ML17228B393
| ML17228B393 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 02/07/1996 |
| From: | Crutchfield D NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | Kemmerer A External (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17228B394 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC-M92014, TAC-M92015, NUDOCS 9602200267 | |
| Download: ML17228B393 (6) | |
Text
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~O Wp*g0 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMlSSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055&4001 February 7,
1996 Dr. Andrew Kemmerer Regional Director Southeast Regional Office National Marine Fisheries Service 9721 Executive Center Drive North St. Petersburg, FL 33702
SUBJECT:
BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ON IMPACTS TO SEA TURTLES AT THE ST. LUCIE~~'~
NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT (TAC NOs.
M92014 AND M92015)
Dear Dr. Kemmerer:
In accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) and 50 CFR Part 402 - Interagency Cooperation Endangered Species Act of
- 1973, as
- amended, the enclosed biological assessment (BA) is submitted for your review as part of the formal consultation process initiated in May 1995.
This formal consultation process was initiated after the Florida Power 5 Light Company (FPL) (the licensee for the St. Lucie Nuclear Generating Station) informed the NRC of a significant increase in the numbers of entrapped sea turtles, primarily, juvenile Chelonia
~m das, at the St. Lucia Station.
The BA, prepared by FPL, assesses the impacts associated with the continued operation of the St. Lucie Nuclear Generating Station on sea turtles protected under the Act.
Since initiation of this formal consultation, FPL has installed a smaller mesh barrier net in the intake canal to exclude turtles from the plant's intake wells.
FPL has committed to continuing their sea turtle capture
- program, which includes tangle-netting, hand capture and dip netting programs, tagging and health assessment activities, and necropsy and rehabilitation activities.
As additional conservation measures for sea turtles, FPL will continue assistance to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in FDEP's index beach nesting survey and continue to cooperate with the FDEP in their sea turtle stranding network.
The FDEP has been involved during this consultation; a member of their staff has attended the two meetings between the licensee,
- NRC, and your staff.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff adopts this BA, agrees with FPL's conclusion and believes that the continued operation of the St. Lucie Nuclear Generating Station will not jeopardize the continued existence of the five species of sea turtle evaluated in the BA.
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~4 e OO Dr. Andrew Kemmerer February 7,
1996 The NRC anticipates that your office will render its biological opinion within the next several months.
If you have any questions, please contact Steven A.
Reynolds at (301) 415-1115.
Sincerely, Docket Nos.:
50-335, 50-389
Enclosure:
Biological Assessment Oogtaat sfgnedby Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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Dr. Andrew Kemmerer February 7,
1996 The NRC anticipates that your office will render its biological opinion within the next several months.
If you have any questions, please contact Steven A.
Reynolds at (301) 415-1115.
Sincerely, Docket Nos.:
50-335, 50-389
Enclosure:
Biological Assessment ennis H. Crutch eld, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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