ML18094A587

Notifies That on 890701,one Loggerhead Sea Turtle Impinged on Circulating Water Sys Intake Trash Bars.Turtle Recovered During Cleaning of Trash Racks.Turtle Released 6 Miles Offshore of Brigantine,Nj

ML18094A587
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	07/21/1989
From:	Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NLR-N89137, NUDOCS 8907310237
Download: ML18094A587 (3)

Text

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Public Service Electric and Gas Company Steven E. Miltenberger P0blic Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 609-339-4199 July 21, 1989 NLR-N89137 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:

REPORT OF IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLES SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NO. 50-272 AND 50-31 This report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Salem Unit 2 Environmental Technical Specifications, Sections 4.1.1 and 5.4.2a, b and c. This report is required within thirty (30) days of discovery.

Sincerely, A?

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Attachment C Mr. J. C. Stone, Licensing Project Manager Ms. K. Halvey Gibson, Senior Resident Inspector Mr. W. T. Russell, Administrator Region I Mr. Kent Tosch, Chief New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Environmental Quality Bureau of Nuclear Engineering CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625 Mr. Richard Delgado NJ Department of Environmental Protection

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S "I 05000272 PNU

IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLES REPORT: July 17, 1989 OCCURRENCE DATE: July 1, 1989 FACILITY: Salem Generating station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancock's Bridge, NJ 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:

One Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle was impinged on the Circulating Water System (CWS) inta~e trash bars at Salem Generating station on July 1, 1989. The loggerhead is federally listed as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:

July 1, 1989 - Unit 1, 98.5 percent power Unit 2, 100 percent power DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:

On July 1, 1989, at 0945 hours0.0109 days <br />0.263 hours <br />0.00156 weeks <br />3.595725e-4 months <br />, one loggerhead sea turtle was reported on the trash bars of the CWS intake. Both units were at or riear _full power at the time the turtle was found.

The turtle was recovered during th~ cleaning of the trash racks by the on-duty intake operator. The Senior Shift Supervisor, Licensing and Regulation personnel, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) of Brigantine, New Jersey were immediately notified. The turtle was then brought to the MMSC where it was fed and maintained until July 10, 1989, when it was released. The turtle was an immature female in excellent condition, weighting 49 lbs., with a carapace length of 22 inches, and width of 18.5 inches.- It was released approximately 6 miles offshore of Brigantine, New Jersey. The following agencies have been notified regarding this occurrence:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

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A~PARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCES:

Sea turtles are a summer migrant, common to Delaware Bay. Small -

numbers typically occur in the lower Delaware River near Salem during July through September. Past experience indicates that healthy sea turtles are usually able to avoid the approach velocity of the CWS intake, although occasionally one will b~come entrapped in the area of the trash bars. Some turtle mortalities are also attributed to animals which are injured by boats or commercial fishing operations, and then float into the area of the circulating water intake.

ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE:

The CWS intake is monitored for accumulation of debris, which is periodically removed. Any turtles .which are._ observed in the- area of-the trash .bars are recovered immediately. Between 1979 and present, a total of 45 sea turtles have been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Of the thirty-nine turtles collected at the iritake, twenty-seven_ (69%) were loggerhead sea turtles and twelve (31%) were Kemp's ridiey sea turtles.

CORRECTIVE ACTION The trash bars are observed at least once per eight hour shift and cleaned at *least once per day. Any sea turtle observed-on the trash bars is removed immediately. Resuscitation will be attempted if the turtle is not unquestionably dead. In accordance with standard procedure, all specimens will be held under appropriate conditions and turned over to the MMSC.