ML18096A871
| ML18096A871 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem, Hope Creek  |
| Issue date: | 06/17/1992 |
| From: | Coogan C COMMERCE, DEPT. OF, NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC |
| To: | COMMERCE, DEPT. OF, NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9208110210 | |
| Download: ML18096A871 (2) | |
Text
'--,*,.
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT UNITED STATES.ARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE Northeast Region sa-c:J1:L Habitat and. P7o"t;ected n.,
~ /' j Resources Division
..J..1U....... d 1 One Blackburn Drive
~,e-,
Gloucester, MA 01930
.,:J-1J -.::::J*:::J June 17, 1992 PSE&G Section 7 Files F/NE02 -
Colleen Coogan ~
Meeting Summary, June 2, 1992 As recommended in the 1991 Biological Opinion, a meeting was held on June*2, 1992 to discuss PSE&G's sea turtle conservation plan.
The meeting was attended by:
NMFS -
- c. Coogan NRC J.C. Stone M. Masnick PSE&G - J. Eggers M. Haberland Bob Schoelkopf, (Marine Mammal Stranding Center), was invited, but was unable to make it due to seal rehabilitation activities and other time constraints.
Mike Haberland and Jim Eggers presented detai£s*regarding their plans to investigate habitat use of sea turtles that are captured at the Salem Power Plant intake structure incidentally to plant operations.
The current plan, which is extensive, continues to fulfill the requirements of the Incidental Take Statement issued in the 1991 Biological Opinion.
Additionally, the plan addresses important conservation recommendations.
Some points are listed below.
+ Inspection of the Salem Nuclear Generating Station's Circulating Water System intake trash bars every two hours will continue from June 1 to September 30 of each year.
Documentation of sea' turtle takes, as specified in the 1991 Biological Opinion, will also be continued.
+ The Salem Nuclear Generating Station's Circulating Water System intake trash *bars will continue to be cleaned daily from June 1 to September 3 O.
I
+ Turtles taken at the intake structure or in plant related trawl I D activities will be held inside in 2 800 gallon tanks at the Salem Plant.
(Trawl durations average.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> or less.)
PSE&G
~f'A, biologists will assess the condition of the animal and will, by j'
fax, notify NMFS, the MMSC and a veterinarian of the capture and (\\}
the turtles apparent condition.
Turtles requiring first aid m~~.J?'
be transported to the MMSC for treatment.
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+ Sea turtles will be held and observed for 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> to allow for further assessment of condition and collection of fecal samples.
Observation by MMSC and/or a veterinarian will be encouraged during this time.
Blood samples may be collected.
Extra samples may be held for Delaware Bay program or other valid programs interested in testing for heavy metals or other anthropogenic toxins.
+ All turtles will be flipper tagged and satellite transmitters may be applied to sea turtles of appropriate sizes.
Sonic tags and radio tags may also be employed to aid in short-term tracking.
Satellite tags will allow PSE&G biologists to monitor the condition of the turtles post-capture.
This will address concerns brought up at the meeting of the New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee on April 15, 1992.
+ Turtles may be intentionally recaptured to observe growth rates and collect fecal samples, as well as to retrieve tags.
This will provide information regarding diet, habitat use and possible attractant factors at the Plant.
+ Any dead sea turtles will be necropsied by qualified personnel.
Initially carcasses will be necropsied by Steve Morreale, who has agreed to train PSE&G personnel.
Necropsies conducted by PSE&G personnel will be videotaped in their entirety.
+ Review of historical benthic survey data will be continued to identify prey density and distribution at various sites in the Delaware Bay and clarify the potential for attraction of invertebrates to the vicinity of the Salem intake structure.
Mike Haberland reported success using a basket to retrieve large sea turtles from the vicinity of the intake structure.
This method will continue to be employed.
Jim Eggers indicated that investigations into lighting alternatives, trash rack modifications, and barrier nets were ongoing.
A report on these investigations will be forwarded to NHFS shortly.
A copy of a NMFS permit application was given to Mike Haberland.
Takes at the Plant are legal if the requirements of the incidental take statement are met, however, a scientific research permit would insure the scientific credibility of the project through the associated review process.
cc:
NRC - Stone, Masnick PSE&G - Eggers, Haberland NJ - Frier-Murza USFWS -
Day MMSC - Schoelkopf