ML18096A991

Discusses Need for Immediate Measures to Be Taken to Reduce Likelihood of Further Lethal Takes of Sea Turtles in Plant Circulating Water Sys Intake Structure

ML18096A991
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	09/09/1992
From:	Beach D COMMERCE, DEPT. OF, NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC
To:	Thompson F Public Service Enterprise Group
References
NUDOCS 9209240254
Download: ML18096A991 (2)

Text

I e UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMM~RCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE Habitat and Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 September 9, 1992 Frank Thompson Jr.

Manager, Licensing and Regulation Public Service Electric and Gas Company Box 236, MCM 21 Hancock's Bridge, NJ. 08038

Dear Mr. Thompson:

Over the past few weeks, a total of 7 sea turtles have been taken at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station circulating water system intake structure. These takes include 4 live loggerheads, 2 fresh dead Kemp's ridleys and 1 fresh dead green turtle. As you know, the impacts of the Salem and Hope Creek Stations on endangered species have been considered, and the most recent Biological Opinion was issued in August, 1992. The Incidental Take Statement issued with that Opinion allowed only one lethal take of a Kemp's ridley. We have discussed this with your staff, and will rein.i.tiate consultation with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission {N'.RC) pursuant *to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1972, as amended.

Immediate measures should be taken to reduce the likelihood of further lethal takes of sea turtles. Monitoring of the intake structure should be increased to once per hour. Additionally, the monitoring 'staff should be instructed in careful observation for these smaller sea turtles, which may be more susceptible to drowning.

Colleen Coogan will continue to coordinate the reinitiated consultation with your staff and the NRC. She can be reached at (508) 281-9291 if you have any questions regarding this information.

Program

( 9209240254 920909 I ~DR ADOCK 05000272

-PDR 170045

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cc: rNR~S@01il.e.aw PSE&G - Eggers Haber land Griff in F/NE02 - Gorski F/PR2 - Williams File: 1514-04 NRC - Salem/Hope Creek