ML18096A353
| ML18096A353 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 11/21/1991 |
| From: | Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| NLR-E91287, NUDOCS 9111250157 | |
| Download: ML18096A353 (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 NOV 21 1991 NLR-E91287 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:
REPORT OF IMPINGEMENT OF SHORTNOSE STURGEON SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NO. 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 three nonroutine event discoveries, and documents the occurrence and removal of shortnose sturgeon from the Salem Generating station circulating water intake structure.
Please find included two (2) attachments. gives a narrative description of the events, as requestea by the NRC., requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), provides more specific information regarding observance and retrieval of the sturgeon.
Should you have any questions regarding this transmittal, please feel free to contact us.
Sincerely, Attachments
,)'
Document Control Desk NLR-E91287 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 HOV 2 l 1991
NLR-E91287 REPORT:
OCCURRENCE DATES:
FACILITY:
IMPINGEMENT OF SHORTNOSE STURGEON November 20, 1991 October 22, 28 and November 6, 1991 Salem Generating station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:
Three shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) were removed from the Circulating Water System (CWS) intake trash racks at Salem Generating Station.
The three sturgeon were retrieved on October 22, 28 and November 6, 1991, respectively.
The shortnose sturgeon is federally listed as an "endangered" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:
October 22, 1991 -
Units 1 and 2, 100 percent power October 28, 1991 -
Units 1 and 2, 100 percent power November 6, 1991 -
Units 1 and 2, 100 percent power DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:
DATE.
TIME INTAKE BAY FORK LENGTH (cm)
WEIGHT (kg)
- 10/22/91 0930 23a 72.0 4.05 10/28/91 1000 12b 74.3 2.65 11/06/91 1700 21b 66.8 2.90 The first two specimens were recovered during the cleaning of the trash racks by Site Services personnel.
The third specimen, which was wedged in the trash bars, was observed after the tide receded below its impingement level.
The Senior Shift Supervisor, and Licensing and Regulation personnel were immediately notified.
The first two sturgeon were dead upon recovery.
The third was recovered alive but in a state of apparent high stress, as impingement had left it exposed to air during an ebbing tide.
The specimen was gently supported in a stokes basket submerged in a holding pool containing ambient Delaware River water, but died during the night.
After positive identifications were made the specimens were put on ice and turned over to PSE&G's environmental consultant (Environmental Consulting Services Inc.)
for preservation.
The preserved specimens are being donated to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
J NLR-E91287 2
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the U.S.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have been notified regarding these occurrences.
APPARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCE:
Based on historical and recent records, shortnose sturgeon appear to utilize the entire Delaware estuary-river complex, from the river mouth to New Hope, PA (0-238 river kilometer).
Spawning occurs north of Trenton, 128 rkm upstream from the Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations.
It is unlikely that larval or post-larval fish would travel the distance downstream to Artificial Island.
Adult shortnose sturgeon may move into the Artificial Island area during fall migration to wintering grounds.
Healthy adult and juvenile shortnose sturgeon have cruising swim speeds ranging from 8.1 to 34.0 cm/sec and burst swim speeds ranging from 30 to 70 cm/sec.
Maximum intake velocities through the trash bars are less than these reported cruising speeds.
Avoidance of the intake should be possible by a healthy fish.
Sturgeon which are in a weakened condition may be subject to impingement.
It should be noted that a gillnet fisherman was actively fishing the north end of Artificial Island when the first two sturgeon appeared at the plant.
NMFS was made aware of this during subsequent phone calls.
ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE:
The cws intake is monitored for accumulation of debris, which is periodically removed.
Any sturgeon which are observed in the area of the trash racks are recovered immediately.
Between 1978 and 1991, a total of six shortnose sturgeon were collected at the plant, two in 1978, one in 1981 and three in 1991.
The recent influx is presumably a result of increased shortnose sturgeon populations in the Delaware estuary-river complex.
CORRECTIVE ACTION:
Between June 1 and September 30, the trash racks at Salem are observed every two hours, twenty-four (24) hours a day and cleaned at least once per day.
The specified time period represents the peak migratory movement of sea turtles into and out of the Delaware River.
Observations are made specifically for sea turtles and sturgeon during this time.
During the remaining months the trash rack is inspected daily for debris load and cleaned as necessary.
Any sturgeon occurrence is revealed at this time.
NLR-E91287 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:
Dave Griffith - Tractor Operator - Nuclear Reporters full name:
Jennifer Griff in - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Site of impingement:
Unit 2, Circulating Water System Trash Rack #23a Date and time impingement was observed:
10/22/91; 0930 hours0.0108 days <br />0.258 hours <br />0.00154 weeks <br />3.53865e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:
10/22/91; 0930 hours0.0108 days <br />0.258 hours <br />0.00154 weeks <br />3.53865e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation:
Ebbing; 5.6 feet Date and time of last observation of screen: Not applicable water temperature at site and time of impingement:
60 (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:
Dead Shortnose Sturgeon Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):
Fork Length:
72.0 cm.
Total Length: 80.2 cm.
Weight:
4.05 kilograms Remarks:
The sturgeon is being preserved and donated to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
NLR-E91287 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:
Mike Halter - Tractor Operator - Nuclear Reporters full name:
Jennifer Griffin - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Site of impingement:
Unit 1, Circulating Water System Trash Rack #12b Date and time impingement was observed:
10/28/91; 1000 hours0.0116 days <br />0.278 hours <br />0.00165 weeks <br />3.805e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:
10/28/91; 1000 hours0.0116 days <br />0.278 hours <br />0.00165 weeks <br />3.805e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation:
Flooding; 0.5 feet Date and time of last observation of screen: Not applicable Water temperature at site and time of impingement:
62 (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:
Dead Shortnose Sturgeon Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):
Fork Length:
74.3 cm.
Total Length: 82.8 cm.
Weight:
2.65 kilograms Remarks:
The sturgeon is being preserved and donated to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
NLR-E91287 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: Alan Polonczyk - Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name:
Jennifer Griffin - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification:
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Site of impingement:
Unit 2, Circulating Water System Trash Rack #21b Date and time impingement was observed:
11/06/91; 1600 hours0.0185 days <br />0.444 hours <br />0.00265 weeks <br />6.088e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected:
11/06/91; 1000 hours0.0116 days <br />0.278 hours <br />0.00165 weeks <br />3.805e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation:
Flooding; 0.9 feet Date and time of last observation of screen: Not applicable water temperature at site and time of impingement:
56 (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:
Alive at removal but apparently stressed, it exhibited little movement when placed in water and appeared to be breathing quickly.
The fish died during the night.
Shortnose Sturgeon Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):
Fork Length:
66.8 cm.
Total Length: 78.2 cm.
Weight:
2.90 kilograms Remarks:
The sturgeon is being preserved and donated to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.