ML20082N537
| ML20082N537 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wolf Creek  |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1994 |
| From: | Maynard O WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORP. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| WO-95-0068, WO-95-68, NUDOCS 9504250286 | |
| Download: ML20082N537 (17) | |
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W8'LF CREEKNUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION Otto L Maynard VM.e Preesdent Plant Operatens April 20, 1995 WO 95-0068 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Mail Station P1-137 Washington, D. C. 20555
Subject:
Docket No. 50-482: Annual Environmental Operating Report Gentlemen Enclosed is the Annual Environmental Operating Report which is being submitted pursuant to Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS) Facility Operating License NPF-42, Appendix B. This report covers the operating of WCGS for the period of January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1994.
If you should have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact me at (316) 364-8831, extension 4450, or Mr. Richard D. Flannigan at extension 4500.
Very truly yours,
- D U.fr'l Otto L. Maynard l'91 OLM/jad Attachment I
cc: L. J. Callan (NRC), w/a I D. F. Kirsch (NRC), w/a J. F. Ringwald (NRC), w/a J. C. Stone (NRC), w/a f ..c r, r 3
. v. y d de PO Bon 411/ Burkngton. KS 66839 / Phone (316) 364-8831 nr2= =.2 R PDR
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- I WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL OPERATING REPORT 1994 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SECTION WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION P.O. BOX 411 BURLINGTON, KANSAS 66839
1994 Annuil Environment:1 Operating Report
. Page 2 of 16 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
. . .. . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. .3 2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.. . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . .. . 3 2.1 AQUATIC [EPP Section 2.1] . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .3 2.1.1 Impacts of Water Withdrawal on the Neosho River., . . . .3 2.1.2 Oxidizing Biocide Discharges to Wolf Creek Cooling Lake.. .3 2.1.3 Cold Shock. . .. . . . . . . . . ...... .. .4 2.1.4 Impingement and Entrainment... . . .. . . . . . . .4 2.1.5 Impacts of Wolf Creek Cooling Lake Discharges to the Neosho River.5 2.2 TERRESTRIAL [EPP Section 2.2].. . . . . . . . . . . .5 2.2.1 Control of Vegetation in the Exclusion Zone . . . . . .5 2.2.2 Vegetation Buffer Zone Surrounding Wolf Creek Cooling Lake.. .5 2.2.3 lierbicide Use for Maintenance of WCGS Structures. . . . . . ...5 2.2.4 Waterfowl Disease Contingency Plan and Monitoring.. ......6 2.2.5 Fog Monitoring Program [EPP Subsection 4.2.1] . . . .6 2.2.6 Wildlife Monitoring Program [EPP Subsection 4.2.2]. . . . ..6 2.2.7 Land Management Program [EPP Eubsection 4.2.3]... . . . . . .6 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. ....7 3.1 PLANT DESIGN OR OPERATING CilANGES [EPP Section 3.1]. . .7 3.2 NONROUTINE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS.. . . . .. . . ..9 3.2.1 Submitted Nonroutine Reports.. . . . . . . . . .. ..9 3.2.2 Unusual or Important Environmental Event Evaluations. ... . 9 3.3 Environmental Noncompliances [EPP Subsection 5.4.1]. .. . . . .9 ATTACilMEN1. . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . . .... . 10
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1994 Annual Environmental Operating Report ,
Page 3 of16 :
1.0 INTRODUCTION
i Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation (WCNOC) has committed to minimizing the impact of Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS) operation on the environment. The 1994 Annual Environmental ,
Operating Report is being submittd in accordance with the objectives of the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) as required by Facility Operating License NPF-42. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate that the plant operated during 1994 in an environmentally acceptable manner.
2.0 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING '
2.1 AQUATIC [EPP SECTION 2.1) 2.1.1 Impacts of Water Withdrawal on the Neosho River The owners of WCGS have contracted with the Kansas Water Resources Board to pump 9.672 billion gallons per calendar year from the tailwaters of the John Redmond Reservoir (JRR) to Wolf Creek Cooling Lake (WCCL). During 1994, 2.639 billion .
gallons or 27 percent of the contracted allotment were pumped. Auxiliary raw water was l pumped at a rate of approximately 1.3 million gallons per day which comprises about 17 percent of the total pumped. The remainder was transferred via the make-up pumps ,
operated from October 2 through October 30,1994. Measurements taken during 1994 i by the United States Geological Survey indicate that downstream flows in the Neosho l River at Burlington were unaffected by makeup pumping activities. l i
The Final Environmental Statement / Operating License Stage (FES/OLS) postulated that makeup water withdrawal of 41 cubic feet per second (cfs)(average annual predicted makeup requirements) during drought conditions would extend the duration and severity l
of low-flow conditions below JRR. This, in turn, was expected to reduce riffle habitat +
which would adversely affect Neosho madtom populations, now federally listed as a {
threatened species. This combination of circumstances - makeup water withdrawal l during very low river Dows - did not occur during 1994. ,
i 2.1.2 Oxidizing Biocide Discharges to Wolf Creek Cooling Lake '
Circulating Water System Discharge: ;
During 1994, Betz Bio-Trol 88P Microbiocide, a halogenated oxidizing biocide, was used rather than gaseous chlorine, which was used exclusively in the past. An evaluation completed by WCNOC demonstrated that the Bio-Trol 88P impacts to the cooling lake environraent would not be greater than that expected from chlorine use. The expected impact from biocide use was derived from a postulated level (FES/OLS, Section 4.2.6.1) of between 0.68 and 1.08 mg/l of total residual chlorine at the Circulating Water System (CWS) discharge. Three 30-minute doses per day of 411 pounds of chlorine per dose were projected to produce these concentrations. These concentrations were expected to cause periodic, appreciable mortality in a conservatively estimated 40 acres of the discharge area of WCCL (FES/OLS, Section 5.5.2.2), Administered by the Kansas Department of Ilealth and Environment (KDilE), the WCGS National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, was changed to allow the use of
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1994 Annut! Environm:ntal Operating Report Page 4 of 16 oxidizing biocides, other than chlorine exclusively, and limits the concentration of total residual oxidant (TRO) to be 0.2 mg/l in the circulating water effluent. Biocide dose duration is limited to two hours per day. In practice, WCGS has kept TRO well below the NPDES allowable limits. During 1994, actual oxidizing biocide dosages to the CWS averaged approximately 43 pounds per day. Monitoring detected a daily average TRO concentration of 0.1 mg/l. Compliance with the permit for daily maximum TRO and dose duration was 100 percent.
In Section 5.5.2.2 of the FES/OLS, the proposed biocide treatments were not expected to meaningfully affect the overall biological productivity of WCCL. Because the actual values during CWS biocide treatments were well below the evaluated levels and no fish mortalities attributable to oxidizing biocides were observed, permitted biocide discharges during 1994 were not considered to have had appreciable effects on the cooling lake environment.
Essential Service Water System Discharge:
During 1994, a continuous diversion of approximately 16,000 gpm of Service Water System (SWS) flow to the Essential Service Water System (ESWS) was completed to provide microbiologically induced corrosion protection and sedimentation control. The KDilE established a 1.0 mg/l TRO limit for the SWS tlow diversion throu3 the ESWS.
Measurements of TRO averaged 0.3 mg/l and, compliance with the NPDES limit in 1994 was 100 percent. No fish mortalities or water quality changes t.tributable to ESWS biocide discharges were observed.
2.1.3 Cold Shock In the event of a rapid decline in plant power level during winter, fish attracted to the WCGS heated discharge could experience mortality due to a quick reduction in body temperature (cold shock). In reference to licensing document evaluations, the WCGS EPP Section 2.1 (c) states, " Cold shock effects on fish due to reactor shutdowns could cause significant mortality to aquatic species in the cooling lake." In 1994, two cold shock mortality events were observed and judged not to be greater than impacts anticipated in licensing documents.
2.1.4 Impingement and Entrainment Impacts of entrainment and impingement were projected to be significant in the WCGS EPP. Condenser mortality for entrained organisms was expected to approach 100 percent. Because of this, sampling efforts to monitor entrainment impacts were not required by the NRC and have not been implemented at WCGS. Through casual observations, fish impingement at the WCCL circulating water intake was considered minimal during 1994, thus no sampling effons to monitor impingement impacts have been initiated.
1994 Annual Environmental Operating Report Page5of16 2.1.5 Impacts of Wolf Creek Cooling Lake Discharges to the Neosho River Cooling lake discharges into the Neosho River are regulated by NPDES permit limitations. Since discharges were sporadic, chiefly from stormwater runoff and short, infrequent blowdowns, water was sampled on the first day of each discharge and weekly thereafter until the end of each respective discharge. Until September,1994, emuent parameters measured included a flow rate estimate, temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, sulfate, and chloride conceatration. Discharges of these parameters were regulated to maintain a zone of passage in the Neosho River for aquatic organisms at the Wolf Creek confluence. Consequently, the flows allowed from WCCL may range from zero to unrestricted, depending upon water quality and temperature similarities with the Neosho River. In September,1994, a new NPDES permit set discharge limits from the lake for sulfates, chlorides, and pil with no flow restrictions based on the water quality in the Neosho River. In 1994, no NPDES violations at the WCCL discharge were observed and at no time did water quality criteria restrict WCCL discharge to the Neosho River. Based on completed monitoring studies, there have been no apparent delet:rious effects to Neosho River water quality or productivity due to WCCL discharges.
2.2 TERRESTRIAL [EPP SECTION 2.2]
2.2.1 Control of Vegetation in the Exclusion Zone The composition and structure of vegetation in the 453 hectares (ha) (1120 acre) exclusion zone was selectively controlled to be compatible with the function and security of station facilities. Most areas in the immediate vicinity of the power block have been planted and maintained in a lawn-type condition. Other areas within the exclusion area have been mowed for security and aesthetic purposes.
2.2.2 Vegetation lluffer Zone Surrounding Wolf Creek Cooling Lake To create a 500 acre buffer zone around WCCL, agricultural production activities were curtailed in 1980 below an approximate elevation of 1095' MSL, eight feet above WCCL normal operating surface water elevation (1087' MSL). This border ranges from approximately 200 to 400 feet adjacent to the lake shoreline. Previously grazed or hayed native tallgrass areas were left undisturbed. Previously cultivated lands were allowed to advance through natural successional stages or native grasses were reestablished. Land management activities specified in an annual land management plan included controlled burning to enhance and/or maintain the designated buffer zone with a naturally occurring biotic community.
2.2.3 IIerbicide Use for Maintenance of WCGS Structures A soil sterilant was applied on selected gravel areas of WCGS. These include the protected area boundary, various lay-down storage yards, meteorological tower, support building borders, storage tank berms, switchyard, hazardous waste and waste oil storage areas, and on-site railroad beds. The herbicides applied consisted of 8 pounds of Karmex (EPA Reg. No. 352-247) and 4 to 6 ounces of Oust (EPA Reg. No. 352-401) per
L 1994 Annual Environmental :
- Operating Report
. Page 6 of16 100 gallons of water. Application rates ranged from 20 to 50 gallons per acre. These herbicides are registered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture. No environmental impacts from herbicide treatment of WCGS facilities were identified. ;
The transmission line right-of-ways associated with the power plant were not sprayed during 1994.
r 2.2.4 Waterfowl Disease Contingency Plan and Monitoring l A waterfowl disease contingency plan was maintained to provide guidance for station [
biologists in the event of suspected or actual disease outbreaks. The contingency plan ;
lists appropriate federal and state wildlife agency contacts to be made by WCNOC in the l event of such problems. Routine wildlife monitoring and surveillance activities during this reporting period identified, no waterfowl mortality attributable to disease pathogens. ,
t 2.2.5 Fog Monitoring Program [EPP Subsection 4.2.1] [
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- . Visibility monitoring was initiated in December 1983 and continued through 1987. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of waste heat dissipation from WCCL ;
on fog occurrence along U. S. 75 near New Strawn, Kansas. Upon conclusion of 1987 l data collection, it was determined that sufficient information was available to evaluate i cooling lake fogging and that all commitments relevant to fog monitoring had been satisfied. Because no problems were identified by this data, no formal fog monitoring ;
program has been conducted since 1987. Casual observations by Environmental i Management personnel did not identify any incidents of WCCL fog along US 75 during i 1994. In addition, there were no reports of such incidents from individuals or local I agencies responsible for traffic safety. Implementation of mitigating actions or further.
monitoring was not warranted, j 2.2.6 Wildlife Monitoring Program [EPP Subsection 4.2.2] ;
i A wildlife monitoring program was initiated to monitor and assess wildlife populations ;
or parameters most likely to be impacted by the operation of WCGS. As outlined in the 1993/1994 annual wildlife study plan, specific objectives of the wildlife monitoring program were to assess waterfowl, waterbird, and bald eagle usage of WCCL. Because these annual monitoring programs target each migration season (autumn through early spring), this EPP reporting period overlaps with part of the 1994/1995 monitoring !
program. The objectives of this program were the same as for the 1993/1994 season.
An abstract of the wildlife monitoring results is presented in the attachment to this [
report.
f 2.2.7 Land Management Program lEPP Subsection 4.2.3]
Land management activities on all company-owned lands except within the 453 ha i (1120 acre) WCGS exclusion area were designed to achieve balances between agricultural production and conservation s ilues. An annual management plan was formulated to address needs and propose accepted techniques for land maintenance, soil
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1994 Annual Environmental
- Operating Report Page 7 of 16 conservation, and wildlife management. These included the construction or establishment of fences, terraces, waterways, wetland areas, and permanent vegetative covers. An environmental education area was developed and opened in 1994. A i wmmary of the 1994 land management activity report appears in the attachment to this !
report.
i 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN REPORTING REOUIREMENTS i 3.1 PLANT DESIGN OR OPERATING CHANGES [EPP SECTION 3.1]
Proposed plant design and operational changes which have the potential to affect the environment must receive an environmental evaluation prior to implementation. A summary of j cach modification or operating change which required an environmental evaluation in 1994 is presented below. There were no changes in station design or operation nor were there tests or experiments that involved an unreviewed environmental question during 1994.
Evaluation: Development of Wolf Creek Environmental Education Area (Completed) l i
This evaluation addressed the potential environmental concerns with developing an environmental education area with interpretive trails, viewing blind, footbridge crossings, and l wetland, all in an area not previously disturbed by WCGS construction. Only the wetland was ;
considered to have the potential for adverse impact by increasing chances for !
waterfowl / transmission line collision. The wetland was constructed adjacent to the cooling lake ,
and a 345 KV transmission line and was designed for educational purposes. It was concluded l that the wetland would not significantly increase collision mortality around the cooling lake for two reasons. First, the results of the collision research previously completed around the cooling lake demonstrated that the existing collision rate was below normal nonhunting mortality rates and expectations were that the new wetland's collision rate would be similar to that of the adjacent lake. Second, the total surface area of the wetlands (5 acres) comprises only about 0.1 parcent of the total waterfowl habitat provided by uw !ake and is not expected to attract a meaweble increase of waterfowl to the lake. .
i Evaluation: Fish Kill Due to Cold Shock Following Plant Trips (Completed)
This evaluation assessed the impact of cold shock fish kills in the cooling lake following two '
plant trips, one on 1/14/94, and the second on 1/26/94. It was estimated thst approximately 4200 fish, mostly ginard shad and common carp, were killed after the first plant trip. Only four additional mortalities were observed from the second trip. These events were not considered significant because they were limited to the cooling lake, no threatened or endangered species were involved, and appreciable mortality was expected as a result of cold shock in licensing l documents. The numbers involved in these instances were small compared to the total fishery. l No adverse impacts to the cooling lake's fishery occurred.
Evaluation: Monoethanolamine Use in the Feedwater Heater Drain System (Completed)
This evaluation addressed the use of monoethanolamine (ETA) instead of ammonia as a pH control agent in the Feedwater lleater Drain System. The ETA is discharged from the Lime Sludge Pond or Circulating Water System at concentrations below the toxicological no-effect
1994 Annual Environmental Operating Report
. Page 8 of 16 level and does not significantly change the chemical composition of the discharge. Discharge of the ETA was approved by the Kansas Department of IIcalth and Environment prior to its use.
No adverse environmental impacts will result from ETA use.
Evaluation: Removal of the injection Nozzle Cooling Water Line from Emergency Diesel Generators (Completed)
This evaluation addressed the potential effluent change from removing the cooling water lines to the emergency diesel fuel injector nozzles. Fuel oil from the diesel generator fuel oil line occasionally contaminates the cooling water lines which overflows to the site oily waste system.
This system discharges through a NPDES monitored outfall. Removing the cooling water lines eliminated a potential source of oil contamination in the oily waste discharge. Consequently, this modification decreased existing potential environmental impacts.
Evaluation: Use of SIDTEC Plastic Cleaners to Remove Silt from the Condenser (Completed)
This evaluation assessed potential impacts from the use of SIDTEC plastic cleaners to remove silt from the condenser tubes. The tube cleaners were injected in a manhole by the Circulating Water Screen llouse. The cleaners and silt were discharged at the Circulating Water Discharge Structure, a NPDES monitored outfall. The silt was diluted to insignificant levels, and plastic cleaner retrieval was approximately 99.75 percent. Consequently, no adverse environmental impacts resulted.
Evaluation: Use of Betz 860 to Clean Main Condenser (Completed)
This evaluation covered the use of Betz 860 to clean scale from the main condenser. The chemical was discharged at a level less than 1000 mg/l, at which available toxicity data indicated that the chemical was not harmful. Corrosivity was partially neutralized by scale in the i condenser and discharge flow was diluted before discharge. The chemical was discharged at the I Circulating Water Discharge Structure, a NPDES monitored outfall. Approval from the Kansas Department of Ilealth and Environment was obtained prior to use. No adverse environmental impacts are expected.
Evaluation: Rerouting of Feedwater licater Relief Valves to the Vent Stack (Not Completed)
This evaluation covered the rerouting of the outlets from the feedwater heater relief valves to the vent stack for the steam generator blowdown flash tank. Ihe feedwater heater relief valves operate infrequently and would not release a significant volume of stream. Air emissions from the blowdown tank vent stack would not significantly increase. Consequently, no adverse environmental impacts are expected.
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1994 Annual Environm:ntal Operating Report .
. Page 9 of16 l 3.2 NONROUTINE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS 3.2.1 Submitted Nonroutine Reports There were no nonroutine environmental reports involving significant impacts submitted
- to the NRC during 1994.
3.2.2 Unusual or important Environmental Event Evaluations No unusual or important environmental events reportable under specifications in the EPP were identified during 1994. .j r
3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL NONCOMPLIANCES [EPP SUBSECTION 5.4.1]
At WCGS in 1994, nonradiological environmental noncompliances or noteworthy events were ;
documented and evaluated in accordance with WCNOC's Performance Improvement Request program. Events evaluated included monitoring plan deviations, a missed hazardous waste !
inspection, a hazardous waste storage deviation, and a discrepancy in the renewal application transmittal for the NPDES permit. All events were evaluated and determined not to be l reportable pursuant to EPP criteria. !
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- 1994 Annual Environm:ntal 1 . c_ i- Operating Report
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ATTACHMENT -
SUMMARY
OF '
i ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS l
t AT WOLF CREEK GENERATING STATION,1994 -l i
i Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation Environmental Management j Burlington, Kansas
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Contents ,
1.1994 Land Management Activities 2.1994 Water Quality Monitoring Activities ;
3.1994 Asiatic Clam Monitoring Activities ,
4.1994 Fishery Monitoring Activities l
- 5. Wildlife Monitoring Activities !
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1994 Annual Environmental
. Operating Report
. Page 11 of 16 1.1994 LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES This document presents the 1994 activities for Wolf Creek Generating Station's (WCGS) land management program. It satisfies requirements specified in Environmental Management Procedure KP-LE2206. The program goals were designed to:
- a. maximize rent income from agricultural lands,
- b. preserve or improve both agricultural and natural resources,
- c. foster good relations with local agricultural and natural resource communities; and
- d. satisfy licensing requirements.
The program goals noted above were achieved. The latter two goals were integrated into the first two and were achieved to a large degree, as by-products of them. This program satisfied sections 2.2(b) and 4.2.3 of the Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), Appendix B to the Facility Operating License.
The lands at WCGS included in this program were primarily grasslands, croplands, and woodlands which were used for various purposes depending on the location and capability of each area. The improved properties around the power block area, switchyard and plant support buildings were not included. Most ,
areas were leased for grazing, haying, and crop production. A strip around the Wolf Creek Cooling Lake (WCCL) shoreline was maintained in a naturally occurring biotic community to satisfy the EPP. Other areas were unsuitable for agricultural production, left unused to preserve lake shoreline stability, or reserved for their wildlife value.
Resource management activities on WCGS grasslands included regulation of grazing pressure, seeding of native tallgrass species, fence construction, and controlled burning. Associated management of croplands included implementation of soil conservation practices including terrace construction and farming practice requirements in respective lease contracts. Edge crops were also left for wildlife use and control of noxious weeds was accomplished on all WCGS lands.
1994 Annual Environmental
. Operating Report Page 12 of 16 2.1994 WATER QUALITY MONITORING ACTIVITIES Water quality in the Neosho River and Wolf Creek Cooling Lake was not monitored in 1994. The monitoring program's objectives since plant construction were to satisfy licensing requirements and assess plant impacts. With the objectives being met in 1993, monitoring frequency and scope was reduced. Frequency was changed to a biennial schedule with the program scope focusing on long term trends associated with plant operation. Monitoring is scheduled to resume in 1995.
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1994 Annual Environmental
. Operating Report Page 13 of 16 3.1994 ASIATIC CLAM MONITORING ACTIVITIES (Corbicula fluminea)
Distribution and densities of the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) were monitored in the Wolf Creek Cooling Lake. Clam monitoring in the Neosho River was discontinued in 1994 because the distribution in the river had been characterized and widespread colonization in the cooling lake made river monitoring unnecessary.
Monitoring in the cooling lake revealed that the clam's distribution continued to expand in 1994 until all the lake's shoreline had evidence of them except the most upstream reaches of the intake cove, discharge cove, and main lake. Specimens were found in the Essential Service Water pump bays and within the plant's Service Water System. Monitoring of planktonic juveniles identified a June spawning peak. No fall spawn was observed. As a result of the expansion, sediment was removed from the Essential Service Water and Circulating Water System pump bays. Chemical treatment in the Service Water System was also completed. Chemical treatment during July,1995, is recommended based on the 1994 juvenile monitoring results.
1994 Annual Environmental
- Operating Report
. Page 14 of 16 4.1994 FISilERY MONITORING ACTIVITIES Fishery monitoring surveys were conducted on the Wolf Creek Cooling Lake (WCCL) from April through October,1994. Collection methods used to target species of concern were fyke netting, seining, electrofishing, and gill netting. Data collected was used to describe the fishery which was subsequently evaluated based on the goal ofincreased plant reliability through reduced gizzard shad impingement.
Monitoring of WCCL in 1994 revealed that the annual gizzard shad production continued to be cropped, preventing impingement problems at the plant's cooling water intake structure. Some indications of increased shad recruitment was apparent in 1994. The predator populations showed signs of being prey limited, which usually includes low recruitment, below normal body condition, and slow growth.
Ilowever, some predators such as smallmonth bass, white bass, and walleye had sufficient growth and recruitment to develop stable populations capable of long term sustainability. The wiper hybrid, a nonreproducing predator, continued to age and will require a support stocking in 1995 to maintain them.
In summary, the fishery in the cooling lake has consumed the annual gizzard shad production, greatly reducing impingement potential and should continue to do so in the future.
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1994 Annual Environmental Operating Report Page 15 of 16 ,
- 5. WILDLIFE MONITORING ACTIVITIES The wildlife monitoring activities targeted possible impacts from station operation to migratory and wintering waterbirds in the vicinity of WCGS. The results presented here cover the 1993/1994 winter monitoring season and the first half of the 1994/1995 season. The general objectives of the program were to document and assess any trends or impacts to migrating or wintering populations of waterbirds, waterfowl, and threatened or endangered species, that may be caused by station operation. Use of the cooling lake may expose birds to transmission line collision mortality or to disease outbreaks. Damage ,
to local agricultural crops by large waterfowl concentrations using the lake was also a concern. To document and assess such occurrences or increased potential for such, specific objectives of the program were to monitor how many and where waterbirds, waterfowl, and threatened and endangered species used the lake during the winter migration season and compare these to the norm observed since station operation began.
During the 1993/1994 season thirty species of waterbirds and waterfowl were observed with snow goose, mallard, and Canada goose being most abundant. During operational winters, the heated effluent provided previously unavailable open water habitat on WCCL This, in combination with a lack of hunting pressure and close, abundant food supplies, has usually kept wintering birds on WCCL longer than during preoperational seasons. Mallard and Canada goose lake usage has indicated preferences for areas of the cooling lake providing these factors, although these preferences are not usually significant (p s0.05). No disease or crop depredation problems were observed during the 1993/1994 season or the first half of the 1994/1995 season. No significant transmission line collision events nor the increased potential for such were obsen'ed.
The bald eagle was the only threatened or endangered species that was consistently observed using the cooling lake. During operational winters, the cooling lake does not normally attract a disproportionate number of area bald eagles. The seasons of highest usage are associated with plant trips or power reductions causing cold shock fish kills resulting in a food resource not typically available in such quantity at WCCL. Even then, the eagles utilized John Redmond Reservoir (JRR) nearly as much or more than they did WCCL. Recent trends seem to indicate that area bald eagles prefer JRR over WCCL cven when JRR is ice-covered and WCCL is largely ice-free. Thus, WCCL does not appear to be !
afTecting the area bald eagle population so as to attract such high numbers that transmission line mortality could be a problem.
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1994 Annual Environmental j Operating Repod Page 16 of 16 During the 1992/1993 winter, a pair of bald eagles constructed a nest structure on WCCL. No attempt at l
nesting was observed during the spring of 1993. Ilowever, during the winter of 1993/1994, construction l
of the nest continued, and in March,1994 a pair of adult bald eagles were observed exhibiting incubating behavior. This pair of eagles succeeded in hatching and fledging two eaglets. The eaglets were banded, by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, before they left the nest. This nest was one of five successful bald eagle nests in the state of Kansas during 1994.
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