ML20070B434

Provides Detailed Info Re Recent Incidental Capture of Juvenile Loggerhead Sea Turtle at Station

ML20070B434
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	06/21/1994
From:	J. J. Barton GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
6530-94-2071, NUDOCS 9406300121
Download: ML20070B434 (2)

Text

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,o GPU Nuclest Corporation L,

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e;t:388 Forked River, New Jersey 08731-0388 609 971 J0')0 Wnter's Direct Dial Nurnber:

6530-94-2071 June 21, 1994 Mr. Michael Masnik U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20832

Subject:

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Docket 50-219 Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 94-1 This report provides detailed information regarding the recent incidental capture of a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

The turtle was captured alive during the afternoon of 6-19-94 in front of the condenser intake structure.

As indicated on the attached incident report, the turtle has been taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ, where it will be examined, tagged and released offshore as soon as possible.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Malcolm Browne of our Environmental Controls Department at (609) 971-4124.

Very truly yours, onn J.

rton T

Vice President and Director Oyster Creek Enclosure cc:

Mr. Douglas Beach U.S. Department of Commerce Nat'l Oceanic & Atmos. Admin.

National Marine Fisheries Ser.

Habitat Protected Res. Div.

One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 Administrator, Region 1 Senior NRC Resident Inspector Oyster Creek NRC Project Manager 9406300121 940621 ADOCK 05000219

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Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Sea Turtle incidental Capture Report 94-1 June 19. 1994 At approximately 1330 hours0.0154 days <br />0.369 hours <br />0.0022 weeks <br />5.06065e-4 months <br /> on Sunday, June 19, 1994, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) operator conducting a routine survey of the intake area noticed a sea turtle swimming in the forebay immediately upstream of the condenser intake structure trash racks. The turtle was carefully removed as quickly as possible (at 1345 hours0.0156 days <br />0.374 hours <br />0.00222 weeks <br />5.117725e-4 months <br />) and found to be active, healthy and with no apparent wounds. OCNGS Environmental Controls personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

At the time of the capture OCNGS was in operation at full power with 4 circulating water pumps and 2 dilution pumps operating.

The water temperature in the OCNGS Intake canal at the time of the capture was approximately 81 *F (27.2*C).

Although it was impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been near the intake structure prior to removal, it is believed to have been in the vicinity for a relatively short period of time.

The turtle measured 14.5 in. (36.8 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 21.6 lbs. (9.8 kg). Sex was not determined.

No tags were present on the turtle when captured. No prominent scars or slash-like propeller wounds were apparent on the turtle. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the capture at the earliest opportunity (6-20-94).

Within three to four hours after the time of its capture, the turtle was taken to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Br'gantine, NJ.

Personnel at MMSC will examine, tag and release the turtle offshore at the earliest opportunity.

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