ML19282A862

Forwards Proposed Mod to Preoperational Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring Program as Described in Suppl 6 to Const Permit Environ Rept.Urges Expansion of Program

ML19282A862
Person / Time
Site:	Waterford
Issue date:	02/23/1979
From:	Aswell D LOUISIANA POWER & LIGHT CO.
To:	Cota P Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
LPL-10615, NUDOCS 7903070215
Download: ML19282A862 (6)

Text

{{#Wiki_filter:. l OUISIANA / 142 ORARONDE STREET POWE R & L1G H T/ P O DOX 6008

• NEW ORLEANS. LOUISLANA 70174 * (504) 366-2345 MIOCLE SOUTH UTIUTIES SYSTEM February 23, 1979 g.,,g y tt Vce PNs. dent-Power Prudacbon LPL 10615 3-A1.10.01 Q-3-A30 Dr. Phil Cota United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.

20555

SUBJECT:

Waterford SES Unit No. 3 Docket No. 50-382 Terrestrisl Ecology Monitoring Program

Dear Dr. Cota:

Our experience with the Preoperational Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring Program, described in Supplement 6 to the Construction Permit Stage Environmental Report for Waterford 3, has shown that its effectiveness in accomplishing the objectives of the program can be improved. The enclosed document describes our findings concerning the program, and a proposal for its modification. To improve the effectiveness of the Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring Program, we feel it should encompass a larger area and be conducted with a level of detail commensurate with the extent of the anticipated effects of the operation of Waterford 3. The modified program, described in the enclosed document, is now planned to be initiated on February 26, 1979, and will be ti-ther documented in the first amendment to the OL Stage Environmental Report. If you have any comments on the program modifications, we would appreciate being advised of them at your earliest convenience. a Yours very truly, D. L. Aswell DLA/RWP/dd Enclosure cc: W. M. Stevenson E. L. Blake B. Jaroslow S Oce \\ 79030702f3 i b

Louisiana Power & Light Company Waterford Unit No. 3 Proposed Modifications Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring Program The Preoperational Terrestrial Ecology Monitoring Program for Waterford 3, as de-scribed in the December, 1973, Supplement Number 6 to the Construction Permit - Environmental Report, confines terrestrial ecology monitoring to the area between the Mississippi River levee and the water's edge. Louisiana Power & Light Company proposes that the monitoring program be expanded to include the additional land within the site boundaries which may be affected by the operation of Waterford 3. It should also incorporate sampling procedures which have been improved upon since 1973, and which will yield more inforn2-tion of value. The improved methods to undertake the monitoring program are listed in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the survey routes and coverage areas which have been defined as being suitable for monitoring purposes. Surveys will be conducted during the winter and summer periods when the animal populations have their greatest habitat dependency. The monitoring program will focus on species and groups of species which represent the most reliable indicators of enange. The proposed program concentrates on vegetaticn and bird species as the best monitoring organisms.

Reptile, amphibian, and mammal sampling procedures, over the whole site, are a secondary focus of the program because of water level fluctuations from both long-and short-term occurrences.

These fluctuations influence sampling successes and the data generated. Data on the latter groups vill still be obtained, however, but the greatest emphasis will be placed on bird species. An additional consideration is the fact that the number of bird species present during each of the sampling seasons is greater than the total number of mammal species present at any one time. Consequently, a greater selection of monitoring subjects is available. Reptile and amphibian surveys will be conducted in conjunction with other census activities because these species tend to be localized within larger habitat types, such as small pools and drainage ditches. Mammal species and habitat usages will be documented using identification and species signs. These surveys will be conducted along the transect route shown on Figure 1. Bird densitiec and habitct usages will be determined with the use of belt surveys (strip censuses). The survey route shown in Figure 1 vill be covered during the early norning hours on three mornings during the census period. This approach has prgygd successful in Louisiana by studies conducted at Louisiana State University

Game bird call counts will be made during the summer along these routes. Mist-netting for power plant projects has not proven viable for monitoring purposes and will not be attempted here. Vegetation cover and abundance data will be obtained along the survey routes described above. Vegetation data will be separated according to herb, shrub, middle-story, and overstory strata. These data vill be taken annually (each summer) to provide a record of ecological succession and to provide a habitat reference for faunal data. The expansion of the terrestrial ecology monitoring program proposed by Louisiana Power & Light Company will provide an effective data basa for the entire site area, which will permic identification of the effects ;o the terrestrial community from the operation of Waterford Unit 3.

Literature Cited 1 - Dickson, J, 1974 " Seasonal Population and Vertical Distribution of Birds in a South Central Louisiana Bottom 1cnd Hardwood Forest," PhD Dissertation, Louisiana State University, 132pp

l t 8 TABLE 1 WATERFORD 3 f TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY MONITORING PROGRAM COMPARISON OF 1973 AND PROPOSED PROGRAMS i i PRINCIPLE METHODS 4 I I 1978 Recommended Program Expansion l To Cover Batture, Cropland, Canal 1973 Program F r Shore, Lowland Hardwoods, Offshore ) River Habitats Biological Group Batture Area 1 l Reptiles and Amphibians As Encountered As Encountered i 1 j Mammals Trapping, Night Lighting Track Identification, i Track Identification species signs ? Birds Mist Netting Quantitive belt transect Qualitative Surveys surveys over fixed routes, l Game bird call counts .I e Vegetation Vegetation Map (annual) Vegetation map and profile of each habitat type with cover and abundance values for species and strata preaent l (1) Refercnce: Waterford Steam Electric Station Unit No. 3 Environmental Report - December 1973 Supplement No. 6, Pg. V-E-5,6

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