ML20199G038

Ro:On 850715,Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle Found Impinged on Trash Bars of Circulating Water Sys Intake.Turtle Freshly Dead When Found.Unsuccessful Attempt Made to Resuscitate Animal.Trash Bars Observed at Least Once Per 8 H Shift

ML20199G038
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	08/09/1985
From:	Corbin McNeil Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Murley T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
NUDOCS 8606240642
Download: ML20199G038 (3)

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, Pubhc Service Electric and Gas Company Cerbin A. McNeill, Jr. Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236.Hancocks Bridge. NJ 08038 609 339-4800 Vice President -

Nuclear August 9, 1985 Dr. Thomas E. Murley, Regional Administrator Region 1 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 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 JULY 15, 1985 This report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements 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, o #Ns Attachment C Mr. Donald C. Fischer Licensing Project Manager Mr. Thomas J. Kenny Senior Resident Inspector l

Mr. Richard Delgado New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection j l

8606240642 850809 \ l L \

PDR ADOCK 05000311 '

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r REPORT DATE: July 30, 1985 OCCURRENCE DATE: July 15, 1985 l

FACILITY: Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 l l 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 l

On July 15, 1985 at 1315 hours0.0152 days <br />0.365 hours <br />0.00217 weeks <br />5.003575e-4 months <br />, an Atlantic loggerhead turtle l 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 was freshly dead when found. An unsuccessful attempt was made to l resuscitate the animal, for approximately one hour, by direct re-inflation of the lungs and pumping of the plastron. The specimen had a carapace length and width of 525 and 430 mm, respectively. Weight was estimated to be 35 pounds. In accordance with usual procedure, the turtle was removed by a representative of the Marine Mammal Standing Conter of Brigantine, New Jersey, for autopsy and disposal. The autopsy showed the cause of death to be suffocation.

The Senior Shift Supervisor was notified of the event by the on-duty intake operator. On July 15-16, the following agencies were notified:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Senior Resident Inspector)

National Marine Fisheries Service U.S. Environmental Protection Agency N.J. Department of Environmental Protection DE Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control u

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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 become impinged on the trash bars.

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 22 sea turtles hava been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Of these, eight (36%) were Atlantic ridleys and 14 (64%) were Atlantic loggerheads. Of the total turtles collected, 14 (64%)

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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