ML20151T794

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 980818,captured Subadult Loggerhead Sea Turtle at Plant Circulating Water Intake Structure Trash Racks.Turtle Was Transferred to Marine Mammal Stranding Ctr in Brigatine,Nj for Rehabilitation

ML20151T794
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	08/25/1998
From:	Roche M GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	Craig C NRC
References
6530-982-2135, NUDOCS 9809100158
Download: ML20151T794 (3)

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{ GPU Nuclear,Inc.

( U.S. Routs M South For ed Rue NJ 731 0388 -

Tel 609-9714000 6530-982-2135 Al} G Z O I M Ms. Claudia Craig (by cert. mail RRR#Z 051941 124)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mailstop O-10-H-5 Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station

. Docket 50-219

. Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 98-1 This report provides detailed information regarding the recent incidental capture of a subadult loggerhead sea turtle at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. The turtle was captured alive during the morning of August 18,1998 at the circulating water intake structure trash racks.

As indicated on the attached incident report, the turtle has been transferred to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, NJ for rehabilitation. This is only the second incidental capture of a sea turtle at Oyster Creek since August of 1994.

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

Very truly yours, Michael B. Roche V. P. & Director OCNGS MAB/ars Enclosure OD0JC1gi l cc: Ms. Nancy Haley (by. cert. mail RRR# Z 051941 127)

U.S. Department of Commerce

. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat an.d Pro.tected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive 4

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Gloucester, MA 01930 , 'y 9809100158 980825 ';

PDR ADOCK 05000219 S PDR ,

A b Ms. Claudia Craig 6530-982-2135 Pagd 2 of 2 '

AUG 251998 l

cc: Hub Miller (by cert. mail RRR# Z 051941 128) l Administrator, Region 1 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 AllendaleRoad King ofPrussia, PA 19406 l

Ron Eaton (by cert. mail RRR# Z051. 941 129) '

' Senior Project Manager US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 -

i US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (by cert, mail RRR# Z 051941 130) -l Document Coritrol Desk-NRC l

Washington, DC 20555 l Mr. Dave Jenkins (by cert. mail RRR# Z 051941 126)

NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife - i P.O. Box 236  !

Tuckahoe,NJ 08250 -

OCNGS NRC Resident Inspector, OC SEB .

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. , Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Sea Turtle Incidental Capture Report 98-1 Aunust 18.1998 -

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At approximately 0959 hours0.0111 days <br />0.266 hours <br />0.00159 weeks <br />3.648995e-4 months <br /> on Tuesday, August 18,1998, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station ,

(OCNGS) operator noticed a sea turtle in front of the trash rack in Bay # 4 of the circulating water intake i structure. The turtle was carefully removed as quickly as possible using a sea turtle dip net and found to be '

alive and moving about actively, However, a length of several feet of fish netting was wrapped tightly j around the right front flipper of the turtle, causing restricted circulation and movement of that limb. It was '

apparent from the atrophied and partially decayed condition of the right front flipper that the turtle had been entangled in the fish netting long before its incidental capture. OCNGS Environmental Affairs personnel

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who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a subadult loggerhead (Caretta carettal The water temperature at the time of the incidental capture was approximately 80.5 F (26.9 C) and OCNGS was in operation at full power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been near the intake structure prior to removal, the l

. intake trash racks had been mechanically cleaned the previous afternoon.

- The turtle measured 20.0 in (50.8 cm) carapace length straight line and weighed 53.9 lb (24.4 kg). Sex was not determined.' No tags were presem an the turtle when captured.

' After the turtle. was examined by Environmental Affairs personnel, it was transferred to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ. MMSC personnel then began to locate a facility where the turtle can receive appropriate medical treatment and rehabilitation prior to eventually being

' released in the ocean. Sea World of Orlando, FL has indicated they will provide these services. The turde .

was transported to Sea World August 21,1998.

USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the incidental capture withi124 hours on August 18,1998.

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