ML18096A210

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 910720,23 & 25,three Loggerhead Sea Turtles Impinged on Circulating Water Sys Intake Trash Racks.Caused by Habits of Turtles

ML18096A210
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	08/12/1991
From:	Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NLR-E91203, NUDOCS 9108220072
Download: ML18096A210 (7)

Text

Public Service Electric and Gas Company Steven E. Miltenberger

• Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 609-339-1100 Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer AUG 1 2 1001 NLR-E91203 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Wasbington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:

REPORT OF IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLE SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-272 AND 50-311 In accordance with' Section 5.4.2 of Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan, to the Operating License for Salem Generating Station, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) hereby transmits notification of a nonroutine event discovery, and documents the occurrence and removal of three sea turtles from the Salem Generating Station circulating water intake structure.

Enclosed please find two (2) attachments. gives a narrative description of the events, as requested by the NRC., requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), provides more specific information regarding observance and retrieval of the sea turtles.

Should you have any questions regarding this transmittal, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely, Attachments r£~3

"'I

. I

Document Control Desk NLR-E91203 c

Mr. J. c. stone Licensing Project Manager Mr. T. Johnson Senior Resident Inspector 2

Mr. T. Martin, 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 Ms. Colleen Coogan National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 AUG 1 2 1991

NLR-E91203 REPORT:

OCCURRENCE DATES:

FACILITY:

IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLE July 30, 1991 July 20, 23 and 25, 1991 Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:

Three loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles were impinged on on the Circulating Water System (CWS) intake trash racks at Salem Generating Station.

The first turtle was reported on July 20, the second on July 23, and the third on July 25, 1991.

The loggerhead is federally listed as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:

July 20, 1991 -

July 23, 1991 -

July 25, 1991 -

Units 1 and 2 -

100 percent power Units 1 and 2 -

100 percent power Units 1 and 2 -

100 percent power DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:

One loggerhead sea turtle was observed on July 20, 1991 at 2300 hours0.0266 days <br />0.639 hours <br />0.0038 weeks <br />8.7515e-4 months <br />.

The second turtle, reported on July 23, was observed at 0810 hours0.00938 days <br />0.225 hours <br />0.00134 weeks <br />3.08205e-4 months <br /> and the third on July 25, at 1630 hours0.0189 days <br />0.453 hours <br />0.0027 weeks <br />6.20215e-4 months <br />.

All three were observed near the trash racks of the cws intake.

All of the turtles were recovered during the cleaning of the trash racks by Site Services personnel.

The Senior Shift Supervisor and Licensing and Regulation personnel were immediately notified.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) of Brigantine, New Jersey was notified shortly thereafter.

All three turtles were released in the Delaware Bay approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Salem Generating Station (SGS), 0.5 miles off shore in 20 feet of water.

The following agencies have been notified regarding these occurrences:

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

'* (cont.)

NLR-E91203 APPARENT CAUSE OF, OCCQRRENCE:

2 Sea turtles are summer migrants, common to Delaware Bay.

Small numbers typically occur in the lower Delaware River near Salem Generating Station during June through September.

Healthy sea turtles are strong swimmers and are usually able to avoid the approach velocity of the cws intake.

Turtles which are in a weakened condition due to injury by boats or commercial fishing operations are subject to impingement.

Apparently healthy turtles which become impinged may not be able to escape the approach velocity due to exhaustion or small size.

Also, apparently healthy turtles may be foraging in the intake channel.

While feeding they may surf ace in the intake bays and if observed by plant personnel will be removed as if impinged.

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 racks are recovered immediately.

Between 1979 and present, a total of 65 sea turtles have been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant.

Of the 59 turtles collected at the intake, 43 (73%) were loggerhead sea turtles and 16 (27%)

were Kemp's ridley sea turtles.

CORRECTIVE ACTION:

The trash racks at Salem are observed every two hours, twenty-four (24) hours a day specifically for sea turtles and cleaned at least once per day.

Any sea turtle observed on the trash rack is removed immediately.

Resuscitation will be attempted if the turtle is not unquestionably dead.

In accordance with standard procedure, all dead or injured specimens will be held under appropriate conditions and turned over to the

MMSC.

... ~.

NLR-E91203 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements.

This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating stations Observers full name:

Rick Pfeffer - Nuclear Control Operator Reporters full name:

Jennifer Griffin - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Site of impingement:

Salem Generating Station Circulating Water System Date and time impingement was observed:

.7/20/91; 2300 hours0.0266 days <br />0.639 hours <br />0.0038 weeks <br />8.7515e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:

7/20/91; 2320 hours0.0269 days <br />0.644 hours <br />0.00384 weeks <br />8.8276e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation:

4.1 feet, ebbing Date and time of last observation of screen: 7/20/91; 2300 hours0.0266 days <br />0.639 hours <br />0.0038 weeks <br />8.7515e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement:

82.5 F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Units 1 and 2 -

100%

Condition of animal:

Good Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

Carapace length: curved:

Straight:

47.0 cm.

carapace width:

curved:

Straight:

41.0 cm.

Tag number and location, if taqqed: Due to equipment malfunction this turtle was not tagged. Loran coordinates: 27390.4 / 43053.0 Remarks:

The turtle was released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile off shore in twenty feet of water.

The turtle weighed 35 pounds.

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents if available at the time of the report, or as soon as possible):

Not applicable (cont.)

NLR-E91203 2

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected *in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements.

This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name:

David Tait -

Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name:

Jennifer Griff in - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:

Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta)

Site of impingement:

Salem Generating Station - Unit 2 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack # 23a Date and time impingement was observed:

7/23/91; 0810 hours0.00938 days <br />0.225 hours <br />0.00134 weeks <br />3.08205e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:

7/23/91; 0830 hours0.00961 days <br />0.231 hours <br />0.00137 weeks <br />3.15815e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation:

5.2 feet, ebbing

• Date and time of last observation of screen: 7/23/91; 0800 hours0.00926 days <br />0.222 hours <br />0.00132 weeks <br />3.044e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement:

83.5 F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Units 1 and 2 -

100%

Condition of animal:

Good Sea Turtle Measurements !indicate cm. or in.):

Carapace length: curved:

straight:

49.5 cm.

Carapace width:

curved:

straight:

43.9 cm.

Tag number and location, if tagged: Due to equipment malfunction this turtle was not tagged. Loran coordinates: 27390.4 /43053.0 Remarks: The turtle was released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile off shore in twenty feet of water.

The turtle weighed 42.5 pounds.

Results of necroosv {include stomach contents if available at the time of the report, or as soon as possible): Not applicable

• (cont.)

NLR-E91203 3

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements.

This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name:

David Tait -

Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name:

Jennifer Griff in -

Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:

Loggerhead (Caretta Caretta)

Site of impingement:

Salem Generating Station - Unit 2 Circulating Water system; Trash Rack # 22b Date and time impingement was* observed:

7/25/91; 1630 hours0.0189 days <br />0.453 hours <br />0.0027 weeks <br />6.20215e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:

7/25/91; 1650 hours0.0191 days <br />0.458 hours <br />0.00273 weeks <br />6.27825e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of obser\\ration:

0.1 feet, flooding Date and time of last observation of screen: 7/25/91; 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement:

84.5 F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Units 1 and 2 -

100%

Condition of animal:

Good Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

Carapace length: curved:

Straight:

51.15 cm.

Carapace width:

curved:

Straight:

48.30 cm.

Tag number and location, if tagged: Tag #'s PPX922 and PPX923 Loran coordinates: 27390.4 /43053.0 Remarks: The turtle was released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile off shore in twenty feet of water.

The turtle weighed 57 pounds.

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents if available at the time of the report, or as soon as possible): Not applicable