by the SWS.

14 2.1.7 Facility Water Use and Quality 15 The Salem and HCGS facilities rely on the Delaware River as their source of makeup water for 16 its cooling system, and they discharge various waste flows to the river. An onsite well system 17 provides groundwater for other site needs. A description of groundwater resources at the facility 18 location is provided in Section 2.2.8, and a description of the surface water resources is 19 presented in Section 2.2.9. The following sections describe the water use from these resources.

20 2.1.7.1 Groundwater Use 21 The Salem and HCGS facilities access groundwater through production wells to supply fresh 22 water for potable, industrial process makeup, fire protection, and sanitary purposes 23 (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). Facility groundwater withdrawal is authorized by the NJDEP 24 and the DRBC. The total authorized withdrawal volume is 43.2 million gallons (163 million liters) 25 per month for both the Salem and HCGS sites combined (NJDEP, 2004a), (DRBC, 2000).

26 Although each facility has its own wells and individual pumping limits, the systems are 27 interconnected so that water can be transferred between the facilities, if necessary 28 (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). The NJDEP permit is a single permit which establishes a 29 combined permitted limit for both facilities of 43.2 million gallons (163 million liters) per month 30 (NJDEP, 2004a).

31 The groundwater for Salem is produced primarily from two wells, PW-5 and PW-6. PW-5 is 32 installed at a depth of 840 ft (256 m) below ground surface (bgs) in the Upper Raritan 33 Formation, and PW-6 is installed at a depth of 1,140 ft (347 m) in the Middle Raritan Formation.

34 PW-5 has a capacity of 800 gpm (3,016 Ipm), and PW-6 has a capacity of 600 gpm (2,262 Ipm) 35 (DRBC, 2000). The average water withdrawal from these two wells between 2002 and 2008 36 was 114 million gallons (430 million liters) per year (TetraTech, 2009). These wells are used to 37 maintain water volume within two 350,000 gallon (1.3 million liter) storage tanks, of which 38 600,000 gallons (2.26 million liters) is reserved for fire protection (PSEG, 2009a). In addition to 39 these two primary wells, two additional wells, PW-2 and PW-3, exist at Salem. These wells are 40 installed within the Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer at depths of about 290 ft (88 m) bgs 41 (DRBC, 2000). These wells are classified as standby wells by NJDEP (NJDEP, 2004a), and had 42 only minor usage in the period from 2002 to 2008 (TetraTech, 2009).

43 The groundwater for HCGS is produced from two production wells, HC-1 and HC-2, which are 44 installed at depths of 816 ft (249 m) bgs in the Upper Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer September 2010 2-23 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

(DRBC, 2000). Each well has a pumping capacity of 750 gpm (2,827 Ipm), and the average 2

water withdrawal from the two wells between 2002 and 2008 was 96 million gallons 3

(362 million liters) per year (TetraTech, 2009). The wells are used to maintain water supply 4

within two 350,000 gallon (1.3 million liter) storage tanks. The bulk of the water in the storage 5

tanks (656,000 gallons [2.47 million liters]) is reserved for fire protection, and the remainder is 6

used for potable, sanitary, and industrial uses (PSEG, 2009b).

7 Overall, the combined water usage for the two facilities has averaged 210 million gallons 8

(792 million liters) per year, or 17.5 million gallons (66 million liters) per month 9

(TetraTech, 2009). This usage is approximately 41 percent of the withdrawal permitted under 10 the DRBC authorization and NJDEP permit (DRBC, 2000), (NJDEP, 2004a).

11 2.1.7.2 Surface Water Use 12 Salem and HCGS are located on the eastern shore of the Delaware River, approximately 18 mi 13 (29 km) south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The Delaware River at the facility location is an 14 estuary approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) wide. The Delaware River is the source of condenser 15 cooling water and service water for both the Salem and HCGS facilities (PSEG, 2009a),

16 (PSEG, 2009b).

17 The Salem units are both once-through circulating water systems that withdraw brackish water 18 from the Delaware River through a single CWS intake located at the shoreline on the southern 19 end of Artificial Island. The CWS intake structure consists of 12 bays, each outfitted with 20 removable ice barriers, trash racks, traveling screens, circulating water pumps, and a fish return 21 system. The pump capacity of the Salem CWS is 1,110,000 gpm (4,201,794 1pm) for each unit, 22 or a total of 2,220,000 gpm (8,403,588 Ipm) for both units combined. Although the initial design 23 included use of sodium hypochlorite biocides, these were eliminated once enough operational 24 experience was gained to indicate that they were not needed. Therefore, the CWS water is used 25 without treatment (PSEG, 2009a).

26 In addition to the CWS intake, the Salem units withdraw water from the Delaware River for the 27 SWS, to provide cooling for auxiliary and reactor safeguard systems. The Salem SWS is 28 supplied through a single intake structure located approximately 400 ft (122 m) north of the 29 CWS intake. The Salem SWS intake is also fitted with trash racks, traveling screens, and 30 fish-return troughs. The pump capacity of the Salem SWS is 65,250 gpm (246,996 1pm) for each 31 unit, or a total of 130,500 gpm (493,992 Ipm) for both units combined. The Salem SWS water is 32 treated with sodium hypochlorite biocides to prevent biofouling (PSEG, 2009a).

33 The withdrawal of Delaware River water for the Salem CWS and SWS systems is regulated 34 under the terms of Salem NJPDES Permit No. NJ005622 and is also authorized by the DRBC.

35 The NJPDES permit limits the total withdrawal of Delaware River water to 3,024 million gallons 36 per day (mgd) (11,447 million liters per day), for a monthly maximum of 90,720 million gallons 37 (342,014 million liters) (NJDEP, 2001). The DRBC authorization allows withdrawals not to 38 exceed 97,000 million gallons (365,690 million liters) in a single 30-day period (DRBC, 1977),

39 (DRBC, 2001). The withdrawal volumes are reported to NJDEP through monthly discharge 40 monitoring reports (DMRs), and copies of the DMRs are submitted to DRBC.

41 Both the CWS and SWS at Salem discharge water back to the Delaware River through a single 42 return that serves both systems. The discharge location is situated between the CWS and 43 Salem SWS intakes, and consists of six separate discharge pipes; each extending 500 ft 44 (152 m) into the river and discharging water at a depth of 35 ft (11 m) below mean tide. The 45 pipes rest on the river bottom with a concrete apron at the end to control erosion and discharge Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-24 September 2010

Affected Environment I

water at a velocity of 10.5 fps (3.2 mps) (PSEG, 2006c). The discharge from Salem is regulated 2

under the terms of NJPDES Permit No. NJ005622 (NJDEP, 2001). The locations of the intakes 3

and discharge for the Salem facility are shown in Figure 2-3.

4 The HCGS facility uses a closed-cycle circulating water system, with a natural draft cooling 5

tower, for condenser cooling. Like Salem, HCGS withdraws water from the Delaware River to 6

supply a SWS, which cools auxiliary and other heat exchange systems. The oufflow from the 7

HCGS SWS is directed to the cooling tower basin, and serves as makeup water to replace 8

water lost through evaporation and blowdown from the cooling tower. The HCGS SWS intake is 9

located on the shore of the river and consists of four separate bays with service water pumps, 10 trash racks, traveling screens, and fish-return systems. The structure includes an additional four 11 bays that were originally intended to serve a second HCGS unit, which was never constructed.

12 The pump capacity of the HCGS SWS is 16,500 gpm (62,459 Ipm) for each pump, or a total of 13 66,000 gpm (249,836 Ipm) when all four pumps are operating. Under normal conditions, only 14 two or three of the pumps are typically operated. The HCGS SWS water is treated with sodium 15 hypochlorite to prevent biofouling (PSEG, 2009b).

16 The discharge from the HCGS SWS is directed to the cooling tower basin, where it acts as 17 makeup water for the HCGS CWS. The natural draft cooling tower has a total capacity of 9 18 million gallons (34 million liters) of water, and circulates water through the CWS at a rate of 19 612,000 gpm (2.317 million Ipm). Water is removed from the HCGS CWS through both 20 evaporative loss from the cooling tower and from blowdown to control deposition of solids within 21 the system. Evaporative losses result in consumptive loss of water from the Delaware River.

22 The volume of evaporative losses vary throughout the year depending on the climate, but range 23 from approximately 9,600 gpm (36,340 Ipm) in January to 13,000 gpm (49,210 Ipm) in July.

24 Blowdown water is returned to the Delaware River (NJDEP, 2002b).

25 The withdrawal of Delaware River water for the HCGS CWS and SWS systems is regulated 26 under the terms of HCGS NJPDES Permit No. NJ0025411 and is also authorized by the DRBC.

27 Although it requires measurement and reporting, the NJPDES permit does not specify limits on 28 the total withdrawal volume of Delaware River water for HCGS operations (NJDEP, 2003).

29 Actual withdrawals average 66.8 mgd (253 million liters per day), of which 6.7 mgd (25 million 30 liters per day) are returned as screen backwash, and 13 mgd (49 million liters per day) is 31 evaporated. The remainder (approximately 46 mgd [179 million liters per day]) is discharged 32 back to the river (PSEG, 2009b).

33 The HCGS DRBC contract allows withdrawals up to 16.998 billion gallons (64 billion liters) per 34 year, including up to 4.086 billion gallons (15.4 billion liters) of consumptive use (DRBC, 1984a),

35 (DRBC, 1984b). To compensate for evaporative losses in the system, the DRBC authorization 36 requires releases from storage reservoirs, or reductions in withdrawal, during periods of low-flow 37 conditions at Trenton, NJ (DRBC, 2001). To accomplish this, PSEG is one of several utilities 38 which owns and operates the Merrill Creek reservoir in Washington, NJ. Merrill Creek reservoir 39 is used to release water during low-flow conditions, as required by the DRBC authorization 40 (PSEG, 2009b).

41 The SWS and cooling tower blowdown water from HCGS is discharged.back to the Delaware 42 River through an underwater conduit located 1,500 ft (458 m) upstream of the HCGS SWS 43 intake. The HCGS discharge pipe extends 10 ft (3 m) offshore, and is situated at mean tide 44 level. The discharge from HCGS is regulated under the terms of NJPDES Permit No.

45 NJ0025411 (NJDEP, 2001). The locations of the intake and discharge for the HCGS facility are 46 shown in Figure 2-4.

September 2010 2-25 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

2.2 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 2

This section provides general descriptions of the environment near Salem and HCGS as 3

background information and to support the analysis of potential environmental impacts in 4

Chapter 4.

5 2.2.1 Land Use 6

Salem and HCGS are located at the southern end of Artificial Island, located on the east bank of 7

the Delaware River in Lower Alloways Creek Township, Salem County, NJ. The river is 8

approximately 2.5 mi wide at this location. Artificial Island is a 1,500-ac island of tidal marsh and 9

grassland that was created, beginning early in the 20th century, by the USACE. The island was 10 created by disposal of hydraulic dredge spoils within a progressively enlarged diked area, which 11 was established around a natural bar that projected into the river. The average elevation of the 12 island is about 9 ft above MSL with a maximum elevation of approximately 18 ft MSL (AEC, 13 1973). The site is located approximately 17 mi south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, 30 mi 14 southwest of Philadelphia, PA, and 7.5 mi southwest of the City of Salem, NJ (PSEG, 2009d).

15 PSEG owns approximately 740 ac at the southern end of the island, with Salem located on 16 approximately 220 ac and HCGS occupying about 153 ac. The remainder of Artificial Island 17 remains undeveloped. The U.S. Government owns the portions of the island adjacent to Salem 18 and HCGS (to the north and east), while the State of New Jersey owns the rest of the island, as 19 well as much of the nearby inland property (LACT, 1988a), (LACT, 1988b), (PSEG, 2009a),

20 (PSEG, 2009b). The U.S. Government also owns a 1-mi wide inland strip of land abutting the 21 island (AEC, 1973). The northernmost tip of Artificial Island (owned by the U.S. Government) is 22 within the State of Delaware boundary, which was established based on historical land grants 23 related to the Delaware River tide line at that time (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

24 The area within 15 mi of the site is primarily used for agriculture. The area also includes 25 numerous parks and wildlife refuges and preserves, such as Mad Horse Creek Fish and Wildlife 26 Management Area to the east; Cedar Swamp State Wildlife Management Area to. the south in 27 Delaware; Appoquinimink, Silver Run, and Augustine State Wildlife Management areas to the 28 west in Delaware; and Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge to the north. The Delaware 29 Bay and estuary is recognized as wetlands of international importance and an international 30 shorebird reserve (NJSA, 2008). The nearest permanent residences are located 3.4 mi 31 south-southwest and west-northwest of Salem and HCGS in Delaware. The nearest permanent 32 residence in New Jersey is located 3.6 mi east-northeast of the facilities (PSEG, 2009c). The 33 closest densely populated center (with 25,000 residents or more) is located 15.5 mi from Salem 34 and HCGS (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). There is no heavy industry in the area surrounding 35 Salem and HCGS; the nearest such industrial area is located more than 15 mi north of the site 36 (PSEG, 2009c).

37 Section 307(c)(3)(A) of the Coastal Zone Management Act (16 USC 1456 (c)(3)(A)) requires 38 that applicants for Federal licenses to conduct an activity in a coastal zone provide to the 39 licensing agency a certification that the proposed activity is consistent with the enforceable 40 policies of the State's coastal zone program. A copy of the certification is also to be provided to 41 the State. Within 6 months of receipt of the certification, the State is to notify the Federal agency 42 whether the State concurs with or objects to the applicant's certification. Salem and HCGS are 43 within New Jersey's coastal zone for purposes of the Coastal Zone Management Act. PSEG's 44 certifications that renewal of the Salem and HCGS licenses would be consistent with the New 45 Jersey Coastal Management Program were submitted to the NJDEP Land Use Regulation Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-26 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Program concurrent with submittal of the license renewal applications for the two facilities.

2 Salem and HCGS are not within Delaware's coastal zone for purposes of the Coastal Zone 3

Management Act (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). Correspondence related to the certification is 4

in Appendix D of this SEIS. By letters dated October 8, 2009, the NJDEP Division of Land Use 5

Regulation, Bureau of Coastal Regulation concurred with the applicant's consistency of 6

certification for Salem and HCGS.

7 2.2.2 Air Quality and Meteorology 8

2.2.2.1 Meteorology 9

The climate in New Jersey is generally a function of topography and distance from the Atlantic 10 Ocean, resulting in five distinct climatic regions within the State.L-_

alem County_is located in theJ i...

Comment [GCB110]: Two space before 11 Southwest Zone, which is characterized by low elevation near sea level and close proximity to beginning of sentence.

12 the Delaware Bay. L~hese features result in the Southwest Zonegenerally having_ higher---------

Comment [GCBO11]: Two space before start 13 temperatures and receiving less precipitation than the northern and coastal areas of the State.

of next sentence.

14 Wind direction is predominantly from the southwest, except in winter when winds are primarily 15 from the west and northwest (NOAA, 2008).

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 The only NOAA weather station in Salem County with recent data is the Woodstown Pittsgrove Station, located approximately 10 mi northeast of the Salem and NCGS facilities (NOAA, 2010a). =A summary of the data_collected from this station from 1971 to 2_001 indicates that winter temperatures average 35.2 degrees Fahrenheit ('F) (1.8 degrees Celsius [°C]) and summer temperatures average 74.8 *F (23.8 *C).,Average annual precipitation in the form-of.

rain and snow is 45.76 inches (116.2 cm), with the most rain falling in July and August and the most snow falling in January (NOAA, 2004).

Queries of the National Climate Data Center database for Salem County for the period January 1, 1950, to November 30, 2009, identified the following information related to severe weather events:

_.1-

.1.

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J 0

0 0

0 0

33 flood events with the majority (24) being coastal or tidal floods numerous heavy precipitation and prolonged rain events which also resulted in several incidences of localized flooding, but which are not included in the flood event number five funnel cloud sightings and two tornados ranging in intensity from F1 to F2 148 thunderstorm and high wind events 14 incidences of hail greater than 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) (NOAA, 2010b)

In 2001, unusually dry conditions were related to two wildfires that burned a total of 54 ac (21.9 ha).Iiln 2009 a series of brush fires destroyed approxmately 15 ac (6.1 ha) of farmland and wooded area in Salem County (NOAA, 2010c).

Climate data are available for the Woodstown Pittsgrove Station from 1901 through 2004, at which time monitoring at this location was ended (NOAA, 2010a).iThe closest facility which currently monitors climate data, and has an extensive historic record, is the station located at Comment [GCB114]: Two space before start of next sentence.

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I September 2010 2-27 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

the Wilmington New Castle County Airport, located on the opposite side of the Delaware River, 2

approximately 9 mi (14.4 km) northwest of the facilities (NOAA, 2010d).

3 2.2.2.2 Air Quality Salem County is included in the Metropolitan Philadelphia Interstate Air Quality Control Region (AQCR), which encompasses the area geographically located in five counties of New Jersey, including Salem and Gloucester counties; New Castle County, DE; and five counties of Pennsylvania (40 CFR 81.15)1.i _r quality is regulated by the NJDEP through their Bureau of Air Quality Planning, Bureau of Air Quality Monitoring, and Bureau of Air Quality Permitting (NJDEP, 2009a).[the.Bureau of Air Quality Monitoring operates a network of monitoring..

stations for the collection and analysis of air samples for several parameters, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter, and meteorological characteristicsjfrhe closest air quality monitoring station to the Salem and HCGS facilities is in Millville, located approximately 23 mi (36.8 km) to the southeast (NJDEP, 2009a).

In order to enforce air quality standards, the EPA has developed National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Federal Clean Air Acti The requirements examine the six criteria pollutants, including particle pollution (particulate matter [pm]), ground-level ozone, CO, sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and lead; permissible limits are established based on human health and/or environmental protection.1,When an area hIa s air quality equal to or better than the NAAQS, they are designated as an "attainment area" as defined by the EPA; however, areas that do not meet the NAAQS standards are considered "nonattainment areas" and are required to develop an air quality maintenance plan (NJDEP, 2010a).

Salem County is designated as in attainment/unclassified with respect to the NAAQSs for PM2.5.

SOx, NOx, CO, and lead.1Nhe _county, along with all of southern New Jersey, is a nonattainment area with respect to the 1-hour primary ozone standard and the 8-hour ozone standard*Ior th-e-1-hour ozone standard, Salem County is located within the multi-state Philadelphia-Wilmington-Trenton non-attainment area, and for the 8-hour ozone standard, it is located in the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland) non-attainment area.J! if the adjacent counties, Gloucester County, NJ, is in non-attainment for the 1-hour and 8-hour ozone standards, as well as the annual and daily PM 2.5 standard (NJDEP, 2010a).H'New Castle County, DE, is-considered to be in moderate -----

non-attainment for the ozone standards and non-attainment for PM2.5 (40 CFR 81.315).

Sections 101(b)(1), 110, 169(a)(2), and 301(a) of the Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 7410, 7491(a)(2), 7601(a)), established 156 mandatory Class I Federal areas where visibility is an important value that cannot be compromised., here is one mandatory Class I Federal area in the State of New Jersey, which is the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge (40 CFR 81.420), located approximately 58 mi (93 km) southeast of the Salem and HCGS facilities.LThere are no Class I Federal areas in Delaware, and no other areas located within 100-mi (161 km) of the facilities (40 CFR 81.400).

PSEG has a single Air Pollution Control Operating Permit (Title V Operating Permit),

No. BOP080001, from the NJDEP to regulate air emissions from all sources at Salem and HCGS (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).ýJ[_hiisjpermit was last issued on February 2, 2005_and.

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33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Comment [ICB126]: Two space before start I of next sentence.I I Comment [GC81271-Two space before start 1 of next sentence.

I Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-28 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8 expired on February 1, 2010.1Ihe facilities qualify as a major source1 under the Title V permit program and, therefore, are operated under a Title V permit (NJDEP, 2009b). The air emissions sources located at Salem, which are regulated under the permit, include:

0 a boiler for heating purposes 0

Salem Unit 3, a 40 megawatt fuel-oil fired peaking unit used intermittently 0

six emergency generators, tested monthly 0

a boiler at the circulating water house, used for heating only in winter 0

miscellaneous volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from fuel tanks Comment [GCB128]: Indicate re-application, under which permit it is operating since expiration in February 1, 2010, and when to expect renewal of permit by NJOEP.

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9 The air emissions sources located at HCGS, which are regulated under the permit, include:

10 0

the cooling tower 11 0

a boiler for house heating and use for startup steam for the BWR 12 0

four emergency generators, tested monthly 13 0

miscellaneous VOC emissions from fuel tanks 14 a small boiler used to heat the service water house 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Meteorological conditions at the facilities are monitored at a primary and a backup meteorological tower located at the entrance of the facilities, on the southeast side of the propertyJ[The priary tower is a 300-ft_(91-in) high tower supported by guy irnes,_and the backup tower is a 33-ft (10-m) high telephone pole located approximately 500 ft (152 m) south of the primary tower.I Measurements collected at the primary tower include temperature, wind speed, and wind direction at elevations of 300, 150, and 33 ft (91, 46, and 10 m) above ground level; dew point measured at the 33-ft (10-m) level; and rainfall, barometric pressure, and solar radiation measured at less than 10 ft (3 m) above the ground surface. Measurements collected at the backup tower include wind speed and wind direction (PSEG, 2006a).

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I 24 2.2.3 Groundwater Resources 25 2.2.3.1 Description 26 Groundwater at the Salem and HCGS facilities is present in Coastal Plain sediments, an 27 assemblage of sand, silt, and clay formations that comprise a series of aquifers beneath the 28 facilities. Four primary aquifers underlie the facility location. The shallowest of these is the 29 shallow water-bearing zone, which is contained within the dredge spoil and engineered fill 30 sediments of Artificial Island. Groundwater is found within this zone at a depth of 10 to 40 ft (3 to 31 12 m) bgs (PSEG, 2007b). The groundwater in the shallow zone is recharged through direct 32 infiltration of precipitation on Artificial Island and is brackish. Groundwater in the shallow zone 33 flows toward the southwest, toward the Delaware River (PSEG, 2009b).

34 Beneath the shallow water-bearing zone, the Vincentown aquifer is found at a depth of 55 to 35 135 ft (17 to 41 m) bgs. The Vincentown aquifer is confined and semi-confined beneath 36 Miocene clays of the Kirkwood Formation. Groundwater within the Vincentown aquifer flows 37 toward the south. Water within the Vincentown aquifer is potable and accessed through 38 domestic wells in eastern Salem County, upgradient of the facility. In western Salem County, 1 Under the Title V Operating Permit program, the EPA defines a major source as a stationary source with the potential to emit (PTE) any criteria pollutant at a rate greater than 100 tons/year, or any single hazardous air pollutant (HAP) at a rate of greater than 10 tons/year or a combination of HAPs at a rate greater than 25 tons/year.

September 2010 2-29 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

including near the facility, saltwater intrusion from the Delaware River has occurred, resulting in 2

brackish, non-potable groundwater within this aquifer (PSEG, 2007b).

3 The Vincentown aquifer is underlain by the Hornerstown and Navesink confining units, which in 4

turn overlie the Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer. The Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer exists at a 5

depth of 170 to 270 ft (52 to 82 m) bgs and is recharged through leakage from the overlying 6

aquifers (Rosenau et al., 1969).

7 Beneath the Mount Laurel-Wenonah aquifer is a series of clay and fine sand confining units and 8

poor quality aquifers, including the Marshalltown Formation, Englishtown Formation, Woodbury 9

Clay, and Merchantville Formation. These units overlie the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer, 10 which is found at a depth of 450 ft (145 m), with freshwater encountered to a depth of 900 ft 11 (290 m) bgs at the facility location (PSEG, 2007b). The Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer is a 12 large aquifer of regional importance for municipal and domestic water supply. In order to protect 13 groundwater resources within this aquifer, the State of New Jersey has established Critical 14 Water-Supply Management Area 2, in which groundwater withdrawals are limited and managed 15 through allocations (USGS, 2007). Critical Water-Supply Management Area 2 includes Ocean, 16 Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties, as well as the eastern 17 portion of Salem County. The area does not include the western portion of Salem County where 18 the facility is located, so groundwater withdrawals at the facility location are not subject to 19 withdrawal restrictions associated with this management area.

20 2.2.3.2 Affected Users 21 The use of groundwater by the facility is discussed in Section 2.1.7.1. Groundwater is the 22 source of more than 75 percent of the freshwater supply within the Coastal Plain region, and 23 wells used for public supply commonly yield 500 to more than 1,000 gpm (1,885 to 3,770 Ipm) 24 (EPA, 1988). The water may have localized concentrations of iron in excess of 460 miligrams 25 per liter (mg/L) and may be contaminated locally by saltwater intrusion and waste disposal; 26 however, water quality is considered satisfactory overall (NJWSC, 2009).

27 Groundwater is not accessed for public or domestic water supply within 1 mi (1.6 km) of the 28 Salem and HCGS facilities (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). However, groundwater is the 29 primary source of municipal water supply within Salem and the surrounding counties. There are 30 18 public water supply systems in Salem County. New Jersey American Water (NJAW) is the 31 largest of these, providing groundwater from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer to more than 32 14,000 customers in Pennsgrove, located approximately 18 mi (29 km) north of the Salem and 33 HCGS facilities (EPA, 2010b), (NJAW, 2010). The other two major suppliers are Pennsville 34 Township and the City of Salem (EPA, 2010b). The City of Salem is the closest public water 35 supply system in Salem County to the facilities, but provides water from surface water sources 36 (EPA, 2010b). The Pennsville Township water system is located approximately 15 mi (24 km) 37 north of the Salem and HCGS facilities and supplies water to approximately 13,500 residents 38 from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy Aquifer (EPA, 2010b), (NJDEP, 2007a).

39 There are 27 water systems in New Castle County, DE. Municipal and investor-owned utilities 40 provide drinking water to the county. The majority of the potable water supply is provided from 41 surface water sources (EPA, 201 Oc). The nearest offsite use of groundwater for potable water 42 supply is located approximately 3.5 mi (5.6 km) west of the site, in New Castle County, DE 43 (Arcadis, 2006). This water supply consists of two wells installed within the Mt. Laurel aquifer, 44 serving 132 residents (DNREC, 2003).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-30 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2.2.3.3 Available Volume 2

Groundwater within the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer is an important resource for water 3

supply in a region extending from Mercer and Middlesex counties in New Jersey to the north, 4

and toward Maryland to the southwest. Groundwater withdrawal from the early part of the 5

20th century through the 1970s resulted in the development of large-scale cones of depression 6

in the elevation of the piezometric surface and, therefore, the available water quantity within the 7

aquifer (USGS, 1983). Large scale withdrawals of water from the aquifer are known to influence 8

water availability at significant lateral distances from pumping centers (USGS, 1983). In reaction 9

to these observations, water management measures, including limitations on pumping, were 10 instituted by the NJDEP (although not including the Salem and HCGS facility area). As of 2003, 11 NJDEP-mandated decreases in water withdrawals had resulted in general recovery of water 12 level elevations in both the Upper and Middle Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifers in the Salem 13 County area (USGS, 2009).

14 2.2.3.4 Existing Quality 15 Annual REMP reports document regular sampling of groundwater as required by the NRC. In 16 support of this SEIS, the annual REMP reports for 2006, 2007, and 2008 were reviewed 17 (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c). The program includes the collection and 18 analysis of groundwater at one or two locations that may be affected by station operations.

19 Although the facility has determined that there are no groundwater wells in locations that could 20 be affected by station operations, they routinely collect a sample from one location, well 3E1 at 21 a nearby farm, as a management audit sample. These samples, collected on a monthly basis, 22 are analyzed for gamma emitters, gross alpha, gross beta, and tritium. In 2006 through 2008, no 23 results were identified which would suggest potential impacts from facility operations.

24 In 2003, a release of tritium to groundwater from the Salem Unit 1 SFP was identified. The initial 25 indication of the release was the detection of low-level radiation on a worker's shoes in the Unit 26 1 auxiliary building in 2002. This led to the discovery of a chalk-like radioactive substance on the 27 walls of the mechanical penetration room, which had resulted from the seepage of water from 28 the SFP. The seepage was caused from the blockage of drains by mineral deposits. Response 29 measures, including removal of the mineral deposits and installation of additional drains, were 30 taken and the release was stopped (Arcadis, 2006).

31 A site investigation was initiated in 2003, and included the installation and sampling of 29 32 monitoring wells in the shallow and Vincentown aquifers (PSEG, 2004a). The tritium was 33 released into groundwater inside of the cofferdam area that surrounds the Salem containment 34 unit. Groundwater within the cofferdam area is able to flow outside of the cofferdam through a 35 low spot in the top surface, which allowed the tritium plume to enter the flow system outside of 36 the cofferdam. From that location, the plume followed a preferential flow path along the high 37 permeability sand and gravel bed beneath the circulating water discharge pipe and, thus, toward 38 the Delaware River. Tritium was detected in shallow groundwater at concentrations up to 39 15,000,000 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). The extent of the impact was limited to within the PSEG 40 property boundaries and no tritium was detected in the Vincentown aquifer, indicating that the 41 release was limited to the shallow water-bearing aquifer (PSEG, 2009d). The release did not 42 include any radionuclides other than tritium.

43 In 2004, PSEG developed a remedial action workplan, and a GRS was approved by NJDEP 44 and became operational by September 2005. The GRS operates by withdrawing 45 tritium-impacted groundwater from six pumping wells within the plume, and a mobile pumping 46 unit that can be moved between other wells as needed to maximize withdrawal efficiency. The September 2010 2-31 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

pumping system reverses the groundwater flow gradient and stops the migration of the plume 2

toward the property boundaries. The tritium-impacted water removed from the groundwater is 3

processed in the facility's NRLWDS. As part of this system, the groundwater is collected in 4

tanks, sampled, and analyzed to identify the quantity of radioactivity and the isotopic 5

breakdown. Upon verification that the groundwater meets NRC discharge requirements, it is 6

released under controlled conditions to the Delaware River through the circulatory water system 7

(PSEG, 2009a). Operation of the groundwater extraction system is monitored by a network of 8

36 monitoring wells (PSEG, 2009e). This monitoring indicates that maximum tritium 9

concentrations have dropped substantially, from a maximum of 15,000,000 pCi/L to below 10 100,000 pCi/L. Some concentrations still exceed the New Jersey Ground Water Quality 11 Criterion for tritium of 20,000 pCi/L (PSEG, 2009e). However, groundwater that exceeds this 12 criterion does not extend past the property boundaries (PSEG, 2009a).

13 To verify the status of the groundwater remediation program, NRC staff interviewed NJDEP 14 staff, including Ms. Karen Tucillo, the director of the NJDEP Radiation Protection Program; and 15 Jerry Humphreys, Tom Kolesnik, and Paul Schwartz of the NJDEP BNE, during the site audit in 16 March 2010. The NJDEP staff confirmed that both NJDEP and the New Jersey Geological 17 Survey (NJGS) had been substantially involved in assisting PSEG in developing a response to 18 the tritium release, and that NJDEP conducts ongoing confirmation sampling. Both NJDEP and 19 NJGS review PSEG's Quarterly Remedial Action Progress Reports, including confirmation of 20 the analytical results and verification of plume configurations based on those results. NJDEP 21 staff confirmed that the GRS is operating in a satisfactory manner.

22 In response to an industry-wide initiative sponsored by the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI),

23 PSEG implemented a facility-wide groundwater radiological groundwater protection program 24 (RGPP) at the Salem and HCGS facilities in 2006. The program, which is separate from the 25 monitoring associated with the GRS, included the identification of station systems that could be 26 sources of radionuclide releases, installation of monitoring wells near and downgradient of those 27 systems, and installation of wells upgradient and downgradient of the facility perimeter. The 28 monitoring program consists of 13 monitoring wells at Salem (5 pre-existing and 8 new) and 13 29 wells at HCGS (all new). The results of the program are reported in the facility's annual 30 Radiological Environmental Operating Reports. The wells are sampled on a semiannual basis 31 and have detected no plant-related gamma-emitters. In the 2008 annual program, tritium was 32 detected in 5 of the 13 wells at Salem, and 6 of the 13 wells at HCGS. All sample results were 33 lower than 1,000 pCi/L, which is less than the 20,000 pCi/L EPA drinking water standard and 34 New Jersey Ground Water Quality Criterion (PSEG, 2009c). These levels of detection are not 35 high enough to trigger voluntary reporting that would be made under the guidelines of the NEI 36 guidance (PSEG, 2009a).

37 During the site audit, PSEG provided information indicating that elevated tritium concentrations 38 had been detected in six RGPP wells at the HCGS facility in November 2009. This included 39 detection of tritium at concentrations up to 1,200 pCi/L in four wells, and at approximately 40 3,500 pCi/L in two wells (wells BH and BJ). The wells were all re-sampled in December 2009, 41 and the tritium concentrations had dropped to levels of approximately 500 to 800 pCi/L which 42 still exceeded their levels prior to November 2009. The wells involved are located at the HCGS 43 facility and are not related to the tritium plume being managed at Salem. PSEG has instituted a 44 well inspection and assessment program to identify the source of the tritium, which is thought to 45 be from either analytical error of rain-out of gaseous emissions in precipitation. Based on the 46 locations of the wells and identification of cracked caps on some wells, it is possible that 47 collection of rainwater run-on entered the wells, causing the increased concentrations. In Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-32 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

response, PSEG has replaced all well caps with screw caps and is working with NJDEP and the 2

NRC staff to implement a well inspection program.

3 During the site audit, PSEG also provided information on a small-scale diesel pump and treat 4

remediation system being operated near Salem Unit 1 to address a leak of diesel fuel at that 5

location. NJDEP is also involved in the operation of that system, and NJDEP staff confirmed 6

that the remediation system is operating in a satisfactory manner.

7 2.2.4 Surface Water Resources 8

2.2.4.1 Description 9

The Salem and HCGS facilities are located on Artificial Island, a man-made island constructed 10 on the New Jersey (eastern) shore of the Delaware River (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). All 11 surface water in Salem County drains to the Delaware River and Bay. Some streams flow 12 directly to the river, while others join subwatersheds before reaching their destination. The tides 13 of the Atlantic Ocean influence the entire length of the Delaware River in Salem County. Tidal 14 marshes are located along the lower stretches of the Delaware River and are heavily influenced 15 by the tides, flooding twice daily. Wetland areas, such as Mannington and Supawna Meadows, 16 make up roughly 30 percent of the county. The southwestern portion of Salem County is 17 predominately marshland, and to the north, tidal marshes are found in the western sections of 18 the county at the mouths of river systems, including the Salem River and Oldmans Creek 19 (Salem County, 2008).

20 The Division of Land Use Regulation (LUR) is managed by the NJDEP and seeks to preserve 21 quality of life issues that affect water quality, wildlife habitat, flood protection, open space, and 22 the tourism industry. Coastal waters and adjacent land are protected by several laws, including 23 the Waterfront Development Law (N.J.S.A. 12:5-3), the Wetlands Act of 1970 (N.J.S.A. 13:9A),

24 New Jersey Coastal Permit Program Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:7), Coastal Zone Management Rules 25 (N.J.A.C. 7:7E), and the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (N.J.S.A. 13:19), which regulates 26 almost all coastal development and includes the Kilcohook National Wildlife Refuge that is 27 located in Salem County (NJDEP, 2010b).

28 The facilities are located at River Mile 51 on the Delaware River. At this location, the river is 29 approximately 2.5 mi (4 km) wide. The facilities are located on the Lower Region portion of the 30 river, which is designated by the DRBC as the area of the river subject to tidal influence, and 31 between the Delaware Bay and Trenton, NJ (DRBC, 2008a). The Lower Region and the 32 Delaware Bay together form the Estuary Region of the river, which is included as the 33 Partnership for the Delaware Estuary within the EPA's National Estuary Program (EPA, 201 Od).

34 Water use from the river at the facility location is regulated by both the DRBC and the State of 35 New Jersey. The DRBC was established in 1961, through the Delaware River Basin Compact, 36 as a joint Federal and State body to regulate and manage water resources within the basin. The 37 DRBC acts to manage and regulate water resources in the basin by: (1) allocating and 38 regulating water withdrawals and discharges; (2) resolving interstate, water-related disputes; 39 (3) establishing water quality standards; (4) managing flow; and (5) watershed planning 40 (DRBC, 1961).

41 As facilities that use water resources in the basin, Salem and HCGS water withdrawals are 42 conducted under contract to the DRBC. The Salem facility uses surface water under a DRBC 43 contract originally signed in 1977 (DRBC, 1977), and most recently revised and approved for a 44 25-year term in 2001 (DRBC, 2001). Surface water withdrawals by the HCGS facility were September 2010 2-33 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

originally approved for two units in 1975, and then revised for a single unit in 1985 following 2

PSEG's decision to build only one unit (DRBC, 1984a). The withdrawal rates are also regulated 3

by NJDEP, under NJPDES Permit Nos. NJ0025411 (for HCGS) and NJ005622 (for Salem).

4 2.2.4.2 Affected Users 5

The Delaware River Basin is densely populated, and surface water resources within the river 6

are used for a variety of purposes. Freshwater from the non-tidal portion of the river is used to 7

supply municipal water throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, including the 8

large metropolitan areas of Philadelphia and New York City. Approximately 75 percent of the 9

length of the non-tidal Delaware River is designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic 10 Rivers System. The river is economically important for commercial shipping, as it includes port 11 facilities for petrochemical operations, military supplies, and raw materials and consumer 12 products (DRBC, 2010).

13 In the tidal portion of the river, water is accessed for use in industrial operations, including 14 power plant cooling systems. A summary of DRBC-approved water users on the tidal portion of 15 the river from 2005 lists 22 industrial facilities and 14 power plants in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, 16 and Delaware (DRBC, 2005). Of these facilities, Salem is by far the highest volume water user 17 in the basin, with a reported water withdrawal volume of 1,067,892 million gallons (4,025,953 18 million liters) in 2005 (DRBC, 2005). This volume exceeds the combined total withdrawal for all 19 other industrial, power, and public water supply purposes in the tidal portion of the river. The 20 withdrawal volume for HCGS in 2005 was much lower, at 19,561 million gallons (73,745 million 21 liters).

22 2.2.4.3 Water Quality Regulation 23 To regulate water quality in the basin, the DRBC has established water quality standards, 24 referred to as Stream Quality Objectives, to protect human health and aquatic life objectives. To 25 account for differing environmental setting and water uses along the length of the river basin, 26 the DRBC has established Water Quality Management (WQM) Zones, and has established 27 separate Stream Quality Objectives for each zone. The Salem and HCGS facilities are located 28 within Zone 5, which extends from River Mile 48.2 to River Mile 78.8.

29 The DRBC Stream Quality Objectives are used by the NJDEP to establish effluent discharge 30 limits for discharges within the basin. The EPA granted the State of New Jersey the authority to 31 issue NPDES permits, and such a permit implies water quality certification under the Federal 32 Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401. The water quality and temperature of the discharges for 33 both the Salem and HCGS discharges are regulated by NJDEP under NJPDES Permit Nos.

34 NJ0025411 (for HCGS) and NJ005622 (for Salem).

35 2.2.4.4 Salem Nuclear Generating Station NJPDES Requirements 36 The current NJPDES Permit No. NJ005622 for the Salem facility was issued with an effective 37 date of August 1, 2001, and an expiration date of July 31, 2006 (NJDEP, 2001). The permit 38 requires that a renewal application be prepared at least 180 days in advance of the expiration 39 date. Correspondence provided with the applicant's ER indicates that a renewal application was 40 filed on January 31, 2006. During the site audit, NJDEP staff confirmed that the application was 41 still undergoing review, so the 2001 permit is still considered to be in force. No substantial 42 changes in permit conditions are anticipated.

43 The Salem NJPDES permit regulates water withdrawals and discharges associated with 44 industrial wastewater, including intake and discharge of once-through cooling water. The Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-34 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

once-through cooling water, service water, non-radiological liquid waste, radiological liquid 2

waste, and other effluents are discharged through the cooling water system intake. The specific 3

discharge locations, and their associated reporting requirements and discharge limits, are 4

presented in Table 2-2.

5 Stormwater discharge is not monitored through the Salem NJPDES permit. Stormwater is 6

collected and discharged through outfall discharge serial numbers (DSNs) 489A (south), 488 7

(west), and 487/487B (north). The NJPDES permit requires that stormwater discharges be 8

managed under an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and, therefore, 9

does not specify discharge limits. The same SWPPP is also applicable to stormwater 10 discharges from the HCGS facility. The plan includes a listing of potential sources of pollutants 11 and associated best management practices (NJDEP, 2003).

12 Industrial wastewater from Salem is regulated at nine specific locations, designated outfall 13 DSNs 048C, 481A, 482A, 483A, 484A, 485A, 486A, 4878, and 489A. Outfall DSN 048C is the 14 discharge system for the NRLWDS, and also receives stormwater from DSN 487B. For 15 DSN 048C, the permit establishes reporting requirements for discharge volume (in millions of 16 gallons per day), and compliance limits for total suspended solids, ammonia, petroleum 17 hydrocarbons, and total organic carbon (NJDEP, 2001).

September 2010 2-35 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Table 2-2. NJPDES Permit Requirements for Salem Nuclear Generating Station Discharge Description Required Reporting Permit Limits DSN 048C Input is Effluent flow volume None NRLWDS and Total suspended solids 50 mg/L monthly average Outfall DSN 100 mg/L daily maximum 4878 Discharges to Ammonia (Total as N) 35 mg/L monthly average outfall DSNs 70 mg/L daily maximum 481A, 482A, Petroleum hydrocarbons 10 mg/L monthly average 484A, and 485A 15 mg/L daily maximum Total organic carbon Report monthly average 50 mg/L daily maximum DSNs 481A, Input is cooling Effluent flow volume None 482A, 483A, water, service Effluent pH 6.0 daily minimum 484A, 485A, water, and DSN 9.0 daily maximum and 486A (the 048C same Outfall is six Intake pH None requirements separate Chlorine-produced oxidants 0.3 mg/L monthly average for each) discharge pipes 0.2 and 0.5 mg/L daily maximum Temperature None DSN 487B

1. 3 skim tank, Effluent flow None and stormwater pH 6.0 daily minimum from north 9.0 daily maximum portion Total suspended solids 100 mg/L daily maximum Temperature 43.3 'C daily maximum Petroleum hydrocarbons 15 mg/L daily maximum Total organic carbon 50 mg/L daily maximum DSN 489A Oil/water Effluent flow None separator, pH 6.0 daily minimum turbine sumps, 9.0 daily maximum and stormwater from south Total suspended solids 30 mg/L monthly average portion 100 mg/L daily maximum Petroleum hydrocarbons 10 mg/L monthly average 15 mg/L daily maximum Total organic carbon 50 mg/L daily maximum DSN Ouffall Combined for Net temperature (year round) 15.3 °C daily maximum FACA discharges 481A, Gross temperature 46.1 °C daily maximum 482A, and 483A (June to September)

Gross temperature 43.3 °C daily maximum (October to May)

DSN Outfall Combined for Net temperature (year round) 15.3 'C daily maximum FACB discharges 484A, Gross temperature 46.1 'C daily maximum 485A, and 486A (June to September)

Gross temperature 43.3 °C daily maximum (October to May)

DSN Outfall Combined for Influent flow 3,024 mgd monthly average FACC discharges 481A, Effluent thermal discharge 30,600 MBTU/hr daily maximum 482A, 483A, 484A, 485A, and 486A MBTU/hr = million British thermal units per hour Source: NJDEP, 2001 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-36 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Outfall DSNs 481A, 482A, 483A, 484A, 485A, and 486A are the discharge systems for cooling 2

water, service water, and the radiological liquid waste disposal system. Outfall DSNs 481A, 3

482A, and 483A are associated with Salem Unit 1, while outfall DSNs 484A, 485A, and 486A 4

are associated with Salem Unit 2. The permit establishes similar, but separate, requirements for 5

each of these six outfalls. For each, the permit requires reporting of the discharge volume (in 6

millions of gallons per day), the pH of the intake, and the temperature of the discharge. The 7

permit also establishes compliance limits for the discharge from each outfall for pH and 8

chlorine-produced oxidants (NJDEP, 2001).

9 Outfall DSN 487B is the discharge system for the #3 skim tank. The permit establishes reporting 10 requirements for discharge volume (in millions of gallons per day) and compliance limits for pH, 11 total suspended solids, temperature of effluent, petroleum hydrocarbons, and total organic 12 carbon (NJDEP, 2001).

13 Outfall DSN 489A is the discharge system for the oil/water separator. The permit establishes 14 reporting requirements for discharge volume (in millions of gallons per day) and compliance 15 limits for pH, total suspended solids, petroleum hydrocarbons, and total organic carbon 16 (NJDEP, 2001).

17 In addition to.the reporting requirements and contaminant limits for these individual outfalls, the 18 permit establishes temperature limits for Salem Unit 1 as a whole, Salem Unit 2 as a whole, and 19 the Salem facility as a whole. Outfall FACA is the combined discharge from outfalls 481A, 482A, 20 and 483A to represent the overall thermal discharge from Salem Unit 1. For outfall FACA, the 21 permit establishes an effluent net temperature difference of 15.3 °C, a gross temperature of 22 43.3 °C from October to May, and a gross temperature of 46.1 'C from June to September 23 (NJDEP, 2001).

24 Similarly, outfall FACB is the combined discharge from outfall DSNs 484A, 485A, and 486A to 25 represent the overall thermal discharge from Salem Unit 2. The temperature limits for outfall 26 FACB are the same as those established for outfall FACA (NJDEP, 2001).

27 Outfall FACC is the combined results from outfall DSNs 481A through 486A, representing the 28 overall thermal discharge and flow volume for the Salem facility as a whole. The permit 29 establishes an overall intake volume of 3,024 mgd on a monthly average basis, and an effluent 30 thermal discharge limit of 30,600 million British thermal units (BTUs) per hour as a daily 31 maximum (NJDEP, 2001).

32 In addition to the outfall-specific reporting requirements and discharge limits, the Salem 33 NJPDES permit includes a variety of general requirements (NJDEP, 2001). These include 34 requirements for the following:

35 0

additives that may be used, where they may be used, and procedures for 36 proposing changes to additives 37 0

toxicity testing of discharges and, depending on results, toxicity reduction 38 measures 39 0

implementation and operations of intake screens and fish return systems 40 0

wetland restoration and enhancement through the estuary enhancement 41 program September 2010 2-37 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

0 implementation of a biological monitoring program 2

0 installation of fish ladders at offsite locations 3

0 performance of studies of intake protection technologies 4

0 implementation of entrainment and impingement monitoring 5

0 conduct of special studies, including intake hydrodynamics and 6

enhancements to entrainment and impingement sampling 7

0 funding of construction of offshore reefs 8

0 compliance with DRBC regulations, NRC regulations, and the NOAA 9

Fisheries Biological opinion 10 In the permit, the NJDEP reserves the right to re-open the requirements for intake protection 11 technologies (NJDEP, 2001).

12 2.2.4.5 Hope Creek Generating Station NJPDES Requirements 13 The current NJPDES Permit No. NJ0025411 for the HCGS facility was issued in early 2003, 14 with an effective date of March 1, 2003, and an expiration date of February 29, 2008 15 (NJDEP, 2003). The permit requires that a renewal application be prepared at least 180 days in 16 advance of the expiration date. Correspondence provided with the applicant's ER indicates that 17 a renewal application was filed on August 30, 2007. However, the current status of that renewal 18 is not provided within the ER and attached NJPDES permit (PSEG, 2009b).

19 The HCGS NJPDES permit regulates water withdrawals and discharges associated with both 20 stormwater and industrial wastewater, including discharges of cooling tower blowdown 21 (NJDEP, 2003). The cooling tower blowdown and other effluents are discharged through an 22 underwater pipe located on the bank of the river, 1,500 ft (458 m) upstream of the SWS intake.

23 The specific discharge locations, and their associated reporting requirements and discharge 24 limits, are presented in Table 2-3.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-38 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-3. NJPDES Permit Requirements for Hope Creek Generating Station Discharge Description Required Reporting Permit Limits DSN 461A Input is cooling Effluent flow None water blowdown Intake flow None and DSN 461C Effluent pH 6.0 daily minimum Outlall is 9.0 daily maximum discharge pipe Chlorine-produced oxidants 0.2 mg/L monthly average 0.5 mg/L daily maximum Effluent gross temperature 36.2oC daily maximum Intake temperature None Total organic carbon (effluent None gross, effluent net, and intake)

Heat content (June to August) 534 MBTU/hr daily maximum Heat content (September to May) 662 MBTU/hr daily maximum DSN 461C Input is low Effluent flow None volume oily Total suspended solids 30 mg/L monthly average waste from oil/water 100 mg/L daily maximum separator Total recoverable petroleum 10 mg/L monthly average Hydrocarbons 15 mg/L daily maximum Outfall is to DSN Total organic carbon 50 mg/L daily maximum 461A DSN 462B Sewage Effluent flow None treatment plant Total suspended solids 30 mg/L monthly average

effluent, discharges to 45 mg/L weekly average 461A 83% removal daily minimum Biological oxygen demand (BOD) 8 kg/day monthly average 30 mg/L monthly average 45 mg/L weekly average 87.5 percent removal daily minimum Oil and grease 10 mg/L monthly average 15 mg/L daily maximum Fecal coliform 200 lbs/1 00 ml monthly geometric 400 lbs/1 00 ml weekly geometric average 6 separate metal and inorganic None contaminants (cyanide, nickel, zinc, cadmium, chromium, and copper)

S16A Oil/water 24 separate metal and inorganic None separator contaminants residuals from 24 separate organic contaminants None 461C Volumes and types of sludge None produced and disposed SLIA STP system 17 separate metal and inorganic None residuals from contaminants 462B Volumes and types of sludge None produced and disposed Source: NJDEP, 2005a September 2010 2-39 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Stormwater discharge is not monitored through the HCGS NJPDES permit. Stormwater is 2

collected and discharged through outfall DSNs 463A, 464A, and 465A. These outfalls were 3

specifically regulated, and had associated reporting requirements, in the HCGS NJPDES permit 4

through 2005. However, the revision of the permit in January 2005 modified the requirements 5

for stormwater, and the permit now requires that stormwater discharges be managed under an 6

approved SWPPP and, therefore, does not specify discharge limits. The same SWPPP is also 7

applicable to stormwater discharges from the Salem facility. The plan includes a listing of 8

potential sources of pollutants and associated best management practices (NJDEP, 2003).

9 Industrial wastewater is regulated at five locations, designated DSNs 461A, 461C, (missing part 10 D), 516A (oil/water separator), and SL1A (S'fIsystem). Discharge DSN 461A is the discharge.

Comment(AB32]: Definethis, does it mean 11 for the cooling water blowdown, and the permit established reporting and compliance limits for "sewage treatment plant" 12 intake and discharge volume (in millions of gallons per day), pH, chlorine-produced oxidants, 13 intake and discharge temperature, total organic carbon, and heat content in millions of BTUs per 14 hour1.62037e-4 days <br />0.00389 hours <br />2.314815e-5 weeks <br />5.327e-6 months <br />, in both summer and winter (NJDEP, 2003).

15 Discharge DSN 461C is a discharge for the oil/water separator system and has established 16 reporting and compliance limits for discharge volume, Total suspended solids, total recoverable 17 petroleum hydrocarbons, and total organic carbon (NJDEP, 2003).

18 Discharge DSN 462B is the discharge for the onsite sewage treatment plant. The permit 19 includes limits for effluent flow volume, total suspended solids, oil and grease, fecal coliform, 20 and six inorganic contaminants (NJDEP, 2005a).

21 Discharge 516A is the discharge from the oil/water separator system. This discharge has 22 reporting requirements established for 48 inorganic and organic contaminants, for the volume of 23 sludge produced, and for the manner in which the sludge is disposed (NJDEP, 2003).

24 Discharge SLIA is the discharge from the STP system. This discharge has reporting 25 requirements established for 17 inorganic contaminants, as well as sludge volume and disposal 26 information (NJDEP, 2003).

27 In addition to the outfall-specific reporting requirements and discharge limits, the HCGS 28 NJPDES permit includes a variety of general requirements. These include requirements for 29 additives that may be used, where they may be used, and procedures for proposing changes to 30 additives; and compliance with DRBC regulations and NRC regulations (NJDEP, 2003).

31 In the permit, the NJDEP reserves the right to revoke the alternate temperature provision for 32 outfall DSN 461A if the NJDEP determines that the cooling tower is not being properly operated 33 and maintained (NJDEP, 2003).

34 2.2.4.6 Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program 35 Annual REMP reports document regular sampling of surface water, sediment, and a potable 36 water source. In support of this SEIS, the annual REMP reports for 2006, 2007, and 2008 were 37 reviewed (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c). In addition, the NJDEP BNE 38 conducts its own independent environmental surveillance and monitoring program (ESMP),

39 which includes similar radiological monitoring and sampling of surface water, sediment, and 40 other media. In support of this SEIS, the annual ESMP reports for 2006, 2007, and 2008 were 41 reviewed (NJDEP, 2007b), (NJDEP, 2008a), (NJDEP, 2009c).

Draft NUREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-40 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

The REMP program includes the collection and analysis of surface water and sediment samples 2

as follows:

3 e

Five surface water locations (four indicator and one control location) sampled monthly, 4

and analyzed for gross beta, gamma emitters, and tritium.

5 9

Seven sediment locations (six indicator and one control) sampled semi-annually, and 6

analyzed for gamma emitters.

7 e

One potable water sample, collected from the City of Salem Water and Sewer 8

Department, composited monthly based on daily samples, and analyzed for gross alpha, 9

gross beta, gamma emitters, tritium, and iodine-131. The source of this potable water is 10 surface water from Laurel Lake, combined with water from nearby groundwater wells.

11 Surface water results indicate that gross beta have been detected at activities that exceeded 12 pre-operational levels at both the indicator and control locations. In 2008, the maximum 13 pre-operational level for gross beta was 110 pCi/L, with an average of 32 pCi/L. Gross beta 14 activities reported in the 2008 indicator samples had a maximum of 300 pCi/L, and an average 15 of 97 pCi/L. Activities reported in the control sample had a maximum of 158 pCi/L, with an 16 average of 73 pCi/L. Gross beta results from 2006 and 2007 were similar, indicating gross beta 17 activities that exceeded pre-operational levels (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a). For all 3 years, 18 tritium and gamma emitters were detected at levels below pre-operational activities 19 (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c).

20 Sediment results for all 3 years indicated that no gamma emitters were detected at levels that 21 exceeded their pre-operational activities (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c).

22 Potable water sample results for all 3 years indicate that gross alpha and gross beta were 23 detected, but at activities that were lower than their pre-operational levels. Tritium and 24 iodine-131 were not detected. Naturally-occurring gamma emitters potassium-40 and radium 25 were detected in all 3 years, although there was no pre-operational data for comparison. No 26 other gamma emitters were detected (PSEG, 2007a), (PSEG, 2008a), (PSEG, 2009c).

27 The BNE's ESMP reports each conclude that the data do not indicate any discharges to the 28 environment above the NRC regulatory limits. The reports also state that there is no upward 29 trend in radioactivity for those radionuclides associated with commercial nuclear operations 30 (NJDEP, 2007a), (NJDEP, 2008a), (NJDEP, 2009c).

31 2.2.5 Aquatic Resources - Delaware Estuary 32 2.2.5.1 Estuary Characteristics 33 Salem and HCGS are located at the south end of Artificial Island on the New Jersey shore of 34 the Delaware Estuary, about 52 river mi (84 river km) north of the mouth of the Delaware Bay 35 (Figure 2-5). The estuary is the source of the cooling water for both facilities and receives their 36 effluents. The Delaware Estuary supports an abundance of aquatic resources in a variety of 37 habitats and biological communities. Open water habitats include salt water, tidally-influenced 38 water of variable salinities, and tidal freshwater areas. Moving south from the Delaware River to 39 the mouth of the bay, there is a continual transition from fresh to salt water. Additional habitat 40 types occur along the edges of the estuary in brackish and freshwater marshes. The bottom of 41 the estuary provides many different benthic habitats, with their characteristics dictated by September 2010 2-41 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

salinity, tides, water velocity, and substrate type. Sediments in the estuary zone that includes 2

Artificial Island are primarily mud, muddy sand, and sandy mud (PSEG, 2006c).

3 At Artificial Island, the estuary is tidal with a net flow to the south and a width of approximately 4

16,000 ft (5,000 m) (Figure 2-1). The USACE maintains a dredged navigation channel near the 5

center of the estuary and about 6,600 ft (2,011 m) west of the shoreline at Salem and HCGS.

6 The navigation channel is about 40 ft (12 m) deep and 1,300 ft (397 m) wide. On the New 7

Jersey side of the channel, water depths in the open estuary at mean low water are fairly 8

uniform at about 20 ft (6 m). Predominant tides in the area are semi-diurnal, with a period of 9

12.4 hours4.62963e-5 days <br />0.00111 hours <br />6.613757e-6 weeks <br />1.522e-6 months <br /> and a mean tidal range of 5.5 ft (1.68 m). The maximum tidal currents occur in the 10 channel, and currents flow more slowly over the shallower areas (NRC, 1984),

11 (Najarian Associates, 2004).

12 Salinity is an important determinant of biotic distribution in estuaries, and salinity near the Salem 13 and HCGS facilities depends on river flow. The NRC (1984) reported that average salinity in this 14 area during periods of low flow ranged from 5 to 18 parts per thousand (ppt) and during periods 15 of higher flow, ranged from 0 to 5 ppt. Najarian Associates (2004) and PSEG Services 16 Corporation (2005b) characterized salinity at the plant as ranging between 0 and 20 ppt and, in 17 summer during periods of low flow, typically exceeding 6 ppt. Based on temperature and 18 conductivity data collected by the USGS at Reedy Island, just north of Artificial Island, Najarian 19 Associates (2004) calculated salinity from 1991 through 2002. Visual examination of their Figure 20 B6 indicates that salinity appears to have a median of about 5 ppt, exceeded 12 ppt in only 21 2 years and 13 ppt in only 1 year, and never exceeded about 15 ppt during the entire 11-year 22 period. Based on these observations, the NRC staff assumes that salinity in the vicinity of 23 Salem and HCGS is typically from 0 to 5 ppt in periods of low flow (usually, but not always, in 24 the summer) and 5 to 12 ppt in periods of high flow (Table 2-4). Within these larger patterns, 25 salinity at any specific location also varies with the tides (NRC, 2007).

26 Table 2-4. Salinities in the Delaware Estuary in the Vicinity of Salem Nuclear Generating 27 Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Condition Salinity Range (ppt)

High Flow 0-5 Low Flow 5-12 Source: NRC, 2007 28 Monthly average surface water temperatures in the Delaware Estuary vary with season.

29 Between 1977 and 1982, water temperatures ranged from -0.9 °C (30.4 OF) in February 1982 to 30 30.5 °C (86.9 OF) in August 1980. Although the estuary in this reach is generally well mixed, it 31 can occasionally stratify, with surface temperatures 1 0 to 2 °C (2

• to 4°F) higher than bottom 32 temperatures and salinity increasing as much as 2 ppt per meter of water depth (NRC, 1984).

33 Estuarine waters are classified into three categories based on salinity: oligohaline (0 to 5 ppt),

34 mesohaline (5 to 18 ppt), and polyhaline (greater than 18 ppt). These categories describe zones 35 within the estuary. The estuary reach adjacent to Artificial Island is at the interface of the 36 oligohaline and mesohaline zones; thus, it is oligohaline during high flow and mesohaline during 37 low flow conditions. Based on water clarity categories of good, fair, or poor, the EPA (1998) 38 classified the water clarity in this area of the estuary as generally fair, which it described as 39 meaning that a wader in waist-deep water would not be able to see his feet. The EPA classified 40 the water clarity directly upstream and downstream of this reach as poor, which it described as 41 meaning that a diver would not be able to see his hand at arm's length. Most estuarine waters in Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-42 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

the Mid-Atlantic have good water clarity, and lower water clarity typically is due to phytoplankton 2

blooms and suspended sediments and detritus (EPA, 1998).

3 2.2.5.2 Plankton 4

Planktonic organisms live in the water column and are characterized by a relative inability to 5

control their movements. They drift with the water currents and are usually very small 6

(Sutton et al., 1996). Plankton can be primary producers (phytoplankton), secondary producers, 7

consumers (zooplankton), and decomposers (bacteria and fungi). Some organisms spend their 8

entire lives in the plankton (holoplankton) and others spend only specific stages as plankton 9

(meroplankton). Meroplankton include larval fish and invertebrates that use the planktonic life 10 stage to disperse and feed before transitioning to another stage.

11 Phytoplankton 12 Phytoplankton are microscopic, single-celled algae that are responsible for the majority of 13 primary production in the water column. Species composition, abundance, and distribution are 14 regulated by water quality parameters, such as salinity, temperature, and nutrient availability. As 15 such, seasonal fluctuations are observed, with high abundances in spring, when high runoff 16 from land (nutrients), warmer temperatures, and increasing light levels are experienced. Primary 17 production is limited to the upper 2 m (6.6 ft) of the water column due to light limitation from high 18 turbidity (NRC, 1984). These blooms tend to proceed up the estuary over time, presumably due 19 to anthropogenic nutrient increases (Versar, 1991). Species found in the upper estuary are 20 generally freshwater species and those in the lower areas are marine species. In the highly 21 variable, tidally-influenced zone, species with a high tolerance for widely fluctuating 22 environments are found. Species composition also fluctuates seasonally, with flagellates 23 dominating in the summer and diatoms becoming more abundant in the fall, winter, and spring 24 (DRBC, 2008b).

25 Studies of phytoplankton in the Delaware Estuary, which were conducted prior to the operation 26 of Salem Units 1 and 2, are rare and difficult to obtain. These organisms were quantitatively and 27 qualitatively sampled as part of the pre-operation ecological investigations for Salem performed 28 by Ichthyological Associates in the late 1960s and early 1970s (PSEG, 1983). These studies 29 revealed that the phytoplankton was dominated by a few highly abundant and productive 30 species, mainly the chain-forming diatoms Skeletonema costatum, Melosira sp., and 31 Chaetoceros sp. Additionally, species normally found in freshwater (including Ankistrodesmus 32 falcatus and Cyclotella sp.) were found in the samples, having been transported downriver to 33 the vicinity of the plant. These studies also postulated that phytoplankton were not sufficiently 34 numerous to produce enough primary productivity to sustain the estuarine system, making 35 detritus an important contributor to the trophic structure in the Delaware Bay (PSEG, 1983).

36 Data published later (PSEG, 1984) noted dominance by S. costatum, Melosira sp., and 37 Nitzschia sp. Phytoplankton studies related to the operation of Salem Units 1 and 2 were 38 discontinued in 1978, as NJDEP and the NRC staff agreed that operation had no effect on 39 phytoplankton populations (PSEG, 1984).

40 A major literature survey for the Delaware Estuary Program assessed the various biological 41 resources of the estuary and possible trends in their abundance or health (Versar, 1991). This 42 study found that phytoplankton formed the basis of the primary production in the estuary, 43 contrary to the studies related to the Salem facility, which postulated a large detrital contribution 44 to trophic dynamics. This study divided the estuary into three regions: bay, mid-estuary or 45 transitional, and tidal fresh. Phytoplankton assemblages in the bay region were dominated by S.

46 costatum, Leptocylindrus sp., and Thalasiosira sp. This area of the estuary also experiences a September 2010 2-43 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

seasonal dominance shift, switching to an assemblage dominated by flagellates in the summer 2

months. The tidal fresh region was dominated by Cyclotella meneghiniana, Closterium sp.,

3 Melosira sp., Nitzschia sp., Scenedesmus sp., and Pediastrum sp. Species dominant in the 4

mid-estuary region were S. costatum, Asterionella sp., Cyclotella spp., Melosira sp., Chlorella 5

sp., Closterium sp., and Scenedesmus sp. (Versar, 1991).

6 More recent studies have summarized the data of many older and qualitative surveys and 7

investigations. Phytoplankton in the lower bay (in less turbid water) account for most of the 8

primary production in the system, which is subsequently transferred to other areas by the 9

currents. Detritus is no longer considered a major source of energy in the trophic structure.

10 Several hundred phytoplankton species have been recorded in the Delaware Estuary, but the 11 assemblage is most often dominated by a few highly abundant species. These species include 12 S. costatum, Asterionella glacialis, Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii, Rhizosolenia sp., and 13 Chaetoceros sp. (Sutton et al., 1996). In the fresher reaches of the Delaware River, 14 assemblages are dominated by the diatom Skeletonema potamos and various cyanobacteria 15 and green algae.

16 Phytoplankton are currently surveyed by the NJDEP. These surveys are conducted in order to 17 monitor harmful algal blooms, and samples are mostly collected for chlorophyll measurements 18 only. Blooms are highly variable between years but most often occur in the spring 19 (NJDEP, 2005b). Algal blooms can have large consequences for the entire estuary because 20 they can contain flagellates that may make fish and shellfish inedible, and they can deplete the 21 oxygen in the water column so severely that large fish kills can result. The EPA also monitors 22 algal blooms using helicopter surveys (NJDEP, 2005c).

23 Zooplankton 24 Zooplankton live in the water column but are not primary producers. They serve as a vital link 25 between the micro algae and the larger organisms in the Delaware Estuary, some of which are 26 called secondary producers. These animals consume the algae, but are still very small, have 27 limited mobility, and provide a source of food for many other organisms, including filter feeders, 28 larvae of fish and invertebrates, and larger zooplankton. Two types of zooplankton occur in the 29 water column: holoplankton, which spend their entire life cycle in the water column, and 30 meroplankton, which spend only part of the time in the water column.

31 Holoplankton include various invertebrates, such as shrimps, mysids, amphipods, copepods, 32 ctenophores (comb jellies), jellies, nemerteans, rotifers, and oligocheates. They are dependent 33 on either phytoplankton or smaller zooplankton for food. In turn, they are either eaten by larger 34 organisms or contribute to the energy web by being decomposed by the detritivores after they 35 settle to the substrate. These organisms also show seasonal and spatial variability in 36 abundance and species composition. During times when runoff is low, more marine species 37 occur farther upstream. Numerical abundance is related to water temperatures and food 38 availability, which are seasonal factors (PSEG, 1983). Smaller-scale distribution of holoplankton 39 can be affected by currents, salinity, temperature, and light intensity (NRC, 1984). The main 40 factor dictating the distribution of individual species is salinity. There are also seasonal peaks in 41 abundance. In the lower estuary, high densities typically occur in spring and additional peaks 42 can occur in summer and fall. The species composition also varies seasonally, with Acadia 43 tonsa more dominant in the winter and summer months. In the upper estuary, cladocerans and 44 Cyclops viridis are highly abundant in spring, and gammarid amphipods and Halicyclops fosteri 45 are dominant in summer (Versar, 1991).

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Holoplankton in the Delaware Estuary have been more studied than phytoplankton dating back 2

to 1929. Early research observed a large diversity of organisms in the zooplankton assemblage.

3 These studies also revealed the dominance of three copepod species throughout the estuary:

4 A. tonsa, Eurytemora hirundoides, and Eurytemora affinis, amounting to 84 percent of all 5

zooplankton. Five species dominated by volume: an amphipod crustacean or scud (Gammarus 6

fasciatus), A. tonsa, E. hirundoides, E. affinis, and an oppossum shrimp (Neomysis 7

americanus). Generally, the lower bay was dominated by marine species and species tolerant of 8

high salinity, such as calanoid copepods, and the fresher areas contained less tolerant species, 9

such as cyclopoid copepods, cladocerans, and gammarid amphipods (Versar, 1991).

10 These organisms were also sampled as part of the pre-operational ecological studies for Salem 11 Units 1 and 2. The assemblage was dominated mostly by mysids, primarily opossum shrimp, 12 but also Mysidopsis bigelowi, Metamysidopsis munda, and Gastrosaccus dissimilis. Other 13 species observed during these collections were the medusae of Blackfordia manhattensis; the 14 estuarine copepods E. hirundoides and A. tonsa; and the amphipods Corophium cylindricum, C.

15 lacustre, C. acherusicum, G. fasciatus, G. daiberi, and Melita nitida (AEC, 1973). Later 16 collections included additional species, such as E. affinis, Brachionus angularis, H. fosteri, 17 Notholca sp., ctenophores, and several rotifer species (PSEG, 1983). During the late winter and 18 spring, when large amounts of runoff occur, freshwater zooplankton, such as B. angularis, H.

19 fosteri and Nothalca sp., were found to be more common. When freshwater input was low, more 20 marine forms were found, including A. tonsa and Pseudodiaptomus coronatus (PSEG, 1984).

21 Studies related to plant operations registered 110 microzooplankton taxa in the early to mid 22 1970s. Larger zooplankton collections resulted in a total of 46 taxa that were extremely 23 numerically dominated by opossum shrimp and Gammarus spp. This dominance resulted in the 24 selection of these species for future ecological studies related to Salem operations because 25 they were deemed important due to their abundance and their status as known prey items for 26 many of the fishes in the estuary. General studies of the zooplankton in the estuary were 27 discontinued in favor of an approach more focused on individual species (PSEG, 1984).

28 Recent studies have not shown a major change in the zooplankton assemblage since the early 29 1960s. In 1982, over 50 taxa were collected in one study, and copepods were the most 30 dominant species, including A. tonsa and Oithone sp. throughout and Temora longicomis, 31 Pseudocalanus minutus, and Centropages hamatus in the more saline regions. Copepods are a 32 major prey resource for fish and larval fish in the Delaware Estuary (Sutton et al., 1996).

33 Macroplankton are large enough to have some control over their movement in the water 34 column, usually accomplished by making use of the tidal currents. Macroplankton species 35 encountered in early studies related to HCGS included opossum shrimp, Gammarus spp., sand 36 shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa), Corophium lacustre, and Edotia triloba (PSEG, 1983). Due to 37 their dominance and importance to the fish species in the estuary, opossum shrimp and a group 38 of Gammarus spp. were selected as target species in the PSEG ecological monitoring program 39 (PSEG, 1984). Although data were collected for these macroplankton, no specific trend 40 analyses were done with respect to changes in their populations (PSEG, 1999). Later studies 41 conducted independent of the Salem facility often did not differentiate between macroplankton 42 and zooplankton but noted that there had not been any significant changes in the zooplankton in 43 general since the early 1900s (Versar, 1991).

44 Meroplankton consists of larval fish and invertebrates that have a planktonic stage before their 45 development into a pelagic, demersal, or benthic adult form is complete. This stage provides an 46 important dispersal mechanism, ensuring that larvae arrive in as many appropriate habitats as 47 possible (Sutton et al., 1996). Studies in the Salem pre-operational phase found many such September 2010 2-45 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

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larval organisms in large numbers, including the estuarine mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii),

2 fiddler crab (Uca minax), grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), and copepod nauplii 3

(PSEG, 1983).

4 Due to the fact that many of the fish species found in the Delaware Estuary are managed, either 5

Federally or by the individual States, there have been extensive studies of ichthyoplankton 6

(larval fish and eggs). Additionally, fish have been monitored by PSEG and the States of New 7

Jersey and Delaware since before the operation of Salem Units 1 and 2. Ichthyoplankton 8

studies initially were general surveys but then were focused on the 11 target species 9

established during the NPDES permitting process. These studies included impingement and 10 entrainment studies and general sampling consisting of plankton tows and beach seines 11 (PSEG, 1984). Versar reviewed an extensive amount of data with respect to ichthyoplankton, 12 including both the power plant studies and more general surveys focused on managed fish 13 species. The ichthyoplankton of the tidal freshwater region upstream was found to be dominated 14 by the alosids: American shad (Alosa sapidissima), hickory shad (A. mediocris), alewife 15 (A. pseudoharengus), blueback herring (A. aestivalis), and other anadromous species. Due to 16 alosid lifecycles, both eggs and larvae have seasonal peaks in abundance and distribution, 17 depending on the species. The ichthyoplankton of the transitional region, in which Artificial 18 Island is located, is dominated by the bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchill); other species include the 19 naked goby (Gobiosoma bosc), blueback herring, alewife, Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia 20 tyrannus), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), and silverside (Menidia menidia). Species diversity was 21 highest in the spring and summer months, but bay anchovy generally always constituted a large 22 portion of the ichthyoplankton samples (Versar, 1991). The lifecycles, habitats, and other 23 characteristics of fish species identified among the ichthyoplankton are described in Section 24 2.2.5.4.

25 2.2.5.3 Benthic Invertebrates 26 Benthic invertebrates (or benthos) are organisms that live within (infauna) or on (epifauna) the 27 substrates at the bottom of the water column, including groups such as worms, mollusks, 28 crustaceans, and microorganisms. Parabenthos are organisms that spend some time in or on 29 the substrate but can also be found in the water column, including crabs, copepods, and 30 mysids. The various benthos discussed here are macroinvertebrates - invertebrates large 31 enough to be seen with the naked eye. The species composition, distribution, and abundance of 32 benthic invertebrates is affected by physical conditions, such as salinity, temperature, water 33 velocity, and substrate type. Substrates within the Delaware Estuary include mud, sand, clay, 34 cobble, shell, rock, and various combinations of these.

35 The estuarine community of benthic invertebrates performs many ecological functions. Some 36 benthic species or groups of species form habitats by building reefs (such as oysters and some 37 polychaete worms) or by stabilizing or destabilizing soft substrates (such as some bivalves, 38 amphipods, and polychaetes). Some benthic organisms are filter feeders that clean the 39 overlying water (such as oysters, other bivalves, and some polychaetes), and others consume 40 detritus. While the benthic community itself contains many trophic levels, it also provides a 41 trophic base for fish and shellfish (such as crabs) valued by humans.

42 A review of benthic data for the Delaware Estuary was included in a report for the Delaware 43 Estuary Program (Versar, 1991). Benthic data have been collected in the estuary since the early 44 1800s. Most of the earlier reports were surveys describing species; however, large amounts of 45 quantitative data were collected in the 1970s. Generally, benthic invertebrate species 46 distributions are limited by salinity and substrate type. Additionally, localized poor water quality Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-46 September 2010

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can have a major effect on species composition. Species found in the lower bay, such as 2

Spisula solidissima, are limited by salinity gradients; estuarine species, such as the razor clam 3

(Ensis directus) and the polychaete Heteromastus filiformis, are found throughout the entire bay; 4

and freshwater and oligohaline species, such as the clam Gemma gemma, occur in lower 5

salinity waters in the upper bay. Overall, densities of benthic macroinvertebrates in the 6

Delaware Estuary are lower than in other east coast estuaries and generally are below 7

1,000 individuals per square meters (M2). Secondary production, however, appears to be similar 8

to other estuaries, with the bivalves E. directus, Mytillus edulis, and Tellina agilis and the 9

polychaete Asabellides oculata responsible for most of the energy produced (Versar, 1991).

10 The tidal fresh portion of the estuary is dominated by species that are typical of other North 11 American estuaries, such as tubificid worms, chironomid larvae, sphaerid clams, and unionid 12 mussels. These assemblages are greatly influenced by anthropogenic impacts to the water 13 quality in the area due to the proximity of pollutant sources. Highly tolerant species are found 14 here, often with only one extremely dominant species (for example, along one 10-mi [16-km]

15 segment, 90 percent were Limnodrillus spp., and 90 percent of these were L. heffmeisteri). The 16 transition zone generally is dominated by oligochaetes and amphipods. The bay region has 17 abundant bivalves (T. agilis and E. directus) and polychaetes (Glycera dibranchiata and 18 H. filiformis) (Versar, 1991).

19 Near the Salem and HCGS facilities, estuarine substrates include mud, sand, clay, and gravel 20 (PSEG, 1983). Pre-operational studies for Salem Units 1 and 2 found mostly euryhaline species 21 in the vicinity of the plant. Such species are tolerant of a wide variety of salinity conditions, 22 which can change rapidly both daily and seasonally (NRC, 1984). The assemblage near the 23 facilities was highly dominated by a few species that could inhabit the available substrate types.

24 These species were the polychaetes Scolecolepides viridis and Polydora sp., the oligochaete 25 Paranais litoralis, the barnacle Balanus improvisus, and the isopod Cyathura polita. The lowest 26 species richness and density were found in sand due to its tendency to be scoured by rapid 27 currents and its lack of attachment surfaces. Organisms dominating these sandy areas included 28 S. viridis, the isopod Chiridotea almyra, Parahaustorius sp., Gammarus spp., opossum shrimp, 29 flatworms (Turbe/laria sp.) and P. litoralis. Clay is also a difficult substrate for most species to 30 colonize, and benthos density and biomass in these areas were reported to be moderate.

31 Dominant species in clay included Gammarus spp., Corophium lacustre, S. viridis, C. polita, and 32 the polychaetes Polydora sp. and Nereis succinea (now Neanthes succinea). Mud habitats also 33 had moderate species richness and abundance, dominated by P. litoralis, S. viridis, C. po0ita, 34 the nemertean Rhynchocoela sp., and unidentified oligochaetes. Gravel substrates had the 35 highest species diversity and richness, although they were still dominated by a few species.

36 Species found living within gravel substrates included B. improvisus, P. litoralis, S. viridis, N.

37 succinea, and C. lacustre. Other species were found attached to hard surfaces, including the 38 ribbed mussel (Modiolus demissus, now Geukensia demissa), Crassostrea virginica, the ghost 39 anemone Diadumene leucolena, and bryozoans (PSEG, 1983).

40 Species composition was also found to vary seasonally, reflecting higher diversity and 41 abundance during periods of higher salinity. This was reported to be a result of both recruitment 42 dynamics and immigration from the lower bay. Seasonal immigrants include G. dibranchiata, G.

43 solitaria, the polychaete Sabellaria vulgaris, Mulinia lateralis, the pelecypod Mya arenaria, and 44 the tunicate Mo/gula manhattensis (PSEG, 1983).

45 Species composition and abundance of benthic organisms are often used as indicators of 46 ecosystem health. Generally, the greater the diversity of species and the more abundant those 47 species are, the healthier the system is considered. The EPA collected benthic samples in the September 2010 2-47 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

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Delaware Estuary between 1990 and 1993 in an effort to assess the health of the system.

2 These samples resulted in the determination that 93 percent of the tidal river between the 3

Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and Trenton, NJ was either degraded or severely degraded.

4 South of this area, only 2 percent of the benthic invertebrate community was classified as 5

impaired, and none was considered severely impaired (Delaware Estuary Program, 1995). More 6

recently, the Delaware-Maryland-Virginia coastal bays are considered impacted over one-fourth 7

of their total area. In the Delaware Bay itself, the upper portions are considered severely 8

impacted, the transition area is classified impacted, and the lower bay is mostly considered in 9

good condition, with a large central area impacted, possibly due to scouring from high currents 10 or eutrophication resulting in high organic carbon levels in the sediments (EPA, 1998).

11 Studies conducted during the 1984 NPDES 316(b) permitting process included data from over 12 1,000 grab samples in the Delaware Estuary. A total of 57 taxa in 8 phyla were identified. These 13 were dominated by the same species as found in previous studies (S. viridis, Polydora sp., P.

14 litoralis, B. improvisus, and C. polita). No other changes in the dominant species per substrate 15 type were reported, but additional species (E. triloba and the cumacean Leucon americanus) 16 were enumerated among the seasonal immigrants. General densities of benthic organisms 17 ranged between 17,000 per m2 and 25,000 per M

2. Benthic studies were discontinued as part of 18 the monitoring program for PSEG in 1984 due to the determination that benthic invertebrates 19 would not be substantially affected by plant operations (PSEG, 1984).

20 The most prominent types of parabenthos in the Delaware Estuary are mysids (mostly opossum 21 shrimp), sand shrimp, and amphipods. Mysids are a key biological resource in the bay because 22 they are highly abundant and are a prey item for many other species, especially fish. They are 23 also important predators of other invertebrates. Opossum shrimp are found in water with a 24 salinity of 4 ppt or higher, most often in deeper areas. They migrate vertically into the water 25 column at night and settle on the sediments during the day. Sand shrimp are more common in 26 shallower waters and play the same ecological role as opossum shrimp. Amphipods dominate in 27 the transition region and are primarily represented by the genus Gammarus. These crustaceans 28 also form a link between the smaller plankton and the larger fish species in this part of the 29 estuary (Versar, 1991).

30 Epifauna and parabenthos in the Delaware estuary also include mollusks, crabs, and other large 31 crustaceans, such as the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and horseshoe crab (Limulus 32 polyphemus). These species can be difficult to sample with the equipment usually used for 33 benthos, sediment grab samplers (PSEG, 1984). Blue crabs were often caught in the bottom 34 trawl samples. Opossum shrimp and Gammarus spp. are also difficult to sample because they 35 often inhabit vegetation in shallow marsh areas. These species were selected as target species 36 during the early ecological studies with respect to the operation of Salem Units 1 and 2, but they 37 were later determined to be unaffected by the facility and were no longer specifically monitored.

38 The life histories and habitats of the blue crab, horseshoe crab, and American oyster 39 (Crassostrea virginica) in the Delaware Bay are described below.

40 Blue Crab 41 The blue crab is an important ecological, cultural, commercial, and recreational resource in the 42 Delaware Bay. It is found in estuaries on the east coast of the United States from 43 Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico (Hill et al., 1989). The blue crab is highly abundant in 44 estuaries and, therefore, in addition to its economic importance, it plays an important role in the 45 coastal ecosystem. It is an omnivore, feeding on many other commercially important species, 46 such as oysters and clams. Young blue crabs are also prey items for other harvested species, Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-48 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

especially those that use the estuary as a nursery area (Hill et al., 1989). Natural mortality rates 2

for the blue crab are hard to define as they vary non-linearly with life stage and environmental 3

parameters. The maximum age reached by blue crabs has been estimated to be 8 years 4

(ASMFC, 2004).

5 Blue crabs mate in low-salinity portions of estuaries during the summer, usually from May 6

through October (ASMFC, 2004). Males can mate several times, but females mate only once, 7

storing the sperm in seminal receptacles for subsequent spawning events (ASMFC, 2004).

8 Once the female has been fertilized, she migrates to higher-salinity regions to complete the 9

spawning process. The fertilized eggs are extruded over several months and remain attached to 10 the abdomen of the female. The eggs hatch and are released after I to 2 weeks, initiating a 11 series of larval transitions. The first larval stage is the zoea. Zoea larvae are planktonic filter 12 feeders approximately 0.009 inch (0.25 millimeter [mm]) long and develop in higher-salinity 13 waters outside of the estuary. These larvae molt seven to eight times in 31 to 49 days before 14 progressing to the next stage, the megalops, which are more like crabs, with pincers and jointed 15 legs (Hill et al., 1989). Megalops larvae are approximately 0.04 inches (1 mm) in length and can 16 swim but are found more often near the bottom in the lower estuary (ASMFC, 2004). After 6 to 17 20 days, this stage molts into the first crab stage, resembling an adult crab. These juveniles 18 migrate up the estuary into lower salinity regions (Hill et al., 1989). This migration takes 19 approximately 1 year, after which the crabs are adults. Initially, sea grass beds are an important 20 habitat, but crabs then make extensive use of marsh areas as nurseries (ASMFC, 2004).

21 Adult male crabs usually stay in the upper estuary once they are mature, but females will 22 migrate annually to higher-salinity areas to release their young. Crabs bury themselves in the 23 mud during the winter months, and females will do this near the mouth of the estuary so they 24 can release hatchlings in the spring. Adult crabs are unlikely to travel between estuaries, but 25 they are good swimmers and can travel over land. Movements within an estuary are related to 26 life stage, environmental conditions (temperature and salinity), and food availability. Growth and 27 molting rates are controlled by environmental variables (Hill et al., 1989).

28 Blue crabs are important in energy transfer within estuarine systems (ASMFC, 2004). They play 29 different roles in the ecosystem depending on their life stage. Zoea larvae consume other 30 zooplankton as well as phytoplankton. Megalops larvae are also omnivorous and consume fish 31 larvae, small shellfish, aquatic plants, and each other. Post-larval stages are also omnivorous 32 scavengers, consuming detritus, carcasses, fish, crabs, mollusks, and organic debris. Blue 33 crabs are prey for a variety of predators, depending on life stage. Crab eggs are eaten by fish.

34 Larval stages are eaten by other planktivores, including fish, jellyfish, and shellfish. Juvenile 35 crabs are consumed by shore birds, wading birds, and fish, including the spotted sea trout 36 (Cynoscion nebulosus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), black drum (Pogonius cromis), and 37 sheepshead (Archosargus robatocephalus). Adult crabs are consumed by mammals, birds, and 38 large fish, including the striped bass (Morone saxatitlis), American eel (Anguilla rostrata), and 39 sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus) (Hill et al., 1989).

40 Blue crab population estimates are difficult, as recruitment is highly variable and dependent on 41 temperature, dissolved oxygen, rainfall, oceanographic conditions, parasitism, and contaminant 42 and predation levels (Hill et al., 1989), (ASMFC, 2004). Landings of blue crabs on the east coast 43 were in decline in the early 2000s, prompting a symposium led by the Atlantic States Marine 44 Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) in an attempt to assess the status of the fishery and to assist in 45 developing sustainable landing limits (ASMFC, 2004). Declines in blue crab populations could 46 be a result of attempts to increase populations of other fisheries species that prey upon crabs 47 (ASMFC, 2004).

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Horseshoe Crab 2

The horseshoe crab is an evolutionarily primitive species that has remained relatively 3

unchanged for 350 million years. It is not a true crab but is more closely related to spiders and 4

other arthropods (FWS, 2006). Horseshoe crabs play a major ecological role in the migration 5

patterns of shore birds from the Arctic to the southern Atlantic. They are also used for bait in the 6

American eel and conch (Busycon carica and B. canaliculatum) fisheries. The biomedical 7

industry uses their blood to detect contaminated medicines. The crabs are bled and released, 8

although up to 15 percent of them do not survive the procedure.

9 Around the turn of the 20th century, between 1.5 and 4 million horseshoe crabs were harvested 10 annually for use by the livestock and fertilizer industries. By 1960, catches had declined to 11 42,000 crabs. In 2007, the estimated harvest was 811,000 crabs, a decrease from the 2.75 12 million caught in 1998. This reduction is partially due to management and partially due to a 13 decrease in demand. Stock status is currently unknown due to lack of commercial fishing data.

14 Evidence from trawl surveys suggests that the population is growing in Delaware Bay. Harvests 15 have been reduced in Delaware, but are increasing in Massachusetts and New York (ASMFC, 16 2008a). The management plan for the horseshoe crab prohibits harvesting of all horseshoe 17 crabs in New Jersey and Delaware between January 1 and June 7 and females between June 8 18 and December 31. It also limits New Jersey and Delaware to 100,000 crabs per year (ASMFC, 19 2008b). Annual revenues from the horseshoe crab fishery amount to approximately $150 million 20 for the biomedical industry and $21 million for the American eel and conch bait industry (FWS 21 2003). Threats to their habitat include coastal erosion, development (particularly shoreline 22 stabilization structures such as bulkheads, groins, seawalls, and revetments), sea level rise/land 23 subsidence, channel dredging, contaminants, and oil spills in spawning areas. Habitats of 24 concern include nearshore shallow water and intertidal sand flats, and beach spawning areas 25 (ASMFC, 2010a).

26 Horseshoe crabs are found along the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of Maine to Florida and into 27 the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula (ASMFC, 2008a). They are most abundant 28 between New Jersey-and Virginia (ASMFC, 2010a). The largest spawning population in the 29 world inhabits the Delaware Bay. They migrate offshore during the winter months and return to 30 shore in spring to spawn on beaches (ASMFC, 2008a). Spawning peaks in May and June, and 31 crabs spawn repeatedly during the season (ASMFC, 2010a). Spawning occurs during high 32 spring tides on sandy beaches with low wave action (ASMFC, 2008a). Females climb up the 33 beach with a male attached to their backs. Other males in the area will also try to fertilize the 34 eggs, resulting in up to five males converging on one female. The female will partially burrow 35 into the sand and deposit several thousand eggs. Eggs hatch in 3 to 4 weeks, and the larvae 36 will enter the water about 1 month later. Temperature, moisture, and oxygen content of the nest 37 environment affect egg development and timing (FWS, 2006). The larvae resemble adult crabs 38 without the tails. They spend their first 6 days swimming in shallow water, and then settle to the 39 bottom (FWS, 2006), (ASMFC, 1998a). Juveniles will spend their first 2 years on intertidal sand 40 flats. Older juveniles and adults are found in subtidal habitats, except when actively spawning 41 (ASMFC, 2010a). Once the juvenile stage is reached, molting continues, with each one 42 increasing the crab's size by up to 25 percent. Sexual maturity is reached after about 17 molts, 43 or 9 to 12 years (ASMFC, 2008a). Molting ceases when maturity is reached, and crabs can live 44 up to 10 additional years (ASMFC, 2010a). Horseshoe crabs exhibit limited beach fidelity, 45 usually returning to their native beaches to spawn (FWS, 2003). However, crabs tagged in the 46 Delaware Bay have been recaptured in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia 47 (ASMFC, 2008b).

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Juvenile and adult horseshoe crabs eat mostly mollusks, such as clams and mussels, but also 2

arthropods, annelids, and nemerteans. Larvae consume small polychaetes and nematodes 3

(ASMFC, 1998a). Horseshoe crab eggs that have been exposed on the beach are an important 4

food source for migrating shorebirds using the Atlantic flyway (ASMFC, 2008a), (FWS, 2006). In 5

addition to providing a rich food source for birds, eggs and larvae are consumed by fish (such 6

as striped bass, white perch, American eel, killifish (Fundulus spp.), silver perch, weakfish, 7

kingfish (Menticirrhus saxatilis), silversides, summer flounder, and winter flounder), crabs, 8

gastropods, and loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) (ASMFC, 1998a). Overturned adults 9

are often attacked and eaten by gulls (FWS, 2003).

10 American Oyster 11 The American oyster is also known as the eastern oyster and the Atlantic oyster. The oyster is a 12 commercially and environmentally important species and has been harvested in Delaware Bay 13 since the early 1800s (Delaware Estuary Program, 2010). Oysters not only support an important 14 fishery in both New Jersey and Delaware, but they are ecologically important as filterers 15 (enhancing water quality) and provide a complex three-dimensional habitat used by a variety of 16 fishes and invertebrates (DNREC, 2010). By the mid 1850s, oyster fisherman had begun 17 transplanting oysters from the naturally occurring seed beds of New Jersey to other areas in the 18 bay for growth, due to concern over the smaller size of oysters being harvested. The natural 19 seed beds are now protected outside of the leasing system, as these are the sources of the 20 oysters transplanted to other beds. In the early 1900s, one to two million bushels were 21 harvested from the bay annually, concurrent with the use of the new oyster dredge. Production 22 remained relatively stable until the mid 1950s when disease decimated the population. Currently 23 the oyster harvest is limited, mainly due to diseases such as MSX ("multinucleated sphere 24 unknown," later classified as Haplosporidium nelson) and Dermo (caused by the southern 25 oyster parasite, Perkinsus marinus). MSX is thought to have been imported into Delaware Bay 26 in the 1950s from infected Chesapeake Bay populations. As a result, harvests dropped to 27 49,000 bushels in 1960. When imports were banned, the disease disappeared, but it resurfaces 28 periodically when water temperatures are high. The populations recovered slowly, but in 1985, 29 an additional outbreak of MSX crashed the industry again. In 1990, Dermo decimated the oyster 30 population in the Delaware Bay. Oysters are now directly harvested from the seed beds. A 31 portion of the revenue has been directed at placing shell for increasing the size of existing beds 32 and creating new seed beds down bay (Delaware Estuary Program, 2010).

33 There is currently a joint effort involving Delaware, New Jersey, and the USACE to reestablish 34 oyster beds and an oyster fishery in the Delaware Bay. The majority of these efforts are focused 35 on increasing recruitment and sustaining a population by shell and bed planting and seeding.

36 Since 2001, despite management, oyster abundance has continued to decline due to below 37 average recruitment. Recruitment enhancement is deemed important to stabilize stock 38 abundance, to permit continuation and expansion of the oyster industry, to guarantee increased 39 abundance that produces the shell necessary to maintain the bed, and to minimize the control of 40 oyster population dynamics by disease, all of which will allow the oyster to play its ecological 41 role as a filterer, enhancing general water quality. Approximately 290,000 and 478,650 bushels 42 of shell were planted in the Delaware Bay in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The program also has 43 a monitoring and assessment portion to evaluate its efficacy (USACE, 2007).

44 Oysters are found along the Atlantic coast in sounds, bays, estuaries, drowned river mouths, 45 and behind barrier beaches from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico (Burrell, 1986), (Sellers and 46 Stanley, 1984). They are found in the Delawaire Bay from the mouth of the bay to Bombay Hook 47 on the Delaware side and to just south of Artificial Island on the New Jersey side September 2010 2-51 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

(USACE, 2007). There are three physiological races recognized coast wide, each spawning at 2

different temperatures. The oysters in the Delaware Bay are part of the population that spawns 3

at 20 'C. Spawning is begun by the males who release their sperm and a pheromone into the 4

water column, the females respond by releasing their eggs. Spawning occurs in the summer 5

months, with several events per season. Larvae remain in the water column for 2 to 3 weeks, 6

dispersing with the water currents. While in this stage, larvae pass through several 7

morphological changes from the blastula (3.2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />) to the gastrula (4.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />), trochophore 8

(10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br />), and prodissoconch I stage, at which point they develop a shell and cilia for 9

locomotion. The prodissoconch II stage is a very active swimmer, with eyes, a foot, and a byssal 10 gland. These larvae show evidence of directed motions in relation to the salinity of the water.

11 Most larvae will die before reaching the settlement stage. The next larval stage settles on a hard 12 surface, preferably other oyster shells. The larva attaches to the substrate and looses the foot 13 and vellum, becoming stationary. Adult oysters are sessile and found in beds or reefs in dense 14 masses. They are often the only large organism in the bed and can change water currents 15 enough to affect the deposition rate of the local environment. They are dioecious, but capable of 16 changing sex, with more oysters becoming female as they age. Growth is affected by 17 environmental variables, such as temperature, salinity, intertidal exposure, turbidity, and food 18 availability (Sellers and Stanley, 1984).

19 Oyster larvae feed on plankton, such as naked flagellates and algae. They are eaten by a wide 20 variety of other filter feeders. Adults are stationary filter feeders, feeding on plankton as well.

21 They can filter up to 1.5 liters of water an hour, making them an important ecological resource.

22 Due to their reef building abilities, they are also important because they create 23 three-dimensional habitats, which can be home to over 300 other species. Predators of adult 24 oysters include gastropod oysterdrills (Urosalpinx cinerea and Eupleura caudata), the whelk 25 Busycon canaliculatum, the starfish Asterias forbesi, the boring sponge (Cliona sp.), the 26 flatworm Stylochus ellipticus, and crabs. Competitors for resources include slipper limpets 27 (Crepidula sp.), jingle shells (Anomia sp.), barnacles, and the mussel Brachiodontes exustus 28 (Sellers and Stanley, 1984).

29 Oysters are tolerant of a wide array of environmental variables, as they have evolved to live in 30 estuaries, which experience high and low temperatures, high and low salinities, submersion and 31 exposure, and clear to muddy water. Optimal temperatures for adults are between 68 and 86 'F 32 (20 and 30 °C). Salinities higher than 7.5 ppt are required for spawning, but adults will tolerate 33 salinities between 5 and 30 ppt. Because oysters are filter feeders, water velocity is highly 34 important. The water above a bed must be recharged 72 times every 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> for maximum 35 feeding. Tidal flows of greater than 5 to 8.5 fps (156 to 260 centimeters per second [cm/sec])

36 provide for optimal growth (Sellers and Stanley, 1984).

37 2.2.5.4 Fish 38 The Delaware Bay, Estuary, and River make up an ecologically and hydrologically complex 39 system that supports many fish species. Most estuarine fish species have complex life cycles 40 and are present in the estuary at various life stages; thus, they may play several ecological roles 41 during their lives. Changes in the abundance of these species can have far-reaching effects, 42 both within the bay and beyond, including effects on commercial fisheries. Given the complexity 43 of the fish community of this system, the description below is based on species considered to be 44 of particular importance for a variety of reasons.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-52 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Representative Species 2

To determine the impacts of operation from Salem and HCGS on the aquatic environment of the 3

Delaware Estuary, monitoring has been performed in the estuary annually since 1977. The 1977 4

permitting rule for Section 316(b) of the CWA included a provision to select representative 5

species (RS) to focus such investigations (the terms target species or representative important 6

species have also been used) (PSEG, 1984), (PSEG, 1999). RS were selected based on 7

several criteria: susceptibility to impingement and entrainment at the facility, importance to the 8

ecological community, recreational or commercial value, and threatened or endangered status.

9 PSEG currently monitors 12 species as RS: blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), alewife (Alosa 10 pseudoharengus), American shad (Alosa sapidissima), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchillh), Atlantic 11 menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), weakfish (Cynoscion regalis), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus),

12 Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), white perch 13 (Morone americana), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix). These 14 species are described below.

15 Blueback Herring and Alewife 16 Blueback herring and alewife can be difficult to differentiate and are collectively known and 17 managed as "river herring." Both species are currently listed as species of concern by the 18 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (NMFS, 2009). River herring are used for direct 19 human consumption, fish meal, fish oil, pet and farm animal food, and bait. The eggs (roe) are 20 also canned for human consumption. River herring are managed by the ASMFC. They are 21 ecologically important due to their trophic position in both estuarine and marine habitats. As 22 planktivores, they link the zooplankton to the piscivores, providing a vital energy transfer 23 (Bozeman and VanDen Avyle, 1989).

24 River herring are anadromous, migrating inshore to spawn in freshwater rivers and streams in a 25 variety of habitats. They are reported to return to their natal rivers, suggesting a need for 26 management more focused on specific populations as opposed to establishing fishery-wide 27 limits. Spawning migration begins in spring, with the alewife arriving inshore approximately 1 28 month before the blueback herring (NMFS, 2009). The entire length of the Delaware River and 29 portions of Delaware Bay are confirmed spawning runs for river herring (NJDEP, 2005d). The 30 adults of both species return to the ocean after spawning. While at sea, river herring are 31 consumed by many predators, including marine mammals, sharks, tuna, and mackerel. While in 32 the estuaries, they are consumed by American eel, striped bass, largemouth bass, mammals, 33 and birds. Interspecific competition between alewife and blueback herring is minimized by 34 several mechanisms, including the timing of spawning, juvenile feeding strategies and diets, and 35 ocean emigration timing. Both blueback herring and alewife can be found in land-locked lakes.

36 These populations are genetically distinct from the anadromous ones (ASMFC, 2009a).

37 Blueback herring are found in estuaries and offshore along the east coast of the United States 38 from Nova Scotia to Florida. They can reach 16 inches (41 cm) long and have an average life 39 span of 8 years. Males usually mature at 3 to 4 years of age, females at 5 years. Young of the 40 year and juveniles of less than 2 inches (5 cm) are found in fresh and brackish estuarine 41 nursery areas. They then migrate offshore to complete their growth. This species migrates 42 inshore to spawn in late spring, and spends winters offshore in deeper waters. It uses many 43 habitats in the estuaries including submerged aquatic vegetation, rice fields, swamps, and small 44 tributaries outside the tidal zone (NMFS, 2009). Blueback herring prefer swiftly flowing water for 45 spawning in their northern range. Eggs hatch within 5 days and the yolk sac is absorbed within 46 3 days after hatching. The eggs are initially demersal but soon become pelagic. Juveniles feed 47 on benthic organisms and copepods, cladocerans, and larval dipterans at or just below the September 2010 2-53 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

water surface (ASMFC, 2009a). While offshore, blueback herring feed on plankton, including 2

ctenophores, copepods, amphipods, mysids, shrimp, and small fish (NMFS, 2009). During the 3

spawning migration (unlike the alewife, which does not feed), the blueback herring feeds on 4

copepods, cladocerans, ostracods, benthic and terrestrial insects, molluscs, fish eggs, 5

hydrozoans, and stratoblasts. They are consumed in all life stages and in all habitats by other 6

fish, birds, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. Adults in the ocean are consumed by spiny 7

dogfish, American eel, cod, Atlantic salmon, silver hake, white hake, Atlantic halibut, bluefish, 8

weakfish, striped bass, seals, gulls, and terns (ASMFC, 2009a).

9 Alewife have a smaller range than the blueback herring, from Newfoundland to North Carolina.

10 They reach maturity at approximately 4 years and can live 10 years, reaching up to 15 inches 11 long (NMFS, 2009). They spawn over gravel, sand, detritus, and submerged aquatic vegetation 12 in slow-moving water. Spawning is more likely to occur at night, and a single female may spawn 13 with 25 males simultaneously. The eggs initially stick to the bottom, but they soon become 14 pelagic and hatch within 2 to 25 days. The yolk sac is absorbed within 5 days and the larvae 15 may remain in the spawning areas or migrate downstream to more brackish waters. Juveniles 16 are found in the brackish areas in estuaries, near their spawning location. As they develop and 17 the temperature drops, they migrate toward the ocean, completing this process in the beginning 18 of the winter months. Eggs and juveniles are eaten by white perch, yellow perch, shiners, 19 American eel, grass pickerel, walleye, and alewife; larvae are consumed by a variety of fish, 20 birds, and mammals. Young alewife are also a high quality food source for turtles, snakes, birds, 21 and mink. Juveniles are opportunistic feeders, consuming midges, cladocerans, chironomids, 22 odonates, epiphytic fauna, ostracods, and oligocheates (ASMFC, 2009a). Alewife are schooling 23 pelagic omnivores while offshore, feeding mainly on zooplankton, but also small fishes and their 24 eggs and larvae (NMFS, 2009). Food items include euphausids, calanoid copepods, hyperiid 25 amphipods, chaetognaths, pteropods, decapod larvae, salps, Atlantic herring, other alewife, eel, 26 sand lance, and cunner (ASMFC, 2009a). Alewife not only migrate seasonally to spawn in 27 response to temperatures but also migrate daily in response to zooplankton availability 28 (NMFS, 2009). Adult alewife are eaten by bluefish, weakfish, striped bass, dusky shark, spiny 29 dogfish, Atlantic salmon, goosefish, cod, pollock, and silver hake. Alewife are also important as 30 hosts to parasitic larvae of freshwater mussels, some species of which are threatened or 31 endangered (ASMFC, 2009a).

32 The river herring fishery has been active in the United States for 350 years. Until the 1960s, it 33 was mainly an inland fishery, but thereafter expanded offshore. Alewife landings peaked in the 34 1950s and the 1970s, then abruptly declined (NMFS, 2009). Blueback herring landing data are 35 limited, but a severe decline was observed in the early 2000s. In addition to the commercial 36 industry, there is an extensive recreational fishery which harvested over 350,000 fish in 2004.

37 Commercial landings declined from over 50 million lbs (22.6 million kgs; before 1970 to under 1 38 million lbs [453 thousand kg] in 2007. Blueback herring are exhibiting signs of overfishing in 39 several of the estuary systems on the east coast, including the Connecticut, Hudson, and 40 Delaware rivers (ASMFC, 2009a). River herring population declines have been attributed to 41 overfishing and the loss of historic spawning habitat all along the eastern coast of the United 42 States (NMFS, 2009). Reasons for habitat loss include dam construction, streambank erosion, 43 pollution, and siltation (ASMFC, 2009a). River herring are also often taken as bycatch in other 44 fisheries (NMFS, 2009). New Jersey currently has a small commercial river herring small-mesh 45 gillnet fishery; the catch is mostly used as bait. Delaware also has a small river herring fishery, 46 which is associated with the white perch fishery. Neither State has specific regulations for river 47 herring, but pending legislation in Delaware could eliminate the fishery in that State. Although 48 data are lacking, it is estimated that large numbers of river herring are harvested recreationally 49 for use as bait (ASMFC, 2009a).

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Affected Environment 1

American Shad 2

American shad have been a commercially and culturally important species on the east coast of 3

the United States since colonial times. The range of the American shad extends from 4

Newfoundland to Florida (ASMFC, 2007a). They are most abundant between Connecticut and 5

North Carolina (MacKenzie et al., 1985). Huge numbers of these fish were historically harvested 6

during their annual spring spawning runs. By 1850, 91 million lbs (41,000 metric tons) were 7

harvested annually in the Chesapeake Bay (Chesapeake Bay Program, 2009). The Atlantic 8

catch in 1896 was 50 million lbs (22,680 metric tons) (MacKenzie et al., 1985). By the end of the 9

19th century, only 17.6 million lbs (8,000 metric tons) were caught, representing a severe 10 decline in the American shad stock, and the fishery began fishing in the waters of the lower 11 bays. Stock has continued to decline, with only 1,000 metric tons landed in the Chesapeake in 12 the 1970s (Chesapeake Bay Program, 2009). By 1983, the Atlantic catch was only 3.5 million 13 lbs (1,585 metric tons). Several States, including Maryland, had closed the American shad 14 fishery by 1985 (MacKenzie et al., 1985).

15 American shad are schooling anadromous fish, migrating to freshwater to spawn in winter, 16 spring, or summer, with the timing depending on water temperature. Mature shad can spawn up 17 to six times over their lifetimes of 5 to 7 years. Spawning is accomplished by one female and 18 several males swimming to the surface to release their gametes. Preferred substrates include 19 sand, silt, muck, gravel, and boulders. Water velocity must be rapid enough to keep the eggs off 20 the bottom. Eggs are spawned in areas that will allow them to hatch before drifting downstream 21 into saline waters. They hatch in approximately 8 to 12 days, and the yolk sac is absorbed when 22 the larvae are between 0.35 and 0.47 inches (9 and 12 mm) long. At 4 weeks the larvae 23 become juveniles, which spend their first summer in the freshwater systems (Mackenzie et 24 al., 1985). The juveniles migrate toward the ocean in the fall months, cued by water temperature 25 changes, and will remain in the estuary until they are 1 year old (ASMFC, 1998b). In the 26 Delaware River, this happens when the water reaches 68 *F (20 °C), usually in October and 27 November. Juveniles remain in the ocean until they are mature, approximately 3 to 5 years for 28 males and 4 to 6 years for females. American shad are likely to return to their natal rivers to 29 spawn (MacKenzie et al., 1985).

30 Ecologically, American shad play an important role in the coastal estuary systems, providing 31 food for some species and preying on others. They also transfer nutrients and energy from the 32 marine system to the freshwater areas as many shad die after they spawn (ASMFC, 1998b).

33 Young American shad in the river systems feed in the water column on a variety of 34 invertebrates. While at sea, they feed on invertebrates, fish eggs; and small fish (MacKenzie et 35 al. 1985), (ASMFC, 1998b). During the spawning run, shad consume mayflies and small fish.

36 Shad are preyed upon by many species while they are small, including striped bass, American 37 eels, and birds. Adults are eaten by seals, porpoises, sharks, bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus),

38 and kingfish (Scomberomorus regahni) (Weiss-Glanz et al., 1986). Much of the American shad's 39 life cycle is dictated by changes in ambient temperature. The peak of the spawning run and the 40 ocean emigration happen when the water temperature is approximately 68 *F (20 °C).

41 Deformities develop if eggs encounter temperatures above 72 °F (22 °C) and they do not hatch 42 above 84 °F (29 °C). Juveniles have been shown to actively avoid rises in temperature of 39 °F 43 (4 °C) (MacKenzie et al., 1985).

44 American shad are managed by the ASMFC. A stock assessment completed in 2007 showed 45 that American shad stocks are still severely depleted and are not recovering, with Atlantic 46 harvests of approximately 550 tons (500 metric tons). The shad coastal intercept fishery in the 47 Atlantic has been closed since 2005, additionally there is a 10 fish limit for the recreational September 2010 2-55 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

inshore fishery. The reasons for their decline include dams, habitat loss, pollution, and 2

overfishing (ASMFC, 2007a). Increased predation by the striped bass has also been named as 3

a factor in their decline (ASMFC, 1998b). The entire length of the Delaware River is a confirmed 4

spawning run for the American shad. There is no confirmed information available on Delaware 5

Bay itself, although shad would have to migrate through the bay to get to the river 6

(NJDEP, 2005d). Adults are highly abundant in the Delaware Bay, potentially confirming the 7

American shad's use of the estuary as part of the spawning run (ASMFC, 1998b).

8 Bay Anchovy 9

The bay anchovy is an abundant forage fish found along the Atlantic coast from Maine to the 10 Gulf of Mexico, including the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a small, schooling, euryhaline fish that 11 grows to approximately 4 inches (10 cm) and can live for several years (Morton, 1989),

12 (Smithsonian Marine Station, 2008). It can be found in freshwater and in hypersaline water over 13 almost any bottom type, including sand, mud, and submerged aquatic vegetation. It is highly 14 important ecologically and commercially due to its abundance and widespread distribution 15 (Morton, 1989). It plays a large role in the food webs that support many commercial and sport 16 fisheries by converting zooplankton biomass into food for piscivores (Morton, 1989), (Newberger 17 and Houde, 1995).

18 Bay anchovy spawn almost all year, typically in waters of less than 65 ft (20 m) deep. In the 19 Middle Atlantic region, spawning occurs in estuaries in water of at least 54 *F (12 'C) and over 20 10 ppt salinity. The eggs are pelagic and hatch after about 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />; the yolk sac is absorbed 21 after another 25 hours2.893519e-4 days <br />0.00694 hours <br />4.133598e-5 weeks <br />9.5125e-6 months <br />. Newly hatched fish move upstream into lower salinity areas to feed, 22 eventually migrating to the lower estuary in the fall. Young bay anchovies feed mainly on 23 copepods, and adults consume mysids, small crustaceans, mollusks, and larval fish. Copepods 24 have been reported as the primary food source of bay anchovies in the Delaware Bay. Adult bay 25 anchovies are tolerant of a range of temperatures and salinities and move to deeper water for 26 the winter (Morton, 1989).

27 There is no bay anchovy fishery, so they are not directly economically important. However, they 28 support many other commercial fisheries as they are often the most abundant fish in coastal 29 waters (Morton, 1989). They have been reported to be the most important link in the food web, 30 and are a primary forage item for many other fish, birds, and mammals (Morton, 1989),

31 (Smithsonian Marine Station, 2008), (Newberger and Houde, 1995). Bay anchovy eggs are 32 consumed by various predators, including juvenile fish and gelatinous predators such as sea 33 nettles and ctenophores. Bay anchovy often account for over half the fish, eggs, or larvae 34 caught in research trawls (Smithsonian Marine Station, 2008). Studies in the Chesapeake Bay 35 found that striped bass are heavily dependent on bay anchovies as larvae, juveniles, and adults, 36 especially since the menhaden and river herring populations have declined in recent years 37 (Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation, Inc., 2010).

38 Atlantic Menhaden 39 Atlantic menhaden have been an important commercial fish along the Atlantic coast since 40 colonial times. Ecologically, they are a vital forage fish for larger piscivorous species, including 41 fish, birds, and mammals, and they play an important role in the aquatic system as filter feeders 42 (ASMFC, 2005a). They are used in the reduction industry (producing fish meal and oil) and are 43 used as bait by both commercial and recreational fisheries. This species has been fished since 44 the early 1800s and landings increased over time as new technologies developed. Their 45 populations suffered in the 1960s when they were severely overfished, but they recovered in the 46 1970s. The reduction fishery landed 203,320 tons (184,450 metric tons) in 2004 and the bait Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-56 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

fishery has become increasingly important, with the most bait fish landed in New Jersey and 2

Virginia. A stock assessment completed in 2003 declared the Atlantic menhaden not overfished, 3

and a review in 2004 resulted in a decision not to require an assessment in 2006 4

(ASMFC, 2005a), The 2008 Atlantic menhaden fishing season resulted in a catch of 141,133 5

tons (128,030 metric tons) for the reduction industry (NOAA, 2009a).

6 Atlantic menhaden are small schooling fish found along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to 7

northern Florida in estuarine and nearshore coastal waters. They migrate seasonally, spending 8

early spring through early winter in estuaries and nearshore waters, with the larger and older 9

fish moving farther north during summer (ASMFC, 2005a). Spawning occurs almost year round 10 along the Atlantic coast (ASMFC, 2001). They spawn offshore in fall and early winter between 11 New Jersey and North Carolina (ASMFC, 2005a). Spawning is concentrated over the 12 continental shelf off the North Carolina capes between December and February, in water 328 to 13 656 ft (100 to 200 m) deep at mid-depths. The eggs are pelagic and hatch in 1 to 2 days. Once 14 the yolk sac is absorbed at 4 days old, larvae begin to feed on plankton. Areas that do not have 15 sufficient plankton densities may not produce many surviving larvae, leading to a poor year 16 class. Larvae enter estuary nursery areas after 1 to 3 months, between October and June in the 17 Mid-Atlantic. Prejuvenile fish use the shallow, low-salinity areas in estuaries as nurseries, 18 preferring vegetated areas in fresh tidal marshes and swamps, where they become juveniles 19 (Rogers and Van Den Ayvle, 1989). Juveniles spend approximately 1 year in the estuarine 20 nurseries before joining the adult migratory population in late fall (ASMFC, 2005a). Larvae that 21 entered the nursery areas late in the year may remain until the next fall. Once juveniles 22 metamorphose to adults, they switch from individual capture to a filter feeding strategy. Young 23 fish leaving the estuaries tend to migrate south along the North Carolina coast during the winter 24 months. Fish are mature at age 2 or 3 and will then begin the spawning cycle (Rogers and Van 25 Den Ayvle, 1989). Atlantic menhaden can live up to 8 years, but fish older than 6 years are rare 26 (ASMFC, 2001).

27 Due to their high abundance and positioning in the nearshore and estuarine ecosystems, 28 Atlantic menhaden are ecologically vital along the Atlantic coast (Rogers and Van Den Ayvle, 29 1989). They are filter feeders, straining plankton from the water column. They provide a trophic 30 link between the primary producers and the larger predatory species in nearshore waters 31 (ASMFC, 2005a). It has been hypothesized that due to their abundance and migratory 32 movements, Atlantic menhaden may change the assemblage structure of plankton in the water 33 column. Larvae in the estuaries feed preferentially upon copepods and copepodites, and they 34 may eat detritus as well. As young fish and adults, they filter feed on anything larger than 7 to 35 9 micrometers, including zooplankton, large phytoplankton, and chain diatoms (Rogers and Van 36 Den Avyle, 1989). Atlantic menhaden provide a food source for bluefish, striped bass, bluefin 37 tuna, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, pollock, cod, weakfish, silver hake, tunas, swordfish 38 (Xiphias gladuis), and sharks (ASMFC, 2001), (Rogers and Van Den Avyle, 1989). They 39 establish a direct link between the phytoplankton primary producers and the higher level 40 predators, including transferring energy in and out of estuary systems and on and off the coastal 41 shelf (Rogers and Van Den Avyle, 1989). They are especially important in this regard, as most 42 marine fish species cannot use phytoplankton as a food source (ASMFC, 2001). Their 43 filter-feeding habits have also lead to a variety of physiological characteristics, such as high lipid 44 content, enabling survival during periods of low prey availability (Rogers and Van Den Avyle, 45 1989).

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Affected Environment 1

Weakfish 2

Weakfish are part of a mixed stock fishery that has been economically vital since the early 3

1800s (ASMFC, 2009b). They were highly abundant in the Delaware Bay. They topped 4

commercial landings in the State of Delaware until the 1990s and were consistently within the 5

top five species in recreational landings (DNREC, 2006a). Weakfish biomass has declined 6

significantly in recent years, with non-fishing pressures such as increased natural mortality, 7

predation, competition, and environmental variables hypothesized as the cause for the decline 8

(ASMFC, 2009b). Commercial landings have fluctuated since the beginning of the fishery, 9

without apparent trend or sufficient explanation (ASMFC, 2009b), (Mercer, 1989). Landings 10 along the Atlantic coast peaked in the 1970s at 36 million lbs (over 16 million kg), then declined 11 throughout the 1980s, ending in a low of 6 million lbs (approximately 2.7 million kg) in 1994.

12 Management measures increased stock and commercial harvest until 1998, when the fishery 13 declined again, this time continuously until 2008 (ASMFC, 2009b). Between 1995 and 2004, 14 commercial landings in Delaware dropped by 82 percent and the recreational harvest dropped 15 by 98 percent, reflecting a coast-wide drop of 78 percent (DNREC, 2006a). The results of the 16 2009 stock assessment defined the fishery as depleted, but not overfished, with natural sources 17 of mortality listed as the cause of the low biomass levels. The ASMFC is currently developing an 18 amendment to the management plan to address the decline (ASMFC, 2009b).

19 Weakfish range along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to southern Florida, but are more 20 common between New York and North Carolina (ASMFC, 2009b). Their growth varies, with 21 northern populations becoming much larger (up to 32 inches [810 mm]) and living longer 22 (11 years) than the more southern populations (28 inches [710 mm] and 6 years). Within the 23 Delaware Bay, a survey in 1979 found the oldest females (age 9 years) to be an average of 24 710 mm long, and the oldest males (6 years) to be an average of 27 inches [681 mm] long 25 (Mercer, 1989). Spring warming induces inshore migration from offshore wintering areas and 26 spawning (ASMFC, 2009b). Weakfish are batch spawners, continuously producing eggs during 27 the spawning season, allowing more than one spawning event per female (ASMFC, 2002).

28 Larval weakfish migrate into estuaries, bays, sounds, and rivers to nursery habitats where they 29 remain until they are 1 year old, after which they are considered mature (ASMFC, 2009b),

30 (Mercer, 1989). Spawning occurs in estuaries and nearshore areas between May and July in 31 the New York Bight (Delaware Bay to New York). Eggs are pelagic and hatch between 36 and 32 40 hours4.62963e-4 days <br />0.0111 hours <br />6.613757e-5 weeks <br />1.522e-5 months <br /> after fertilization. Larvae become demersal soon after this, when they have reached 8 33 mm in length. Juvenile weakfish use the deeper waters of estuaries, tidal rivers, and bays 34 extensively but are not often found in the shallower areas closer to shore. Within the Delaware 35 Bay, juvenile weakfish have been shown to migrate toward lower salinities in the summer, 36 higher salinities in the fall, and offshore for the winter months. Adults migrate inshore seasonally 37 to spawn in large bays or the nearshore ocean. Spawning is initiated with warming water 38 temperatures. As temperatures cool for the winter, weakfish migrate to ocean wintering areas, 39 the most important of which is the continental shelf between the Chesapeake Bay and North 40 Carolina (Mercer, 1989).

41 Weakfish play an important ecological role as both predators and prey in the estuarine and 42 nearshore food webs (Mercer, 1989). Adults feed on peneid and mysid shrimps, anchovies, 43 clupeid fishes, other weakfish, and a variety of other fishes, including butterfish, herrings, 44 silversides, Atlantic croaker, spot, scup, and killifishes. Younger weakfish consume mostly 45 mysids and other zooplankton and invertebrates, including squids, crabs, annelid worms, and 46 clams (Mercer, 1989), (ASMFC, 2002). More fish species are taken as the fish grow to larger 47 sizes. In the Chesapeake Bay eelgrass beds, weakfish have been shown to be important top 48 carnivores, feeding mostly on blue crabs and spot. Weakfish are tolerant of a relatively wide Draft NUREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-58 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

variety of temperatures and salinities. In the Delaware Bay, weakfish have been collected in 2

temperatures between approximately 62.6 and 82.4 °F (17 and 28 0C) and salinities of 0 to 3

32 ppt (Mercer, 1989).

4 Spot 5

Spot are not only an important commercial and recreational fish species on the Atlantic coast, 6

they also support many other important fisheries as a forage species (ASMFC, 2008b). They 7

are used for human consumption and as part of the scrap fishery. Spot make up a major portion 8

of the fish biomass and numbers in estuarine waters of the Mid-Atlantic Region (Phillips et al.,

9 1989). They are also a large component of the bycatch in other fisheries, including the South 10 Atlantic shrimp trawl fishery. Commercial landings fluctuate widely due to the fact that spot are a 11 short-lived species (4 to 6 years) and most landings constitute a single age class (ASMFC, 12 2008c). Commercial landings fluctuated between 3.8 and 14.5 million lbs (1.7 and 6.6 million kg) 13 between 1950 and 2005 (ASMFC, 2006a). They are also a very popular recreational species, 14 with recreational landings sometimes surpassing commercial ones (ASMFC, 2006a).

15 The range of spot along the Atlantic coast stretches from Maine to Florida. They are most 16 abundant from the Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina (ASMFC, 2008c). During fall and 17 summer, they are highly abundant in estuarine and near-shore areas from Delaware Bay to 18 Georgia (Phillips et al., 1989). Spot migrate seasonally, spawning offshore in fall and winter at 19 2 to 3 years of age, and spending the spring months in estuaries (ASMFC, 2008c). Spawning 20 occurs offshore, over the continental shelf, from October to March. The eggs are pelagic and 21 hatch after approximately 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br />, producing buoyant preflexion larvae. During the flexion 22 stage, larvae become more demersal, migrating from the mid depths during the day to the 23 surface at night. These larvae move slowly toward shore, entering the post-larval stages when 24 they reach-nearshore areas, and developing into juveniles when they reach the inlets (Phillips et 25 al., 1989). Juveniles move into the low salinity coastal estuaries where they grow, moving into 26 higher salinity areas as they mature (ASMFC, 2008c). Seagrass beds and tidal creeks are 27 important nursery habitats for spot, which often make up 80 to 90 percent of the total number of 28 fish found in these habitats. Juveniles remain in the nursery areas for approximately a year, 29 migrating back to the ocean in September or October (Phillips et al., 1989).

30 Due to their large numbers and use of a variety of habitats throughout their lifetimes, spot are an 31 ecologically important species as both prey and predators. Spot may significantly reduce 32 zooplankton biomass during their migration to the ocean. Juvenile and young spot eat 33 pteropods, larval pelecypods, and cyclopoid copepods. Juveniles are benthic opportunistic 34 feeders, preferring sand and mud bottoms, but capable of feeding anywhere. Larger spot will 35 consume copepods, mysids, nematodes, clam siphons, dipterans, and amphipods. Adult spot 36 are also benthic feeders, scooping up sediments and consuming large numbers of polychaetes, 37 copepods, decapods, nematodes, and diatoms. Over the continental shelf, cheatognaths are 38 both predators and competitors with early larval spot stages. Large predatory fish are more 39 likely to eat adult spot than juveniles, as these are found in the estuarine shallows. Larger spot 40 are an important source of food for cormorants, spotted seatrout, and striped bass. Spot are 41 tolerant of a wide variety of environmental variables. They have been found in temperatures 42 between 46.4 and 87.8 'F (8 and 31 'C) and salinities between 0 and 61 ppt (Phillips et al.,

43 1989).

44 Atlantic Silverside 45 Atlantic silverside are a highly abundant forage fish on the Atlantic coast, providing a food 46 resource for many commercially and recreationally important fish species, such as striped bass September 2010 2-59 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

(Morone saxatilis), Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), and bluefish (Pomatomus saltatnx).

2 Atlantic silverside are found in salt marshes, estuaries, and tidal creeks along the Atlantic coast 3

from Nova Scotia to Florida. It can be the most abundant fish in these habitats. There is no 4

direct commercial or recreational fishery for this species, although many recreational fishers net 5

and use these minnows as bait (Fay et al., 1983a).

6 Spawning by the Atlantic silverside is initiated by a combination of water temperature, 7

photoperiod, tidal cycle, and lunar cycle. Spawning occurs in the intertidal zones of estuaries 8

between March and July in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The initial spawning event is during the 9

daytime, usually accompanied by a high tide and a full or new moon. Subsequent events are 10 spaced by 14 or 15 days, tracking the lunar cycle (Fay et al., 1983a). Most fish die after their 11 first spawning season (fish may spawn between 5 and 20 times in one season), but some 12 individuals do return for a second season (NYNHP, 2009). Atlantic silverside spawning is a 13 complex behavior in which fish swim parallel to the shore until the appropriate tidal level is 14 reached, then the school rapidly turns shoreward to spawn in the shallows in areas where eggs 15 may attach to vegetative substrates. Eggs are demersal and adhesive, sticking to eel grass, 16 cordgrass, and filamentous algae. They hatch after 3 to 27 days, depending on temperature.

17 The yolk sac is absorbed between 2 and 5 days later. Atlantic silverside become either males or 18 females, but the sex of an individual fish is determined by water temperature during the larval 19 stage. Thus, colder temperatures produce more females and warmer temperatures produce 20 more males. Larvae usually inhabit shallow, low-salinity (8 to 9 ppt) water in estuaries and are 21 most often found at the surface. Transformation to the juvenile stage is usually at 0.86 inches 22 (20 mm) in length, and juveniles continue to grow until late fall, when they reach adult size.

23 Juveniles and adults are found in intertidal creeks, marshes, and shore areas in bays and 24 estuaries during spring, summer, and fall. During winter in the Mid-Atlantic Region, they often 25 migrate to deeper water within the bays or offshore (Fay et al., 1983a).

26 Ecologically, the Atlantic silverside is an important forage fish and plays a large role in the 27 aquatic food web and in linking terrestrial production to aquatic systems. Little is known about 28 the larval diet. Due to their short life span and high winter mortality (up to 99 percent), they play 29 a vital part in the export of nutrients to the near and offshore ecosystem. Juvenile and adult fish 30 are opportunistic omnivores and eat copepods, mysids, amphipods, cladocerans, fish eggs, 31 squid, worms, molluscan larvae, insects, algae, diatoms, and detritus. They feed in large 32 schools over gravel and sand bars, open beaches, tidal creeks, river mouths, and tidally-flooded 33 zones of marsh vegetation. Eggs, larvae, juveniles, and adults are eaten by striped bass, 34 Atlantic mackerel, bluefish, egrets, terns, gulls, cormorants, blue crabs, mummichogs (Fundulus 35 heteroclitus), and shorebirds (Fay et al., 1983a).

36 Eggs and larvae tolerate a wide degree of environmental conditions, but rapid increases in 37 temperature can prevent eggs from hatching and kill larvae. Juveniles and adults appear to 38 prefer temperatures between 64.4 and 77 'F (18 and 25 °C). The optimum salinity for hatching 39 and early development is 30 ppt, but a wide range of salinities (0 ppt to 38 ppt) is tolerated by 40 juveniles and adults (Fay et al., 1983a).

41 Atlantic Croaker 42 Atlantic croaker are an important commercial and recreational fish on the Atlantic coast and are 43 the most abundant bottom-dwelling fish in this region. They have been taken as part of a mixed 44 stock fishery since the 1880s. Commercial landings appear to be cyclical, with catches ranging 45 between 2 million and 30 million lbs (0.9 and 13.6 million kg). This may be due to variable 46 annual recruitment, which appears to be dependent on natural environmental variables.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-60 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Recreational landings have been increasing, with 10.6 million lbs (4.8 million kg) caught in 2005.

2 The 2003 stock assessment (reported in 2004) determined that Atlantic croaker were not 3

overfished in the Mid-Atlantic Region (ASMFC, 2007b). An amendment to the management plan 4

was developed in 2005 using the 2004 stock assessment data, establishing fishing mortality and 5

spawning stock biomass targets and thresholds. There are no recreational or commercial 6

management measures in this amendment, but some States have adopted internal 7

management measures for the Atlantic croaker fishery (ASMFC, 2005b).

8 Atlantic croaker are a migratory species, although movements have not been well defined. They 9

appear to move inshore in the warmer months and southward in winter (ASMFC, 2007b). They 10 range from Cape Cod to Argentina and are uncommon north of New Jersey. Gulf of Mexico and 11 Atlantic populations appear to be genetically separate (ASMFC, 2005b). They are estuarine 12 dependant at all life stages, especially as postlarvae and juveniles (Lassuy, 1983). Spawning 13 occurs at 1 to 2 years of age in nearshore and offshore habitats between July and December 14 (ASMFC, 2007b). Atlantic croaker can live for up to 12 years, and will spawn more than once in 15 a season. Eggs are pelagic and are found in polyhaline and euryhaline waters. Larvae have 16 been found from the continental shelf to inner estuaries. Recruitment to the nursery habitats in 17 the estuaries depends largely on currents and tides. Recruitment of young fish to the shallow 18 marsh habitats of estuaries is variable but appears to show seasonal peaks depending on 19 latitude. This peak is in August through October in the Delaware River. The long spawning 20 period and the variable recruitment peaks make the aging of recruits to estuary areas difficult; 21 ages could vary from 2 to 10 months of age at recruitment. Larvae complete their development 22 into juveniles in brackish shallow bottom habitats. Juveniles slowly migrate downstream, 23 preferring stable salinity regimes in deeper water, and eventually enter the ocean in late fall as 24 adults. They prefer mud bottoms with detritus and grass beds, which provide a stable food 25 source, but they are considered generalists (ASMFC, 2005b).

26 Atlantic croaker are bottom feeders eating benthic invertebrate fauna, such as polychaetes, 27 mollusks, ostracods, copepods, amphipods, mysids, and fish. Larvae tend to consume large 28 amounts of zooplankton, and juveniles feed on detritus. Their predators include striped bass, 29 southern flounder, bluefish, weakfish, and spotted seatrout. They are able to live with other 30 competitive fishes (such as spot) by using temporal and spatial habitat niches within the overall 31 bottom environment. Juvenile Atlantic croaker are sensitive to pollution and anoxic areas as 32 these conditions deplete or change the composition of their prey. Shoreline alterations, such as 33 bulkheads and rock jetties, can also negatively affect juvenile populations. Adult croaker are 34 usually found in estuaries in spring and summer and move offshore for the winter; their 35 distribution is related to temperature and depth. They prefer muddy and sandy substrates that 36 can support plant growth, but have also been found over oyster reefs. They are euryhaline, 37 depending on the season, and are sensitive to low oxygen levels (ASMFC, 2005b).

38 White Perch 39 White perch are members of the bass family. They are a commercially and recreationally 40 important species found in coastal waters from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, with their highest 41 abundance in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (Stanley and Danie, 1983). The 42 largest landings were made at the turn of the century, but then catch levels decreased, rising 43 sporadically to reflect large year classes. White perch are a popular recreational fish in 44 freshwater and in estuaries. They are often the dominant species caught recreationally in the 45 northern Atlantic States. White perch fill a vital trophic niche as both predator and prey to many 46 species (Stanley and Danie, 1983). They are managed by the Maryland Department of Natural 47 Resources (MDNR), but not by the ASMFC. Populations in Maryland are considered stable with September 2010 2-61 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

approximately 1.5 million lbs (680 metric tons) harvested commercially and 0.5 million lbs 2

(226 metric tons) harvested recreationally in 2004 (MDNR, 2008).

3 White perch are schooling fish that can grow up to 10 inches (25.4 cm) long in freshwater and 4

15 inches (38.1 cm) long in brackish water and may live up to 10 years (Pennsylvania Fish and 5

Boat Commission, 2010), (MDNR, 2008). They spawn in a wide variety of habitats, such as 6

rivers, streams, estuaries, lakes, and marshes, usually in freshwater. Water speed and turbidity 7

are not important in choosing a spawning location. Spawning is induced by rising water 8

temperature and occurs in April through May in freshwater and May through July in estuaries 9

(Stanley and Danie, 1983). Marine and estuarine populations migrate to freshwater areas to 10 spawn and, thus, are anadromous (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, 2010). Spawning 11 is accomplished by a single female and several males. The eggs attach to the bottom 12 immediately. Females may spawn two or three times per season and older fish produce many 13 more eggs than younger ones. Eggs hatch in 30 to 108 hours0.00125 days <br />0.03 hours <br />1.785714e-4 weeks <br />4.1094e-5 months <br />, depending on water temperature.

14 Hatchlings remain in the spawning area for up to 13 days. They then drift downstream or with 15 estuarine currents, becoming more demersal as they grow. Larvae can tolerate up to 5 ppt 16 salinity, and adults can tolerate full seawater. Juveniles are often found in upper estuarine 17 nurseries, where they may stay for a year, preferring habitats with silt, mud, or plant substrates.

18 Older juveniles have been reported to move to offshore beach and shoal areas during the day, 19 but return to the more protected nursery areas at night. Maturity is usually reached by the 20 second year, but may take up to 4 years. Growth to maturity and beyond is affected by 21 temperature, food supply, and population density, with growth becoming stunted in high density 22 areas (Stanley and Danie, 1983).

23 Ecologically, white perch play several important roles throughout their lifecycle. The white perch 24 is omnivorous, depending on age, season, and food availability. It will feed on both plankton and 25 benthic species, but concentrates on fish after it is fully grown. Freshwater populations feed on 26 aquatic insects, crustaceans, fishes, and detritus (Stanley and Danie, 1983). Estuarine 27 populations consume fish (such as alewife, gizzard shad, and smelt), amphipods, crayfish, 28 shrimp, squid, crabs, and fish eggs (Stanley and Danie, 1983), (Pennsylvania Fish and Boat 29 Commission, 2010). White perch are preyed upon by Atlantic salmon, brook trout, chain 30 pickerel, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and other piscivorous fish and terrestrial 31 vertebrates. Juveniles are often eaten by copepods (Stanley and Danie, 1983).

32 Striped Bass 33 Striped bass are historically one of the most important fishery species along the Atlantic coast 34 from Maine to North Carolina, with recreational landings exceeding commercial landings 35 (ASMFC, 2003), (ASMFC, 2008d). Their population has recovered since a sharp decline from 36 its peak in the 1970s of 15 million lbs (6,800 metric tons) to 3.5 million lbs (1,590 metric tons) by 37 1983 (ASMFC, 2008d). In 1981, ASMFC approved a management plan focusing on size limits 38 and spawning season closures to recover population levels. This plan proved ineffective, and 39 several States closed the fishery entirely, reopening in the early 1990s once the population had 40 grown. Several amendments were made to the management plan, and the fishery was declared 41 recovered in 1995 (ASMFC, 2003), (ASMFC, 2008d). The most recent amendment in 2003 42 focused on increasing the proportion of the population over 15 years of age and creating a 43 biomass target and threshold (ASMFC, 2003). The 2007 stock assessment declared the fishery 44 recovered, fully exploited, and not overfished. This recovery is considered one of the greatest 45 successes in the fisheries management field, with commercial and recreational landings totaling 46 3.8 million fish (29.3 million lbs [13,290 metric tons] recreationally) in 2006 (ASMFC, 2008d).

47 The recovery of the striped bass fishery has been hypothesized to be the cause of the decline in Draft NUREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-62 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

weakfish, which it preys upon (DNREC, 2006b). Striped bass are found on the Atlantic coast 2

from the St. Lawrence River in Canada to northern Florida. They are highly abundant in both the 3

Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay. Females can grow up to 65 lbs (29.4 kg) and live for 4

29 years, whereas males over 12 years old are uncommon (Fay et al., 1983b).

5 Striped bass migrate along the coast seasonally and are anadromous, spawning in rivers and 6

estuaries after reaching an age of 2 years (males) to 4 years (females) (ASMFC, 2008d). There 7

are known riverine and estuarine spawning areas in the upper Delaware and Chesapeake bays.

8 Spawning occurs in April through June in the Mid-Atlantic Region, with some of the most 9

important spawning areas found in the upper Chesapeake Bay and the Chesapeake-Delaware 10 Canal (Fay et al., 1983b). In the Delaware River, the main spawning grounds are located 11 between Wilmington, DE, and Marcus Hook, PA (Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, 2010b).

12 Males arrive in the spawning area first. Up to 50 males will spawn with a single female at the 13 water surface. The eggs are pelagic and hatch from 29 to 80 hours9.259259e-4 days <br />0.0222 hours <br />1.322751e-4 weeks <br />3.044e-5 months <br /> after fertilization, depending 14 on the temperature. The yolk sac is absorbed in 3 to 9 days, during which time water turbulence 15 is required to keep the larvae from sinking to the bottom. The larvae then develop into the finfold 16 stage, lasting approximately 11 days, then transform to the postfinfold stage, lasting up to 65 17 days. Both eggs and larvae tend to remain in the spawning area throughout these 18 developmental stages. Fish are considered juveniles in between the lengths of 1 and 12 inches 19 (2.5 and 30.5 cm) for males and 1 and 20 inches (2.54 and 50.8 cm) for females. Most juveniles 20 also remain in the estuaries where they were spawned until they reach adult size, tending to 21 move downstream after the first year. On the Atlantic coast, some adults leave the estuaries 22 and join seasonal migrations to the north in the warmer months, while others remain in the 23 estuaries. Some of these adults will also migrate into coastal estuaries to overwinter.

24 Reproduction is highly variable, with several poorly successful seasons between each strong 25 year class. Variability in adult and juvenile behavior and the unpredictable importance of strong 26 year classes makes management of the fishery challenging. There are four different stocks 27 identified along the Atlantic coast, including the Roanoke River-Albemarle Sound, Chesapeake 28 Bay, Delaware River, and Hudson River stocks (Fay et al., 1983b).

29 Striped bass are tolerant of a wide variety of environmental variables, but require specific 30 habitats for successful reproduction. Adults spawn in a large variety of habitats, but only some 31 of these produce an adequate amount of surviving young. Higher water flows and colder winters 32 are hypothesized to produce successful year classes. Eggs are tolerant of temperatures 33 between 57.2 and 73.4 °F (14 and 23 °C), salinities of 0 to 10 ppt, dissolved oxygen of 1.5 to 34 5.0 mg/L, turbidity of 0 to 500 mg/L, pH of 6.6 to 9.0, and a current velocity of 1.4 to 197 35 inches/sec (30.5 to 500 cm/sec). Larvae are slightly more tolerant of variables outside these 36 ranges, and juveniles are even more tolerant (Fay et al., 1983b). Young and juveniles tend to be 37 found over sandy bottoms in shallow water, but can also inhabit areas over gravel, mud, and 38 rock. Adults are found in a wide variety of bottom types, such as rock, gravel, sand, and 39 submerged aquatic vegetation (ASMFC, 2010b). Larvae and juveniles consume nauplii, 40 copepods, chironomid larvae, and fish eggs and larvae. Young striped bass eat mysids, insect 41 larvae, gobies, shrimp, amphipods, and small fish. Adults are mainly piscivorous, consuming 42 schooling bait fish such as bay anchovy, Atlantic menhaden, spot, and croaker, but they will 43 also consume invertebrates in the spring, including blue crabs, amphipods, and mysids (Fay et 44 al., 1983b), (DNREC, 2006b). Young striped bass are fed upon by weakfish, bluefish, white 45 perch, and other large fishes; larvae and eggs are eaten by a variety of predators. Adult striped 46 bass probably compete with weakfish and bluefish, and juveniles are likely to compete with 47 white perch in the nursery areas (Fay et al., 1983b). Striped bass do not feed while on spawning 48 runs (DNREC, 2006b).

September 2010 2-63 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 Bluefish Bluefish are a highly important recreational fish species, popular since the 1800s. They are commercially harvested for human consumption, but there is no commercial bluefish industry. In the early 1980s, an average of 16.3 million lbs (7.4 million kg) of bluefish per year were caught, making up only 0.5 percent of the Atlantic finfish landings. As of 1989, bluefish made up 15 percent of recreational landings on the Atlantic coast, and 90 percent of these were caught in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Slightly less than half the recreational catch is in inland bays and estuaries. A management plan was developed in 1984, but was rejected as bluefish represent such a small portion of the commercial fisheries; therefore, Federal regulation was deemed unnecessary (Pottern et al., 1989). Recreational landings averaged 60 million lbs per year between 1981 and 1993. A bluefish management plan was developed in 1990 due to the continuous decline in landings since the early 1980s (ASMFC, 2006b), (ASMFC, 1998c). By 2002, bluefish landings had declined to 11 million lbs (4.9 million kg) per year, but recent numbers have been rising in response to the management amendment that was developed in 1998 (ASMFC, 2006b). Although it is unknown if bluefish are estuary dependent, NOAA has designated essential fish habitat (EFH) for the species as including all major estuaries from Penobscot Bay, ME to St. Johns River, FL for juvenile and adult bluefish (NOAA, 2006),

(NOAA, W2Oi0bO.

Bluefish are a migratory schooling fish, found in estuaries and over the continental shelf in tropical and temperate waters globally. They occur in the Atlantic from Nova Scotia to northern Mexico. Adults migrate north during the summers, between Cape Hatteras and New England, winters are spent to the south, near Florida in the Gulf Stream. They reach sexual maturity at age 2 and spawn in the open ocean (Pottern et al., 1989). There is a single spawning event that begins in the south in the late winter and continues northward into the summer as the fish migrate (ASMFC, 1998c). Eggs are pelagic and hatch in approximately 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br />, and larvae drift with the offshore currents until coastal waters become warmer (Pottern et al., 1989),

(ASMFC, 1998c). These larvae transform to a pelagic-juvenile stage in 18 to 25 days, improving swimming ability (NOAA, 2006). Spring spawned juveniles then migrate into bays and estuaries at 1 to 2 months old, where they complete their development, joining the adult population in the fall (Pottern et al., 1989). Summer spawned juveniles enter the estuaries for only a short time before migrating south for the winter (ASMFC, 1998c). Some juveniles will spend a second summer in the estuaries (Pottern et al., 1989). Bluefish can live for up to 12 years and reach lengths of 39 inches (91.4 cm) and weights of 31 lbs (14 kg) (ASMFC, 2006b).

Due to their large size and numbers, bluefish probably play a large role in the community structure of forage species along the Atlantic coast. As they are pelagic, larval bluefish consume available zooplankton, mostly copepods, in large quantities in the open ocean (Pottern et al.,

1989), (NOAA, 2006). Juveniles in the estuaries eat small shrimp, anchovies, killifish, silversides, and other available small prey, depending upon availability. Adult bluefish are

.mostly piscivorous, but a wide array of prey items has been found in the stomachs of adult bluefish, including invertebrates. Adults are preyed upon by large coastal and estuarine species, such as sharks, tuna, and swordfish. Bluefish would compete with other large piscivorous species in the Atlantic region, such as striped bass, spotted sea trout, and weakfish (Pottern et al., 1989). Recent studies have hypothesized that juvenile and adult bluefish eat whatever is locally abundant (ASMFC, 1998c).

Bluefish are highly sensitive to temperature regimes, with an optimum range of 64.4 to 68 °F (18 to 20 °C). Temperatures above or below this range can induce rapid swimming, loss of interest in food, loss of equilibrium, and changes in schooling and diurnal behaviors. They are Comment [AB33]: Should this be 2010e or 2010f instead?

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-64 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

relatively euryhaline, found in estuaries at 10 ppt and waters of up to 38 ppt in the ocean. As 2

they are pelagic, they are not well adapted to the periodic low oxygen levels that are 3

occasionally found in estuaries (Pottern et al., 1989). They have been found to be excluded 4

from estuarine areas where Atlantic silversides are spawning due to the low oxygen levels 5

induced by the high activity of such a large number of fish (ASMFC, 1998c).

6 Species with Essential Fish Habitat 7

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) was reauthorized in 8

1996 and amended to focus on the importance of habitat protection for healthy fisheries 9

(16 USC 1801 et seq.). The MSA amendments, known as the Sustainable Fisheries Act, 10 required the eight regional fishery management councils to describe and identify EFH in their 11 regions, to identify actions to conserve and enhance their EFH, and to minimize the adverse 12 effects of fishing on EFH. The act strengthened the authorities of the governing agencies to 13 protect and conserve the habitats of marine, estuarine, and anadromous fish, crustaceans, and 14 mollusks (NEFMC, 1999). EFH was defined by Congress as those waters and substrates 15 necessary for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity (MSA, 16 USC 1801 et seq.).

16 Designating EFH is an essential component in the development of Fishery Management Plans 17 to assess the effects of habitat loss or degradation on fishery stocks and to take actions to 18 mitigate such damage (NMFS, 1999). The consultation requirements of Section 305(b) of the 19 MSA provide that Federal agencies consult with NMFS on all actions or proposed actions 20 authorized, funded, or undertaken by the agency that may adversely affect EFH. In accordance 21 with the consultation requirements of the MSA, an EFH assessment for the proposed action is 22 provided in Appendix D.

23 Many managed species are mobile and migrate seasonally, so some species are managed 24 coast-wide, others are managed by more than one fishery management council, and still others 25 are managed for the entire coast by a single council. In the Delaware Bay, various fisheries 26 species are managed by the ASMFC, the New England Fisheries Management Council 27 (NEFMC), the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), and the South Atlantic 28 Fishery Management Council (SAFMC). Several species are regulated by the States of New 29 Jersey and Delaware as well, in some cases with more rigid restrictions than those of the 30 regional councils.

31 Salem and HCGS are located near the interface of the salinity zones classified by NMFS as 32 tidal freshwater and mixing salinity zones. The area of the Delaware Estuary adjacent to 33 Artificial Island is designated by NMFS as EFH for various life stages of several species of fish.

34 NRC staff considered all the designated EFH that could occur in the vicinity of Salem and 35 HCGS based on geographic coordinates and eliminated EFH for some species and life stages 36 with EFH requirements that are outside of the conditions that normally occur in the local area.

37 NMFS identifies EFH on their website for the overall Delaware Bay (NOAA, 2010e) and for 38 smaller squares within the estuary defined by 10 minutes (') of latitude by 10' of longitude.

39 NMFS provides tables of species and life stages that have designated EFH within the 10' by 40 10' squares. The 10' by 10' square that includes Salem and HCGS is defined by the following 41 coordinates:

42 North: 39 30.0 'N South: 39 0 20.0 'N 43 East: 75

• 30.0'W West: 75 ° 40.0 WV September 2010 2-65 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

The description of the general location and New Jersey shoreline within this square confirms 2

that it includes Artificial Island and the Salem and HCGS facilities (NOAA, 2010e):

3 Atlantic Ocean waters within the square within the Delaware River, within the 4

mixing water salinity zone of the Delaware Bay affecting both the New Jersey 5

and Delaware coasts. On the New Jersey side, these waters affect: from Hope 6

Creek on the south, north past Stoney Point, and Salem Nuclear Power Plant on 7

Artificial Island, to the tip of Artificial Island as well as affecting Baker Shoal.

8 NMFS identified 14 fish species with EFH in the Delaware Estuary in the vicinity of Salem and 9

HCGS (NMFS, 2010a). These species and their life stages with EFH in this area are identified in 10 Table 2-5. The salinity requirements of these species and life stages are provided in Table 2-6.

11 Salinities in the vicinity of Artificial Island are described above in Section 2.2.5.1 and 12 summarized in Table 2-4. For each of these EFH species, the NRC staff compared the range of 13 salinities in the vicinity of Salem and HCGS with the salinity requirements of the potentially 14 affected life stages (Table 2-6). The salinity requirements of many of these EFH species and life 15 stages were found to be higher than salinity ranges in the vicinity of Salem and HCGS or to 16 overlap these salinity ranges only during periods of low flow (Table 2-6). This comparison 17 allowed the list of species with EFH that potentially could be affected by Salem or HCGS to be 18 further refined. If the salinity requirements of an EFH species life stage were not met in the 19 vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities, the EFH for that species and life stage was eliminated 20 from further consideration because its potential to be affected by the proposed action would be 21 negligible. As a result, four species were identified that have potentially affected EFH in the 22 vicinity for one or more life stages (Table 2-7): winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus),

23 windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus), summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus), and 24 Atlantic butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus). Descriptions of these four species are included below.

25 Table 2-5. Designated Essential Fish Habitat by species and life stage in NMFS' 10' x 10' 26 square of latitude and longitude in the Delaware Estuary that includes Salem Nuclear 27 Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Scientific Name Common Name Eggs Larvae Juveniles Adults Urophycis chuss Red hake Pleuronectes americanus Winter flounder X

X X

x Scophthalmus aquosus Windowpane flounder X

X X

X Pomotomus saltatrix Bluefish X

X Paralichthys dentatus Summer flounder X

X Peprilus triacanthus Atlantic butterfish X

Stenotomus chrysops Scup n/a n/a X

Centropnstes striatus Black sea bass n/a X

Scomberomorus cavalla King mackerel X

X X

X Scomberomorus maculatus Spanish mackerel X

X X

X Rachycentron canadum Cobia X

X X

X Leucoraja eglantarna Clearnose skate X

X Leucoraja erinacea Little skate X

x Leucoraja ocellata Winter skate X

X X indicates designated EFH within this area. Blank indicates no designated EFH in this area. n/a indicates that the species does not have this life stage or has no EFH designation for this life stage.

Sources: NOAA, 2010e; NOAA, 201 Of Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-66 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-6. Potential Essential Fish Habitat species eliminated from further consideration 2

due to salinity requirements Species, Life Stage EFH Salinity Requirement (ppt) (a)

Site Salinity(e) Matches Requirement Windowpane, juvenile 5.5-36 low flow only Windowpane, adult 5.5-36 low flow only Windowpane, spawner 5.5-36 low flow only Bluefish, juvenile 23-36 no Bluefish, adult

>25 no Scup, juvenile

>15 no Black sea bass, juvenile

>18 no King mackerel

>30 no Spanish mackerel

>30 no Cobia

>25 no Clearnose skate, juvenile probably >22 (b) no Clearnose skate, adult probably >22 (b) no Little skate, juvenile mostly 25-30 c no Little skate, adult probably >20 (c no Winter skate, juvenile probably >20 (d) no Winter skate, adult probably >2 0 (d) no (a) Salinity data from NOAA table "Summary of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and General Habitat Parameters for Federally Managed Species" unless otherwise noted.

(b) Packer et al. (2003a) NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-1 74.

(c) Packer et al. (2003b) NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-175.

(d) NOAA (2003) NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-NE-179.

(e) Salinities in Delaware Estuary in vicinity of Salem/HCGS: high flow 0-5 ppt, low flow 5-12 ppt.

3 4

Table 2-7. Fish Species and Life Stages with Potentially Affected Essential Fish Habitat in 5

the Vicinity of Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Species Eggs Larvae Juveniles Adults Winter flounder X

X X

X Windowpane X

X X

X Summer flounder X

X Atlantic butterfish X

Source: NRC, 2007 6

Winter Flounder 7

Winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) are highly abundant in estuarine and coastal waters 8

and, therefore, are one of the most important commercial and recreational fisheries species on 9

the Atlantic coast (Buckley, 1989). They are managed by the NEFMC and ASMFC as part of the 10 multispecies groundfish fishery. This plan manages a total of 15 demersal species 11 (NEFMC, 2010). The winter trawl fishery was established in the 1920s when northern trawlers September 2010 2-67 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

began to make use of the waters off Cape Hatteras. This fishery targets multiple species, and 2

landings between 1974 and 1978 totaled approximately 18.5 million lbs (8.4 million kg) annually 3

(Grimes et al., 1989). Winter flounder are also very popular recreational fish, with the 4

recreational catch sometimes exceeding the commercial catch (Buckley, 1989). Biomass in the 5

New England-Mid-Atlantic winter flounder stock declined from 30,000 million tons in 1981 to 6

8,500 million tons in 1992, and the fishery was declared overexploited. As of 1999, biomass 7

remains significantly lower than prior to overexploitation (NOAA, 1999a). As part of the 8

management program, EFH has been established for the winter flounder along the Atlantic 9

coast. The Delaware Bay's mixing and saline waters are EFH for all parts of the winter flounder 10 lifecycle, including eggs, larvae, juveniles, adults, and spawning adults (NEFMC, 1998a).

11 There are two major populations of winter flounder in the Atlantic, one is found in estuarine and 12 coastal waters from Newfoundland to Georgia, the other is found offshore on Georges Bank and 13 Nantucket Shoal (Buckley, 1989). In the Mid-Atlantic, it is most common between the Gulf of 14 Saint Lawrence and the Chesapeake Bay (Grimes et al., 1989). They spawn in coastal waters 15 beginning in December in the south Atlantic, through June in Canada (February and March in 16 the Delaware Bay region). Spawning occurs in depths of 6.5 to 262 ft (2 to 80 m) over sandy 17 substrates in inshore coves and inlets between 31 to 32.5 ppt (Buckley, 1989), (NOAA, 1999a).

18 Sexual maturity is dependent on size, rather than age, with southern individuals (age 2 or 3) 19 reaching spawning size more rapidly than northern fish (age 6 or 7). The eggs are demersal, 20 stick to the substrate, and are most often found at salinities between 10 and 30 ppt 21 (Buckley, 1989). They hatch in 2 to 3 weeks, depending on water temperature (NOAA, 1999a).

22 The yolk sac is absorbed at 12 to 14 days, and metamorphosis to the juvenile stage is complete 23 in 49 to 80 days, also dependant on temperature (Buckley, 1989). Larvae are planktonic initially, 24 but become increasingly benthic with developmental stage (NOAA, 1999a). Juveniles and 25 adults are completely benthic, with juveniles preferring a sandy or silty substrate in estuarine 26 areas (Buckley, 1989). Juveniles move seaward as they grow, remaining in estuaries for the first 27 year (Buckley, 1989), (Grimes et al., 1989). Adult movements appear to be dictated by water 28 temperature as well, with three distinct population ranges: Georges Bank, north of Cape Cod, 29 and south of Cape Cod. South of Cape Cod, winter flounder will spend the colder months in 30 inshore and estuarine waters, moving further offshore in the warmer summer months 31 (Buckley, 1989). Winter flounder can live for up to 15 years and may reach 22.8 inches (58 cm) 32 in length (NOAA, 1999a).

33 As larvae, winter flounder feed on copepods, nauplii, harpacticoids, calanoids, polychaetes, 34 invertebrate eggs, and phytoplankton, moving on to larger prey, such as small polycheates, 35 nemerteans, and ostracods, as they grow larger (Buckley, 1989), (NOAA, 1999a). Adults feed 36 on benthic invertebrates, including polycheates, cnidarians, mollusks, and hydrozoans. They 37 find their prey by sight and, therefore, are more active in the daylight and in shallow water. They 38 have few competitors due to their use of the highly productive estuarine and coastal habitats, 39 and their omnivorous diet. Due to their high abundance, they are preyed upon by many other 40 large coastal species. Larvae are eaten in large numbers by hydromedusae (Buckley, 1989).

41 Juveniles are eaten by bluefish (Pomatomus saltatnx), gulls, cormorants, sevenspine bay 42 shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa), summer flounder (Paralicthys dentatus), sea robins 43 (Prionotus evolans), and windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus) (NOAA, 1999a). Adults and 44 juveniles are an important food source for striped bass (Morone saxatilis), bluefish (Pomatomus 45 saltatrix), goosefish (Lophius americanus), spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), oyster toadfish 46 (Opsanus tau), sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus), great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo),

47 great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and the osprey (Pandion haliaetus) (Buckley, 1989).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-68 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Winter flounder are found at temperatures between 32 and 77 °F (0 and 25 0C), but will burrow 2

into the sediments above 71.6 'F (22 'C). Higher temperatures for extended periods can cause 3

wide-scale mortality. They are relatively euryhaline, tolerating salinities of 5 to 35 ppt 4

(Buckley, 1989). Larvae are susceptible to thermal shock; 4 minutes at temperatures elevated 5

by 28 to 30 0C will produce 100 percent mortality (Buckley, 1989). Increases of less than 80.6 0F 6

(27 °C), however, appear to be well tolerated if the shock lasts for less than 32 minutes 7

(NOAA, 1999a). Additionally, winter flounder catch has been negatively correlated with high 8

temperatures in the preceding 30 months, and a minor increase in temperature of less than 9

32.9 °F (0.5 0C) may cause a decrease in recruitment (Grimes et al., 1989).

10 Windowpane Flounder 11 Windowpane flounder (Scopthalmus aquosus) is one of the 15 groundfish species managed by 12 the NEFMC under the multispecies plan (NEFMC, 2010). Although it is not directly targeted by 13 the fishery, it is caught as bycatch in the groundfish trawls, although they are exploited for 14 human consumption (NOAA, 1999b), (Morse and Able, 1995). The groundfish fishery has been 15 highly important for the economy of the New England region, with 100 million dollars in landings 16 reported in 2000 (NFMC, 2010). Due to their demersal habitat, windowpane flounder are found 17 in close association with other groundfish species, such as yellowtail flounder (Limanda 18 ferruginea), ocean pout (Macrozoarces americanus), little skate (Raja erinacea), northern 19 searobin (Prionotus carolinus), and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) (NOAA, 1999b). Between 20 1975 and 1982, landings of windowpane flounder fluctuated between 532 and 838 million tons.

21 Between 1984 and 1990, landings increased to between 890 and 2,065 million tons, after which 22 they gradually declined to between 39 and 85 million tons during the time range of 2002 to 2007 23 (NEFSC, 2008).

24 Windowpane flounder are found in estuaries, coastal waters, and over the continental shelf 25 along the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to Florida. They are most abundant in 26 bays and estuaries south of Cape Cod in shallow waters over sand, sand and silt, or mud 27 substrates (NOAA, 1999b). They spawn from April to December, but in the Mid-Atlantic Region, 28 spawning occurs with two peaks in the spring (May) and fall (September) (NOAA, 1999b),

29 (Morse and Able, 1995). They tend to spawn on the bottom of the water column in waters of 30 16 to 19 0C (Morse and Able, 1995). The eggs are pelagic and buoyant and hatch in 31 approximately 8 days. Larvae begin life as plankton, but soon settle to the bottom (at 0.39 to 32 0.78 inches [10 to 20 mm] in length) and become demersal. This settling occurs in estuaries and 33 over the shelf for spring spawned fish, and these individuals are found in the polyhaline portions 34 of the estuary throughout the summer. Fall spawned fish settle mostly on the shelf. Juveniles 35 will migrate to coastal waters from the estuaries as they grow larger during the autumn; they 36 overwinter in deeper waters. Adults remain offshore throughout the year and are highly 37 abundant off of southern New Jersey. Sexual maturity is reached between 3 and 4 years of age, 38 and growth generally does not exceed 18.1 inches (46 cm) (NOAA, 1999b).

39 Juvenile and adult windowpane flounder have similar food sources including small crustaceans, 40 such as mysids and decapod shrimp, and fish larvae including hake, tomcod, and windowpane 41 flounder. Juvenile and small windowpane flounder are eaten by spiny dogfish, thorny skate, 42 goosefish, Atlantic cod, black sea bass, weakfish, and summer flounder (NOAA, 1999b).

43 Adult windowpane are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and salinities, from 23 to 80.2 °F 44 (0 to 26.8 0C), and 5.5 to 36 ppt. They are, however, sensitive to low oxygen concentrations, 45 and have not been found in areas where dissolved oxygen was below 3 mg/L. Adults and 46 juveniles are abundant in the mixing and saline zones of the Delaware Bay, and are common in September 2010 2-69 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

the inland bays (NOAA, 1999b). Both the Delaware Bay mixing and saline zones and the inland 2

bays have been established for all life stages of the windowpane flounder, including eggs, 3

larvae, juveniles, adults, and spawning adults (NEFMC, 1998b).

4 Summer Flounder 5

The summer flounder, also known as fluke, is a highly important commercial and recreational 6

species along the Atlantic coast. The commercial and recreational fishery is managed by both 7

the ASMFC and the MAFMC, under the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fishery 8

management plan. The recreational harvest makes up a sizeable portion of the total and is 9

occasionally larger than the commercial harvest. Stock biomass declined in the 1980s after a 10 peak landing total of 26,100 million tons in 1983. Between 1986 and 1995, total landings 11 averaged 13,100 million tons per year, and have fluctuated between 8,600 and 12,500 since 12 then. In 1999, the summer flounder stock was considered overexploited, but as of 2005, the 13 stock has been considered not overfished (NOAA, 1999c), (NEFSC, 2006a). In 2009, the 14 ASMFC increased total allowable landings due to the results of the 2008 stock assessment.

15 Although the stock is currently considered not overfished, it has not reached rebuilt status 16 (ASMFC, 2008e).

17 NOAA has designated EFH for summer flounder larvae, juveniles, and adults in the Delaware 18 Bay (NOAA, 2010g). Summer flounder adults and juveniles are present in the Delaware Bay 19 and Delaware inland bays in salinity zones of 0.5 to above 25 ppt, and larvae are only present in 20 the inland bays in salinities of 0.5 to above 25 ppt (NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and 21 Assessment, 2005). The Delaware Bay is important as a habitat for adults and as a nursery for 22 juveniles. Summer flounder are found most often in the middle and lower portions of the 23 estuary, but juveniles are also found in the inland bays (NOAA, 1999c).

24 The summer flounder is a demersal fish found in coastal waters over sandy substrates from 25 Nova Scotia to Florida, but it is most abundant between Cape Cod and Cape Fear 26 (ASMFC, 2008e). It occurs in bays and estuaries in spring, summer, and autumn, and migrates 27 offshore for the winter (NEFSC, 2006a). Migrating adults tend to return to the same bay or 28 estuary every year (NOAA, 1999c). Spawning occurs in autumn and early winter, as the fish are 29 migrating for the winter over the continental shelf (NEFSC, 2006a), (NOAA, 1999c). Eggs are 30 pelagic and buoyant, as are the early stages of larvae. Larvae hatch between 56 and 216 hours0.0025 days <br />0.06 hours <br />3.571429e-4 weeks <br />8.2188e-5 months <br /> 31 after fertilization, depending on temperature, and begin to feed after 3 to 4 days (NOAA, 1999c).

32 Larvae are transported inshore between October and May, where they develop in estuaries and 33 bays (NEFSC, 2006a), (ASMFC, 2008e). Larvae become demersal as soon as the right eye 34 migrates to the top of the head. They then bury themselves in the substrate while they are in the 35 inshore nursery areas. Within the estuaries, marsh creeks, seagrass beds, mud flats, and open 36 bay areas are important habitats for juveniles. Some juveniles stay in the estuary habitat until 37 their second year, while others migrate offshore for the winter. Juveniles are found in the deeper 38 parts of the Delaware Bay throughout the winter (NOAA, 1999c). Sexual maturity is reached by 39 age 2, females may live up to 20 years and reach 26.5 lbs (12 kg) in weight, but males generally 40 live for only 10 years (NEFSC, 2006a).

41 Tidal movements of juveniles have been hypothesized to be due to the desire to stay within a 42 desired set of environmental variables, including temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.

43 Larvae and juveniles are found in temperatures between 32 and 73.4 *F (0 and 23 °C) and 44 usually are found in the higher-salinity portions of estuaries. Newly recruited juveniles are found 45 over a variety of substrates, including mud, sand, shell hash, eelgrass beds, and oyster bars, 46 but as they grow, they are more often found over sand. They are visual predators, so they feed Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-70 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 mostly during the daylight hours. While they are pelagic, larvae feed on copepodites, copepods, nauplii, tintinnids, bivalve larvae, appendicularians, and copepod eggs. Larger larvae and juveniles eat crustaceans, polychaetes, and small fish, including the copepod Temora Iongicornis, Atlantic silversides, mummichogs, juvenile spot, northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus), grass shrimp, sand shrimp, blue crabs, and the mysid Neomysis americana, with benthic prey items becoming increasingly important with age. Larvae and small juveniles of the summer flounder are consumed by spiny dogfish, goosefish, cod, silver hake, red hake, spotted hake, sea raven, longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus), fourspot flounder (Paralichthys oblongus), striped killifish (Fundulus majalis), blue crabs, and sea robin (Prionotus spp.). Adult summer flounder are most often found over substrates of sand, coarse sand, or shell fragments, but are also found over mud and in marsh creeks and seagrass beds. Their diet consists of crustaceans, other invertebrates, and fish, including Atlantic silversides, herrings, juvenile spot, windowpane, winter flounder, northern pipefish, Atlantic menhaden, bay anchovy, red hake, silver hake, scup, American sand lance, bluefish, weakfish, mummichog, rock crabs, squids (Loligo sp.), small bivalve and gastropod mollusks, small crustaceans (sand shrimp, mysids, grass shrimp, hermit crabs (Pagurus Iongicarpus), mantis shrimp (Squilla empusa),

isopods, marine worms, and sand dollars. Summer flounder are eaten by large predators, such as sharks, rays, and goosefish (NOAA, 1999c).

Atlantic Butterfish Atlantic butterfish is an important commercial fish species that is also caught as bycatch in other fisheries, such as the fluke, squid, mixed groundfish, and silver hake fisheries (NEFSC, 2006b),

(NEFSC, 2004). Butterfish are an ecologically important species as forage fish for many larger fishes, marine mammals, and birds. The fishery has been in operation since the late 1800s.

Between 1920 and 1962, U.S. landings averaged 3,000 million tons annually (NOAA, 1999k._

U.S. commercial landings averaged 3,200 million tons annually between 1965 and 2002. They peaked in 1984 at 11,972 million tons, with an estimated annual bycatch of 1,000 to 9,200 million tons. A record low catch occurred in 2005 at 432 million tons (NEFSC, 2006b). The Atlantic butterfish fishery is managed by the MAFMC under the Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fishery management plan (NEFSC, 2006b). Due to a lack of data, it has not been established if overfishing is currently occurring, but during the last stock assessment in 1993, it was established that biomass was at medium levels, the catch was not excessive, and recruitment was high (NEFSC, 2004). NOAA has designated EFH for Atlantic butterfish in the Delaware Bay (NOAA, 2010h). According to the NOAA EFH source document, larvae, juveniles, and adults are common in the Delaware Bay, with larvae and adults found in the saline zones and juveniles found in both the mixing and the saline zones. Juveniles and adults are also common in the saline zones of the Delaware inland bays; thus, these areas are considered EFH for this species (NOAA, 1999 The Atlantic butterfish is a pelagic schooling fish. Its range includes the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida, but it is most abundant between the Gulf of Maine and Cape Hatteras (NEFSC, 2006b), (NOAA, 1999e). Butterfish are found in bays, estuaries, and coastal waters up to 200 mi offshore during the summer, over sand, mud, and mixed substrates. Butterfish spawn offshore and in large bays and estuaries from June through August after a northward migration.

They are broadcast spawners; spawning occurs at night in the upper part of the water column in water of 15 °C or more. Eggs are pelagic and buoyant, hatching between 48 and 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> after fertilization, depending on the temperature. The yolk sac is absorbed by the time the larval fish is 0.1 inches (2.6 mm) long ýNOAA, 1999. _Larvae of more than 0.4 inches (10_mm) inlength _

become nektonic, with these larvae and juveniles often associating with jellyfish during their first summer as a strategy to avoid predators (NEFSC, 2006b), (NOAA, 1999eb._Adults _rnigrate.....

Comment [AB34]: NOAA 1999e is not listed in the References section.

C Comment CAB35]: NOAA 1999e is not listed in the References section.

Comment [AB36]: Not listed in the References section.

- Comment [AB37]: Not listed in the References section.

September 2010 2-71 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

seasonally, moving south and offshore in the Middle Atlantic Bight for the winter, and inshore in 2

the spring (NOAA, 1999e._Sexual_maturity is reached byag_e 1; fish rarely livemorethan

--- -- Comment [A3e]s Not listed in the 3

3 years and normally reach a weight of up to 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg) (NEFSC, 2006b).

References section.

4 Butterfish feed on small fish, mollusks (primarily squids), crustaceans, and other pelagic 5

animals, such as thaliaceans, copepods, amphipods, decapods, coelenterates (primarily 6

hydrozoans), polychaetes, euphausids, and ctenophores. They are eaten by haddock, silver 7

hake, goosefish, weakfish, bluefish, swordfish, sharks, spiny dogfish, long-finned squid, pilot 8

whales, common dolphins, greater shearwaters (Puffinus gravis), and northern gannets (Morus 9

bassanus) (NEFSC, 2006b), (NOAA, 1999g), (NEFSC, 2004). Butterfish are eurythermal, found.

Comment[AB39]: Not listed in the 10 between 39.9 and 79.5 'F (4.4 and 26.4 °C), and euryhaline, found in waters of 5 to 32 ppt References secton.

11 (NOAA, 1999e.-------------------------------------------------------

--- Comment [AB40]: Not listed in the I References section.

12 2.2.6 Terrestrial Resources 13 This section describes the terrestrial resources in the immediate vicinity of the Salem and 14 HCGS facilities on Artificial Island and within the transmission line ROWs connecting these 15 facilities to the regional power grid. For this assessment, terrestrial resources were considered 16 to include plants and animals of non-wet uplands, as well as non-tidal wetlands and bodies of 17 freshwater located on Artificial Island or the ROWs.

18 2.2.6.1 Artificial Island 19 As discussed above in the site description, Artificial Island, on which the Salem and HCGS 20 facilities were constructed, is a man-made island approximately 3 mi (4.8 kin) long and 5 mi 21 (8 km) wide that was created by the deposition of dredge spoil material. All terrestrial resources 22 on the island have become established since creation of the island began approximately 23 100 years ago. Consequently, Artificial Island contains poor quality soils and very few trees.

24 Approximately 75 percent of the island is undeveloped and dominated by tidal marsh, which 25 extends from the higher areas along the river, eastward to the marshes of the former natural 26 shoreline of the mainland 27 (Figure 2-9). The 28 terrestrial, non-wetland 29 habitats of the island 30 consist principally of areas 31 covered by grasses and 32 other herbs, with some 33 shrubs and planted trees 34 present in developed 35 areas. Small, isolated, 36 freshwater impoundments 37 and associated wetland 38 areas are also present.

39 The Salem and HCGS 40 facilities were constructed 41 on adjacent portions of the 42 PSEG property, which 43 occupies the southwest 44 corner of Artificial Island.

Figure 2-9. Aerial Showing the Boundaries of Artificial 45 The PSEG property is low Island (dotted yellow), PSEG Property (red dashed), and 46 and flat with elevations Developed Areas (solid blue)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-72 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

rising to about 18 ft (5.5 m) above the level of the river at the highest point. Developed areas 2

covered by facilities and pavement occupy over 70 percent of the site (approximately 266 ac 3

[108 ha]). Maintained areas of grass, including two baseball fields, cover about 12 ac (5 ha) of 4

the site interior. The remaining 25 percent of the PSEG property (approximately 100 ac [40 ha])

5 consists primarily of marsh dominated by the common reed (Phragmites australis) and several 6

cordgrass species (Spartina spp.) (PSEG, 2009b). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 7 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) classifies all land on the project site as urban, 8

while the soils on Artificial Island are Udorthents consisting of dredged fine material 9

(NRCS, 2010). The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) identifies an inland marsh/swamp area 10 on the periphery of the project site adjacent to Hope Creek Road and two small freshwater 11 ponds immediately north of the HCGS reactor. NWI classifies the rest of Artificial Island as 12 estuarine emergent marsh, with the exception of the northernmost I mi (1.6 km) of the island, 13 which is occupied by freshwater emergent wetlands and freshwater ponds (FWS, 201 Oa).

14 The site is within the Middle Atlantic coastal plain of the eastern temperate forest ecoregion 15 (EPA, 2007). The tidal marsh vegetation of the site periphery and adjacent areas is dominated 16 by the common reed, but other plants present include big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides),

17 salt marsh cordgrass (S. altemiflora), saltmeadow cordgrass (S. patens), and saltmarsh bulrush 18 (Scirpus robustus) (PSEG, 2009b). Fragments of this marsh community exist along the eastern 19 edge of the PSEG property. The non-estuarine vegetation on the undeveloped areas within the 20 facilities consists mainly of small areas of turf grasses and planted shrubs and trees around 21 buildings, parking lots, and roads.

22 The animal species present on Artificial Island are likely typical of those inhabiting estuarine 23 tidal marshes and adjacent habitats within the Delaware Estuary. Tidal marshes in this region 24 are commonly used by many migrant and resident birds because they provide habitat for 25 breeding, foraging, and resting (PSEG, 2004b). In 1972, Salem pre-construction surveys 26 conducted within a 4 mi (6 km) radius of the project site recorded 44 avian species, including 27 many shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl associated with open water and emergent marsh 28 areas of the estuary. During construction of the Salem facility, several avian species were 29 observed on the project site, including the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), common 30 grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), song sparrow (Melospiza 31 melodia), and yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) (AEC, 1973). HCGS construction studies 32 reported the occurrence of 178 bird species within 10 mi (16 km) of the project site.

33 Approximately half of these species were recorded primarily from tidal marsh and the open 34 water of the Delaware River (habitat similar to the project site), and roughly 45 of the 178 total 35 observed species were classified as permanent resident species (PSEG, 1983). The osprey 36 (Pandion haliaeetus) has been observed nesting on transmission line towers on Artificial Island 37 (PSEG, 1983), (NRC, 1984), (NJDFW, 2009b). Resident songbirds, such as the marsh wren 38 (Cistothorus palustris), and migratory songbirds, such as the swamp sparrow (Melospiza 39 georgiana), have been observed using the nearby Alloway Creek Estuary Enhancement 40 Program restoration site for breeding purposes (PSEG, 2004b). These and other marsh species 41 likely occur in the marsh habitats on Artificial Island.

42 Mammals reported to occur on Artificial Island, in the area of the Salem and HCGS facilities 43 before their construction, include the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Norway rat 44 (Rattus norvegicus), and house mouse (Mus musculus) (AEC, 1973). Signs of raccoon 45 (Procyon lotor) have been observed near Salem, and other mammals likely to occur in the 46 vicinity of the two facilities include the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), muskrat 47 (Ondatra zibethica), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis).

48 Surveys conducted in association with the construction of HCGS identified 45 mammals that September 2010 2-73 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

could be expected to occur within 10 mi (16 km) of the project site (PSEG, 1983). Of the 45 2

species identified, 8 were species associated with marsh habitats, such as the meadow vole 3

(Microtus pennsylvanicus) and marsh rice rat (Oryzomys pulustris).

4 Eight of 26 reptile species observed during surveys related to the early operation of HCGS were 5

recorded from tidal marsh (PSEG, 1983). Three species, the snapping turtle (Chelydra 6

serpentina), northern water snake (Natrix sipedon), and eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon 7

subrubrum), prefer freshwater habitats but also occur in brackish marsh. The northern 8

diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) inhabits saltwater and brackish habitats and could 9

occur in tidal marsh adjacent to the project site.

10 Two wildlife management areas (WMAs) managed by the NJDFW are located near Salem and 11 HCGS:

12 Abbotts Meadow WMA encompasses approximately 1,000 ac (405 ha) and 13 is located about 4 mi (6.4 km) northeast of HCGS.

14 Mad Horse Creek State WMA encompasses roughly 9,500 ac (3,844 ha), of 15 which the northernmost portion is situated approximately 0.5 mi (0.8 km) 16 from the site. The southern portion of this WMA includes Stowe Creek, 17 which is designated as an important bird area (IBA) in New Jersey. The 18 Stowe Creek IBA provides breeding habitat for several pairs of bald eagles 19 (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), which are State-listed as endangered, and the 20 adjacent tidal wetlands support large populations of the northern harrier, 21 which is also State-listed as endangered, as well as many other birds 22 dependent on salt marsh/wetland habitats (National Audubon Society, 23 2010).

24 2.2.6.2 Transmission Line Right-of-Ways 25 Section 2.2.1 describes the existing power transmission system that distributes electricity from 26 Salem and HCGS to the regional power grid. There are four 500-kV transmission lines within 27 three ROWs that extend beyond the PSEG property on Artificial Island. Two ROWs extend 28 northeast approximately 40 mi (64 km) to the New Freedom substation south of Philadelphia.

29 The other ROW extends north then west approximately 25 mi (40 km), crossing the Delaware 30 River and ending at the Keeney substation in Delaware (Figure 2-8).

31 In total, the three ROWs for the Salem and HCGS power transmission system occupy 32 approximately 4,376 ac (1,771 ha) and pass through a variety of habitat types, including 33 marshes and other wetlands, agricultural or forested land, and some urban and residential 34 areas (PSEG, 2009a). When the ROWs exit Salem and HCGS, they initially pass through 35 approximately 3 mi (5 km) of estuarine emergent marsh east of the property boundary. The 36 primary land cover type then crossed by the north and south New Freedom ROWs 37 (approximately 30 mi [48 km]) within their middle segments is a mixture of agricultural and 38 forested land. The Keeney ROW exits HCGS and heads north, traversing approximately 5 mi 39 (8 km) of emergent marsh and swamp paralleling the New Jersey coast, before it crosses 8 mi 40 (13 km) of agricultural, sparsely forested, and rural residential property. The Keeney corridor 41 then continues west across the Delaware River for approximately 3.25 mi (5.25 km) until it 42 reaches the Red Lion substation. From the substation, the Red Lion-Keeney portion of the line 43 within the Keeney ROW remains exclusively within Delaware, crossing primarily highly 44 developed, residential land.

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Affected Environment 1

For approximately the last one-quarter of the length, the New Freedom ROWs, before their 2

termination at the New Freedom substation, traverse the New Jersey Pinelands National 3

Reserve (PNR) (NPS, 2006). Temperate broadleaf forest is the major ecosystem type of the 4

reserve, which was designated a U.S. Biosphere Reserve in 1988 by the United Nations 5

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Biosphere Reserves are areas of 6

terrestrial and coastal ecosystems with three complementary roles: conservation, sustainable 7

development, and logistical support for research, monitoring, and education (UNESCO, 2010).

8 PNR is protected and its future development is guided by the Pinelands Comprehensive 9

Management Plan, which is implemented by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission. The 10 commission is also responsible for regulating the maintenance of all bulk electric transmission 11 (greater than 69 kV) ROWs in the Pinelands area and, therefore, oversees maintenance of the 12 portions of the north and south Salem/HCGS New Freedom ROWs that fall within the PNR 13 (New Jersey Pinelands Commission, 2009). The two New Freedom corridors also cross the 14 Great Egg Harbor River, a designated National Scenic and Recreational River located within the 15 PNR. This 129-mi (208-km) river system (including 17 tributaries) starts in suburban towns near 16 Berlin, NJ and meanders for approximately 60 mi (97 km), gradually widening as tributaries 17 enter, until terminating at the Atlantic Ocean.

18 The Endangered and Nongame Species Program of the NJDFW identifies critical habitat for 19 bald eagles, including areas the species uses for foraging, roosting, and nesting. All three 20 ROWs traverse land classified as critical bald eagle foraging habitat (NJDEP, 2006). Typical 21 foraging habitat for this species consists of tall trees for perching near large bodies of water.

22 The tideland marshes of southern New Jersey are particularly good locations for winter foraging 23 (NJDFW, 2010a).

24 2.2.7 Threatened and Endangered Species 25 This discussion of threatened and endangered species is organized based on the principal 26 ecosystems in which such species may occur in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities 27 and the associated transmission line ROWs. Thus, Section 2.2.7.1 discusses aquatic species 28 that may occur in adjacent areas of the Delaware Estuary, and Section 2.2.7.2 discusses 29 terrestrial species that may occur on Artificial Island or the three ROWs, as well as freshwater 30 aquatic species that may occur in the relatively small streams and wetlands within these 31 terrestrial areas.

32 2.2.7.1 Aquatic Species of the Delaware Estuary 33 There are five aquatic species with a Federal listing status of threatened or endangered that 34 have the potential to occur in the Delaware Estuary in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS 35 facilities. These species include four sea turtles and one fish (Table 2-8). In addition, there is 36 one fish species that is a Federal candidate for listing (NMFS, 201 Ob), (FWS, 2010b). These six 37 species also have a State listing status of threatened or endangered in New Jersey and/or 38 Delaware (NJDEP, 2008b), (DNREC, 2008). These species are discussed below.

September 2010 2-75 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-8. Threatened and Endangered Aquatic Species of the Delaware Estuary Statusla)

Scientific Name Common Name Federal New Jersey Delaware Reptiles Caretta caretta Loggerhead sea turtle T

E E

Chelonia mydas Green sea turtle T

T E

Lepidochelys kempii Kemp's ridley sea turtle E

E E

Dermochelys coiacea Leatherback sea turtle E

E E

Fish Acipenser brevirostrum Shortnose sturgeon E

E A. oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Atlantic sturgeon C

E

(') E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate 2

Kemp's Ridley, Loggerhead, Green, and Leatherback Sea Turtles 3

Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles with large flippers and streamlined bodies. They inhabit 4

tropical and subtropical marine and estuarine waters around the world. Of the seven species in 5

the world, six occur in waters of the United States, and all are listed as threatened or 6

endangered. The four species identified by the NMFS as potentially occurring in the Delaware 7

Estuary are the threatened loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles 8

and the endangered Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempil) and leatherback (Dermochelys 9

coriacea) sea turtles. Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, and green sea turtles have been documented 10 in the Delaware Estuary at or near the Salem and HCGS facilities, while the leatherback sea 11 turtle is less likely to occur in the vicinity (NMFS, 2010b).

12 Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, and green sea turtles have a similar appearance, though they differ 13 in maximum size and coloration. The Kemp's ridley is the smallest species of sea turtle; adults 14 average about 100 lbs (45 kg) with a carapace length of 24 to 28 inches (61 to 71 cm) and a 15 shell color that varies from gray in young individuals to olive green in adults. The loggerhead is 16 the next largest of these three species; adults average about 250 lbs (113 kg) with a carapace 17 length of 36 inches (91 cm) and a reddish brown shell color. The green is the largest of the 18 three; adults average 300 to 350 lbs (136 to 159 kg) with a length of more than 3 ft (1 m) and 19 brown coloration (its name comes from its greenish colored fat). The leatherback is the largest 20 species of sea turtle and the largest living reptile; adults can weigh up to about 2,000 lbs 21 (907 kg) with a length of 6.5 ft (2 m). The leatherback is the only sea turtle that lacks a hard, 22 bony shell. Instead, its carapace is approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) thick with seven longitudinal 23 ridges and consists of loosely connected dermal bones covered by leathery connective tissue.

24 The Kemp's ridley has a carnivorous diet that includes fish, jellyfish, and mollusks. The 25 loggerhead has an omnivorous diet that includes fish, jellyfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and 26 aquatic plants. The green has a herbivorous diet of aquatic plants, mainly seagrasses and 27 algae, that is unique among sea turtles. The leatherback has a carnivorous diet of soft-bodied, 28 pelagic prey, such as jellyfish and salps (NMFS, 201 Oc).

29 All four of these sea turtle species nest on sandy beaches; none nest on the Delaware River 30 (NMFS, 2010c). They are generally distributed in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, and 31 there is evidence that they return to their natal beaches to nest. The leatherback has the widest 32 distribution of all the species, as it has physiological adaptations that allow survival and foraging 33 in much colder water than the other species (NMFS and FWS, 2007a). Major threats to these Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-76 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

sea turtles include the destruction of beach nesting habitats and incidental mortality from 2

commercial fishing activities. Sea turtles are killed by many fishing methods, including longline, 3

bottom, and mid-water trawling, dredges, gillnets, and pots/traps. The required use of turtle 4

exclusion devices has reduced bycatch mortality. Additional sources of mortality due to human 5

activities include boat strikes and entanglement in marine debris (NMFS and FWS, 2007a),

6 (NMFS and FWS, 2007b), (NMFS and FWS, 2007c), (NOAA, 2010i).

7 Shortnose Stur-geon 8

The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is a primitive fish, similar in appearance to 9

other sturgeon (NOAA, 201 0j), and has not evolved significantly for the past 120 million years 10 (NEFSC, 2006). This species was not specifically targeted as a commercial fishery species, but 11 has been taken as bycatch in the Atlantic sturgeon and shad fisheries. As they were not easily 12 distinguished from Atlantic sturgeon, early data is unavailable for this species (NMFS, 1998).

13 Furthermore, since the 1950s, when the Atlantic sturgeon fishery declined, shortnose sturgeon 14 data has been almost completely lacking. Due to this lack of data, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 15 Service (FWS) believed that the species had been extirpated from most of its range; reasons 16 noted for the decline included pollution and overfishing. Later research indicated that the 17 construction of dams and industrial growth along the larger rivers on the Atlantic coast in the 18 late 1800s also contributed to their decline due to loss of habitat.

19 In 1967, the shortnose sturgeon was listed as endangered under the recently implemented 20 Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. After the ESA was passed in 1973, NMFS 21 assumed responsibility for the species in 1974. NMFS established a recovery plan in 1998 22 listing actions that would assist in increasing population sizes (NOAA, 2010j). The overall 23 objective of the recovery plan is to maintain genetic diversity and avoid extinction of the species 24 (NEFSC, 2006). The recovery plan recognizes 19 different populations along the Atlantic coast 25 due to the fact that sturgeon, in each population, return to their natal rivers to spawn, making 26 genetic intermingling unlikely. The populations are still managed together, however, as not 27 enough data currently exist to definitively separate the breeding populations (NMFS, 1998). The 28 ASMFC currently manages the shortnose sturgeon, along with the Atlantic sturgeon, under a 29 management plan that was implemented in 1990. An amendment was added in 1998 prohibiting 30 all sturgeon harvesting in response to a rapid decline in abundance. This amendment requires 31 20 year classes of females to be present in any population before any fishing is considered. As 32 of 2006, no shortnose sturgeon had been caught in the NMFS bottom trawl survey program 33 (NEFSC, 2006).

34 The shortnose sturgeon is found along the Atlantic coast from Canada to Florida in a variety of 35 habitats. They occur in fast-flowing riverine waters, estuaries, and, in some locations, offshore 36 marine areas over the continental slope. They are anadromous, spawning in coastal rivers and 37 later migrating into estuaries and nearshore environments during the non-spawning periods.

38 They do not appear to make long distance offshore migrations like other anadromous fishes 39 (NOAA, 2010j). Migration into freshwater to spawn occurs between late winter and early 40 summer, dependent on latitude (NEFSC, 2006). Spawning occurs in deep, rapidly flowing water 41 over gravel, rubble, or boulder substrates (FWS, 2001a). Eggs are deposited on hard surfaces 42 to which they adhere before hatching after 9 to 12 days. The yolk sac is absorbed in an 43 additional 9 to 12 days (NMFS, 1998). Juveniles remain in freshwater or the fresher areas of 44 estuaries for 3 to 5 years, they then move to more saline areas, including nearshore ocean 45 waters (NEFSC, 2006). Shortnose sturgeon can live up to 30 years (males) to 67 years 46 (females), can grow up to 4.7 ft (143 cm) long, and can reach a weight of 51 lbs (23 kg). Age at 47 sexual maturity varies within their range from north to south, with individuals in the Delaware September 2010 2-77 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Bay area reaching maturity at 3 to 5 years for males and approximately 6 years for females 2

(NOAA, 2010j). Shortnose sturgeon are demersal and feed on benthos. Juveniles feed on 3

benthic insects, such as Hexagenia sp., Chaoborus sp., Chironomus sp., and small crustaceans 4

(Gammarus sp., Asellus sp., Cyathura polita) (NMFS, 1998). Adults feed over gravel and mud 5

substrates, in deep channels and nearshore ocean waters (FWS, 2001 a), where they consume 6

mostly mollusks and larger crustaceans (NOAA, 201 0j). Prey species for adults include Physa 7

sp., Heliosoma sp., Corbicula manilensis, Amnicola limnosa, Valvata sp., Pisidium sp., Elliptio 8

complanata, Mya arenaria, Macoma balthica, gammarid amphipods, and zebra mussels 9

(Dreissena polymorpha) (NMFS, 1998). Additional food items for both juveniles and adults 10 include worms, plants, and small fish (NEFSC, 2006).

11 In the Delaware Estuary, shortnose sturgeon most often occur in the Delaware River and may 12 be found occasionally in the nearshore ocean. Their abundance is greatest between Trenton, 13 NJ and Philadelphia, PA. Adults overwinter in large groups between Trenton and Bordentown, 14 NJ, but little is known of the distribution of juveniles in the Delaware Estuary (USACE, 2009). A 15 review of the status of the shortnose sturgeon was initiated in 2007 and was still underway as of 16 2008, when the latest biennial report to Congress regarding the ESA was completed. Due to its 17 distinct populations, the status of the species varies depending on the river in question. The 18 population estimate for the Delaware Estuary (1999-2003) was 12,047 adults. Current threats 19 to the shortnose sturgeon also vary among rivers. Generally, over the entire range, most threats 20 are related to dams, pollution, and general industrial growth in the 1800s. Drought and climate 21 change are considered aggravators of the existing threats due to lowered water levels which 22 can reduce access to spawning areas, increase thermal injury, and concentrate pollutants.

23 Additional threats include discharges, dredging, or disposal of material into rivers; development 24 activities involving estuaries or riverine mudflats and marshes; and mortality due to bycatch in 25 the shad gillnet fishery. The Delaware River population is most threatened by dredging 26 operations and water quality issues (NMFS, 2008).

27 Atlantic Sturgeon 28 Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxytinchus oxyrinchus) are an evolutionarily ancient fish, remaining 29 relatively unchanged for the past 70 million years. They were originally considered a junk fish, 30 used as fertilizer and fuel. As the demand for caviar grew, they were harvested for human 31 consumption. By 1870, a large commercial fishery for Atlantic sturgeon was established. This 32 fishery crashed in approximately 100 years due to overfishing, exacerbated by the fact that this 33 species takes a very long time to reach sexual maturity. They were caught for many reasons:

34 their flesh and eggs were processed for human consumption, their skin was made into leather 35 products such as book bindings, and their swim bladders were used to make gelatin and small 36 windows. Landings at the turn of the century averaged 7 million lbs per year. They declined to 37 100,000 to 250,000 lbs by the 1990s. The ASMFC adopted a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) 38 in 1990 that implemented harvest quotas. The FMP was amended in 1998 with a coast-wide 39 moratorium on Atlantic sturgeon harvest that will remain in place until 2038. This moratorium 40 was mirrored by the Federal Government in 1999, prohibiting harvest in the exclusive economic 41 zone offshore (ASMFC, 2009c). Recommendations in the FMP with respect to habitat 42 conservation include: (1) identifying, characterizing, and protecting critical spawning and nursery 43 areas; (2) identifying critical habitat characteristics of spawning staging and oceanic areas; 44 (3) determining environmental tolerance levels (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, river flow, 45 salinity, etc.) for all life stages; and (4) determining the effects of contaminants on all life stages, 46 especially eggs, larvae, and juveniles (ASMFC, 201 Oc).

Draft NUREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-78 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

The current status of the Atlantic sturgeon stock is unknown due to little reliable data. In 1998, a 2

coast-wide stock assessment determined that biomass was much lower than it had been in the 3

early 1900s. This assessment resulted in the coast-wide moratorium in an effort to accumulate 4

20 years worth of breeding stock. Concurrent with the assessment, it was decided that listing 5

the Atlantic sturgeon as threatened or endangered was not warranted. The NMFS reviewed the 6

status again in 2005 and concluded that the stock should be broken into five distinct 7

populations: the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Chesapeake Bay, Carolina, and South Atlantic 8

stocks. Three of these are likely to become endangered (Carolina, Chesapeake Bay, and New 9

York Bight). The other two populations have a moderate chance of becoming endangered. Due 10 to a lack of appropriate data, the NMFS could not list the species as threatened or endangered 11 at that time. Threats to the Atlantic sturgeon and its habitat include bycatch mortality, poor water 12 quality, lack of adequate State and/or Federal regulatory mechanisms, dredging activities, 13 habitat impediments (dams blocking spawning areas), and ship strikes (ASMFC, 2009c). As of 14 2009, the Atlantic sturgeon over its entire range is listed as a species of concern and a 15 candidate species by the NMFS. Reasons for the listing include genetic diversity (distinct 16 populations) and lack of population size estimates (only the Hudson and Altamaha River 17 populations are adequately documented) (NOAA, 2009b).

18 Atlantic sturgeon are found along the Atlantic coast in the ocean, large rivers, and estuaries 19 from Labrador to northern Florida. They have been extirpated from most coastal systems except 20 for the Hudson River, the Delaware River, and some South Carolina systems (ASMFC, 201 Oc).

21 They are anadromous, migrating inshore to coastal estuaries and rivers to spawn in the spring.

22 A single fish will only spawn every 2 to 6 years (ASMFC, 2009c). Spawning is accomplished by 23 broadcasting eggs in fast-flowing, deep water with hard bottoms (ASMFC, 201 Oc). Eggs are 24 demersal and stick to the substrate after 20 minutes of dispersal time. Larvae are pelagic, 25 swimming in the water column, and become benthic juveniles within 4 weeks (ASMFC, 2009c).

26 Juveniles remain where they hatch for 1 to 6 years before migrating to the ocean to complete 27 their growth (ASMFC, 2009c). Little is known about the distribution and timing of juveniles and 28 their migration, but aggregations at the freshwater/saltwater interface suggest that these areas 29 are nurseries (ASMFC, 2010c). At between 30 and 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) in length, juveniles 30 move offshore (NOAA, 2009b). Data are lacking regarding adult and sub-adult distribution and 31 habitats in the open ocean (ASMFC, 2010c). Atlantic sturgeon can live for up to 60 years and 32 can reach 14 ft (4.3 m) and 800 lbs (363 kg). Sexual maturity is reached by females between 33 7 and 30 years of age and by males between 5 and 24 years (ASMFC, 2009c).

34 Atlantic sturgeon are benthic predators and feed on mussels, worms, shrimps, and small fish 35 (ASMFC, 2009c). Juveniles are known to consume sludgeworms, annelid worms, polycheate 36 worms, isopods, amphipods, chironomid larvae, mayfly and other insect larvae, small bivalve 37 mollusks, mysids, and amphipods. Little is known of the adult and sub-adult feeding habits in 38 the marine environment, but some studies have found that these life stages consume mollusks, 39 polychaetes, gastropods, shrimps, amphipods, isopods, and small fish. Juveniles and adults 40 may compete for food with other benthic feeders, such as shortnose sturgeon, suckers 41 (Moxotoma sp.), winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), tautog (Tautoga onitis), cunner 42 (Tautagolabrus adspersus), porgies (Sparidae), croakers (Sciaenidae), and stingrays (Dasyatis 43 sp.). Juveniles are preyed upon by sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus), gar (Lepisosteus sp.),

44 striped bass, common carp (Cyprinus carpio), northern pikeminnows (Ptychocheilus 45 oregonensis), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu),

46 walleye (Sander vitreus), fallfish (Semotilus corporalis), and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) 47 (ASMFC, 2009d).

September 2010 2-79 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

The Delaware River and associated estuarine habitats may have historically supported the 2

largest Atlantic sturgeon stock on the east coast. Juveniles were once caught as bycatch in 3

numbers large enough to be a nuisance in the American shad fishery. It has been estimated 4

that over 180,000 females spawned annually in the Delaware River before 1870. Juveniles have 5

more recently been captured in surveys near Trenton, NJ. Gillnet surveys by the Delaware 6

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) have captured juveniles 7

frequently near Artificial Island and Cherry Island Flats. The DNREC also tracks mortality during 8

the spawning season. In 2005 and 2006, 12 large adult fish carcasses were found with severe 9

external injuries, presumed to be caused by boat strikes (ASMFC, 2009d).

10 2.2.7.2 Terrestrial and Freshwater Aquatic Species 11 There are seven terrestrial species with a Federal listing status of threatened or endangered 12 that have recorded occurrences or the potential to occur either in Salem County, in which the 13 Salem and HCGS facilities are located, or the additional counties crossed by the three ROWs 14 (Gloucester and Camden counties in New Jersey, and New Castle County in Delaware). These 15 species include a turtle, a beetle, and five plants (Table 2-9) (FWS, 2010b).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-80 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2 Table 2-9. Threatened and Endangered Terrestrial and Freshwater Aquatic Species Recorded in Salem County and Counties Crossed by Transmission Lines Status Scientific Name Common Name Countyl')

Habitated)

Federal'a)

Stateta),tbi anyc Mammals Rock outcrops, caves, swamps, bogs dense thickets of briars; conifers in contiguous forest; and forests fragmented by agricultural areas(1 )

Birds Accipiter cooperii Cooper's hawk T/T Gloucester, Salem Ammodramus henslowhi Henslow's sparrow E

Gloucester A. savannarum grasshopper sparrow T/S Salem Deciduous, coniferous, and mixed riparian or wetland forests; specifically remote red maple or black gum swamps(

1 )

Open fallow fields with high, thick herbaceous vegetation (not woody) with a few scattered shrubs; and grassy fields between salt marsh and uplands along the Delaware Bay coast(')

Grasslands, pastures, agricultural lands, and other habitats with short-to medium-height grasses scattered with patches of bare ground'1 )

Open meadows and fallow fields often associated with pastures, airports, or farms with a mixture of tall and short grasses(1 )

Deciduous, riparian, or mixed woodlands in remote, old growth forests; and hardwood swamps with standing water, or vast contiguous, freshwater wetlands(

1

)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 Bartramia Iongicauda upland sandpiper E

Gloucester, Salem Buteo lineatus red-shouldered hawk Gloucester September 2010 2-81

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name FederaP)

State(allb)

County`c)

Habitat(d)

Circus cyaneus northern harrier E/U Cistothorus platensis Dolichonyx oryzivorus sedge wren E

Salem Salem Salem bobolink T/T Falco peregrinus Falco sparverius peregrine falcon American kestrel Camden, Gloucester, Salem SC Camden, Gloucester, Salem Freshwater, brackish, and saline tidal marshes; emergent wetlands; fallow fields; grasslands; meadows; airports; and agricultural areas(1)

Wet meadows, freshwater marshes, bogs, and drier portions of salt or brackish coastal marshes(l)

Hayfields, pastures, grassy meadows, and other low-intensity agricultural areas; may occur in coastal and freshwater marshes during migration(')

Nest on buildings, bridges, and man-made structures; forage in open area near water(1)

Open fields and pastures with scattered trees for perching and nesting sites; power line ROWs(24)

Large, perch trees in forested areas associated with water and tidal areas(l)

Moist woodlands, hillsides, parks, orchards, and woodlots in suburbs(21)

Upland and wetland open woods that contain dead or dying trees, and sparse undergrowth(

Dead trees or platforms near coastal/inland rivers, marshes, bays, inlets, and other areas associated with bodies of water that support adequate fish populations(

1)

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Hylocichla mustelina Melanerpes erythrocephalus Pandion haliaetus bald eagle wood thrush red-headed woodpecker E

Gloucester, Salem Camden, Gloucester, Salem SC/S Camden, Gloucester, TfT Salem osprey T/T Gloucester, Salem Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-82 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Countyý')

Habitatd Federal~a)

Statelalib)

C~t~)Hbttd Open habitats such as alfalfa fields, Passerculus sandwichensis savannah sparrow T/IT Salem grasslands, meadows, fallow fields, airports, along the coast; and within salt marsh edges as well(1)

Freshwater marshes associated with Podulymbus podiceps pied-billed grebe

-E/S Salem bogs, lakes, or slow-moving rivers(1 )

Pastures, grasslands, cultivated fields Pooecetes gramineus vesper sparrow E

Gloucester, Salem containing crops, and other open areas(1)

Remote, contiguous, old growth wetland forests, including deciduous Stnx varia barred owl T/T Gloucester, Salem wetland forests; and Atlantic white cedar swamps associated with stream corridors(

1)

Reptiles and Amphibians Ambystoma tigrinum Bufo woodhousii fowleri eastem tiger salamander E

Gloucester, Salem Uplands and wetlands containing breeding ponds, forests, and burrowing-appropriate soil types such as old fields, and deciduous or mixed woods(

1)

Wooded areas, river valleys, floodplains, agricultural areas, areas with deep friable soils; burrows underground or hides under rocks, plants, or other cover when inactive; eggs and larvae develop in shallow water of marshes, rain pools, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and flooded areas(

16 )

Fowler's toad SC Camden, Gloucester, Salem September 2010 2-83 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Fdrl SaeabiCountyla)

Habitatidi Clemmys guttata spotted turtle SC Camden, Gloucester, Salem Clemmys insculpta C. muhlenbergii wood turtle bog turtle E

Gloucester T

E DE: E Camden, Gloucester, Salem, New Castle Wetlands with clean, shallow, slow-moving water with muddy or mucky bottoms, including aquatic and emergent vegetation, shallow ponds, wet meadows, swamps, bogs, fens, sedge meadows, wet prairies, shallow cattail marshes, sphagnum seepages, small woodland streams, and roadside ditches; during mating and nesting seasons, open fields and woodlands, and along roads(12)

Forests, meadows, or open fields near freshwater streams, creeks, or relatively remote rivers(1)

Open, wet, grassy pastures or bogs with soft, muddy bottoms(1 )

Deciduous upland forest or pineland habitats, often near cedar swamps and along stream banks(

1 )

Specialized acidic habitats such as Atlantic white cedar swamps and pitch pine lowlands with open canopies, dense shrub layers, and heavy ground cover(1 )

Marshes bordering salt or brackish tidal waters, mudflats, shallow bays, and coves; tidal estuaries with adjacent sandy uplands for nesting(22)

Dry pine-oak forest types growing on infertile sandy soils(l)

Crotalus hormdus horridus timber rattlesnake E

Camden Hyla andersoni pine barrens treefrog northern diamondback terrapin northern pine snake E

Camden, Gloucester, Salem SC Camden, Gloucester, Salem T

Camden, Gloucester, Salem Malaclemys terrapin terrapin Pituophis melanoleucus Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-84 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Countyl')

Habitat(d)

Federal~a)

Statela).(b) ony' Forested habitats with sandy soils and a source of water such as a Terrapene carolina carolina eastern box turtle SC Camden, Gloucester, stream, pond, lake, marsh, or swamp; Salem thickets; old fields; pastures; and vegetated dunes-sandy, open areas for nesting sites(Y2)

Invertebrates Alasmidonta undulata Callophrys irus Lampsilis canosa Lampsilis radiata Leptodea ochracea triangle floater frosted elfin T

T T

Gloucester Camden Gloucester yellow lampmussel eastern lampmussel tidewater mucket eastern pond mussel bronze copper American burying beetle T

Camden, Gloucester, Salem Stable substrates in waters of moderate flow in small rivers and headwater streams(26)

Dry clearings and open areas, savannas, ower line ROWs, and roadsides(*)

Medium to large rivers, lakes, and ponds; substrate types - sand, silt, cobble, and gravel; larval hosts -

white perch and yellow perch(22)

Small streams, large rivers, ponds, and lakes; refers sand or gravel substrates Freshwater with tidal influence on the lower coastal plain; pristine rivers(32)

Lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers of variable depths with muddy, sandy, or gravelly substrates(

32)

Brackish and freshwater marshes, bogs, fens, seepages, wet sedge meadows, riparian zones, wet grasslands, and drainage ditches(1 )

Open areas, primarily coastal grassland/scrub(1 )

Open areas, savannas, old fields, vacant lots, power line ROWs, forest edges(

1 )

T Camden, Gloucester Ligumia nasuta T

Camden, Gloucester Lycaena hyllus Nicrophorus americanus E

Salem E

E Camden, Gloucester Pontia protodice checkered white T

Camden September 2010 2-85 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Federal t' Statetalib)

County"'

Habitat(d)

Semi-open shale slopes with exposed crumbly rock or soil, sparse herbaceous vegetation, surrounded by scrub oak or oak-hickory woodlands; larval host plant -

Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian griEled Gloucester Canada cinquefoil (Potentilla skipper canadensis); tufted grasses like broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus),

spring beauty (Claytonia spp.), phlox (Phlox subulata), and birdsfoot violet (Viola pedata)(22)

Plants Aeschynomene virginica sensitive joint vetch T

E a

I U U e S Le I, Salem Aplectrum hyemale putty root Aristida lanosa wooly three-awn grass E

E E

Gloucester Camden, Salem Asimina trloba Aster radula Bouteloua curtipendula Cacalia atriplicifolia pawpaw low rough aster Gloucester FIIesh LU slightly sdlty kUldaklsW UUd!

marshes(2)

Moist, deciduous upland to swampy forests(3)

Dry fields, uplands, and pink-oak woods; primarily in sandy soil(4)

Shady, open-woods areas in wet, fertile bottomlands, or upland areas on rich soils(

5 )

Wet meadows, open boggy woods, and along the edges; or openings in wet spruce or tamarack forests(b)

Rocky, open slopes, woodlands, and forest openings up to an elevation of approximately 7,000 ft(S)

Dry, open woods, thickets, and rocky openings(

6 )

Camden, Gloucester, Salem side oats grama grass pale Indian plantain E

Gloucester E

Camden, Gloucester Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-86 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Federallo)

Statelallb)

County(c)

Calystegia spithamaea Cardamine Iongii Carex aquatilis C. bushii C. cumulata C. limosa C. polymorpha Castanea purmia Cercis canadensis Chenopodium rubrum Commelina erecta September 2010 erect bindweed Long's bittercress water sedge Bush's sedge clustered sedge mud sedge variable sedge E

E E

E E

E E

E E

E Camden, Salem Gloucester Camden Camden Camden Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester, Salem Camden Camden Camden Habitat(d)

Dry, open, sandy to rocky sites such as pitch pine/scrub oak barrens, sandy roadsides, riverbanks, and ROWsm Shady tidal creeks, swamps, and mudflats(8)

Swamps, bogs, marshes, very wet soil, ponds, lakes, marshy meadows, and other wetland-type sites(9)

Dry to mesic grasslands and forest margins(3)

Damp, open rocky areas with shallow, sandy soils(s)

Fens, sphagnum bogs, wet meadows, and shorelines(3)

Dry, sandy, open areas of scrub, forests, swampy woods, and along banks and marsh edges(8)

High ridges and slopes within mixed hardwood forests, dry pinelands, and ROWs(5 )

Rich, moist wooded areas in the forest understory, stream banks, and abandoned farmlands(5)

Moist, often salty soils along the Atlantic coast' 0)

Along roadsides and stream banks; in gardens and prairies in sandy or clayey soils(5) chinquapin redbud red goosefoot slender dayflower E

2-87 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Federal(')

Statelalb)

County(c)

E Cyperus lancastriensis C. polystachyos C. pseudovegetus C. retrofractus Dalibarda repens Diodia virginiana Draba reptans Eleocharis melanocarpa E. equisetoides E. tortilis Elephantopus carolinianus Eriophorum gracile Lancaster flat sedge coast flat sedge marsh flat sedge rough flat sedge robin-run-away larger buttonweed Carolina Whitlow-grass black-fruit spike-rush knotted spike-rush twisted spike-rush Carolina elephant-foot slender cotton-grass E

E Camden, Gloucester Salem Salem Camden, Gloucester Gloucester Camden Camden, Gloucester Salem Gloucester Gloucester Gloucester, Salem Gloucester Habitat(d)

Riverbanks, floodplains, and other disturbed, sunny or partly sunny places in mesic or dry-mesic soils(3)

Along shores, in ditches, and swales between dunes(3)

Open mesic forests, stream edges, swamps, moist sandy areas, and bottomland prairies(1)

Sandy, disturbed areas; openings of dry upland forests and prairies(1 )

Swamps, moist woodlands, and other cool, wet areas(

12)

Wet meadows in wet soils and pond margins (11)

Rocky or sandy soils in prairies and other disturbed areas(

13 )

Fresh, oligotrophic, often drying, sandy shores, ponds, and ditches(3)

Fresh lakes, ponds, marshes, streams, and cypress swamps(3)

Bogs, ditches, seeps, and other freshwater, acidic places(

3 )

Full sun to partial shade in dry to medium, sandy soils(14)

Peaty, acidic substrates such as bogs, meadows, and shores(3)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-88 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Countyý')

Habitat(d)

Federal(4)

Statelal.b)

E. tenellum rough cotton-grass E

Camden, Gloucester Bogs and other wet, peaty substrates(3)

Eupatorium capillifolium E. resinosum Euphorbia purpurea Glycena grandis Gnaphalium helleri Gymnopogon brevifolius Helonias bullata Hemicarpha micrantha Hottonia inflata Hydrastis canadensis Hydrocotyle ranunculoides dog fennel thoroughwort E

Camden pine barren boneset Darlington's glade spurge American manna grass small everlasting short-leaf skeleton grass swamp pink small-flower halfchaff sedge E

Camden, Gloucester E

E E

E Salem Camden Camden Gloucester Coastal meadows, fallow fields, flatwoods, marshes, and disturbed sites(

15)

Tidal marshes, wetlands, open swamps, wet ditches, sandy acidic soils of grass-sedge bogs, pocosin-savannah ecotones beaver ponds, and shrub swamps(17 Rich, cool woods along seeps, streams, or swamps(17 Grassy areas(

6)

Dry woods, often in sandy soil(

1 3)

Dryish clay-loam soils, calcareous glades, and relict prairies(23)

Swamps and groundwater-influenced, and perennially water-saturated forested wetlands(w)

Emergent shorelines, but rarely freshwater tidal shores(

3 )

Quiet, shallow water of pools, streams, ditches, and occasionally in wet soil(20)

Mesic, deciduous forests, often on clayey soil(3)

Ponds, marshes, and wet ground(1 9)

T Camden, Gloucester, Salem, New Castle featherfoil E

E E

E Camden Salem Camden Salem golden seal floating marsh-pennywort September 2010 2-89 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name county"'

Habitat(d)

FederalBan State(a),abl Pondty'r Hypericum adpressum Barton's St. John's-wort

-E Salem Pond shorem7 Isotria meleoloides Juncus caesariensis small-whorled pogonia New Jersey rush T

J. torreyi Torrey's rush false boneset Kuhnia eupatorioides Lemna perpusilla Limosella subulata Linum intercursum Luzula acuminate Melanthium virginicum E

E E

E E

E E

Camden Camden Camden Mixed deciduous forests in second-or third-growth successional stages, coniferous forests; typically light to moderate leaf litter, open herb layer, moderate to light shrub layer, and relatively open canopy; flats or slope bases near canopy breaks(

3 )

Borders of wet woods, wet springy bogs, and swamps(

3 )

Edge of sloughs, wet sandy shores; along slightly alkaline watercourses; swamps; sometimes on clay soils, alkaline soils, and calcareous wet meadows(3)

Limestone edges of bluffs, rocky wooded slopes, and rocky limestone talus (11)

Mesotrophic to eutrophic, quiet waters with relatively mild winters(3)

Freshwater marshes(

18)

Open, dry, sandplain grasslands or moors; sand barrens; mown fields; and swaths under power lines, usually in small colonies(23)

Grassy areas(6)

Fens, bottomland prairies; mesic upland forests; mesic upland prairies; along streams, roadsides, and railroads(

11)

Possibly extinct - last seen anywhere in 1941; freshwater tidal shores of northeast and mid-Atlantic rivers, including the Hudson, Delaware, Potomac, and Anacostia(

16) minute duckweed awl-leaf mudwort sandplain flax hairy wood-rush Virginia bunchflower Nuttalls mudwort Camden, Salem Camden Camden, Salem Gloucester, Salem E

Camden, Gloucester, E

Salem E

Camden, Gloucester Micranthemum micranthemoides Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-90 September 2010

Affected Environment Scientific Name Muhlenbergia capillaries Myriophyllum tenellum M. pinnatum Nelumbo lutea Nuphar microphyllum Onosmodium virginianum Ophioglossum vulgatum pycnostichum Panicum aciculare Penstemon laevigatus Plantago pusilla Platanthera flava flava Pluchea foetida Common Name long-awn smoke grass slender water-milfoil cut-leaf water-milfoil Status Federal('I State(a),(b)

E E

E American lotus small-yellow pond-lily Virginia false-gromwell southern adder's tongue bristling panic grass smooth beardtongue dwarf plantain southern rein orchid stinking fleabane E

E E

E E

E E

E E

County")

Gloucester Camden Salem Camden, Salem Camden Camden, Gloucester, Salem Salem Gloucester Gloucester Camden Camden Camden Habitatedi Sandy, pine openings; dry prairies; and exposed ledges(6)

Sandy soil and water to 5 ft deep(13)

Floodplain marsh; associated with Asclepias perrenis, Salix caroliniana, and Ludwigia repens(

16 )

Mostly floodplains of major rivers in ponds, lakes, pools in swamps and marshes, and backwaters of reservoirs(3)

Lakes, ponds, sluggish streams, ditches, sloughs, and occasionally tidal waters(z 3

Sandy soil and dry open woods°10 )

Rich wooded slopes, shaded secondary woods, forested bottomlands, and floodplain woods, south of Wisconsin glaciations(3)

Sandy, coastal plains that undergo rses and falls in water levels, coastal plain ponds, limestone depression ponds, and shallow cypress ponds1 7)

Rich woods and fields(6)

Dry sand prairies, hill prairies, cliffs, rocky glades, sandy fields, and areas of gravel along railroads or roadsides(27)

Floodplain forests; white cedar, hardwood, and cypress swamps; riparian thickets; and wet meadows(31 Swamps, marshes, ditches, and coastal savannahs(

2 8)

September 2010 2-91 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Statu la)lb)

County"')

Habitat(d)

FederalMa)

Stateoe b

add Polemonium reptans Polygala incarnate Prunus angustifolia Pycnanthemum clinopodioides Greek-valerian pink milkwort chickasaw plum basil mountain mint Torrey's mountain mint E

Salem E

Camden, Gloucester Camden, Gloucester, Salem P. torrei Quercus imbricaria Q. lyrata shingle oak overcup oak dwarf azalea E

E E

E E

Camden Gloucester Gloucester Salem Salem Moist, stream banks and deciduous woods(6)

Fields, prairies, and meadows(6)

Woodland edges, forest openings, open woodlands, savannahs, prairies, plains, meadows, pastures roadsides, and fence rowsib)

Dry south or west facing slopes on rocky soils; open oak-hickory forests, woodlands, or savannas with exposed bedrock(1")

Open, dry, including red cedar barrens, rocky summits, roadsides and trails; and dry upland woods(8)

Rich bottomlands and dry to moist uplands(6)

Lowlands, bottoms, wet forests, streamside forests, and periodically inundated areas(

3 )

Moist, flat, pine woods, and savannas(6)

Sandy and rocky stream banks, sink-hole ponds, upland prairies, and open rocky and sandy areas(11)

Moist to wet pine barrens, borrow pits, and sand pits(3)

Swamps of acid waters and sandy pool shores, and mostly along the Atlantic Coastal Plain(3)

Lake margins, bogs, and marshes(3)

Rhododendron atlanticurn Rhynchospora globulans R. knieskernii Sagittaria teres Scheuchzeria palustris coarse grass-like beaked-rush E

Camden, Gloucester, Salem Knieskern's beaked-rush T

E E

Camden Camden slender arrowhead arrow-grass E

Camden, Gloucester Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-92 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Countyý')

Habitat(")

Federalta)

State(a),(bl ony)

Schwalbea americana Scirpus Iongii S. mantimus Scutellaria leonardii Spiranthes laciniata Stellaria pubera Triadenum walteri Utricularia biflora Valerianella radiata Verbena simplex Vemonia glauca Vulpia elliotea Wolffiella floridana chaffseed E

Long's woolgrass saltmarsh bulrush small skullcap lace-lip ladies' tresses E

E E

E E

E E

E E

Camden Camden Camden Salem Gloucester Camden Camden Gloucester, Salem Gloucester star chickweed Acidic, sandy, or peaty soils in open flatwoods; streamhead pocosins; pitch pine lowland forests; longleaf pine/oak sandhills; seepage bogs; palustrine pine savannahs; ecotonal areas between peaty wetlands; and xeric sandy soils (l)

Marshes(3)

Water body margins, marshes, alkali, and saline wet meadows(6)

Fields, meadows, and prairies(6)

Primarily on coastal plain marshes, swamps, dry to damp roadsides, meadows, ditches, fields, cemeteries, and lawns; occasionally in standing water(31 Alluvial bottomlands and rich deciduous woods(3)

Buttonbush swamps, swamp woods, thickets, and stream banks(21)

Shores and shallows(

13)

Pastures, prairies, valleys, creek beds, wet meadows, roadsides, glades, and railroads~

1" Fields, meadows, and prairies(B)

Dry fields, clearings, and upland forests(21)

Grass-like or grassy habitats(6)

Quiet waters in warm-temperature regions with relatively mild winters and mesotrophic(3)

Walter's St. John's wort two-flower bladderwort beaked comsalad narrow-leaf vervain broad-leaf ironweed squirrel-tail six-weeks grass E

Camden, Gloucester E

Gloucester, Salem Camden, Gloucester, Salem sword bogmat E

Salem September 2010 2-93 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name Federd')

Statetailb)

Countyic)

Habitat"d)

Low pine savanna, bogs, seeps, Xygss fimbnarta E

Camden peats and mucks of pond shallows, grass and sluggish shallow streams(3 )

(a) E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate; -= Not Listed. Source of listing status: FWS, 2009c; NJDEP, 2008c; and DNREC, 2009.

(b) State status shown is for the counties shown. All are for New Jersey except where a Delaware status (DE:) is shown for New Castle County.

New Jersey: State status for birds separated by a slash (/ indicates a dual status. First status refers to the breeding population in the State, and the second status refers to the migratory or winter population in the State. S = Stable species (a species whose population is not undergoing any long-term increase/decrease within its natural cycle); U = Undetermined (a species about which there is not enough information available to determine the status).

SC = Species Concern (a species showing evidence of decline, may become threatened) (NJDEP, 2008c).

Delaware: Delaware does not maintain T&E species lists by county. Upon request, Delaware provided PSEG the locations of species of greatest conservation need that occur within 0.5 mi (0.8 kin) of the transmission corridor in New Castle County (DNREC, 2009). State Rank S1 = extremely rare in the State (typically 5 or fewer occurrences); S2 = very rare within the State (6 to 20 occurrences); S3 = rare to uncommon in Delaware; B = Breeding; N = Non-breeding (DNREC, 2009).

(c) Camden, Gloucester, and Salem counties are in New Jersey; New Castle County is in Delaware. Source of county occurrence data: FWS, 2009c; NJDEP, 2008c; and DNREC, 2009.

(d) Habitat Information Sources:

(1) NJDEP, 2004b (2) F-WS, 2008a (3) eFloras.org, 2003 (4) Utah State University, 2010

.(5) USDA, 2006 (6) University of Texas at Austin, 2010 (7) New England Wild Flower Society, 2003 (8) NYNHP, 2010 (9) USDA, 2010 (10) neartica.com, 2010 (11) Missouriplants.com, 2010 (12) Michigan Natural Features Inventory, 2010 (13) University of Wisconsin, 2010 (14) Missouri Botanical Gardens, 2010 (15) Alabamaplants.com, 2010 (16) NatureServe, 2009 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-94 September 2010

Affected Environment Status Scientific Name Common Name County")

Habitat(d" Federal(a)

Statela),lb) ony' (17) CPC, 2010a (18)Calflora, 2010 (19) University of Washington Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, 2006 (20) Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 1983; Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 1994 (21) Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, 2007 (22) Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 2009 (23) Georgia Department of Natural Resources, 2008 (24) USDA, 1999 (25) University of Georgia, 2010 (26) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 2010 (27) Hilty, 2010 (28) Wemert, 1998 September 2010 2-95 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Six of these species (all except one plant) also have a State listing status of endangered in New 2

Jersey, and the turtle has a state status of endangered in both New Jersey and Delaware 3

(NJDEP, 2008c), (DNREC, 2008). In letters provided in accordance with the consultation 4

requirements under Section 7 of the ESA, the FWS confirmed that no Federally-listed species 5

under their jurisdiction are known to occur in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities 6

(FWS, 2009a), (FWS, 2009b). However, two of the species Federally-listed as threatened were 7

identified by the New Jersey Field Office of the FWS as having known occurrences or other 8

areas of potential habitat along the New Freedom North and South transmission line ROWs: the 9

bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergi,) and the swamp pink (Helonias bullata) (FWS, 2009a). These 10 species are discussed below.

11 Bog Turtle 12 The bog turtle (now also referred to as Glyptemys muhlenbergi,) has two discontinuous 13 populations. The northern population, which occurs in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, 14 Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, was Federally-listed as threatened 15 in 1997 under the ESA (16 USC 1531 et seq.). The southern population was listed as 16 threatened due to its similarity of appearance to the northern population. The southern 17 population occurs mainly in the Appalachian Mountains from southern Virginia through the 18 Carolinas to northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee. The bog turtle was Federally-listed due 19 to declines in abundance caused by loss, fragmentation, and degradation of early successional 20 wet-meadow habitat, and by collection for the wildlife trade (FWS, 2001 b). The northern 21 population was listed as endangered by the State of New Jersey in 1974 (NJDFW, 2010b). In 22 New Jersey, bog turtles are mainly restricted to rural areas of the State, including Salem, 23 Sussex, Warren, and Hunterdon counties. Nevertheless, New Jersey is home to one of the 24 largest strongholds in the bog turtle's range, and as of 2003, there were over 200 individual 25 wetlands that supported this species (NJDFW, 2010c).

26 The bog turtle is one of the smallest turtles in North America. Its upper shell is 3 to 4 inches 27 (7.6 to 10.2 cm) long and light brown to black in color, and each side of its black head has a 28 distinctive patch of color that is red, orange, or yellow. Its life span is generally 20 to 30 years, 29 but may be 40 years or longer. In New Jersey, the bog turtle usually is active from April through 30 October (mating occurs mostly between May and June) and hibernates the remainder of the 31 year, often within the groundwater-washed root systems of woody plants (FWS, 2004),

32 (NJDFW, 201 Oc). Hibernation usually occurs in more densely vegetated areas in the interfaces 33 between open areas and wooded swamps with small trees and shrubs, such as alder, gray 34 birch, red maple, and tamarack. After mating, the female turtle typically digs a hole in which to 35 deposit her eggs, though in some areas, eggs are laid on top of the ground in sedge tussocks.

36 Clutches vary from one to five eggs, and hatchlings usually emerge in September, but there is 37 evidence that the eggs can also overwinter and hatch the next spring (FWS, 2001b).

38 The bog turtle is diurnal and semi-aquatic, and forages on land and in water for its varied diet of 39 plants (seeds, berries, duckweed), animals (insect larvae, snails, beetles), and carrion. The 40 most abundant and preferred food source found in their habitat is the common slug 41 (FWS, 2001b), (FWS, 2004), (NJDFW, 2004). Northern bog turtles primarily inhabit wetlands fed 42 by groundwater or associated with the headwaters of streams and dominated by emergent 43 vegetation. These habitats typically have shallow, cool water that flows slowly and vegetation 44 that is early successional, with open canopies and wet meadows of sedges (Carex spp.). Other 45 herbs commonly present include spike rushes (Eleocharis spp.) and bulrushes (Juncus spp. and 46 Scirpus spp.) (FWS, 2001b). Bog turtle habitats in New Jersey are typically characterized by 47 native communities of low-lying grasses, sedges, mosses, and rushes; however, many of these Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-96 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

areas are in need of restoration and management due to the encroachment of woody species 2

and invasive species, such as the common reed (Phragmites australis), cattail (Typha spp.),

3 and Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) (NJDFW, 201 Od). Later successional species 4

may discourage bog turtle occupation as they shade the basking areas in a habitat. Livestock 5

grazing maintains the early successional stage, providing favorable conditions for bog turtles 6

(NJDFW, 2010b).

7 Bog turtles once existed in 18 counties in New Jersey but are now known from only 13 8

(FWS, 2001b). There were 168 known bog turtle populations in New Jersey in 2001, and 28 of 9

these were considered metapopulations, which are defined as two or more bog turtle colonies 10 that are connected by a complex of wetlands or other suitable habitat. These populations are 11 extremely important as they can provide pathways for the recovery of the species through 12 dispersal, gene flow, and colonization of adjacent habitats. Current conservation efforts in New 13 Jersey include developing positive relationships with private landowners, acquiring sites 14 threatened by adjacent land uses, habitat management practices protective of the turtles, and 15 community outreach (NJDFW, 2010c).

16 Swamp Pink 17 Swamp pink historically occurred between New York State and the southern Appalachian 18 Mountains of Georgia. It is currently found in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 19 Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, but the largest concentrations are 20 found in New Jersey (CPC, 2010b). Swamp pink was Federally-listed as a threatened species in 21 1988 due to population declines and threats to its habitat (FWS, 1991). It was also listed as 22 endangered by the State of New Jersey in 1991 and is currently also designated as endangered 23 in Delaware and six other States (CPC, 201 Ob). New Jersey contains 70 percent of the known 24 populations of swamp pink, most of which are on private lands. Swamp pink continues to be 25 threatened by direct loss of habitat to development, and by development adjacent to 26 populations, which can interfere with hydrology and reduce water quality (FWS, 2010c).

27 Swamp pink is a member of the lily family and has smooth evergreen leaves that are shiny 28 when young and can turn purplish when older. The flower stem is 1 to 3 ft (30 to 91 cm) tall and 29 has small leaves along it. Swamp pink flowers in April and May. The flowers are clustered (30 to 30 50 flowers) at the top of the stalk and are pink with blue anthers (FWS, 2010c). Fruits are 31 trilobed and heart shaped, with many ovules. Seeds are linear shaped with fatty appendages 32 that are presumably eaten by potential distributors, or aid with flotation for water-based 33 dispersal (CPC, 2010b), (FWS, 1991). Seeds are released by June (FWS, 2010c),

34 (CPC, 2010b). Swamp pink is not very successful at dispersing through seeds, however, and 35 rhizomes are the main source of new plants. During the winter, the leaves of the plant lie flat on 36 the ground, often covered by leaf litter, and the next year's flower is visible as a bud in the 37 center of the leaf rosette (FWS, 1991). Swamp pink exhibits a highly clumped distribution where 38 it is found, possibly due to the short distance over which its seeds are dispersed because of 39 their weight or to the prevalence of non-sexual propagation. Populations could also be 40 considered colonies due to the rhizomatous connections, possibly allowing physiological 41 cooperation within a colony. Populations can vary from a few individuals to several thousand 42 plants (FWS, 1991).

43 Swamp pink is a wetland plant that is thought to be limited to shady areas. It needs soil that is 44 saturated but not persistently flooded. It usually grows on hummocks in wetlands, which keep 45 the roots moist but not submerged. Specific habitats include Atlantic white-cedar swamps, 46 swampy forested wetlands that border small streams, meadows, and spring seepage areas. It is September 2010 2-97 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

most commonly found with other wetland plants, such as Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecypa 2

tisthyoides), red maple (Acer rubrum), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), sweetbay magnolia 3

(Magnolia virginiana), sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.), cinnamon fern (Osmunda 4

cinnamomea), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), pitch pine (Pinus rigida), American 5

larch (Larix laricina), black spruce (Picea mariana), and laurel (Kalmia spp.). The overstory 6

plants can also provide some protection from grazing by deer (FWS, 2010c), (CPC, 2010b).

7 As of 1991, when a recovery plan for swamp pink was completed, New Jersey supported over 8

half the known populations of the species, with 139 records and 71 confirmed occurrences. It 9

was considered locally abundant in Camden County, with most of the occurrences on the 10 coastal plain in pinelands fringe areas in the Delaware River drainage. Fifteen sites were 11 confirmed in Delaware, also in the coastal plain province in the counties of New Castle, Kent, 12 and Sussex (FWS, 1991). A 5 year review was completed in 2008 to assess progress on the 13 recovery plan. Due to field investigations, there are now 227 known occurrences of swamp pink; 14 however, several prior populations are now considered historic and many of the new and 15 previously existing populations are now ranked poorly and many are in decline. New Jersey 16 completed several preserve designs or conservation plans to conserve 21 existing populations 17 between 1991 and 2001. In addition, 11 agreements with landowners have been reached 18 between the FWS and individuals in New Jersey, though these agreements do not provide 19 permanent protection (FWS, 2008b).

20 As of 2008, Salem County had 20 confirmed occurrences of swamp pink, Gloucester County 21 had 13, and Camden County had 28. There is one recognized occurrence of swamp pink in 22 New Castle County, DE. Delaware does not have any regulations specifically for threatened or 23 endangered plant species (FWS, 2008b).

24 2.2.8 Socioeconomic Factors 25 This section describes current socioeconomic factors that have the potential to be directly or 26 indirectly affected by changes in operations at Salem and HCGS. Salem, HCGS, and the 27 communities that support them can be described as dynamic socioeconomic systems. The 28 communities provide the people, goods, and services required to operate Salem and HCGS.

29 Salem and HCGS operations, in turn, create the demand and pay for the people, goods, and 30 services in the form of wages, salaries, and benefits for jobs and dollar expenditures for goods 31 and services. The measure of the communities' ability to support the demands of Salem and 32 HCGS depends on their ability to respond to changing environmental, social, economic, and 33 demographic conditions.

34 The socioeconomic region of influence (ROI) for Salem is defined as the areas in which Salem 35 employees and their families reside, spend their income, and use their benefits, thereby 36 affecting the economic conditions of the region. The Salem ROI consists of a four-county region 37 where approximately 85 percent of Salem employees reside: Salem, Gloucester, and 38 Cumberland counties in New Jersey and New Castle County in Delaware. The ROI for HCGS is 39 defined as the areas in which HCGS employees and their families reside. The HCGS ROI 40 consists of the same four-county region, where 82 percent of HCGS employees reside. Salem 41 and HCGS staff include shared corporate and matrixed employees, 79 percent of whom reside 42 in the four-county region. The following sections describe the housing, public services, offsite 43 land use, visual aesthetics and noise, population demography, and the economy in the ROI for 44 Salem and HCGS.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-98 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Salem employs a permanent workforce of approximately 644 employees and the HCGS 2

permanent workforce includes approximately 521 employees (PSEG, 201 Oc). Salem and HCGS 3

share an additional 340 PSEG corporate and 109 matrixed employees. Approximately 4

85 percent of the Salem workforce, 82 percent of the HCGS workforce, and 79 percent of the 5

PSEG corporate and matrixed employees live in Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties 6

in New Jersey and New Castle County in Delaware (Table 2-10). The remaining 15 percent of 7

the Salem workforce are divided among 14 counties in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and 8

Maryland, as well as one county in Georgia, with numbers ranging from 1 to 42 employees per 9

county. The remaining 18 percent of the HCGS workforce are divided among 16 counties in 10 New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, as well as one county in each of three States 11 (Delaware, New York, and Washington), with numbers ranging from 1 to 38 employees per 12 county. The remaining 21 percent of the corporate and matrixed employees reside in 13 13 counties in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, as well as one county in Delaware, one 14 county in North Carolina, and the District of Columbia. Given the residential locations of Salem 15 and HCGS employees, the most significant impacts of plant operations are likely to occur in 16 Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties in New Jersey and New Castle County in 17 Delaware. Therefore, the socioeconomic impact analysis in this draft SEIS focuses on the 18 impacts of Salem and HCGS on these four counties.

19 Table 2-10. Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station 20 Employee Residence by County Number of Number of Number Total Percent of County Salem HCGS Corporate and Number of Total Matrixed Nubro Tol Employees Employees Employees Employees Workforce Salem, NJ 253 198 189 640 39.7 Gloucester, NJ 100 74 68 242 15.0 Cumbedand, NJ 73 51 35 159 9.8 New Castle, DE 123 106 64 293 18.2 Other 95 92 93 280 17.3 Total 644 521 449 1,614 100 Source: PSEG, 2010c 21 Refueling outages at Salem and HCGS generally occur at 18-month intervals. During refueling 22 outages, site employment increases by as many as 600 workers for approximately 23 days at 23 Salem and as many as 600 workers for approximately 23 days at HCGS (PSEG, 2009a),

24 (PSEG, 2009b). Most of these workers are assumed to be located in the same geographic 25 areas as the permanent Salem and HCGS staff.

26 2.2.8.1 Housing 27 Table 2-11 lists the total number of occupied and vacant housing units, vacancy rates, and 28 median value in the four-county ROL. According to the 2000 census, there were nearly 373,600 29 housing units in the ROI, of which approximately 353,000 were occupied. The median value of 30 owner-occupied units ranged from $91,200 in Cumberland County to $136,000 in New Castle 31 County. The vacancy rate was highest in Salem County (7.1 percent) and Cumberland County 32 (7.0 percent) and lower in New Castle County (5.3 percent) and Gloucester County 33 (4.6 percent).

September 2010 2-99 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

By 2008, the total number of housing units within the four-county ROI had grown by 2

approximately 28,000 units to 401,673 housing units, while the total number of occupied units 3

grew by 17,832 units to 370,922. The median house value increased approximately $101,600 4

between the 2000 census and the 3-year estimation period (2006 through 2008). As a result, 5

the vacancy rate increased from 6 percent to 8 percent of total housing units.

6 Table 2-11. Housing in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, New Jersey, and 7

New Castle County, Delaware Cumberland Gloucester Salem New Castle ROI 2000 Total Housing Units 52,863 95,054 26,158 199,521 373,596 Occupied housing units 49,143 90,717 24,295 188,935 353,090 Vacant units 3,720 4,337 1,863 10,586 20,506 Vacancy rate (percent) 7 4.6 7.1 5.3 5.5 Median value (dollars) 91,200 120,100 105,200 136,000 113,125 20081")

Total Housing Units 55,261 106,641 27,463 212,308 401,673 Occupied housing units 50,648 100,743 24,939 194,592 370,922 Vacant units 4,613 5,898 2,524 17,716 30,751 Vacancy rate (percent) 8.3 5.5 9.2 8.3 7.7 Median value (dollars) 171,600 238,200 197,100 252,000 214,725 (a) Housing values for the 2008 estimates are based on 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: USCB, 2000a; USCB, 2009 8

2.2.8.2 Public Services 9

This section presents a discussion of public services, including water, education, and 10 transportation.

11 Water Supply 12 Approximately 85 percent of Salem employees, 82 percent of HCGS employees, and 13 79 percent of shared PSEG corporate and matrixed employees reside in Salem, Gloucester, 14 and Cumberland counties in New Jersey and New Castle County in Delaware (PSEG, 2010c).

15 Information for the major municipal water suppliers in the three New Jersey counties, including 16 firm capacity and peak demand, is presented in Table 2-12. Population served and water source 17 for each system is also provided. The primary source of potable water in Cumberland County is 18 groundwater withdrawn from the Cohansey-Maurice watershed. In Gloucester County, the water 19 is primarily groundwater obtained from the Lower Delaware watershed. The major suppliers in 20 Salem County obtain their drinking water supply from surface water or groundwater from the 21 Delaware Bay watershed.

22 Information for the major municipal water suppliers in New Castle County, DE, is provided in 23 Table 2-13, including maximum capacity and average daily production, as well as population 24 served and water source for each system. The majority of the potable water supply is surface 25 water withdrawn from the Brandywine-Christina watershed.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-100 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-12. Major Public Water Supply Systems in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem 2

Counties, New Jersey Water System Population Primary Water PDemandail Total Capacity (mgd)

(mgd)

Cumberland County City of Bridgeton 22,770 GW 4.05 3.35 City of Millville 27,500 GW 5.71 7.83 City of Vineland 33,000 GW 15.26 16.49 Gloucester County Borough of Clayton 7,155 GW 1.09 1.22 Deptford Township 26,000 SW 4.79 8.80 (Purchased)

Borough of Glassboro 19,238 GW 4.29 6.31 Mantua Township 11,713 SW 2.19 2.74 (Purchased)

Monroe Township 26,145 GW 6.22 7.15 Borough of Paulsboro 6.200 GW 1.25 1.80 Borough of Pitman 9,445 GW 0.96 1.59 Washington Township 48,000 GW 8.25 12.92 West Deptford Township 20,000 GW 4.26 7.03 Borough of Westville 6,000 GW 0.70 1.73 City of Woodbury 11,000 SW 1.76 4.32 (Purchased)

Salem County Pennsville Township 13,500 GW 1.63 1.87 City of Salem 6,199 SW 1.66 4.27 mgd = million gallons per day; GW = groundwater; SW = surface water (a) Current peak yearly demand plus committed peak yearly demand.

Sources: EPA, 2010e (population served and primary water source); NJDEP, 2009d (peak annual demand and available capacity)

Table 2-13. Major Public Water Supply Systems in New Castle County, Delaware Water System Population Primary Water Average Daily Maximum Served Source Production (mgd)

Capacity (mgd)

City of Middletown 16,000 GW NA NA City of New Castle 6,000 GW 0.5 1.3 City of Newark 36,130 SW 4

6 City of Wilmington 140,000 SW 29 61 GW = groundwater; SW = surface water; NA = not available Sources: ýEPA, 2010 po9pulation served and pdmTary water source) PSEG, 2009a andPSEG,_2009_b reported production and maximum capacity) 3

" Comment [AB41]: Should this be EPA, 2010c?

September 2010 2-101 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Education 2

Salem and HCGS are located in Lower Alloways Creek School District, which had an enrollment 3

of approximately 223 students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2008-2009 school 4

year. Salem County has 15 public school districts, with a total enrollment of 12,012 students.

5 Cumberland County has a total of 15 school districts with 26,739 students enrolled in public 6

schools in the county in 2008-2009. Gloucester County has 28 public school districts with a 7

total 2008-2009 enrollment of 49,782 students (NJDOE, 2010). There are five public school 8

districts in New Castle County, DE; total enrollment in the 2009-2010 school year is 9

66,679 students (DDE, 2010).

10 Transportation 11 Figures 2.1-1 and 2.1-2 show the Salem and HCGS location and highways within a 50-mi radius 12 and a 6-mi radius of the facilities. At the larger regional scale, the major highways serving 13 Salem and HCGS are Interstate 295 and the New Jersey Turnpike, located approximately 15 mi 14 north of the facilities. Interstate 295 crosses the Delaware River via the Delaware Memorial 15 Bridge, providing access to Delaware and, via Interstate 95, to Pennsylvania.

16 Local road access to Salem and HCGS is from the northeast via Alloway Creek Neck Road, a 17 two-lane road which leads directly to the facility access road. Alloway Creek Neck Road 18 intersects County Route (CR) 658 approximately 4 mi northeast of Salem and HCGS. CR 658 19 leads northward to the City of Salem, where it intersects New Jersey State Route 49, which is 20 the major north-south route through western Salem County and connects local traffic to the 21 Delaware Memorial Bridge to the north. Approximately 1 mi east of its intersection with Alloway 22 Creek Neck Road, CR 658 intersects with CR 623 (a north-south road) and CR 667 (an 23 east-west road). Employees who live to the north, northeast, and northwest of Salem and 24 HCGS, as well as those from Delaware and Pennsylvania, could travel south on State Route 49, 25 connecting to CR 658 and from there to Alloway Creek Neck Road to reach the facilities.

26 Employees from the south could travel north on CR 623, connecting to Alloway Creek Neck 27 Road via CR 658. Employees living farther south or to the southeast could use State Route 49, 28 connecting to Alloway Creek Neck Road via CR 667, and CR 658 or CR 623 (PSEG, 2009a),

29 (PSEG, 2009b).

30 Traffic volumes in Salem County are highest on roadways in the northern and eastern parts of 31 the county, where all of the annual average daily traffic counts greater than 10,000 were 32 measured. The highest annual average daily traffic count in the county is 27,301 on Interstate 33 295 in the northeastern corner of the county. In western Salem County, in the vicinity of Salem 34 and HCGS, annual average daily traffic counts range from 236 to 1,052, while within the City of 35 Salem they range from 4,218 to 9,003. At the traffic count location closest to Salem and HCGS, 36 located on CR 623, the annual average daily traffic count is 895 (NJDOT, 2009). Level of 37 service data, which describe operational conditions on a roadway and their perception by 38 motorists, are not collected by the State of New Jersey (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

39 2.2.8.3 Offsite Land Use 40 This section describes offsite land use in the four-county ROI, including Salem, Gloucester, and 41 Cumberland counties in New Jersey and New Castle County in Delaware, which is where the 42 majority of Salem and HCGS employees reside. Salem and HCGS are located in western 43 Salem County adjacent to the Delaware River, which is the border between New Jersey and 44 Delaware.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-102 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Salem County, New Jersey 2

Salem County is rural in nature, consisting of more than 338 square miles (mi 2) of land with an 3

estimated 66,141 residents, a 2.9 percent increase since 2000 (USCB, 2009). Only 13 percent 4

of the land area in the county is considered urban (in residential, commercial, or industrial use),

5 with development concentrated in western Salem County along the Delaware River. The 6

remaining 87 percent of the county is dedicated farmland under active cultivation (42 percent) or 7

undeveloped natural areas, primarily tidal and freshwater wetlands (30 percent) and forests 8

(12 percent) (Morris Land Conservancy, 2008). There are 199 farms for a total of 26,191 ac, or 9

12 percent of the county, which have been preserved in Salem County under the New Jersey 10 Farmland Preservation Program (SADC, 2009).

11 Two municipalities within Salem County, Lower Alloways Creek Township and the City of 12 Salem, receive annual real estate tax payments from Salem and from HCGS. Over half of the 13 land area in Lower Alloways Creek Township is wetlands (65 percent), 15 percent is used for 14 agriculture, and 8 percent is urban. The City of Salem is largely urban (49 percent), with 15 24 percent of its area wetlands and 12 percent in agricultural use (Morris Land Conservancy, 16 2006).

17 Land use within Salem County is guided by the Smart Growth Plan (Rukenstein & Associates, 18 2004), which has the goal of concentrating development within a corridor along the Delaware 19 River and Interstate 295/New Jersey Turnpike in the northwestern part of the county and 20 encouraging agriculture and the preservation of open space in the central and eastern parts of 21 the county. Land development is regulated by the municipalities within Salem County through 22 the use of zoning and other ordinances.

23 Lower Alloways Creek Township has a master plan to guide development, which includes a 24 land use plan (LACT, 1992). The plan encourages development in those areas of the township 25 most capable of providing necessary services, continuation of agricultural use, and restriction on 26 development in the conservation district (primarily wetlands). The land use plan includes an 27 industrial district adjacent to Artificial Island. The master plan was updated in the 2005 Master 28 Plan Reexamination Report (Alaimo Group, 2005), which looked at key issues and reaffirmed 29 the importance of preserving farmland, open space, and environmental resources.

30 Cumberland County, New Jersey 31 Cumberland County, which is located to the south and east of Salem County, occupies about 32 489 mi 2 of land along the Delaware Bay at the south end of New Jersey. In 2008, the county 33 had an estimated population of 156,830 residents, which is a 7.1 percent increase since 2000 34 (USCB, 2009). Over 60 percent of the land area in the county is forest (32 percent) or wetlands 35 (30 percent). Approximately 19 percent is occupied by agriculture, mostly concentrated in the 36 northwestern part of the county near Salem County. Only 12 percent of Cumberland County is 37 considered urban (DVRPC, 2009). Under the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program, 38 117 farms, including a total of 14,569 ac of farmland, have been preserved in Cumberland 39 County (SADC, 2009).

40 Cumberland County has assembled a series of planning initiatives that together provide a 41 strategic plan for the future of the county (Ortho-Rodgers, 2002). A recently completed 42 Farmland Preservation Plan for-the county seeks to maintain its productive farmland in active 43 use. The Western/Southern Cumberland Region Strategic Plan (issued as a draft in 2005) 44 identifies 32 existing community centers in the county for concentration of future residential and 45 commercial growth, and the county Master Plan, prepared in 1967, is in the process of being September 2010 2-103 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

updated. The municipalities within Cumberland County regulate land development through 2

zoning and other ordinances (DVRPC, 2009).

3 Gloucester County, New Jersey 4

Gloucester County is located northeast of Salem County. Gloucester County has approximately 5

325 mi2 of land and in 2008, had an estimated population of 287,860 residents, which 6

represents a 12.6 percent increase since 2000 (USCB, 2009). It is the fastest growing county in 7

New Jersey and has the fastest growing municipality (Woolwich Township) on the East Coast 8

(Gloucester County, 2010). Major land uses in the county are urban (26 percent) and agriculture 9

(26 percent), with 30 percent of the county land area vacant and 10 percent wetlands 10 (Gloucester County, 2009). There are 113 farms with a total of 9,527 ac (4 percent of the county 11 land area) that have been preserved in Gloucester County under the New Jersey Farmland 12 Preservation Program (SADC, 2009).

13 The County Development Management Plan and its various elements provide guidance for land 14 use planning in Gloucester County. It encourages a growth pattern that will concentrate 15 development rather than disperse it, enhancing existing urban areas and preserving natural 16 resources. The Gloucester County Northeast Region Strategic Plan goals include taking 17 advantage of infill opportunities to avoid sprawl into undeveloped areas and creating compact 18 development that allows preservation of farms and open spaces. Land development is regulated 19 by the municipalities within Gloucester County through zoning and other ordinances 20 (GCPD, 2005).

21 New Castle County, Delaware 22 New Castle County, the northernmost county in the State of Delaware, is located east of Salem 23 County across the Delaware River. The county encompasses slightly more than 426 mi 2 and 24 has an estimated resident population of 529,641, which is a 5.9 percent increase from 2000 to 25 2008. It is the most populous of the three counties in Delaware (USCB, 2009). The three major 26 land uses in New Castle County are agriculture (29 percent), residential (28 percent), and 27 forests (15 percent) (New Castle County, 2007). In 2007, the county had a total of 347 farms 28 (less than 14 percent of all farms in the State) located on approximately 67,000 ac of land. This 29 reflects a decrease of 6 percent in land used for farming compared to 2000 (USDA, 2007).

30 The New Castle County Comprehensive Development Plan addresses county policies with 31 regard to zoning, density, and open space preservation. It seeks to concentrate new growth, as 32 well as redevelopment, in established communities in order to preserve limited resources. This 33 is accomplished through the use of a future land use map. The plan proposes policies to 34 encourage development in the northern part of the county with growth in the southern portion 35 more centralized and compact (New Castle County, 2007).

.36 2.2.8.4 Visual Aesthetics and Noise 37 Salem and HCGS are bordered by the Delaware River to the west and south and by a large 38 expanse of wildlife management areas on the north, east, and southeast. The access road runs 39 east to west along the shoreline of Artificial Island then continues east through the wetlands.

40 The immediate area is flat in relief, consisting of open water and large expanses of tidal and 41 freshwater marsh. Across the bay, in Delaware, the shoreline consists of State parks and 42 wildlife areas with low profile marshy habitats and very few structures to interrupt the view.

43 Beyond the parks and wetland areas are farmlands and then small to medium sized towns, in 44 both Delaware and New Jersey.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-104 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

The main vertical components of the Salem and HCGS building complex are the HCGS natural 2

draft cooling tower (514-ft [157-m] tall), the most prominent feature on Artificial Island, and the 3

three-domed reactor containment buildings (190 to 200-ft [57.9 to 60.9-m] tall). The structures 4

are most visible from the Delaware River. Portions of the Salem and HCGS building complex 5

can be seen from many miles away, in particular the cooling tower and the plume it produces.

6 The complex can easily be seen from the marsh areas and the river itself, while in the more 7

populated areas, it is often blocked by trees or houses and can only be seen from certain 8

angles. The structures within the Salem and HCGS building complex are for the most part made 9

of concrete and metal, with exposed non-concrete buildings and equipment painted light, 10 generally neutral colors, such as brown and blue (AEC, 1973), (PSEG, 1983). The overhead 11 transmission lines leading away to the north, northeast, and east can also be seen from many 12 directions as they cross over the low profile expanses of the marshes. Farther inland, portions of 13 the transmission lines are visible, especially as they pass over roads and highways.

14 Sources of noise at Salem and HCGS include the cooling tower, transformers, turbines, circuit 15 breakers, transmission lines, and intermittent industrial noise from activities at the facilities.

16 Noise studies were conducted prior to the operation of the Salem generating units. The 17 transformers were each estimated to produce between 82 and 85 adjusted decibels (dBA) at 6 ft 18 away, and the turbines were each estimated to produce 95 dBA at 3 ft away. The combined 19 noise from all sources was estimated at 36 dBA at the site boundary. The noise from the plant 20 at the nearest residence, approximately 3.5 mi from the Salem and HCGS facilities, was 21 estimated to be approximately 27 dBA. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 22 Development (HUD) criterion guidelines for non-aircraft noise define 45 dBA as the maximum 23 noise level for the "clearly acceptable" range. Therefore, noise from the Salem generating units 24 was considered acceptable to nearby receptors (AEC, 1971). Additional pre-operational studies 25 were conducted for HCGS. An ambient noise survey, within a radius of 5 mi, established that 26 most of the existing sound levels were within New Jersey's limits for industrial operations, as 27 measured at residential property boundaries. The exceptions were sound levels measured at 28 five locations in unpopulated areas near the facility, presumably reflecting construction activities 29 at HCGS and vehicular traffic on the facility access road. Additional noise sources from aircraft 30 could also have contributed to these high readings (PSEG, 1983).

31 2.2.8.5 Demography 32 According to the 2000 census, approximately 501,820 people lived within a 20-mi (32-km1 33 radius of Salem and HCGS, which equates to a population density of 450 persons per mi. This 34 density translates to a Category 4 (greater than or equal to 120 persons per mi 2 within 20 mi) 35 using the generic environmental impact statement (GELS) measure of sparseness.

36 Approximately 5,201,842 people live within 50 mi (80 km) of Salem and HCGS, for a density of 37 771 persons per mi2 (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b). Applying the GElS proximity measures, 38 this density is classified as Category 4 (greater than or equal to 190 persons per mi 2 within 39 50 mi [80 km]). Therefore, according to the sparseness and proximity matrix presented in the 40 GELS, a Category 4 value for sparseness and for proximity indicates that Salem and HCGS are 41 located in a high population area.

42 Table 2-14 shows population projections and growth rates from 1970 to 2030 in Cumberland, 43 Gloucester, and Salem counties in New Jersey and New Castle County in Delaware. All of the 44 four counties experienced continuous growth during the period 1970 to 2000, except for Salem 45 County, which saw a 1.5 percent decline in population between 1990 and 2000. Gloucester 46 County experienced the greatest rate of growth during this period. Beyond 2000, county September 2010 2-105 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

populations are expected to continue to grow in the next decades, with Gloucester County 2

projected to experience the highest rate of growth.

3 4

5 Table 2-14. Population and Percent Growth in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, New Jersey, and New Castle County, Delaware from 1970 to 2000 and Projected for 2010 to 2030 Cumberland County Gloucester County Salem County New Castle County Year Percent Percent Percent Percent Population Growthl')

Population Growth(a) Population Growth1 a) Population Growthia) 1970 121,374 172,681 60,346 385,856 1980 132,866 9.5 199,917 15.8 64,676 7.2 398,115 3.2 1990 138,053 3.9 230,082 15.1 65,294 1.0 441,946 11.0 2000 146,438 6.1 254,673 10.7 64,285

-1.5 500,265 13.2 2010 157,745 7.7 289,920 13.8 66,342 3.2 535,572 7.1 2020(b) 164,617 4.4 307,688 6.1 69,433 4.7 564,944 5.5 2030(b) 176,784 7.4 338,672 10.1 74,576 7.4 586,387 3.8

= Not applicable (a) Percent growth rate is calculated over the previous decade.

(b) The 2020 and 2030 population projections for Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties are for 2018 and 2028, respectively.

Sources: Population data for 1970 through 1990 (USCB, 1995a), (USCB, 1995b); population data for 2000 (USCB, 2000d); New Jersey counties estimated population for 2009 (USCB, 201 Ob); New Castle County projected population for 2010 to 2040 (DPC, 2009); New Jersey counties projected population for 2018 and 2028 (CUPR, 2009).

The 2000 demographic profile of the four-county ROI is included in Table 2-15. Persons self-designated as minority individuals comprise approximately 30 percent of the total population. This minority population is composed largely of Black or African American residents.

6 7

8 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-106 September 2010

Affected Environment Table 2-15. Demographic Profile of the Population in the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Region of Influence in 2000 Cumberland, NJ Gloucester, NJ Salem, NJ New Castle, DE ROI Total Population 146,438 254,673 64,285 500,265 965,661 Race (percent of total population, Non-Hispanic or Latino)

Whit 72.1 88.0 82.8 74.6 78.5 Black or Afrcan American 23.7 9.1 15.0 21.0 17.7 American Indian and Alaska Native 0.9 0.2 0.3 1.7 0.3 Asian 1.1 1.5 0.6 2.7 2.0 Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 Some other race 0.1 0.09 0.09 0.1 0.12 Two or more races 2.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 Ethnicity Hispanic or Latino 27,823 6,583 2,498 26,293 63,197 Percent of total population 19.0 2.6 3.9 5.3 6.5 Minority Populations (including Hispanic or Latino ethnicity)

Total minority population 60,928 36,411 13,114 146,505 256,958 Percent minority 41.6 14.3 20.4 29.3 26.6 Source: USCB, 2000d Transient Population Within 50 mi (80 km) of Salem and HCGS, colleges and recreational opportunities attract daily and seasonal visitors who create demand for temporary housing and services. In 2000, in the four-county ROI, 0.5 percent of all housing units were considered temporary housing for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use. Table 2-16 provides information on seasonal housing for the counties located within the Salem and HCGS ROI (USCB, 2000b). In 2008, there were 49,498 students attending colleges and universities located within 50 mi (80 km) of Salem and HCGS (NCES, 2009).

Comment [A842]: Should this percentage 1

added to the "Percent minority" in the last row equal 100%?

11 Table 2-16. Seasonal Housing in the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek 12 Generating Station Region of Influence in 2000 Number of Housing Vacant Housing Units for Seasonal, County Units Recreational, or Occasional Use Percent Cumberland 52,863 826 1.6 Gloucester 95,054 274 0.3 Salem 26,158 131 0.5 New Castle 199,521 707 0.4 ROI 373,596 1,938

0.5 Source

USCB, 2000c September 2010 2-107 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Migrant Farm Workers 2

Migrant farm workers are individuals whose employment requires travel to harvest agricultural 3

crops. These workers may or may not have a permanent residence. Some migrant workers may 4

follow the harvesting of crops, particularly fruit, throughout the northeastern U.S. rural areas.

5 Others may be permanent residents near Salem and HCGS who travel from farm to farm 6

harvesting crops.

7 Migrant workers may be members of minority or low-income populations. Because they travel 8

and can spend a significant amount of time in an area without being actual residents, migrant 9

workers may be unavailable for counting by census takers. If uncounted, these workers would 10 be "underrepresented" in U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) minority and low income population 11 counts.

12 The 2007 Census of Agriculture collected information on migrant farm and temporary labor.

13 Table 2-17 provides information on migrant farm workers and temporary (less than 150 days) 14 farm labor within 50 mi (80 km) of Salem and HCGS. According to the 2007 Census of 15 Agriculture, 15,764 farm workers were hired to work for less than 150 days and were employed 16 on 1,747 farms within 50 mi (80 km) of Salem and HCGS. The county with the largest number of 17 temporary farm workers (4,979 persons on 118 farms) was Atlantic County, NJ (USDA, 2007).

18 Salem County had 804 temporary farm workers on 121 farms; Cumberland County had 1,857 19 temporary workers on 141 farms, and Gloucester County had 1,228 on 110 farms 20 (USDA, 2007). New Castle County reported 320 temporary workers on 52 farms.

21 Farm operators were asked whether any hired workers were migrant workers, defined as a farm 22 worker whose employment required travel that prevented the migrant worker from returning to 23 their permanent place of residence the same day. A total of 453 farms in the region (within a 24 50-mi [80 km] radius of Salem and HCGS) reported hiring migrant workers. Chester County, PA 25 reported the most farms (101) with hired migrant workers. Within the four-county ROI, a total of 26 164 farms were reported with hired migrant farm workers, including Cumberland County with 65 27 farms, followed by Gloucester County with 56 and Salem County with 33. New Castle County 28 reported a total of 10 farms with hired migrant workers (USDA, 2007).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-108 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-17. Migrant Farm Worker and Temporary Farm Labor within 50 Miles of Salem 2

Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Farm workers Farms hiring workers working less than for less than 150 Farms reporting Farms with hired County"')

150 days days migrant farm labor farm labor Delaware:

Kent 728 106 22 169 New Castle 320 52 10 81 County Subtotal 1,048 158 32 250 Maryland:

Caroline 478 121 13 153 Cecil 546 87 5

128 Hartford 266 101 12 155 Kent 245 78 8

111 Queen Anne's 317 89 13 126 County Subtotal 1,852 476 51 673 New Jersey:

Atlantic 4,979 118 74 163 Camden 470 43 17 52 Cape May 173 38 8

46 Cumberland 1,857 141 65 192 Gloucester 1,228 110 56 163 Salem 804 121 33 172 County Subtotal 9,511 571 253 788 Pennsylvania:

Chester 2,687 403 101 580 Delaware 106 19 2

25 Montgomery 560 115 14 155 Philadelphia 5

5 County Subtotal 3,353 542 117 765 County Total 15,764 1,747 453 2,746 (a) Includes counties with approximately more than half their area within a 50-mi radius of Salem and HCGS.

Source: USDA, 2007 3

2.2.8.6 Economy 4

This section contains a discussion of the economy, including employment and income, 5

unemployment, and taxes.

6 EmDlovment and Income 7

Between 2000 and 2007, the civilian labor force in Salem County decreased 4.4 percent to 8

18,193. During the same time period, the civilian labor force in Gloucester County and 9

Cumberland County grew 18.5 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, to the 2007 levels of September 2010 2-109 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

92,154 and 48,468. In New Castle County, DE, the civilian labor force increased slightly 2

(0.9 percent) to 284,647 between 2000 and 2007 (USCB, 2010a).

3 In 2008, trade, transportation, and utilities represented the largest sector of employment in the 4

three New Jersey counties, followed by education and health services in Salem and Gloucester 5

counties and manufacturing in Cumberland County (NJDLWD, 2010a), (NJDLWD, 2010b),

6 (NJDLWD, 2010c). The trade, transportation, and utilities sector employed the most people in 7

New Castle County, DE in 2008, followed closely by the professional and business services 8

sector (DDL, 2009). A list of some of the major employers in Salem County is provided in Table 9

2-18. The largest employer in thecounty in 2006 was PSEG with over 1 300 employees.

10 Table 2-18. Major Employers in Salem County in 2007 Firm Number of Employees PSEG 1,300+(")

E.I. duPont 1,250 Mannington Mills 826 Memorial Hospital of Salem County 600 Atlantic City Electric 426 R.E. Pierson Construction 400+

Anchor Glass 361 McLane NJ 352 Elmer Hospital 350 Wal-Mart 256 Berkowitz Glass 225 Siegfried (USA) 155 Source: Salem County, 2007 (a) PSEG (2010c) reports that Salem and HCGS employ approximately 1,165 employees and share an additional 340 PSEG corporate and 109 matrixed employees, for a total of 1,614 employees.

11 Income information for the four-county ROI is presented in Table 2-19. Median household 12 incomes in Gloucester and New Castle counties were each above their respective State median 13 household income averages, while Salem and Cumberland counties had median household 14 incomes below the State of New Jersey average. Per capita incomes in Salem, Gloucester, and 15 Cumberland counties were each below the State of New Jersey average, while the New Castle 16 County per capita income was above the State of Delaware average. In Salem and Cumberland 17 counties, 9.9 and 15.1 percent of the population, respectively, was living below the official 18 poverty level, which is greater than the percentage for the State of New Jersey as a whole 19 (8.7 percent). Only 7.5 percent of the Gloucester County population was living below the poverty 20 level. In Delaware, 9.9 percent of the New Castle County population was living below the 21 poverty level, while the State average was 10.4 percent.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-110 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-19. Income Information for the Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek 2

Generating Station Region of Influence, 2008 Salem Gloucester Cumberland New New Castle Delaware County County County Jersey County Median household 61,204 72,316 49,944 69,674 62,628 57,270 income (dollars)

Percapita income 27,785 30,893 21,316 34,899 31,400 29,124 (dollars)

Persons below poverty level 9.9 7.5 15.1 8.7 9.9 10.4 (percent)

Source: USCB, 2008 3

Unemployment 4

In 2008, the annual unemployment average in Salem, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties 5

was 7.5, 6.4, and 9.6 percent, respectively, all of which were higher than the unemployment 6

average of 6.0 percent for the State of New Jersey. Conversely, the annual unemployment 7

average of 5.6 for New Castle County was lower than the State of Delaware average of 8

6.0 percent (USCB, 2008).

9 Taxes 10 The owners of Salem and HCGS pay annual property taxes to Lower Alloways Creek Township.

11 From 2003 through 2009, PSEG and Exelon paid between $1,191,870 and $1,511,301 annually 12 in property taxes to Lower Alloways Creek Township (Table 2-20). During the same time period, 13 these tax payments represented between 54.2 and 59.3 percent of the township's total annual 14 property tax revenue. Each year, Lower Alloways Creek Township forwards this tax money to 15 Salem County, which provides most services to township residents. The property taxes paid 16 annually for Salem and HCGS during 2003 through 2009 represent approximately 2.5 to 17 3.5 percent of Salem County's total annual property tax revenues during that time period. As a 18 result of the payment of property taxes for Salem and HCGS to Lower Alloways Creek 19 Township, residents of the township do not pay local municipal property taxes on residences, 20 local school taxes, or municipal open space taxes; they only pay Salem County taxes and 21 county open space taxes (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

September 2010 2-111 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Table 2-20. Salem Nuclear Generating Station and Hope Creek Generating Station Property Tax Paid and Percentage of 2

Lower Alloways Creek Township and Salem County Tax Revenues, 2003 to 2009 Lower Alloways Creek Township Salem County Total Property Tax PSEG and/or Exelon PSEG and/or Exelon Property Tax Paid by PSEG and/or Revenuein Property Tax as Total Property Tax Property Tax as Propertyllars)

Tornuhip Percentage of Total Revenue in County Percentage of Total (dollars)

Property Tax Revenue (dollars)

Property Tax Revenue (percent)

(percent)

Year Salem HCGS Total Salem HCGS Total Salem HCGS Total 2003 748,537 464,677 1,213,214 2,099,185 35.7 22.1 57.8 34,697,781 2.2 1.3 3.5 2004 764,379 474,512 1,238,891 2,251,474 34.0 21.1 55.0 36,320,365 2.1 1.3 3.4 2005 783,644 485,624 1,269,268 2,325,378 33.7 20.9 54.6 40,562,971 1.9 1.2 3.1 2006 734,841 457,029 1,191,870 2,195,746 33.5 20.8 54.3 43,382,037 1.7 1.1 2.7 2007 772,543 480,476 1,253,019 2,310,262 33.4 20.8 54.2 46,667,551 1.7 1.0 2.7 2008 745,081 463,397 1,208,478 2,038,467 36.6 22.7 59.3 49,058,072 1.5 0.9 2.5 2009 931,785 579,516 1,511,301 2,644,636 35.2 21.9 57.1 51,636,999 1.8 1.1

2.9 Source

PSEG, 2009a; PSEG, 2009b; PSEG, 2010d Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-112 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

In addition, PSEG and Exelon pay annual property taxes to the City of Salem for the Energy and 2

Environmental Resource Center, located in Salem. From 2003 through 2009, between $177,360 3

and $387,353 in annual property taxes for the center were paid to the city (Table 2-21).

4 Table 2-21. Energy and Environmental Resource Center Property Tax Paid and 5

Percentage of City of Salem Tax Revenues, 2003 to 2009 PSEG and/or Exelon Year Property Tax Paid by PSEG Total Property Tax Revenue Property Tax as and/or Exelon (dollars) in City of Salem (dollars)

Percentage of Total Property Tax Revenue In City of Salem (percent) 2003 177,360 5,092,527 3.5 2004 211,755 6,049,675 3.5 2005 220,822 6,294,613 3.5 2006 228,492 6,485,947 3.5 2007 318,910 7,389,319 4.3 2008 184,445 8,423,203 2.2 2009 387,353 8,313,289

4.7 Source

PSEG, 2009a; PSEG, 2009b; PSEG, 2010d 6

This represented between 2.2 and 4.7 percent of the city's total annual property tax revenue.

7 Ownership of the Energy and Environmental Resource Center was transferred to PSEG Power 8

in the fourth quarter of 2008; therefore, Exelon is no longer minority owner of the center.

9 In 1999, the State of New Jersey deregulated its utility industry (EIA, 2008). Any changes to the 10 tax assessment for Salem or HCGS would already have occurred and are reflected in the tax 11 payment information provided in Table 2-20. Potential future changes to Salem and HCGS 12 property tax rates due to deregulation would be independent of license renewal.

13 The continued availability of Salem and HCGS and the associated tax base is an important 14 feature in the ability of Salem County communities to continue to invest in infrastructure and to 15 draw industry and new residents.

16 2.2.9 Historic and Archaeological Resources 17 This section presents a brief summary of the region's cultural background and a description of 18 known historic and archaeological resources at the Salem/HCGS site and its immediate vicinity.

19 The information presented was collected from area repositories, the New Jersey State Historic 20 Preservation Office (SHPO), the New Jersey State Museum (NJSM), and the applicant's ER 21 (PSEG, 2009a), (PSEG, 2009b).

22 2.2.9.1 Cultural Background 23 The prehistory of New Jersey includes four major temporal divisions based on technological 24 advancements, the stylistic evolution of the lithic tool kit, and changes in subsistence strategies 25 related to a changing environment and resource base. These divisions are as follows:

26 0

The Paleo-lndian Period (circa 12,000-10,000 years before present [BP])

27 0

The Archaic Period (circa 10,000-3,000 years BP)

September 2010 2-113 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

The Woodland Period (circa 3,000 BP-1600 AD) 2 The Contact Period (circa 1600-1700 AD) 3 These periods are typically broken into shorter time intervals reflecting specific adaptations and 4

stylistic trends and are briefly discussed below.

5 Paleo-Indian Period 6

The Paleo-lndian Period began after the Wisconsin glacier retreated from the region 7

approximately 12,000 years ago, and represents the earliest known occupation in New Jersey.

8 The Paleo-lndian people were hunter-gatherers whose subsistence strategy may have been 9

dependent upon hunting large game animals over a wide region of tundra-like vegetation that 10 gradually developed into open grasslands with scattered coniferous forests (Kraft, 1982). The 11 settlement pattern during this period likely consisted of small, temporary camps (Kraft, 1982).

12 Few Paleo-lndian sites have been excavated in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Within New Jersey, 13 Paleo-lndian sites, such as the Plenge site excavated in the Musconetcong Valley in the 14 northwestern part of the State, have largely been identified in valley and ridge zones 15 (Marshall, 1982).

16 Archaic Period 17 The Archaic Period is marked by changes in subsistence and settlement patterns. While hunting 18 and gathering were still the primary subsistence activities, the emphasis seems to have shifted 19 toward hunting the smaller animals inhabiting the deciduous forests that developed during this 20 time. Based on archaeological evidence, the settlement pattern that helps define the Archaic 21 Period consisted of larger, more permanent habitation sites. In addition to game animals, the 22 quantities of plant resources, as well as fish and shellfish remains that have been identified at 23 these sites, indicate that the Archaic people were more efficiently exploiting the natural 24 environment (Kraft, 1982).

25 An example of a typical Archaic Period site in southern New Jersey is the Indian Head Site, 26 located about 35 mi northeast of the Salem/HCGS site. The Indian Head Site is a large 27 multi-component site with evidence of both Middle and Late Archaic Period occupations.

28 Woodland Period 29 The Woodland Period marks the introduction of ceramic manufacture, as clay vessels replaced 30 the earlier carved soapstone vessels. Hunting and gathering subsistence activities persisted, 31 however, the period is notable for the development of horticulture. As horticulture became of 32 increasing importance to the subsistence economy of the Woodland people, settlement patterns 33 were affected. Habitation sites increased in size and permanence, as a larger population size 34 could be sustained due to the more efficient exploitation of the natural environment for 35 subsistence (Kraft, 1982).

36 Examples of Woodland Period occupations in southern New Jersey are well documented in the 37 many Riggins Complex sites recorded in the Cohansey Creek and Maurice River drainages.

38 Contact Period 39 European exploration of the Mid-Atlantic Region began in the 16th century, and by the early 40 17th century, maps of the area were being produced (aclink.org). The Dutch ship Furtuyn 41 explored the Mullica River in 1614. The Dutch and Swedish were the first to colonize the area, Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-114 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

2 3

4 5

6 7

8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 though they were eventually forced to give control of lands to the British in the later part of the 17th century. These settlements mark the beginning of the Contact Period, a time of ever-increasing contact between the Native Americans of the region and the Europeans.

The native groups of the southern New Jersey region were part of the widespread Algonquin cultural and linguistic tradition (Kraft, 1982). Following initial contact, a pattern of Indian/European trade developed and the Native Americans began to acquire European-made tools, ornaments, and other goods. This pattern is reflected in the archaeological record, as the artifact assemblages from Contact Period sites contain both Native American and European cultural material.

At the time of contact, the Lenni Lenape inhabited the Salem/HCGS area. The Lenni Lenape, who eventually became known as the Delaware tribe, also occupied lands throughout New Jersey, as well as in present-day Pennsylvania and New York (Eaton, 1899). The group occupying southern New Jersey spoke the Southern Unami dialects of the Algonquin language (Kraft, 2001).

Historic Period The first European settlement in the vicinity of the Salem/HCGS site occurred in 1638, when a Swedish fort was established along the Delaware River in the present day town of Elsinborough (Barber, 1844). This settlement was short lived, as the location was plagued with mosquitoes and was eventually deemed untenable. Later attempts to settle the area by Swedish, Finnish, and Dutch groups also met with limited success. In 1675, the Englishman John Fenwick and his group of colonists landed along the Delaware River, north of the original Swedish settlement at Elsinborough (Brown, 2007). They established "Fenwicks Colony" and the town of Salem. In 1790, the population of Salem County was 10,437. By 1880, the county's population had more than doubled in size, reaching 24,579. Today, approximately 65,000 people inhabit Salem County (USCB, 2010a).

Comment [A543]: Not listed in References section.

I 26 During the 18th and 19th century, the predominant industries in Salem County included 27 commercial fishing, shipping of agricultural products, ship building businesses, glass 28 manufacturing, and farming (DSC, 2010). In the latter part of the 19th century, the DuPont 29 Company established a gunpowder manufacturing plant in Salem County. At its peak, in the 30 early part of the 20th century, the plant employed nearly 25,000 workers. The DuPont facilities 31 continued operation into the late 1970s. In addition to generation of electric power at the Salem 32 and HCGS sites, furniture and glass manufacturing have been the predominate industries in 33 Salem County in the latter part of the 20th and the early part of the 21st centuries (jGallo, 20ic.

34 2.2.9.2 Historic and Archaeological Resources at the Salem/Hope Creek Site 35 Previously Identified Resources

- -] Comment [A544]: Not listed in References section.

I 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 The NJSM houses the State's archaeological site files, and the New Jersey SHPO houses information on historic resources such as buildings and houses, including available information concerning the National or State Register eligibility status of these resources. The NRC cultural resource team visited the NJSM and collected site files on archaeological sites and information on historic resources located within or nearby the Salem/HCGS property. Online sources were used to identify properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in Salem County, NJ and New Castle County, DE (NRHP, 20!._O..........................

- - -f Comment [AB45]: Not listed in References 1

L section.

J 43 A review of the NJSM files to identify archaeological resources indicated that no archaeological 44 or historic sites have been recorded on Artificial Island. The nearest recorded prehistoric September 2010 2-115 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

archaeological site, 35CU99, is located approximately 3.5 mi southeast of the plant site, in 2

Cumberland County. 35CU99 is an Archaic Period archeological site containing stone tools and 3

evidence of stone tool making activity. The closest NRHP-listed site is the Joseph Ware House, 4

which is located 6 mi to the northeast, in Hancock's Bridge. To date, 6 properties within a 10-mi 5

radius of the Salem/HCGS site in Salem County, NJ have been listed on the NRHP. A total of 6

17 NRHP-listed sites in New Castle County, DE fall within a 10-mi radius of the Salem/HCGS 7

site.

8 Potential Archaeological Resources 9

The Salem and HCGS sites are located on a man-made island in the Delaware River. This 10 would suggest a very low potential for the discovery of previously undocumented prehistoric 11 archaeological sites on the plant property. However, given the age of the artificial island upon 12 which the generating stations were constructed, it is possible that previously undocumented 13 historic-period resources may be present. Further research would be required to determine 14 historic period land use patterns on the island during the 20th century.

15 2.3 RELATED FEDERAL PROJECT ACTIVITIES 16 The NRC staff reviewed the possibility that activities of other Federal agencies might impact the 17 renewal of the operating licenses for Salem and HCGS. Any such activity could result in 18 cumulative environmental impacts and the possible need for a Federal agency to become a 19 cooperating agency in the preparation of the Salem and HCGS SEIS.

20 The NRC staff has determined that there are no Federal projects that would make it desirable 21 for another Federal agency to become a cooperating agency in the preparation of the SEIS.

22 Federal facilities and parks and wildlife areas within 50 mi of Salem and HCGS are listed below.

23 0

Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May (New Jersey) 24 0

Dover Air Force Base (Delaware) 25 0

Aberdeen Test Center (Maryland) 26 0

United States Defense Government Supply Center, Philadelphia 27 (Pennsylvania) 28 0

Federal Correctional Institution, Fairton (New Jersey) 29 0

Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) 30 0

New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail 31 a

Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River (New Jersey) 32 0

New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve 33 0

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Delaware, 34 Maryland) 35 0

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network (Delaware, Maryland)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-116 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

0 Hopewell Furnace - National Historic Site (Pennsylvania) 2 0

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge (New Jersey) 3 0

Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (New Jersey) 4 0

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (Maryland) 5 0

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Delaware) 6 0

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Delaware) 7 0

Independence National Historical Park (Pennsylvania) 8 The USACE is involved in a project that could affect resources in the vicinity of Salem and 9

HCGS. The USACE plans on deepening the Delaware River main navigation channel from 10 Philadelphia to the Atlantic Ocean to a depth of 45 ft. This channel passes close to Artificial 11 Island and the Salem and HCGS effluent discharge area. Studies determined that potential 12 minor changes in hydrology, including salinity, would be possible. Temporary increases in 13 turbidity would be expected during construction (USACE, 2009).

14 Although it is not a Federal project, the potential construction of a fourth unit at the Salem and 15 HCGS site would require action by a Federal agency. PSEG intends to submit an early site 16 permit application to the NRC regardingpossible construction of a new nuclear power plant unit 17 at the Salem and HCGS site on Artificial Island (PSEG, 2010e).

18 The NRC is required under Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 19 (NEPA), as amended, to consult with and obtain the comments of any Federal agency that has 20 jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved. The 21 NRC consulted with the NMFS and the FWS. Federal agency consultation correspondence and 22 comments on the SEIS are presented in Appendix D.

23

2.4 REFERENCES

24 10 CFR Part 20. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 20, "Standards for 25 Protection Against Radiation."

26 10 CFR Part 50. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of 27 Production and Utilization Facilities."

28 10 CFR Part 72. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 10, Energy, Part 72, "Licensing 29 Requirements for the Independent Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level Radioactive 30 Waste, and Reactor-Related Greater Thank Class C Waste."

31 16 United Stvates Ged (USC) 1802(10).

32 40 CFR Part 81. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the Environment, Part 81, 33 "Designation of Areas for Air Quality Planning Purposes."

34 40 CFR Parts 239 through 259. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the 35 Environment, "Non-hazardous Waste Regulations."

36 40 CFR Part 261. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the Environment, 37 Part 261, "Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste."

September 2010 2-117 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

40 CFR Part 262. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of the Environment, 2

Part 262, "Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste."

3 50 CFR Part 600. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Wildlife and Fisheries, Part 600, 4

"Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions."

5 73 FR 13032, Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Washington D.C. "PSEG Nuclear, LLC; Hope 6

Creek Generating Station Final Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact; Related to 7

the Proposed License Amendment to increase the Maximum Reactor Power Level." Federal 8

Register, Vol. 73, No. 48, pp. 13032-13044, March 11, 2008.

9 Alabamaplants.com. 2010. "Photographs and Information for the plants of Alabama, USA."

10 Available URL: http://alabamaplants.com/ (accessed April 7, 2010).

11 Alaimo Group. 2005. "2005 Master Plan Reexamination Report, Township of Lower Alloways 12 Creek, Salem County, NJ," Approved by the Lower Alloways CreekTownship Planning Board, 13 June 22, 2005.

14 Arcadis. 2006. "Site Investigation Report, Salem Generating Station," Newtown, PA, 15 July 15, 2006.

16 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 1998a. "Fishery Management Report 17 No. 32 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Interstate Fishery Management Plan 18 for Horseshoe Crab," December 1998. Available URL:

19 http:l/www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/horseshoeCrab/fmps/hscFMP.pdf 20 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 1998b. "Amendment 1 to the Interstate 21 Fishery Management Plan for Shad & River Herring," October 1998.[ --------------------

Comment [AB46]: Amendment one is dated April 1999 on the ASMFC website for this 22 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 1998c. "Amendment 1 to the Bluefish report:

23 Fishery Management Plan (Includes Environmental Impact Statement and Regulatory Review) http://Aww.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/shad/f.

24 Volume I," Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and ASMFC in cooperation with the mps/shadaml.pdf 25 NMFS, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the South Atlantic Fishery 26 Management Council, October 1998. Available URL:

27 http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/bluefish/fmps/bluefishAmendmentl Vol l.pdf 28 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2001. "Fishery Management Report 29 No. 37 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Amendment 1 to the Interstate 30 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden," July 2001. Available URL:

31 http:l/www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/menhadenlfmps/menhadenAm%201.PDF 32 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2002. "Fishery Management Report 33 No. 39 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Amendment 4 to the Interstate 34 Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish," November 2002. Available URL:

35 http:llwww.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/weakfish/fmps/weakfishAmendment4.pdf 36 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2003. "Fishery Management Report 37 No. 41 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Amendment 6 to the Interstate 38 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass," February 2003. Available URL:

39 http://www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/stripedBasslfmps/sbAmendment6.podf 40 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2004. "Special Report No. 80 of the 41 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Status of the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) on 42 the Atlantic Coast," Final Report, October 2004. Available URL:

43 http:l/www.asmfc.orqlpublications/specialReportslSR80FinalBlueCrabStatus.odf Draft N UREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-118 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2005a. "Species Profile: Atlantic 2

Menhaden. $tock Healthy Coastwide, But Questions Remain Regarding Localized Stock 3

Conditions,." Available -------------------------------

Comment [A847]: The title of this reference 4

URL:http://www.asmfc.orM/speciesDocuments/menhaden/menhadenProfile.pdf in the below URL is" Species Profile: Atlantic Menhaden 5

(accessed February 19, 2010.

New Benchmark Assessment Indicates Stock is Not Overfished but Shows Signs of 6

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2005b. "Fishery Management Report Concern" 7

No. 44 of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Amendment 1 to the Interstate 8

Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Croaker," November 2005. Available URL:

9 http://www.asmfc.or*/speciesDocuments/southAtlanticSpecies/atlanticcroaker/fmps/croakerAme 10 ndmentl.pdf 11 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2006a. "2006 Review of the Fishery 12 Management Plan for Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus)," prepared by The Spot Plan Review Team:

13 Herb Austin, Ph.D., Virginia Institute of Marine Science; John Schoolfield, North Carolina 14 Division of Marine Fisheries; Harley Speir, Maryland Department of Natural Resources; Nichola 15 Meserve, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, October 24, 2006.

16 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2006b. "Species Profile: Bluefish: Joint 17 Plan Seeks to Restore Premier Fighting Fish." Available URL:

18 http://www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/bluefish/bluefishProfile.pdf 19 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2007a. "Species Profile: Shad & River 20 Herring: Atlantic States Seek to Improve Knowledge of Stock Status and Protect Populations 21 Coastwide." Available URL: http://www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/shad/speciesProfileO7.pdf 22 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2007b. "Species Profile: Atlantic 23 Croaker. Amendment Seeks to Maintain Healthy Mid-Atlantic Stock Component." Available 24 URL:

25 http:://www.asmfc. orq/speciesDocuments/southAtianticSpecies/atlanticcroaker/speciesProfile.pd 26 f

27 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2008a. "Species Profile: Horseshoe 28 Crab: Populations Show Positive Response to Current Management Measures." Available URL:

29 www.asmfc.oraq (accessed April 9, 201..------------------------------------------

comment [AB48]: There is a new Species Profile for the Horseshoe Crab titled" Species 30 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2008b. "Fishery Management Report Profile: Horseshoe Crab 31 No. 32e of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, Addendum V to the Interstate New Assessment Finds Trends in Horseshoe 32 Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crab," September 2008. Available URL:

Crab Populations Vary by Region," dated 2010.

http:/lwww.asmfc.org/speclesDocuments/horses 33 http://www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/horseshoeCrab/fmps/hscAddendumV.pdf hoeCrab/hscProfile.pdf 34 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2008c. "Species Profile: Spot:

35 Short-Lived Fish Supports South Atlantic Fisheries & Serves as Important Prey Species."

36 Available URL:

37 http://www.asmfc. orq/speciesDocuments/southAtlanticSpecies/spot/speciesProfile55O.pdf 38 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2008d. "Species Profile: Atlantic Striped 39 Bass: New Stock Assessment Indicates a Healthy Stock and Continued Management Success."

40 Available URL: http://www.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/stripedBass/profiles/speciesprofile.pdf 41 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2008e. "Species Profile: Summer 42 Flounder: Positive Assessment Results Yield Higher Quotas." Available URL:

43 http://wwww.asmfc.or*/speciesDocuments/sfScupBSB/summerflounder/sFIounderProfile.pdf September 2010 2-119 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2009a. "Amendment 2 to the Interstate 2

Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring (River Herring Management)," May 2009.

3 Available URL:

4 http:llwww.asmfc.orqlspeciesDocumentslshad/frnps/amendment2 RiverHerrinq.pdf 5

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2009b. "Species Profile: Weakfish:

6 Board Initiates Addendum to Address All Time Low in Weakfish Biomass." Available URL:

7 http://www.asmfc.ora/speciesDocuments/weakfishlweakfishProfile.pdf 8

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2009c. "Species Profile: Atlantic 9

Sturgeon: Ancient Species' Slow Road to Recovery." Available URL:

10 http://www.asmfc.org/speciesDocuments/sturpqeon/sturceonProfile.pdf (accessed April 13, 11 2010).

12 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2009d. "Atlantic Coast Diadromous Fish 13 Habitat: A Review of Utilization, Threats, Recommendations for Conservation, and Research 14 Needs Habitat Management Series #9. Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus),"

15 January 2009. Available URL:

16 http:l/www.link75.orqlmmblCybrarylpaqes/hms9 diadro habitat 2009 9.pdf (accessed April 7, 17 2010).

18 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2010a. "Horseshoe Crab (Limulus 19 polyphemus): Life History and Habitat Needs." Available URL:

20 http:llwww.asmfc.org/speciesDocumentslhorseshoeCrab/hscHabitatFactsheet.pdf 21 (accessed April 12, 2010).

22 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2010b. "Atlantic Striped Bass (Morone 23 saxatilis): Life History and Habitat Needs." Available URL:

24 hftto://www.asmfc.orp/speciesDocuments/stripedBass/stripedbassHabitatFactsheet.pdf 25 (accessed February 23, 2010).

26 Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). 2010c. "Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 27 Commission Habitat Factsheet: Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus)."

28 Available URL: http:llwww.asmfc.orq/speciesDocuments/sturgeonlhabitatFactsheet.pdf 29 (accessed April 13, 2010).

30 Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). 1971. "Salem Nuclear Generating Station Units 1 and 2, 31 Supplemental Environmental Report, Operating License Stage," Docket Nos. 50-272 and 32 50-311, Washington, D.C.

33 Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). 1973. "Final Environmental Statement Related to the Salem 34 Nuclear Generating Station Units 1 and 2, Public Service Electric and Gas Company," Docket 35 Nos. 50-272 and 50-311, Washington, D.C., April 1973.

36 Bozeman, E.L., Jr., and M.J. VanDen Avyle. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 37 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic) - Alewife and 38 Blueback Herring," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.111), U.S. Army 39 Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 17.

40 Brown, J. 2007. "A Brief History of Salem County, New Jersey." Available URL:

41 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/-nisalem/documentslHistory-SalemCountv-NJ.txt (accessed 42 April 6, 2010).

43 Buckley, J. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal 44 Fishes and Invertebrates (North Atlantic) -Winter Flounder," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 45 Biological Report, 82(11.87), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 12.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-120 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Burrell, V.G., Jr. 1986. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of 2

Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (South Atlantic) - American Oyster," U.S. Fish and Wildlife 3

Service Biological Report, 82(11.57), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 17 4

Calflora. 2010. "Limosella subulata," Berkeley, California. Available URL:

5 http://www.calflora.orq/cai-bin/species query.cqi?where-calrecnum=4845 (accessed April 8, 6

2010).

7 Center for Plant Conservation (CPC). 2010a. National Collection Plant Profile. Available URL:

8 http:/Iwww.centerforplantconservation.orglCollectionlNationalCollection.asp 9

(accessed April 8, 2010).

10 Center for Plant Conservation (CPC). 2010b. "Helonias bullata," CPC National Collection Plant 11 Profile. Available URL:

12 http:llwww.centerforplantconservation.ora/collection/cpc viewprofile.asp?CPCNum=2210 13 (accessed May 10, 2010).

14 Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR). 2009. "Impact Assessment of the New Jersey State 15 Development and Redevelopment Plan," Prepared for New Jersey Department of Community 16 Affairs, December 11, 2009. Available URL:

17 http://www.ni.,ov/dcaldivisions/osq/docs/dfplan proiections.pdf (accessed May 12, 2010).

18 Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation, Inc. 2010. "Ecological Depletion of Atlantic Menhaden 19

& Bay Anchovy: Effects on Atlantic Coast Striped Bass, First Year-Round Ecological Study of 20 Large Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass." Available URL:

21 http://www.chesbay.orq/articleslstriped%20bass%20study(1-09).asp (accessed February 18, 22 2010).

23 Chesapeake Bay Program. 2009. "American Shad Harvest," November 2009. Available URL:

24 http://www.chesapeakebay. net/americanshadharvest.aspx?menuitem= 15315 (accessed 25 February 18, 2010).

26 Delaware Department of Education (DDE). 2010. School Profiles, Fall Student Enrollment 27 (School Year 2009-2010), School Districts in New Castle County, DE. Available URL:

28 http:l/profiles.doe.kl2.de.us/SchoolProfileslStatelDefault.aspx (accessed May 11, 2010).

29 Delaware Department of Labor (DDL). 2009. Delaware State and County Level Employment 30 and Wages by Industry for 2008, Office of Occupational and Labor Market Information, 31 September 2, 2009. Available URL:

32 http:llwww.delawareworks.comloolmillnformation/LMIData/QCEW/QCEW-Annual V1132.aspx 33 (accessed April 27, 2010).

34 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2003. "Public 35 Water Supply Source Water Assessment for Artesian Water Co. (Bayview), PWS ID:

36 DE0000553. New Castle County, Delaware," Division of Water Resources, October 2, 2003.

37 Available URL:

38 http:llwww.wr.udel.edu/swaphome old/phase2/final assess/artesianother/awc bavview.pdf 39 (accessed February 24, 2010).

40 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2006a.

41 "Weakfish Tagging Project," May 2006. Available URL:

42 http://www.fw.delaware.qov/SiteCollectionDocuments/FW%20GalleryVWeakfishTagging. pdf 43 (accessed February 19, 2010).

September 2010 2-121 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2006b.

2 "Striped Bass Food Habits Project," May 2006. Available URL:

3 htto://www.fw.delaware.qov/SiteCollectionDocuments/FW%20Gallery/StripedBassFoodHabits.p 4

df (accessed February 19, 2010).

5 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2008.

6 "Endangered Species of Delaware." Available URL:

7 http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/nhp/information/endangered.shtml (accessed May 4, 2010).

8 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2009. Letter 9

from E. Stetzar, biologist/environmental review coordinator, Natural Heritage and Endangered 10 Species, Division of Fish and Wildlife, to E. J. Keating, PSEG Nuclear LLC. Letter responded to 11 request from PSEG for information on rare, threatened, and endangered species and other 12 significant natural resources relevant to operating license renewal for Salem and HCGS, and it 13 specifically addressed the ROW alignment extending from Artificial Island, NJ across the 14 Delaware River to end in New Castle County, DE, April 21, 2009. (Copy of letter provided in 15 Appendix C of Applicant's Environmental Report (PSEG, 2009a).)

16 Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). 2010.

17 "Delaware's Oyster Management Program." Available URL:

18 http://www.fw.delaware.qov/SiteCollectionDocuments/FW%20GallerY/Research/ovster%20doc.

19 pdf (accessed April, 14 2010).

20 Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. 2010a. "Augustine Wildlife Area (2,667 Acres), Silver 21 Run Area, Deer/Upland," Dover, DE. Available URL:

22 www.fw.delaware..ov/Huntinq/Documents/NMA%20Maps/9.pdf (accessed May 18, 2010).

23 Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife. 2010b. "Delaware River: Striped Bass Spawning Stock 24 Survey." Available URL:

25 http://www.fw.delaware.qov/SiteCollectionDocuments/FW%20Gallery/Striped%2OBass%20Spa 26 wninq%20Stock%2OSurvev%20Flver.pdf (accessed February 19, 2010).

27 Dea-ware Estuary Program. 1995. "Deiaware Estuary: Disc over-its Secrets: A Management 28 Plan for the Delaware Estuary.' - -------------------------------------------

Comment [AB49]: The date of this reference on the Delaware Estuary Program Web page is 29 Delaware Estuary Program. 2010. "History of the Eastern Oyster." Available URL:

1996. URL link to reference:

30 htto://www.delawareestuary.org/publications/factsheets/Oysterw.pdf (accessed April 14, 2010).

http:/twww.delawareestuary.org/pdf/CCMP.pdf 31 Delaware Population Consortium (DPC). 2009. "2009 Delaware Population Projections 32 Summary Table, Total Projected Population, 2000-2040." Available URL:

33 http://stateplanninq.delaware.qov/information/dpc proiections.shtml (accessed May 12, 2010).

34 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 1961. Delaware River Basin Compact, U.S. Public 35 Law 87-328, West Trenton, NJ, Delaware River Basin Commission, Reprinted 2007.

36 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 1977. Contract No. 76-EP-482 Covering to Provide 37 the Supply of Cooling Water from the Delaware River, Required for Operation of Salem Units 1 38 and 2 at Salem Nuclear Generating Station. Parties to the contract: Delaware River Basin 39 Commission and Public Service Electric and Gas Company, January 1977.

40 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 1984a. "Revision of the Hope Creek Generating 41 Station Project Previously Included in the Comprehensive Plan," Docket No. D-73-193 CP 42 (Revised), West Trenton, NJ, May 1984.

43 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 1984b. Water Supply Contract Between DRBC and 44 PSEG Concerning the Water Supply at Hope Creek Generating Station, West Trenton, NJ, 45 December 1984.

Draft NUREG-1 437, Supplement 45 2-122 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2000. "Groundwater Withdrawal," Docket No.

2 D-90-71 Renewal, Delaware River Basin Commission, West Trenton, NJ, November 2000.

3 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2001. "Approval to Revise Delaware Basin 4

Compact," Docket No. D-68-20 (Revision 20), Delaware Basin River Commission, West 5

Trenton, NJ, September 2001.

6 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2005. Year 2005 Water Withdrawal and 7

Consumptive Use by Large Users on the Tidal Delaware River. Available URL:

8 http://www.state.na.us/drbc/wateruse/larqeusers 05.htm (accessed February 15, 2010).

9 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2008a. "Delaware River State of the Basin Report,"

10 Delaware River Basin Commission, West Trenton, NJ.

11 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2008b. "Nutrient Criteria Strategy for the Tidal and 12 Non-tidal Delaware River."

13 Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). 2010. "The Delaware River Basin." Available URL:

14 http://www. state. ni. us/drbc/thedrb. htm (accessed February 24, 2010).

15 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). 2009. "2009 Farmland Preservation 16 Plan for the County of Cumberland, NJ," Prepared for Cumberland County Agriculture 17 Development Board. Available URL:

18 http://www.co.cumberland.ni.us/content/173/251/761/2947/3098/2969/6996.aspx (accessed 19 May 17, 2010).

20 Discover Salem County (DSC). 2010. History of Salem County. Available URL:

21 http://www.discoversalemcounty.com/history/colonialhistory.asp (accessed April 6, 2010).

22 Eaton, H.P. 1899. "Jersey City and Its Historic Sites," The Women's Club. Jersey City, NJ.

23 eFloras.org. 2003. Floras of North America online. Available URL:

24 http:/lwww.efloras.orq/flora paqe.aspx?flora id=1 (accessed April 2, 2010) 25 Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2008. Status of Electricity Restructuring by State, New 26 Jersey Restructuring Active, EIA, U.S. Department of Energy, September 2008. Available URL:

27 http://www.eia.doe.qov/cneaf/electricity/paqe/restructuring/new iersey.html (accessed April 29, 28 2010).

29 Fay, C.W., R.J. Neves, and G.B. Pardue. 1983a. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 30 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Atlantic 31 Silverside," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-82/1 1.10.

32 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-824, pp. 15.

33 Fay, C.W., R.J. Neves, and G.B. Pardue. 1983b. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 34 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Striped Bass,"

35 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-82/11.8. U.S. Army 36 Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 36.

37 Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 2008. "Special Concern Plant Species in Georgia,"

38 Wildlife Resources Division. Available URL:

39 http://qeorqiawildlife.dnr.state.,qa. us/content/specialconcernplants. asp (accessed April 8, 2010).

September 2010 2-123 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Gloucester County Planning Division (GCPD). 2005. "Final County of Gloucester, NJ, Cross 2

Acceptance Report, Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan," Prepared for 3

Gloucester County Planning Board, April 2005. Available URL:

4 http://www. state. ni. usldca/divisionslosqlplan/ca. html (accessed May 17, 2010).

5 Gloucester County. 2009. Gloucester County Online Web Book. Available URL:

6 http://www.co.qloucester.n".us/plan/webbook/web data.html (accessed December 17, 2009).

7 Gloucester County. 2010. Gloucester County, New Jersey, Economic Development homepage.

8 Available URL:

9 http://www.co.,loucester.nm.uslGovernmentlDepartmentslEconomicDevlmainnew.cfm (accessed 10 February 5, 2010).

11 Grimes, B.H., M.T. Huish, J.H. Kerby, and D.P Moran. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories 12 and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Summer 13 and Winter Flounder," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.112), U.S. Army 14 Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 18.

15 Hill, J., D.L. Fowler, and M.J. Van Den Avyle. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 16 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Blue Crab,"

17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.100), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 18 TR EL-82-4, pp. 18.

19 Hilty, J. 2010. "Illinois Wildflowers." Available URL: http:/lwww.illinoiswildflowers.info/ (accessed 20 May 14, 2010).

21 Kraft, H.C. and R. Alan Mounier. 1982. "The Archaic Period in Northern New Jersey." In Olga 22 Chesler (Ed.), New Jersey's Archaeological Resources: A Review of Research Problems and 23 Survey Priorities: The Paleo-lndian Period to Present, State of New Jersey Department of 24 Environmental Protection, Natural and Historic Resources, Historic Preservation Office, Trenton, 25 NJ, February 1982. Available URL:

26 http:l/www.state.no.us/deplhpo/lidentifylpq 01 TitlePq TableCont %20Ackn Intro.pdf 27 Kraft, H.C. 2001. The Lenape-Delaware Indian Heritage: 10,000 BC to AD 2000, Lenape Books.

28 Lassuy, D.R. 1983. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements (Gulf of 29 Mexico) - Atlantic Croaker," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, 30 FWS/ORS-82/11.3, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 12.

31 Lower Alloways Creek Township (LACT). 1988a. Tax Map, Zone 8, Lower Alloways Creek 32 Township, May 1988.

33 Lower Alloways Creek Township (LACT). 1988b. Tax Map, Zone 14, Lower Alloways Creek 34 Township, May 1988.

35 Lower Alloways Creek Township (LACT). 1992. Master Plan, Adopted by Lower Alloways Creek 36 Township Planning Board September 17, 1992.

37 MacKenzie, C., L.S. Weiss-Glanz, and J.R. Moring. 1985. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 38 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - American 39 Shad," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.37), U.S. Army Corps of 40 Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 18.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-124 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Marshall, S. 1982. "Aboriginal Settlement in New Jersey During the Paleo-Indian Cultural 2

Period: ca. 10,000 B.C. - 6,000 B.C." In Olga Chesler (Ed.), New Jersey's Archaeological 3

Resources: A Review of Research Problems and Survey Priorities: The Paleo-lndian Period to 4

Present, State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Natural and Historic 5

Resources, Historic Preservation Office, Trenton, NJ, February 1982. Available URL:

6 http://www.state.ni.usldep/hpo/lidentify/pq 01 TitlePq TableCont %20Ackn Intro.pdf 7

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). 2008. White Perch Fisheries Management 8

Plan. Available URL:

9 http:/lwww.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/manaqement/FMP/FMPWhitePerchO4.pdf (accessed 10 February 18, 2010).

11 Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 2009. Natural Heritage Endangered Species 12 Program, List of Rare Species in Massachusetts. Available URL:

13 http://www.mass.qovldfwele/dfw/nheso/species info/mesa list/mesa list.htm#PLANTS 14 (accessed April 8, 2010).

15 Mercer, L.P. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal 16 Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) -Weakfish," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological 17 Report, 82(11.109), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 17.

18 Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2010. Michigan's Special Animals and Plants. Available 19 URL: http://web4.msue.msu.edu/Mnfi/ (accessed April 7, 2010).

20 Missouri Botanical Gardens. 2010. Kemper Center for Home Gardening PlantFinder. Available 21 URL: http:/lwww.mobot.ora/qardeninqhell/plantfinder/alpha.asp (accessed April 7, 2010).

22 Missouriplants.com. 2010. "Photographs and descriptions of the flowering and non-flowering 23 plants of Missouri, USA." Available URL: http://www.missouriplants.com/ (accessed April 7, 24 2010).

25 Morris Land Conservancy. 2006. "County of Salem: Open Space and Farmland Preservation 26 Plan, Volume 1: Open Space and Recreation Plan," Compiled by Morris Land Conservancy with 27 Salem County Open Space Advisory Committee, December 2006. Available URL:

28 http:/lwww.salemcountyni.qov/cmssite/downloads/departments/Planninq Board/9-29 2008/Open%20Space%20and%20Recreation%20Plan%202006.pdf (accessed December 9, 30 2009).

31 Morris Land Conservancy. 2008. "County of Salem: Open Space and Farmland Preservation 32 Plan, Volume 2: Farmland Preservation Plan, Update 2007," August 2008. Available URL:

33 http://www.salemcountVni.qov/cmssite/downloads/departments/Planning Board/2008Farmland 34 PreservationPlan.pdf (accessed December 9, 2009).

35 Morse, W.W. and K.W. Able. 1995. "Distribution and life history of windowpane, Scophthalmus 36 aquosus, off the northeastern United States," Fishery Bulletin, 93:675-693.

37 Morton, T. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal 38 Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Bay Anchovy," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 39 Biological Report, 82(11.97), pp. 13.

40 Najarian Associates. 2004. "Hydrological Modeling Analysis for the Hope Creek Generating 41 Station Extended Power Uprate Project," Final Report, Submitted to PSEG, Environmental 42 Health and Safety, Newark, NJ.

43 National Audubon Society. 2010. Important Bird Areas in the U.S. - Site Report for Mad Horse 44 Creek and Abbots Meadow Wildlife Management Areas/Stowe Creek. Available URL:

September 2010 2-125 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

http:i):Hiba.audubon.orq/iba/profileRerort.do?siteld=2961&navSite=search&pagqerOffset=&D&age 2

=1 (accessed February 12, 2010).

3 National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). 2009. College Navigator, Institute of 4

Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education. Available URL:.

5 http://nces.ed.qov/colleqenaviqator/?s=NJ&zc=08079&zd=50&of=3&ct=l (accessed 6

December 22, 2009).

7 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 1998. "Final Recovery Plan for the Shortnose 8

Sturgeon (A cipenser brevirostrum)."

9 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 1999. "Highly Migratory Species Management 10 Division 1999, Final Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tuna, Swordfish, and Sharks, 11 Including the Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement, the Final Regulatory Impact 12 Review, the Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, and the Final Social Impact Assessment."

13 April 1999.

14 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2008. "Biennial Report to Congress on the Recovery 15 Program for Threatened and Endangered Species," October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2008.

16 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2009. "Species of Concern: NOAA National Marine 17 Fisheries Service: River Herring (Alewife and Blueback Herring) Alosa pseudoharngus and A.

18 aestivalis." Available URL: http:l/www.nmfs.noaa.qov/lr/pdfs/species/riverherrinpq detailed.odf 19 (accessed February 17, 2010).

20 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 201 Oa. Letter from S. W. Gorski, Field Offices 21 Supervisor, Habitat Conservation Division, James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, 22 Highlands, NJ, to B. Pham, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Nuclear Regulatory 23 Commission, Washington, D.C. Letter responded to NRC request for information on essential 24 fish habitat designated in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities. February 23, 2010.

25 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2010b. Letter from M. A. Colligan, Assistant 26 Regional Administator for Protected Resources, Northeast Region, to B. Pham, Office of 27 Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. Letter 28 responded to NRC request for information on the presence of species listed by NMFS as 29 threatened or endangered that may occur in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities. Part 30 of ESA Section 7 consultation pursuant to Federally protected species under the jurisdiction of 31 NMFS. February 11, 2010.

32 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2010c. "Marine Turtles." Available URL:

33 http://www.nmfs.noaa.qov/pr/species/turtles/ (accessed February 23, 2010).

34 National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NMFS and FWS). 2007a.

35 "Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Five Year Review: Summary and Evaluation."

36 National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NMFS and FWS). 2007b.

37 "Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempil), Five Year Review: Summary and Evaluation."

38 National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (NMFS and FWS). 2007c.

39 "Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Five Year Review: Summary and Evaluation."

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-126 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

INational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 1999a. "NOM Technical 2

Memorandum NMFS-NE-138: Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Winter Flounder, 3

Pseudopleuronectes americanus, Life History and Habitat Characteristics," U.S. Department of 4

Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 5

Service, Northeast Region, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, September 6

1999. Available URL: htto://www.nefsc.noaa.qov/publications/tm/tml38/tm138pdf 7

National Oceanic anld Atmospheric Ad.ministration (NOAA). 1999b. "NOAA Technical 8

Memorandum NMFS-NE-137: Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Windowpane, 9

Scophthalmus aquosus, Life History and Habitat Characteristics," U.S. Department of 10 Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 11 Service, Northeast Region, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, September 12 1999. Available URL: http:l/www.nefsc.noaa.qov/lublications/tm/tml37/tml37.pdf 13 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 1999c. "NOAA Technical 14 Memorandum NMFS-NE-151: Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Summer Flounder, 15 Paralichthys dentatus, Life History and Habitat Characteristics," U.S. Department of Commerce, 16 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service. Northeast 17 Region, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, September 1999. Available 18 URL: http://www.nefsc.noaa.qov/publications/tm/tml5l/tml5l.pdf -

Comment [AB50]: These NOAA Tech Memo references are listed two different ways in the 19 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2004. "Climatography of the United references section. These are listed by NOAA; 20 States No. 20, Monthly Station Climate Summaries, 1971-2000," National Climatic Data Center.

page2-131 lists them byauthor for the cleamose skate and little skate.

21 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2006. "NOAA Technical 22 Memorandum NMFS-NE-198: Essential Fish Habitat Source Document: Bluefish, Pomatomus 23 saltatrix, Life History and Habitat Characteristics, Second Edition," U.S. Department of 24 Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries 25 Service, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, June 2006. Available URL:

26 http://www.nefsc.noaa.-gov/publications/tm/tm198/tm198.pdf 27 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2008. "Climate of New Jersey, 28 Introduction," National Climatic Data Center.

29 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2009a. "Forecast for the 2009 Gulf 30 and Atlantic Menhaden Purse-Seine Fisheries and Review of the 2008 Fishing Season,"

31 Sustainable Fisheries Branch, NMFS Beaufort, NC, March 2009.

32 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2009b. "Species of Concern: NOAA 33 National Marine Fisheries Service: Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxytinchus oxyrinchus)."

34 Available URL: http://www.nmfs.noaa.-ov/pr/pdfs/species/atlanticsturpeon detailed.pdf.

35 (accessed April 13, 2010) 36 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010a. Locate Weather Station, 37 Salem County, NJ, National Climatic Data Center. Available URL:

38 http://www.ncdc.noaa.qov/oa/climate/stationlocator. html (accessed February 26, 2010).

39 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010b. Query Results, Storm 40 Events in Salem County, NJ, National Climatic Data Center. Available URL:

41 http://www4.ncdc.noaa.qov/cqi-win/wwcqi.dll?wwEvent-Storms (accessed February 26, 2010).

September 2010 2-127 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010c. Event Record Details, Salem 2

County, NJ, National Climatic Data Center. Available URL:

3 http://www4.ncdc.noaa.qov/cqi-win/wwcqi.dllwwevent-ShowEvent-435196 on February 26, 4

2010.

5 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010d. NCDC Station List, within 25 6

Miles of Woodstown, NJ, National Climatic Data Center. Available URL:

7 http:/lwww4.ncdc.noaa.,ov/c-qi-winlwwcqi.dllwwDI-StnsNear-20018793-25 (accessed 8

February 26, 2010).

9 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010e. "Summary of Essential Fish 10 Habitat (EFH) Designation: 10' x 10' Square Coordinates," NOAA Fisheries Service, Habitat 11 Conservation Division. Available URL:

12 http://www.nero.noaa.qov/hcd/STATES4/new iersev/39207530.html (accessed May 16, 2010).

13 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010f. "Summary of Essential Fish 14 Habitat (EFH) Designation: Delaware Bay, New Jersey/Delaware." Available URL:

15 http://www.nero.noaa..ov/hcd/ni2.html (accessed February 25, 2010).

16 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010g. "Summer flounder 17 (Paralichthys dentatus): Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Summer flounder." Available URL:

18 http://www.nero.noaa.qovlhcd/summerflounder.htm (accessed March 1, 2010).

19 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010h. "Butterfish (Peprilus 20 triacanthus): Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) for Butterfish." Available URL:

21 http://www.nero.noaa.qov/hcd/butterfish.htm (accessed March 1, 2010).

22 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010i. "Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta 23 caretta)," NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources. Available URL:

24 http:/lwww.nmfs.noaa.qov/pr/species/turtles/logqerhead.htm (accessed May 5, 2010).

25 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 2010j. "Shortnose Sturgeon 26 (Acipenserbrevirostrum)," NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources. Available URL:

27 http://www.nmfs.noaa.qov/pr/species/fish/shortnosesturqeon.htm (accessed May 5, 2010).

28 National Park Service (NPS). 2006. Pinelands National Reserve - New Jersey Web site.

29 Available URL: http://www.nps.gov/pine/index.htm (accessed February 24, 2010).

30 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). 2010. Web Soil Survey - National 31 Cooperative Soil Survey. Available URL:

32 http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.-ov/app/HomePage.htm (accessed 10 February 2010).

33 NatureServe. 2009. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life (Web application).

34 Version 7.1, NatureServe, Arlington, VA. Available URL: http://www.natureserve.orqlexplorer/

35 (accessed March 18, 2010).

36 Neartica.com. 2010. "The Natural History of North America, Coast Blite (Chenopodium 37 rubrum)." Available URL: http://www.nearctica.com/flowers/bandclchenop/Crubrum.htm 38 (accessed April 5, 2010).

39 New Castle County. 2007. "ll. Future Land Use and Design," 2007 Comprehensive 40 Development Plan Update, New Castle County Department of Land Use, July 24, 2007.

41 Available URL:

42 hftp://www2.nccde.orq/landuse/documents/PlanninqComprehensivePlanDocuments/Sectionll-43 FutureLandUse.pdf (accessed December 17, 2009).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-128 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC). 1998a. "Essential Fish Habitat 2

==

Description:==

Winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus)." Available URL:

3 http://www.nero.noaa.qov/hcd/winter.podf (accessed February 10, 2010).

4 New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC). 1998b. "Essential Fish Habitat 5

==

Description:==

Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus)." Available URL:

6 http://www. nero. noaa.qov/hcd/windowpane. pdf (accessed February 26, 2010).

7 New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). 1999. Essential Fish Habitat Overview.

8 Available URL: http://www.nefmc.orq/ (accessed August 8, 2006).

9 New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC). 2010. "Northeast Multispecies (Large 10 Mesh/Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan." Available URL:

11 http://www.nefmc.orq/nemulti/summary/larqe mesh multi.pdf (accessed February 26, 2010).

12 New England Wild Flower Society. 2003. "New England Plant Conservation Program, 13 Calystegia spithamaea (L.) Pursh ssp. spithamaea Low Bindweed: Conservation and Research 14 Plan for New England." December 2003. Available URL:

15 http://www.newenqlandwild.org/docs/pdf/calystegiaspithamaea.pdf (accessed April 5, 2010).

16 New Jersey American Water (NJAW). 2010. "2008 Annual Water Quality Report," Cherry Hill, 17 NJ. Available URL:

18 http://www. amwater.com/njaw/ensurinq-water-quality/water-quality-reports. html (accessed 19 February 24, 2010).

20 New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). 2010. 2008-2009 Enrollment, School Districts 21 in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, NJ. Available URL:

22 http:/lwww.ni..ov/education/data/enr/enr09/county.htm (accessed January 15, 2010).

23 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2001. Final Surface Water 24 Renewal Permit Action for Industrial Wastewater, Salem Generating Station, NJPDES Permit 25 No. NJ0005622, June 2001. (Included as Appendix B to Applicant's Environmental Report.)

26 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2002a. Fact Sheet for a Draft 27 NJPDES Permit Including Section 316 (a) variance determination and Section 316(b) decision, 28 Trenton, NJ, November 2002.

29 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2002b. Hope Creek Generating 30 Station Permit No. NJ002541 1, Surface Renewal Water Permit Action, Draft Permit and Fact 31 Sheet and Statement of Bases, Trenton, NJ, November 2002.

32 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2003. Final Consolidated 33 Renewal Permit Action for Industrial Wastewater and Stormwater, Hope Creek Generating 34 Station, NJPDES Permit No. NJ002541 1, January 2003. (Included as Appendix B to Applicant's 35 Environmental Report.)

36 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2004a. 'Water Allocation Permit 37

- Minor Modification," Permit No. WAP040001. December 2004.

38 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2004b. New Jersey's 39 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife lists. Available URL:

40 htto://www.state.ni.us/dep/fqw/tandespop.htm (accessed April 1, 2010).

41 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2005a. Final Surface Water 42 Major Mod Permit Action - Clarification of BOD and TSS Minimum Percent Removal Limits, 43 Hope Creek Generating Station, NJPDES Permit No. NJ002541 1, January 31, 2005.

September 2010 2-129 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2005b. "Estuarine Algal 2

Conditions, Page 1-Updated 2/2008," Environmental Trends Report, NJDEP, Division of 3

Science, Research & Technology. Available URL: http://www.state.no.us/dep/dsr/trends2005/

4 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2005c. "Annual Summary of 5

Phytoplankton Blooms and Related Conditions in the New Jersey Coastal Waters," Summer of 6

2005.

7 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2005d. "Locations of 8

Anadromous American Shad and River Herring During Their Spawning Period in New Jersey's 9

Freshwaters Including Known Migratory Impediments and Fish Ladders," Division of Fish and 10 Wildlife, Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries, Southern Regional Office, March 2005.

11 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2006. New Jersey Landscape 12 Project Map Book, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program, 13 Trenton, NJ. Available URL: http:/lwww.state.nm.us/dep/fqw/ensp/mapbook.htm (accessed 14 May 14, 2008).

15 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2007a. "Determination of 16 Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in Aqueous Samples, Final Report," Division of Water Supply, 17 Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Trenton, NJ, January 2007. Available URL:

18 http://www.state.no.us/dep/watersupplv/final pfoa report.pdf (accessed April 23, 2010).

19 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2007b. "Environmental 20 Surveillance and Monitoring Report for the Environs of New Jersey's Nuclear Power Generating 21 Stations," Bureau of Nuclear Engineering. Available URL:

22 http:/Iwww.state.ni.usldep/rpp/bne/bnedown/2007EnviroSurvandMonitReport.pdf (accessed 23 April 19, 2010).

24 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2008a. "Environmental 25 Surveillance and Monitoring Report for the Environs of New Jersey's Nuclear Power Generating 26 Stations," Bureau of Nuclear Engineering. Available URL:

27 http://www.state.ni.us/dep/rpp/bne/bnedown/2007EnviroSurvandMonitReport.pdf (accessed 28 April 19, 2010).

29 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2008b. Letter from H. A. Lord, 30 Data Request Specialist, Natural Heritage Program, to L. Bryan, Tetra Tech NUS, Inc. Letter 31 Responded to Request for Rare Species Information for the Salem and HCGS Site and 32 Transmission Line ROWs in Camden, Gloucester, and Salem Counties.

33 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2008c. New Jersey's 34 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, Division of Fish & Wildlife, February 5, 2008. Available 35 URL: http:/Iwww.state.no.us/dep/fqw/tandespo.htm (accessed May 4, 2010).

36 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2009a. "Ambient Air Monitoring 37 Network Plan 2009," NJDEP Bureau of Air Monitoring, June 2009. Available URL:

38 http://www.niaqinow.net/Default.aspx (accessed February 26, 2010).

39 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2009b. Operating Permit 40 Renewal Application, Administrative Completeness - with Application Shield, Permit Activity No.

41 BOP080003, December 2009.

42 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2009c. "Environmental 43 Surveillance and Monitoring Report for the Environs of New Jersey's Nuclear Power Generating 44 Stations." Available URL: www.state.ni.us/dep/rpl/bne/esmr.htm (accessed April 19, 2010).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-130 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2009d. Public Water System 2

Deficit/Surplus; Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, Division of Water Supply.

3 Available URL: http://www.ni.qov/dep/watersupplv/pws.htm (accessed May 11, 2010).

4 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2010a. Attainment Areas Status, 5

Bureau of Air Quality Planning. Available URL: http://www.state.ni.us/dep/baqp/aas.html 6

(accessed February 26, 2010).

7 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). 2010b. Division of Land Use 8

Regulation. Available URL: http://www.ni.gov/depl/anduse/ (accessed February 24, 2010).

9 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD). 2010a. Southern 10 Regional Community Fact Book, Cumberland County Edition, Division of Labor Market and 11 Demographic Research, February 2010. Available URL:

12 http:/llwd.dol.state. ni. us/labor/lpalpublfactbooklcumfct.pdf (accessed April 28, 2010).

13 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD). 2010b. Southern 14 Regional Community Fact Book, Gloucester County Edition, Division of Labor Market and 15 Demographic Research, February 2010. Available URL:

16 http:/llwd.dol.state. ni.us/labor/loalpub/factbook/qlcfct.pdf (accessed April 28, 2010).

17 New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDLWD). 2010c. Southern 18 Regional Community Fact Book, Salem County Edition, Division of Labor Market and 19 Demographic Research, February 2010. Available URL:

20 http:/llwd.dol.state.ni.usllabor/Ipalpublfactbook/slmfct.pdf (accessed April 28, 2010).

21 New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). 2009. 2009 Short Term Counts Stations 22 List with Annual Average Daily Traffic Data. Available URL:

23 http:/lwww.state.ni.usltransportation/refdata/roadway/pdflStationListinqO9.pdf (accessed 24 March 23, 2010).

25 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2004. "Bog Turtle - November 2003 Species 26 of the Month," October 2004. Available URL: http://www.state.ni.usldep/fqw/ensp/somnov.htm 27 (accessed 26 February 2010).

28 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2009a. '"Wildlife Management Areas,"

29 Trenton, NJ. Available URL: http:l/www.state.ni.us.ldep/fqwlwmaland.htm (accessed May 18, 30 2010).

31 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2009b. "The 2009 Osprey Project in New 32 Jersey," Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Available URL:

33 http://www.conservewildlifeni.orq/downloads/cwn0 13.pdf (accessed February 18, 2010).

34 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2010a. "Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus 35 leucocephalus." Availalble URL: htto://www.state.ni.us/dep/fqw/ensp/pdf/end-36 thrtened/baldeaale.pdf (accessed February 24, 2010).

37 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2010b. "Bog Turtle, Clemmys muhlenbergii."

38 Available URL: http://www.state. ni. us/dep/fqw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/boqtrtl.odf (accessed May 39 9,2010).

40 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2010c. "New Jersey Bog Turtle Project."

41 Available URL: http://www.state. ni. us/dep/fqw/boqturt. htm (accessed February 26, 2010).

42 New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW). 2010d. "Bog Turtle Habitat Management and 43 Restoration Slide Show." Available URL:

44 http://www.state.ni.usldep/fqwlslideshows/boqturtle/boqtrtintro.htm (accessed February 26, 45 2010).

September 2010 2-131 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

New Jersey Pinelands Commission. 2009. "New Jersey Pinelands Electric-Transmission 2

Right-of-Way Vegetation-Management Plan, Final Draft," Lathrop, R.G. and J.F. Bunnell, 3

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, February 2009.

4 New Jersey State Atlas (NJSA). 2008. Interactive State Plan Map. Available URL:

5 http:lHn'stateatlas.comlluc/ (accessed February 8, 2010).

6 New Jersey Water Science Center (NJWSC). 2009. "Major Aquifers in New Jersey." Available 7

URL: http://nj.uscqs.,qov/infodata/aquifers/ (accessed February 24, 2010).

8 New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP). 2009. "Atlantic silverside." Available URL:

9 http://www.acris.nvnhp.ora/report.php?id=7304 (accessed February 25, 2010).

10 New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP). 2010. Animal and Plant Guides. Available URL:

11 http:l/www.acris.nvnhp.org/plants.php (accessed April 5, 2010).

12 Newberger, T. A. and E. D. Houde. 1995. "Population Biology of Bay Anchovy Anchoa mitchilli 13 in the Mid Chesapeake Bay," Marine Ecology Progress Series, 116:25-37 14 NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. 2005. Estuarine Living Marine 15 Resources query results for summer flounder, all life stages in Delaware Bay and Delaware 16 Inland Bays, August 2005. Available URL: http://www8.nos.noaa.-qov/bioqeo public/elmr.aspx 17 (accessed March 2, 2010).

18 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). 2004. "Report of the 38th Northeast Regional 19 Stock Assessment Workshop (38th SAW): Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC) 20 consensus summary of assessments," Ref. Doc. 04-03; 246 p. Available URL:

21 http:/lwww.nefsc.noaa._qovlnefsclpublications/crd/crdO4O3/butterfish.odf (accessed March 2, 22 2010).

23 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). 2006. "Status of Fishery Resources off the 24 Northeastern US, NEFSC - Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division, Atlantic and 25 Shortnose sturgeons. Atlantic (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), Shortnose (Acipenser brevirostrum),"

26 by Gary Shepherd, December 2006. Available URL:

27 http://www.nefsc.noaa.qov/sos/spsynlaf/sturgeonl (accessed May 5, 2010).

28 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). 2006a. "Status of Fishery Resources off the 29 Northeastern US, NEFSC - Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division, Summer flounder 30 (Paralichthys dentatus)," by Mark Terceiro, December 2006. Available URL:

31 http:/lwww.nefsc.noaa.qov/sos/spsyn/fldrs/summer/ (accessed March 2, 2010).

32 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). 2006b. "Status of Fishery Resources off the 33 Northeastern US, NEFSC - Resource Evaluation and Assessment Division, Butterfish (Peprilus 34 triacanthus)," by William Overholtz, December 2006. Available URL:

35 http:/lwww.nefsc.noaa.gov/sos/spsyn/oplbutter/ (accessed February 26, 2010).

36 Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). 2008. "Assessment of 19 Northeast Groundfish 37 Stocks through 2007: Report of the 3rd Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting (GARM Ill),"

38 Northeast Fisheries Science Center Reference Document, 08-15; 884 p + xvii, Northeast 39 Fisheries Science Center, Woods Hole, MA, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Fisheries, 40 August 4-8, 2008.

41 Nuclear News. 2009. "World List of Nuclear Power Plants," Vol. 52, pp. 54, March 2009.

42 Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 1983. "Hottonia Inflata Ell., Featherfoil," November 43 1983. Available URL:

44 http:l/www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/3/Abstracts/Abstract pdf/H/Hottonia inflata.pdf (accessed 45 April 8, 2010)

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-132 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 1994. "Triadenum walteri Gleason Walter's St. John's 2

Wort," January 1994. Available URL:

3 http://www.dnr.state.oh. us/Portalsl31Abstracts/Abstract pdflT/Triadenum walteri.pdf (accessed 4

April 8, 2010).

5 Ortho-Rodgers. 2002. "Planning for the Future: A Summary of Cumberland County Planning 6

Initiatives," Prepared for the Cumberland County Department of Planning and Development, 7

October 2002.

8 jPacker, D.B., CA. Zetiin, and J.J. Vitaliano. 2003a. "Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

9 Cleamose Skate, Raja eglanteria, Life History and Habitat Characteristics," NOAA Technical 10 Memorandum NMFS-NE-174, March 2003. Available URL:

11 http://www.nefsc.noaa.aov/publications/tm/tm174/index.htm 12 Packer, D.B., C.A. Zetlin, and JIJ. Vitaliano. 2003b. "Essential Fish Habitat Source Document:

13 Little Skate, Leucoraja erinacea, Life History and Habitat Characteristics," NOAA Technical 14 Memorandum NMFS-NE-175, March 2003. Available URL:

15 http://www.nefsc.noaa.qov/publications/tm/tml75/index.htm I-----...

- - Comment [AB51]: Page 2-125 lists these ITech Memos by NOAA instead of by author.

16 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. 2010. "Temperate Basses, Family Moronidae,"

17 Pennsylvania Fishes (Chapter 21). Available URL:

18 http://fishandboat.comlpafishlfishhtmslchap21.htm (accessed February 18, 2010).

19 Pennsylvannia Natural Heritage Program. 2007. Species Fact Sheets. Available URL:

20 http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/Factsheets.aspx (accessed April 8, 2010).

21 Phillips, J.M., M.T. Huish, J.H. Kerby, and D.P. Moran. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories 22 and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Spot,"

23 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.98), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 24 TR EL-82-4, pp. 13.

25 Pottern, G.B., M.T. Huish, and J.H. Kerby. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 26 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) - Bluefish,"

27 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.94), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR 28 EL-82-4, pp. 20.

29 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 1983. "Hope Creek Generating Station, Applicant's Environmental 30 Report - Operating License Stage," Volume 1, March 1983.

31 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 1984. Salem Generating Station 316(b) Demonstration, NPDES 32 Permit No. NJ0005622.

33 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 1999. Permit Renewal Application, NJPDES Permit No.

34 NJ0005622, Salem Generating Station, March 1999.

35 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2004a. "Remedial Action Work Plan," PSEG Nuclear, LLC, Salem 36 Generating Station, Hancock's Bridge, NJ, July 2004.

37 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2004b. "Alloway Creek Watershed Phragmites-Dominated 38 Wetland Restoration Management Plan," Public Service Enterprise Group, Newark, NJ, 39 February 17, 2004.

40 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2005a. "2004 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 41 Report January 1 to December 31, 2004," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, April 2005, 42 ADAMS Accession No. ML051260140.

September 2010 2-133 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2005b. "Hope Creek Generating Station Environmental Report for 2

Extended Power Uprate," Prepared for PSEG Nuclear LLC by PSEG Services Corporation, 3

Salem, NJ, April 2005.

4 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2006a. "2005 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 5

Report January 1 to December 31, 2006," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, May 2006, 6

ADAMS Accession No. ML061300067.

7 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2006b. "Hope Creek Generating Station - Updated Final Safety 8

Analysis Report," Revision 15, Newark, NJ, October 2006.

9 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2006c. Salem NJPDES Permit Renewal Application, NJPDES 10 Permit No. NJ0005622, Public Service Enterprise Group, Newark, NJ, February 2006.

11 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2007a. "2006 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 12 Report January 1 to December 31, 2006," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, April 2007, 13 ADAMS Accession No. ML071230112.

14 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2007b. "Salem Generating Station - Updated Final Safety 15 Analysis Report," Document No. PSEG-0008, Revision 23, Public Service Enterprise Group, 16 Newark, NJ, October 2007.

17 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2008a. "2007 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 18 Report January 1 to December 31, 2007." Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, April 2008, 19 ADAMS Accession No. ML081280737.

20 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2008b. "2007 Hazardous Waste Report," Lower Alloways Creek 21 Township, NJ, February 2008.

22 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2008c. "The Hope Creek Generating Station." Availalbe URL:

23 http://www.pDseq.com/companies/nuclear/hopecreek.'isP. (accessed October 2008).

24 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2009a. "Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, License 25 Renewal Application, Appendix E - Applicant's Environmental Report - Operating License 26 Renewal Stage," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, August 2009, ADAMS Accession Nos.

27 ML092400532, ML092400531, ML092430231.

28 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2009b. "Hope Creek Generating Station, License Renewal 29 Application, Appendix E - Applicant's Environmental Report - Operating License Renewal 30 Stage," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, August 2009, ADAMS Accession No.

31 ML092430389.

32 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2009c. "2008 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 33 Report January 1 to December 31, 2009," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, April 2009, 34 ADAMS Accession No. ML091200612.

35 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2009d. "Salem Generating Station - Updated Final Safety 36 Analysis Report," Revision 24, Document No. PSEG-0008, May 11, 2009.

37 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2009e. "Quarterly Remedial Action Progress Report, Fourth 38 Quarter 2008, PSEG Nuclear, LLC, Salem Generating Station," Developed by Arcadis for PSEG 39 Nuclear LLC, May 26, 2009, ADAMS Accession No. ML091690304.

40 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2010a. "2009 Annual Radiological Environmental Operating 41 Report January 1 to December 31, 2009," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, April 2010, 42 ADAMS Accession No. ML101241151.

43 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2010b. "Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Hazardous 44 Waste Generator Status for 2009," Lower Alloways Creek Township, NJ, March 2010.

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-134 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2010c. Table 2.6-2 Update, "Residential Distribution of Salem 2

Employees;" Table 2.6-2 Update, "Residential Distribution of Hope Creek Employees;" and 3

Table 2.6-2a, "Residential Distribution of Salem/Hope Creek Staffs who are Matrixed and 4

Corporate Employees," Provided in response to Salem/Hope Creek Environmental Audit Needs 5

List as requested in NRC letter dated April 16, 2010, Document designations LUS-6 (Index No.

6 Socioeconomics 7 and 8) and No LUS# (Index No. Socioeconomics 23).

7 PSEG Nuclear, LLC (PSEG). 2010d. Update to Table 2.7-1, "Tax Information for Salem and 8

Hope Creek Generating Station and the Energy and Environmental Resource Center, 9

2003-2009," Provided in response to Salem/Hope Creek Environmental Audit Needs List as 10 requested in NRC letter dated April 16, 2010, Document designation LUS-4 (Index No.

11 Socioeconomics 4, 5, and 6).

12 PSEG Power, LLC (PSEG). 2010e. Letter from W. Lewis (PSEG) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 13 Commission, Document Control Desk,

Subject:

PSEG Power, LLC and PSEG Nuclear, LLC 14 Early Site Permit Application Expected Submission Date, February 11, 2010.

15 Rogers, S.G., and M.J. Van Den Avyle. 1989. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 16 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Mid-Atlantic) -Atlantic 17 Menhaden," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.108), U.S. Army Corps of 18 Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 23.

19 Rosenau, J.C., S.M. Lang, G.S. Hilton, and J.G. Rooney. 1969. "Geology and Ground-water 20 Resources of Salem County, New Jersey," New Jersey Department of Conservation and 21 Economic Development Special Report 33, pp. 142.

22 Rukenstein & Associates. 2004. "Smart Growth Plan, Delaware River and 1-295/NJ Turnpike 23 Planned Growth Corridor, Salem County, New Jersey," Ron Rukenstein & Associates, Titusville, 24 NJ, January 21, 2004. Available URL:

25 http://www.salemcountyni.qov/cmssite/default.asp?contentlD=1208 (accessed December 9, 26 2009).

27 Salem County. 2007. "Salem County, New Jersey: An Economic Resource Guide," Salem 28 County Economic Development Department. Available URL:

29 http://www.salemcountyni.qov/cmssite/downloads/new%20tourism/Salem Co NJ06.pdf 30 (accessed April 27, 2010).

31 Salem County. 2008. "Salem County Farmland Preservation Plan," August, 2008. Available 32 URL: http://www.salemcountyni.,ov/cmssite/default.asp?contentlD= 1103 (accessed February 33 24, 2010).

34 Sellers, M.A. and J. G. Stanley. 1984. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental 35 Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (North Atlantic) - American Oyster." U.S.

36 Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-82/11.23, U.S. Army Corps 37 of Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 15.

38 Smithsonian Marine Station. 2008. "Species Name: Anchoa mitchilli. Common Name: Bay 39 Anchovy." Available URL: http://www.sms.si.edulirlSpec/Anchoa mitchilli.htm (accessed 40 February 18, 2010).

41 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Species Descriptions. Available URL:

42 http://www.dnr.sc.aov/cwcs/species.html#T (accessed May 9, 2010).

43 South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO). 2008. "2035 RTP Update."

44 Available URL: http://www.sitpo.ora/2035-rtp-final.odf (accessed May 13, 2010).

September 2010 2-135 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

Stanley, J.G. and D.S. Danie. 1983. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental 2

Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (North Atlantic) - White Perch," U.S. Fish 3

and Wildlife Service, Division of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-82/11.7, U.S. Army Corps of 4

Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 12.

5 State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC). 2009. "New Jersey Farmland Preservation 6

Program." Available URL:

7 htto://www.ni-*ovlapriculturelsadclfarmpreservelproqress/statslpreservedsummarv.pdf 8

(accessed December 10, 2009).

9 Sutton, C.C., J.C. O'Herron, II, and R.T. Zappalorti. 1996. "The Scientific Characterization of the 10 Delaware Estuary," Performed for the Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware River Basin 11 Commission (DRBC) Project # 321.

12 TetraTech. 2009. "Salem/Hope Creek Generating Station Calculation Package for Ground 13 Water Pumpage, Salem & Hope Creek Generating Station," TetraTech NUS, Aiken, SC, 14 February 23, 2009.

15 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2007. "Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Project, 16 Delaware and New Jersey, Final Environmental Assessment," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 17 Philadelphia District, June 2007.

18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 2009. "Delaware River Main Stem and Channel 19 Deepening Project Environmental Assessment," April 2009.

20 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 1995a. "New Jersey, Population of Counties by Decennial 21 Census: 1900 to 1990." Availalble URL:

22 http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ni190090.txt (accessed May 12, 2010).

23 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 1995b. "Delaware, Population of Counties by Decennial Census:

24 1900 to 1990." Available URL: http://www.census.qov/population/cencounts/del90090.txt 25 (accessed May 12, 2010).

26 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2000a. Census 2000 Demographic Profile for Cumberland, 27 Gloucester, and Salem Counties, New Jersey, and New Castle County, Delaware. Available 28 URL:

29 http://factfinder.census.qov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?

proqram=ACS& submenuld=& I 30 anq=en& ts= (accessed December 8, 2009).

31 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2000b. Demographic Profile for Cumberland, Gloucester, and 32 Salem Counties, New Jersey, and New Castle County, Delaware. Available URL:

33 http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPaqeServlet? proqram=ACS& submenuld=& I 34 anq=en& ts= (accessed December 09, 2009).

35 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2000c. "H1. Housing Units (1] - Universe: Housing units. Data 36 Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF1) 100-Percent Data" and "H5. Vacancy Status [7] -

37 Universe: Vacant housing units. Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF1) 100-Percent 38 Data" for Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem Counties, State of New Jersey, New Castle County, 39 and State of Delaware. Available URL: http://factfinder.census.qov/ (accessed May 14, 2010).

40 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2000d. "P4. Hispanic or Latino, and not Hispanic or Latino by 41 Race [73] - Universe: Total population. Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 42 100-Percent Data." Available URL: http://factfinder.census.aov/ (accessed May 14, 2010).

43 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2006. Nonemployer Statistics, 2006 Total for all Sectors Salem 44 County, NJ. Available URL: http://www.census.qov/epcdlnonemplover/2006/ni/NJO33/HTM 45 (accessed May 5, 2010).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-136 September 2010

Affected Environment 1 " U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2008. Selected Economic Characteristics: 2006-2008 American 2

Community Survey 3-Year Estimates for Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties and 3

New Jersey; New Castle County and Delaware. Available URL:

4 http://factfinder.census.,ov/servletlDatasetMainPaqeServlet? proqram=ACS& submenuld=& I 5

anq=en& ts= (accessed April 28, 2010).

6 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2009. 2006-2008 American Community Survey 3-Year 7

Estimates, Data Profile for Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties, New Jersey, and 8

New Castle County, Delaware. Availalble URL:

9 http://factfinder.census.,ov/servletlDatasetMainPaqeServlet? program=ACS& submenuld=& I 10 anq=en& ts= (accessed December 8, 2009).

11 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2010a. State & County QuickFacts for Cumberland, Gloucester, 12 and Salem Counties, New Jersey and New Castle County, Delaware, April 22, 2010. Available 13 URL: http://quickfacts.census._qov/qfd (accessed April 27, 2010).

14 U.S. Census Bureau (USCB). 2010b. GCT-T1. Population Estimates, New Jersey County, Data 15 Set: 2009 Population Estimates. Available URL: http://factfinder.census.aov (accessed May 12, 16 2010).

17 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 1999. "American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)," Fish and 18 Wildlife Habitat Management Leaflet. Available URL:

19 ftp://ftp-fc.sc.eaov.usda.qovNVHMINVEB/ipdf/kestrel(1).pdf (accessed May 9, 2010).

20 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2006. Plants Database, Threatened and Endangered 21 Plants of New Jersey, PLANTS Profile. Available URL:

22 http://plants.usda.,ov/mava/threatstatelist=states&stateSelect=US34 (accessed April 2, 2010).

23 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2007. "Table 7. Hired Farm Labor-Workers and 24 Payroll: 2007," Volume 1, Chapter 2: County Level Data; Delaware, New Jersey, and 25 Pennsylvania, the Census of Agriculture. Available URL:

26 http://www.aqcensus.usda..ov/Publications/2007/Full Report/Volume 1. Chapter 2 County L 27 evel/Maryland/st24 2 007 007.pdf (accessed December 17, 2009).

28 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2010. Fire Effects Information Network, Plant Species 29 Life Form Database. Available URL: htto://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/olants/ (accessed April 30 5, 2010).

31 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1988. "New Jersey Coastal Plain Aquifer, Support 32 Document, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, 33 Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Salem Counties, New Jersey," May 1988. Available URL:

34 http://www.epa.qov/Reqion2/water/aquifer/coastlcoastpln.htm (accessed February 24, 2010).

35 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1998. "Condition of the Mid-Atlantic Estuaries,"

36 EPA 600-R-98-147, Office of Research and Development, Washington, D.C.

37 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2001. "National Pollutant Discharge Elimination 38 System; Regulations Addressing Cooling Water Intake Structures for New Facilities,"

39 40 CFR Parts 9, 122, et al., 66 FR 65256, Washington D.C., December 2001.

40 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2007. "Level III Ecoregions of the Conterminous 41 United States," Western Ecology Division. Available URL:

42 http://www.epa.qov/wed/pages/ecoregionsllevel iii.htm (accessed February 11, 2010).

September 2010 2-137 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2010a. Enforcement and Compliance History 2

Online (ECHO), Detailed Facility Report. Available URL:

3 htto:I/www.epa-echo.qov/cqi-bin/qet1cReport.cgi?tool=echo&lDNumber= 110000603142 4

(accessed May 18, 2010).

5 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 201 Ob. Environmental Protection Agency, Safe 6

Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Salem County, New Jersey. Available URL:

7 http:l/oaspub.epa.qov/enviro/sdw query v2 (accessed February 24, 2010).

8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2010c. Environmental Protection Agency, Safe 9

Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), New Castle County, Delaware. Available URL:

10 http://oaspub.epa.qov/enviro/sdw query v2 (accessed February 24, 2010).

11 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 201 Od. Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, 12 National Estuary Program. Available URL:

13 http://www.epa.aov/owow/estuaries/programs/de. html (accessed February 24, 2010).

14 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 201 Oe. Safe Drinking Water Information System 15 (SDWIS). Results based on data extracted on October 16, 2009. Available URL:

16 http:/lwww.epa.qov/safewater/dwinfo/nes.htm (accessed January 20, 2010).

17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 1991. "Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata) Recovery Plan,"

18 Newton Corner, MA, pp. 56.

19 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2001a. "Shortnose Sturgeon Habitat Model." Available 20 URL: http://www.fws.qov/r5qompl/qom/habitatstudy/metadatalshortnose sturgeon model.htm 21 (accessed May 5, 2010).

22 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2001b. "Bog Turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii), Northern 23 Population, Recovery Plan," Hadley, MA, pp. 103. Available URL:

24 http://ecos.fws.qov/docs/recovery plan/010515.pdf (accessed February 26, 2010).

25 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2003. "Delaware Bay Shorebird-Horseshoe Crab 26 Assessment Report and Peer Review," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Publication 27 R9-03/02, Arlington, VA, pp. 99. Available URL:

28 http://library.fws.gov/Bird Publications/DBshorebird.pdf (accessed April 9, 2010).

29 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2004. "The Bog Turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergil):

30 Protecting New Jersey's Rarest Turtle," February 2004. Available URL:

31 http://www.fws.-gov/northeast/nifieldoffice/Fact%20Sheets%20PDF%20holding/Bog turtle.pdf 32 (accessed February 26, 2010).

33 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2006. "The Horseshoe Crab. Limulus polyphemus. A 34 Living Fossil." Available URL: http://www.fws.,ov/northeast/pdf/horseshoe.fs.pdf (accessed 35 April 9, 2010).

36 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2008a. "Sensitive Joint-vetch (Aeschynomene virginica) 37

[threatened]," New Jersey Field Office, Endangered Species Program. Available URL:

38 http://www.fws.gov/northeastlnjfieldoffice/Endanqered/jointvetch.html (accessed May 13, 2010).

39 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2008b. "Five Year Review, Swamp Pink (Helonias 40 bullata), Summary and Evaluation."

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-138 September 2010

Affected Environment 1

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2009a. Letter from the acting supervisor, New Jersey 2

Field Office, Ecological Services, Pleasantville, NJ to E. J. Keating, PSEG Nuclear LLC, 3

Hancocks Bridge, NJ. Letter addressed the potential for occurrence of Federally listed species 4

in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS facilities as well as four transmission lines in New Jersey.

5 September 9, 2009.

6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2009b. Letter from L. Miranda, Chesapeake Bay Field 7

Office, Annapolis, MD to W. Walsh, New Jersey Field Office, Pleasantville, NJ. Letter addressed 8

the potential for occurrence of Federally listed species in the vicinity of the Salem and HCGS 9

facilities and the transmission line crosses river into Delaware. August 18, 2009.

10 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2009c. "Federally Listed and Candidate Species 11 Occurances in New Jersey by County and Municipality." Available URL:

12 http://www.fws.qov/northeastlnifieldoffice/Endangered/munlist.podf (accessed February 26, 13 2010).

14 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2010a. National Wetlands Inventory Website. U.S.

15 Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Available URL:

16 http://www.fws.qov/wetlands/ (accessed February 10, 2010).

17 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2010b. "Federally Listed and Candidate Species in New 18 Jersey," Endangered Species Program, New Jersey Field Office, April 20, 2010. Available URL:

19 http://www.fws.qov/northeast/nifieldoffice/Endanqered/specieslist.pdf (accessed May 16, 2010).

20 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2010c. "Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata)." Available URL:

21 http://www.fws.qov/northeastlnifieldoffice/Endanqered/swamppink.html (accessed May 10, 22 2010).

23 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 1983. R.L. Walker, "Evaluation of Water Levels in Major 24 Aquifers of the New Jersey Coastal Plain, 1978," Water-Resources Investigations Report 25 82-4077, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.

26 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 2007. W. Jones and D. Pope, "Summary of the Ground Water 27 Level Hydrologic Conditions in New Jersey 2006," Fact Sheet 2007-3049, U.S. Department of 28 the Interior, New Jersey Water Science Center, West Trenton, NJ, June 2007.

29 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 2009. V.T. DePaul, R. Rosman, and P.J. Lacombe, 30 "Water-Level Conditions in Selected Confined Aquifers of the New Jersey and Delaware 31 Coastal Plain, 2003," Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5145, pp. 135, U.S. Department of 32 the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

33 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 1984. "Final Environmental Statement Related to 34 the Operation of Hope Creek Generating Station," Docket Number 50-354, NUREG-1074.

35 Washington D.C., December 1984.

36 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2005. "Order Modifying License," Docket 37 No. 72-48, Washington D.C., May 2005.

38 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2007. "Essential Fish Habitat for an Extended 39 Power Uprate at Hope Creek Generating Station," Docket No. 50-354, June 2007, ADAMS 40 Accession No. ML071520463.

41 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2010a. 'Pressurized Water Reactors." Available 42 URL: http://www.nrc.,ov/reactors/lwrs.html (accessed May 18, 2010).

43 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). 2010b. "Boiling Water Reactors." Available URL:

44 http://www.nrc.gov/reactorslbwrs.html (accessed May 18, 2010).

September 2010 2-139 Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45

Affected Environment 1

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 2010. Biosphere 2

Reserve Information - New Jersey Pinelands. Available URL:

3 http:lHportal.unesco.orq/science/enlev.php-URL ID=6797&URL DO=DO TOPIC&URL SECTI 4

ON=201.html (accessed February 24, 2010).

5 University of Georgia. 2010. "Reptiles and Amphibians of South Carolina and Georgia," The 6

Savannah River Ecology Herpetology Program. Available URL:

7 httpi://www.uqa.edu/srelherp/index.htm#Reptiles (accessed May 9, 2010).

8 University of Texas at Austin. 2010. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Native Plant 9

Information Network (NPIN). Available URL:

10 http://www.wildflower.orq/collections/collection.php?all=true (accessed April 5, 2010).

11 University of Washington Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. 2006. "Hydrocotyle 12 ranunculoides, floating marsh-pennywort." Available URL:

13 http://biolo**.burke.washinqton.edu/herbarium/imaqecollection.php?Genus=Hvdrocotvle&Speci 14 es=ranunculoides (accessed April 8, 2010).

15 University of Wisconsin. 2010. "Stevens Point Freckmann Herbarium, Plants of Wisconsin."

16 Available URL: http:/lwisplants.uwsp.eduNVisPlants.html (accessed April 7, 2010).

17 Utah State University. 2010. "Grass Manual on the Web." Available URL:

18 http:lHherbarium.usu.edu/webmanualldefault.htm (accessed April 2, 2010).

19 Versar, Inc. (Versar). 1991. "An Assessment of Key Biological Resources in the Delaware 20 Estuary," Performed for the Delaware Estuary Program.

21 Weiss-Glanz, L.S., J.G. Stanley, and J.R. Moring. 1986. "Species Profiles: Life Histories and 22 Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (North Atlantic) - American 23 Shad, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report, 82(11.59), U.S. Army Corps of 24 Engineers, TR EL-82-4, pp. 16.

25 Wernert, S.J. 1998. Reader's Digest North American Wildlife: An Illustrated Guide to 2, 000 26 Plants and Animals. Available URL:

27 http://books.*qoogle~com/books?id=YedAnP3k1 IMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=readers+diqest+n 28 orth+american+wildlife+susan+i+wernert&source=bl&ots=es2QFm3vqo&siq=s 1OpQWxalri3k G 29 vcmOEfopvttw&hl=en&ei=02TtS4NQhrKsB46qqJcG&sa=X&oi=book result&ct=result&resnum=

30 1&ved=OCAYQ6AEwAA#v=onepaqe&q=stinkinq%20fleabane&f=false (accessed May 14, 31 2010).

Draft NUREG-1437, Supplement 45 2-140 September 2010