ML20138R041

Ro:On 850930,discovered Dead Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle Impinged on Circulating Water Sys Intake Trash Bars.Caused by Deep Carapace Slashes Indicative of Ship Propeller Cut. Turtle Removed for Autopsy & Disposal

ML20138R041
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	10/25/1985
From:	Corbin McNeil Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Murley T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
NUDOCS 8511180397
Download: ML20138R041 (4)

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Pubhc Service Electric and Gas I

Company

- Corbin A. McNeill, Jr. Pubhc Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ U803- 609 339-4800

- Vice President -

Nuclear October 25, 1985 Dr. Thomas E. Murley, Regional Administrator Region 1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission y- 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Dear Dr. Murley SALEM GENERATING STATION UNIT NO. 2 DOCKET NO. 50-311 REPORT OF IMPINGEMENT OF LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE SEPTEMBER 30, 1985 This report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements l

of Salem Unit 2 Environmental Technical Specifications, Sections 4.1.1. and 5.4.2.a, b and c. This report is required within' thirty (30) days of discovery.

Sincerely, l

t Attachment l C Mr. Donald C. Fischer Licensing Project Manager  !

l Mr. Thomas J. Kenny Senior Resident Inspector

! Mr. Richard Delgado f New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection l

l Mr. Douglas Beach l National Marine Fisheries Service SOR MEETING #85-147 [

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REPORT DATE: October 15, 1985 OCCURRENCE DATE: September 30, 1985 FACILITY: Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE Impingement of an Atlantic loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle on the Circulating Water System (CWS) intake trash bars.

The Atlantic loggerhead is federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE Unit 1, 100% power; Unit 2, 100% power DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE On September 30, 1985, at 1100 hours0.0127 days <br />0.306 hours <br />0.00182 weeks <br />4.1855e-4 months <br />, an Atlantic loggerhead turtle was found impinged on the trash bars of the CWS intake.

Both Units were at full power and all circulating pumps were in operation at the time the turtle was found. The turtle had been dead for some time prior to impingement. It has two deep slashes in its carapace indicative of a ship propeller cut. The specimen had a carapace length and width of 52 and 43 cm, respectively. Weight was estimated to be 45 pounds. In accordance with equal procedure, the turtle was removed by a representative of tha Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) of Brigantine, New Jersey, icr autopsy and disposal. The Senior Shif t Supervisor and the following agencies were notified of the event on September 30, 1985:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Resident Inspector)

National Marine Fisheries Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency l

N.J. Department of Environmental Protection DE Department of Natural Resources and Environmental I Control APPARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCE Sea turtles are a summer migrant, common to Delaware Bay. Small numbers typically occur in the lower Delaware River near Salem during July through September. Past experience indicates that healthy sea turtles are usually able to avoid the approach velocity of the CWS intake, although occasionally one will l

become impinged on the trash bars.

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ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE The CWS intake is monitored for the accumulation of debris, which is periodically removed. Any turtles which .are observed impinged against the trash bars are recovered immediately.

Between 1979 and present, a total of 23 sea turtles have been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Of these, eight (35%) were Atlantic ridleys and 15 (65%) were Atlantic loggerheads. Of the total turtles collected, 15 (65%)

were dead when recovered.

CORRECTIVE ACTION .

The trash bars are observed at least once per 8 hour9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> shift and cleaned at least once per day. Any sea turtles observed on the trash bars are removed immediately. Resuscitation will be attempted if the turtle is not unquestionably dead. In accordance with standard procedure, all specimens will be held under appropriate conditions and turned over to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

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