DCL-2014-521, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Letter Regarding Marine Mammal Stranding Report (Harbor Seal) for Diablo Canyon Power Plant

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Letter Regarding Marine Mammal Stranding Report (Harbor Seal) for Diablo Canyon Power Plant

ML14167A076
Person / Time
Site:	Diablo Canyon
Issue date:	05/19/2014
From:	Cortese K Pacific Gas & Electric Co
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
References
PG&E Letter DCL-2014-521
Download: ML14167A076 (5)

Text

E Pacific Electric Gas and Company Diablo Canyon Power Plant P.0.Box 56 Avila Beach, CA 93424 PG&E Letter DCL-2014-521 Certified/Return Receipt

1. 7010-1060-0000-4204-4876 May 19, 2014 Justin Viezbicke California Stranding Network Coordinator National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, California 90802-4213 Marine Mammal Stranding Report (Harbor Seal) Diablo Canyon Power Plant

Dear Mr. Viezbicke:

Enclosed is a National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Marine Mammal Stranding Report for a dead harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) discovered in the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) intake structure. The harbor seal was discovered on May 08, 2014 floating in the Unit 2 intake forebay 2-6.

As authorized in a letter from NMFS dated June 03, 1994, facility staff removed the dead harbor seal from the intake structure, and transported it offshore. The harbor seal was estimated to be about 30 inches in length, was relatively fresh, but had started decomposition. The head was missing, and the seal had apparent shark bite(s) on one side (reference enclosed photographs).

The animal was likely killed by a shark, and the carcass drifted into the DCPP intake structure.

There was no indication of an adverse impact to the animal due to power plant operations, the injuries suffered by the seal and subsequent death are therefore attributable to natural causes.

Verbal notification of this incident was reported to NOAA Marine Fisheries on May 08, 2014 (the day of discovery).

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

Sincerely, Kenneth W. Cortese Manager- Chemistry and Environmental Operations 2014521/jlk/bkc Enclosures (2)

__ '7-

PG&E Letter DCL-2014-521 Justin Viezbicke, NMFS May 19, 2014 Page 2 cc w/enclosures: Alan B. Wang NRR Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08B1 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852-2738 Thomas Hipschman Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Diablo Canyon Power Plant 104/5 Regional Administrator U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 611 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4125 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Marine Region California Department of Fish and Wildlife 20 Lower Ragsdale Dr. Suite 100 Monterey, CA 93940

MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING REPORT - LEVEL A DATA FIELD #: NMFS REGIONAL #-: NATIONAL DATABASE#:.

(NMFS USE) (NMFS USE)

COMMON NAME: Pacific Harbor Seal GENUS: Phoca SPECIES: vitulina EXAMINER Name: James Kelly Affiliation: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Address: P.O. Box 56, Avila Beach, California 93424 Phone: (805) 545-3194 Stranding Agreement or Authority:

LOCATION OF INITIAL OBSERVATION OCURRENCE DETAILS 3 Restrand GE#

State: Ca. County: San Luis Obispo Group Event D YES C4NO (NMFS Use)

City: Avila Beach If Yes, Type: 0 Cow/Calf Pair 0 Mass Stranding # Animals:__ El Actual 0 Estimated Body ofWater Pacific Ocean Findings of Human Interaction: 0 YES IMNO 0 Could Not Be Determined (CBD)

Locality Details: Diablo Canyon Power If Yes, Choose one or more: 0 1. Boat Collision 0 2. Shot [ 3. Fishery Interaction Plant - Intake Structure Bay 2-6 0 4. Other Human Interaction:

Lat(DD): 35 12' 44" N How Determined (Check one or more): rXExternal Exam 11Internal Exam 0 Necropsy Long (DD): 120 51' 13" w 0 Other:

IX Actual 0 Estimated Gear Collected? 0 YES R NO Gear Disposition:

How Determined: (check ONE) Other Findings Upon Level A: C YES 0 NO 0 Could Not Be Determined (CBD)

IMGPS 0 Map 0 Internet/Software If Yes, Choose one or more: 0 1. Illness DO2. Injury C 3. Pregnant 0 4.Other_

How Determined (Check one or more): M External Exam 0 Internal Exam 0 Necropsy Ot.her ____________________________________________________

INITIAL OBSERVATION LEVEL A EXAMINATION 0 Not Able to Examine Date: Year: 2014 Month: 05 Day: 08 Date: Year: 2014 Month: 05 Day: 08 First Observed: 0 Beach or Land 0 Floating 0 Swimming CONDITION AT INITIAL OBSERVATION (Check ONE) CONDITION AT EXAMINATION (Check ONE) 0 1. Alive 0 4. Advanced Decomposition 0 1. Alive 0 4. Advanced Decomposition I 2. Fresh dead 0 5. Mummified/Skeletal N 2. Fresh dead 0 5. Mummified/Skeletal 0 3. Moderate decomposition 0

[ 6. Condition Unknown C 3. Moderate decomposition 0 6. Unknown INITIAL UVE ANIMAL DISPOSITION (Check one or more) MORPHOLOGICAL DATA C 1. Left at Site 0 6. Euthanized at Site SEX (Check ONE) AGE CLASS (Check ONE) 0 2. Immediate Release at Site 0 7. Transferred to Rehabilitation: O] 1. Male 0] 1. Adult 0]4. Pup/Calf C 3. Relocated Date: Year:_ Month: .Day:_ 0 2. Female 0 2. Subadult 0 5. Unknown Facility:_

C 4. Disentangled 0 8. Died during Transport IX 3. Unknown §03. Yearling 0 5. Died at Site 0 9. Euthanized during Transport 0 Whole Carcass IX Partial Carcass 0 10. Other:

CONDITIONIDETERMINATION (Check one or more) Straight length: 30 0 cm IX in C actual IX estimated 0 1. Sick 7. Location Hazardous Weight: 20-25 0 kg IX lb C actual %estimated 0 2. Injured 0 a. To animal PHOTOS/VIDEOS TAKEN: X YES 0NO 0 3. Out of Habitat C b. To public PhotoNideo Disposition:

0 4. Deemed Releasable 0 8. Unknown/CBD Two photographs of the specimen are enclosed with the report.

0 5. Abandoned/Orphaned 0 9.Other 0 6. Inaccessible CARCASS STATUS (Check one or more) 0 1. Left at Site I 4. Towed: Lat Long_ __ 0 7. Landfill TAG DATA Tags Were: 0 2. Buried 0 5. Sunk: Lat _ Long __ 0 8. Unknown Present at Time of Stranding (Pre-existing): 0 YES 0 NO 0 3. Rendered 0 6. Frozen for Later Examination 0 9. Other Applied during Stranding Response: 0 YES 0 NO SPECIMEN DISPOSITION (Check one or more)

ID# Color Type Placement* Applied Present 0 1. Scientific collection 0 2. Educational collection (Cirde ONE)

D DF L 0 D IX 3. Other: Towed offshore to open ocean outside power plant intake cove.

LF LR RF RR Comments: Injuries appeared consistent with shark attack/bites.

D DF L 0 0. The head of the specimen was missing from the carcass.

________________LF LR RF RR NECROPSIED X NO 0 YES 0 Limited C Complete D DF L 0 LF LR RF RR 0 Carcass Fresh 0 Carcass Frozen/Thawed D= Dorsal: DF= Dorsal Fin; L=Lateral Body NECROPSIED BY:

LF= Left Front, LR= Left Rear; RF= Right Front; RR= Right Rear Date: Year: Month: -Day:_

NOAA Form 89-864; OMB No.0648-0178; Expires 01131/2014 PLEASE USE THE BACK SIDE OF THIS FORM FOR ADDITIONAL REMARKS

ADDITIONAL REMARKS ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIER: (If animal is restranded, please indicate any previous field numbers here)

The harbor seal carcass was found floating in a Diablo Canyon Power Plant intake forebay. The seal apparently had been killed nearby (shark attack), and the carcass drifted into the intake forebay. The carcass was removed by plant divers, photographed, and the remains towed offshore into the open ocean where it was released. There was no indication of an adverse impact to the animal due to power plant operations, the injuries suffered by the seal and subsequent death are attributable to natural causes.

DISCLAIMER THESE DATA SHOULD NOT BE USED OUT OF CONTEXT OR WITHOUT VERIFICATION. THIS SHOULD BE STRICTLY ENFORCED WHEN REPORTING SIGNS OF HUMAN INTERACTION DATA.

DATA ACCESS FOR LEVEL A DATA UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, CERTAIN FIELDS OF THE LEVEL A DATA SHEET WILL BE RELEASED TO THE REQUESTOR PROVIDED THAT THE REQUESTOR CREDIT THE STRANDING NETWORK AND THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE. THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE WILL NOTIFY THE CONTRIBUTING STRANDING NETWORK MEMBERS THAT THESE DATA HAVE BEEN REQUESTED AND THE INTENT OF USE. ALL OTHER DATA WILL BE RELEASED TO THE REQUESTOR PROVIDED THAT THE REQUESTOR OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE CONTRIBUTING STRANDING NETWORK AND THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE.

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT INFORMATION PUBLIC REPORTING BURDEN FOR THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IS ESTIMATED TO AVERAGE 30 MINUTES PER RESPONSE, INCLUDING THE TIME FOR REVIEWING INSTRUCTIONS, SEARCHING EXISTING DATA SOURCES, GATHERING AND MAINTAINING THE DATA NEEDED, AND COMPLETING AND REVIEWING THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. SEND COMMENTS REGARDING THIS BURDEN ESTIMATE OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE COLLECTION INFORMATION, INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING THE BURDEN TO: CHIEF, MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION DIVISION, OFFICE OF PROTECTED RESOURCES, NOAA FISHERIES, 1315 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY, SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND 20910. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THE LAW, NO PERSON IS REQUIRED TO RESPOND, NOR SHALL ANY PERSON BE SUBJECTED TO A PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH, A COLLECTION OF INFORMATION SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT, UNLESS THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) CONTROL NUMBER.

NOAA Form 89-864: OMB No. 0648-0178; Expires 01/31/2014

PG&E Letter DCL-2014-521 May 19, 2014 Specimen Photographs - Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) - May 08, 2014 Photographs Page 1 of 1