ML12068A151

February 2012 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report

ML12068A151
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	03/02/2012
From:	Weege S Inwater Research Group
To:	Koperski M Florida Power & Light Co, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin, National Ocean Service
Balsam B
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From: Stephen Weege To: Meghan Koperski Cc: Dave Niebch; Dave Clark; RidsNrrDlr Resource; Ed Hollowell; Jodie Gless; Ken Frehafer; Mike Bresette; Shelley Norton; Vince Munne

Subject:

February 2012 FPL Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Report Date: Friday, March 02, 2012 1:34:51 PM Attachments: February 2012 Marine Turtle Captures.rtf Monthly Report Notes 2012.xls FPL St. Lucie Capture Summary 2012.xls Mrs. Meghan Koperski Tequesta Field Laboratory 19100 SE Federal Highway Tequesta, FL 33469

Subject:

Marine Turtle Removal Monthly Summary February 2012

Dear Meghan,

Attached, please find the monthly summary of marine turtle removals for February 2012.

This month, we captured nine (9) Caretta caretta and two (2) Chelonia mydas in the intake canal of the St. Lucie power plant on Hutchinson Island. Two loggerhead sea turtles were sent for rehabilitation and there were no mortalities in the month of February.

On February 13th , a loggerhead sea turtle was observed floating down the canal. Inwater Research Group (IRG) biologists immediately hand captured the animal and noted that it was in poor condition (emaciated and lethargic). After consultation with the Florida Fish &

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) the turtle was transported by IRG to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Juno Beach for rehabilitation. Unfortunately, the animal was in such a weakened state that it perished in rehab shortly thereafter. On February 26th ,

an injured loggerhead sea turtle was recovered from the tangle nets that IRG biologists deploy every morning. This turtle had a long line hook lodged in its throat. After consultation with FWC, the animal was transported by IRG biologists to Yeehaw Junction where it was transferred to Sea World personnel for subsequent care and rehabilitation.

Neither incident was causal to power plant operations.

The 8-inch A-1-A net became partially submerged during the month of February. A 3-foot section of the A-1-A net was submerged 2 inches below the waterline at the extreme south end for several days. In addition, a 15-foot section in the center of the net was also forced underwater by the recurring high tides by up to 3 inches. This was likely due to the combined effects of the outage and regular tidal forces (strong high tides). Underwater Engineering Services (UESI) performed quarterly inspections on the 5-inch, 8-inch A-1-A, and the UIDS barrier nets on February 8th . The problem was assessed at this time and diving operations commenced on the 15th . The UESI team first cleaned the temporary 5-inch barrier net and removed sediment and debris from the base of the net. The integrity of the 5-inch barrier net was maintained and this net did not get pulled under at any time during the month.

Beginning on February 22nd, UESI cleaned and repaired the 8-inch A-1-A net, bringing it back to proper height specifications over a two day period.

The scheduled 110-day power plant outage that began in the end of November 2011 is still in

effect. Throughout the month of February, the 5 barrier net experienced negligible loads of algae and jellyfish that entered into the intake canal. The temporary barrier net has performed as designed and no turtles have been observed beyond the 5-inch net. To date, Florida Power & Light and Morgan & Eklund, Inc. continue to work together on the installation of a permanent 5-inch barrier net.

The tag numbers and morphometric data for all turtles are attached. Also included is a spreadsheet for all captures, mortalities, injuries, and causal events delineated by species and by month for 2012. This spreadsheet also tracks fresh scrapes incurred on captured turtles for the current month, as well as the entire year.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely, Steve Steve Weege Sr. Environmental Specialist Inwater Research Group, Inc.

4160 NE Hyline Dr.

Jensen Beach, FL 34957 sweege@inwater.org (772) 349-7252