ML19095B319

NMFS to NRC, Follow-up on June 13, 2018, Observation of Sea Turtle at Calvert Cliffs

ML19095B319
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	11/23/2018
From:	Asaro M US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
To:	Briana Grange Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Briana Grange 301-415-1042
References
Download: ML19095B319 (2)

Text

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic al\d Atmoaphertc Adrrdnlttratton f,jAT!ONAL "'41\RINE f':S>lERlkS SDN!CE GAE>\-:"EFI AnANTIC f'EOIONA- flSHEf\lES OFFiCt:

"4 Gr...,_l Rn<><1t>I <:: C,,w, Qtm,cm,t"'* MA Oli.'3¢*2275 NOV 2 3 1019 Briana Grange U.S. Nudear Regulatory Commission Division of Materials and License Renevval Office of'N'udear Reactor Regulation Washington, DC 20555-0001 Re: Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Energy Facility

~ar M:i;., Grange.

This corresponds follows up on a repon. made to us regarding the observation of a sea turtle at the intakes of the Calvert Cliffs nuclear energy facility. The Calvert Cliffs facUity is located in Lusby, Maryland and withdraws water from the Chesapeake Bay. lofonnal consultation, pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. as amended w115 completed between our agencies in 1998.

On Juae 14, 2018. we received a repon. from you that a dead sea turtle \.\'US observed by plant personnel on"' the facility's: trash racks in the evening of June 13, 2018, but was no longer

• present on the morning t*f June 14, 20 i 8. Subsequent discussions with you have clarified that the sea turtle was actually observed floating in front of the trash bars. and was not observed to be impinged and was not collected by plant persoMel. Based on the infonnation presented to us, we do not consider this June 13, 2018, sea turtle floating near the trash bars to be a "take" caused by the facility, Any new information we receive regarding this sea turtle may lead us to make a different conclusion in the future.

We do note that much otthe information used in the IQQ8 consultation document is outdated.

For example, since that time. we have more information on the use of the Chesapeake Bay by sea turtles and shortnose sturu;eon. We have also 11.sted fi1,1e distinct population segments of Atlantic sturgeon, which occur in the mainstem Chesapeake Bay and 11 number ofits tributaries.

The section 7 regulations require an action agency tu reioitiate consultation when. among ot~r things, new information reveals effects of the action that may affect listed species or critical habitat in a m,,_nner or to an extent not previously considered; the action is subsequently modified in a m1mnt=r that ca.uses an effect to the listi:d species or critical habitat that was not considered; or a new species is listed or critical habitat designmed that may be atle!:ted b)' the identified action. We recommend that you review the best availab1e information on listed species in the project area. as well as operations of the facility, and make a detcnnination as to whether reinitiation of consultation is necessary. Should you ha,-e any questions regarding this

correspondence, please contact Julie Crocker ofmy staff(978)282-8480 or Julie.Crocker@noaa.gov).

Sincerely 'J

/~~z~--

ae1 Asaro cling Assistant Regional Administrator for Protected Resources cc: Crocker - F/G AR3 Williams- GCNE File Code: Sec 7 Informal - Calvert Cliffs 1998 consultation