ML20024C210

Provides Summary of Events Surrounding Discovery of Prehistoric Whale Approx 45 to 50 Million Yrs Old During Const Activity.Excavations of Fossil Remains Completed 830610.Info Will Be Included in Environ Rept - OL Stage

ML20024C210
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	07/07/1983
From:	Foster D GEORGIA POWER CO.
To:	Adensam E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8307120412
Download: ML20024C210 (2)

Text

m 6 . Georgia Power Company

• 333 Piedmont Avenue At!anta. Georgia 30308 Teiephme 404 52&7726 Ma+ng Address Pett Off;ce Box 4545 Atlanta. Georg,a 30302 Georgia Power D. o. Foster the routhern etectrc sywm Vice President and General Manager Vogtfe Project July 7,1983 Elinor G. Adensam, Chief Licensing Branch No. 4 Division of Licensing U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 NRC Docket Nos. 50-424 and 50-425 Construction Permit Nos. CPPR-108 and CPPR-109 Vogtle Electric Generating Plant - Units 1 and 2 Paleontological Discovery

Dear Ms. Adensam:

This letter provides a summary of events surrounding the recent discovery of a prehistoric whale approximately 45 to 50 million years old during con-struction activity at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant. During the weekend of May 21-22, 1983, Plant personnel discovered the fossilized remains of an unknown animal in excavations in the marl formation near the intake structure. The site environmental supervisor was contacted and ordered the fossil covered with burlap to prevent damage and posted a security guard to prevent tampering with the fossil. The Site Environmental Review Committee (SERC) met on May 24 to determine if the find was a significant environmental occurrence that would warrant further investiga-tions. After viewing the fossil, the SERC determined that additional investigations were necessary. The fossil was then covered with plastic and sand to protect it.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) site inspector was notified on May 24 concerning the find. The NRC licensing project management was notified on May 24 concerning the find and informed of actions instituted by Georgia Power Company as follows:

1. Contact the State of Georgia Geologic Survey to determine if the find was significant and of interest to the State.

2. Station a representative of the Site Environmental staff at any ongoing excavation in the marl formation to observe any indications of other possible fossilized remains and halt activity if necessary.

C 8307120412 EK30707 Q PDR ADOCK 05000424 A PDR

Elinor G. Adensam, Chief

' July 7, 1983 Page 2 Dr. Earl Shapiro, Assistant State Geologist, met with Georgia Power Company personnel on Thursday, May 26, 1983. Dr. Shapiro's preliminary analysis indicated that the fossil was a pre-historic whale approximately 45 to 50 million years old. Dr. Shapiro stated that the fossil was of significant value to warrant removal.

On Friday, May 27, 1983, Dr. Shapiro provided Georgia Power Company with a list of potential candidates to pcvform the exca(ation of the fossil. He indicated that the State's primary concern was in preserving the fossil as

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quickly as possible and insuring that the fossil remain in the State of Georgia. He recommended that Georgia Southern College be awarded the exhibit based on location, expertise of staff personnel, and past experience.

Georgia Southern College was notified on May 31, 1983, and personnel from Georgia ' Southern arrived at the VEGP site to begin excavation on June 3,1983.

During the excavation of the original find, the Site Environmental Inspector found indications of an additional fossil remain in another excavation area approximately 50 yards from the original find. Work in this area was immediately haulted and the Georgia Southern paleontologists investigated the new find and determined that the remains, while smaller, were of the same type as the original. This small find was excavated by the Georgia Southern paleontologists.

Excavations of the fossil remains were completed on June 10, 1983, and the remains transported to Georgia Southern College. The process of separating the fossil from the marl will be completed at Georgia Southern's facilities, and the fossil will be placed on display in the Georgia Southern Museum.

Attached is a letter from D. E. Presley, Director, Georgia Southern Museum, in appreciation for Georgia Power Company's assistance in preserving this fossil.

Georgia. Power Company continues to monitor excavation activities in the marl formation-for any further indications of possible paleontological finds.

The amount of work remaining in this area is very limited, and we do not expect any further finds.

A general summary of this find will be included in the VEGP - Operating License Stage Environmental Report. Also, Georgia Power Company is working with Georgia Southern College concerning any possible technical reports which might be generated to further document the significance of this find.

Your very tr ,

d I o D. O. Foster 00F:sb Attachment xc: List attached

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' Elinor G. ' Adensam, Chief

- July 7, 1983 Ptge.3 xc: R. A.: Thomas J. A. Bailey O. Batum G. F. Trowbridge i M. A. Miller L. T. Gucwa J. P. O'Reilly W. S. Sanders T. E. Byerley

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