ML19158A014

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Summary of May 24, 2019, Teleconference Regarding May 21, 2019, Indigo Snake Mortality at Turkey Point
ML19158A014
Person / Time
Site: Turkey Point  NextEra Energy icon.png
Issue date: 06/07/2019
From: Briana Grange
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Briana Grange 301-415-1042
References
Download: ML19158A014 (2)


Text

Teleconference with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regarding Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation for Turkey Point Nuclear Generating, Units 3 and 4, Subsequent License Renewal Consultation Code 04EF2000-2019-SLI-0631 June 7, 2019 TELECONFERENCE DATE May 24, 2019 PARTICIPANTS Lindsay Nester, Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)

Jose Rivera, Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Biologist, FWS Briana Grange, Conservation Biologist, U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Kristin Eaton, Wildlife Environmental Services, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)

Jodie Gless, Environmental Services Manager, NextEra Energy Resources BACKGROUND On May 21, 2019, FPL reported the mortality of an eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) on the Turkey Point site during vegetation maintenance activities along the southern perimeter of the cooling canal system. The maintenance activities were associated with a project to remove Australian pine, an invasive tree that has formed a monoculture stands on the site.

TELECONFERENCE NOTES

  • FWS received the indigo snake body from FPL on May 23 and will be completing an indigo snake log sheet for the mortality event.

Australian Pine Removal and Pile Burning

  • FPLs Australian pine removal project started a few months ago and is scheduled for an approximate 2-year period.
  • Participants discussed stacking and pile burning associated with the Australian pine removal. FWS noted that pile burning is a potential risk to indigo snakes because the piles may attract the species. This is based on data from a snake equipped with a transponder, which was killed during burning at another site.
  • FWS suggested that burning piles as soon as possible and using an indigo snake observer during jobs could reduce the potential for harm to the species.
  • FPL has begun dialogue internally on burning piles faster and other possible mitigation measures. However, participants discussed the complications with burning piles, such as rainfall and dryness of the trees.
  • FPL plans to provide indigo snake awareness training to its affected personnel and contractors.
  • FWS would like FPL to consider involving a qualified indigo snake observer any time FPL digs or pile burns on the site. FWS would also like FPL to consider options other than burning piles in place, such as potentially moving trees to a different area when they are removed. FWS noted that FPL is welcome to propose other mitigation measures, as well.

Indigo Snake Studies

  • FWS would like FPL to consider performing indigo snake research, possibly in the form of a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag study.
  • Some FPL personnel are interested in pursuing a study. However, FPL no longer has a research permit and would need to coordinate with another researcher or organization with an active permit.
  • FPL and FWS are going to look into what researchers or organizations may be interested in partnering with FPL for research.

Take Allowance and Section 7 Consultation

  • Because NRC and FWS are in consultation, the provisions of ESA Section 7(a)(2) effectively cover the May 21 take as long as NRC and FPL make no irreversible or irretrievable commitment of resources with respect to the agency action per ESA Section 7(d).
  • To document this in writing, NRC can request that the take be included in the current reinitiated consultation in an email to FWS.
  • FWS plans to include indigo snake take in the incidental take statement of the biological opinion that it is currently preparing. Currently, FWS is considering take of 1 snake per year or 1 snake every two years to cover future environmental restoration and site maintenance activities. Road mortality is also a possibility since the snakes are present on the site.

Follow-Up Actions

  • FPL will consider indigo snake mitigation measures and send a proposed list to FWS.
  • FPL will provide FWS with the approximate air temperature when the dead indigo snake was discovered as well as any available photos from FPL personnel or contractors.
  • FPL and FWS will look into potential partnering opportunities for indigo snake research.
  • NRC will write an email to FWS documenting that the agencies will consider the May 21 indigo snake mortality under the current reinitiated consultation.

The FWS, FPL, and NextEra were provided an opportunity to review and comment on this teleconference summary prior to its finalization.