3F0698-13, NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 980502,observed Small Kemp'S Ridley Turtle Lodged Against Plant Intake Structure Bar.Efforts to Rescue Turtle Failed & Dead Turtle Was Found on 980512.Established 24 H Observation & Rescue Program

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 980502,observed Small Kemp'S Ridley Turtle Lodged Against Plant Intake Structure Bar.Efforts to Rescue Turtle Failed & Dead Turtle Was Found on 980512.Established 24 H Observation & Rescue Program

ML20248M116
Person / Time
Site:	Crystal River
Issue date:	06/08/1998
From:	Grazio R FLORIDA POWER CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
3F0698-13, 3F698-13, NUDOCS 9806150020
Download: ML20248M116 (3)

Text

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-Flarida Power CORPORATION Dock No 60-302 Operaung Ucense No. DPR-72 June 8,1998 3F0698-13 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 1

Subject:

Report on Significant Environmental Event

References:

1. CR-3 Environmental Protection Plan

2. Endangered Species Act of 1973 l

Dear Sir:

On May 12,1998, Florida Power Corporation'(FPC) reported de mortality of another endangered species sea turtle via the Emergency Notification System. Attached is the 30-day follow up written report that is being submitted to the NRC in accordance with the Crystal River Unit 3 (CR-3) Facility Operating License No. DPR-72, Appendix B, Part II, Environmental Protection Plan (EPP), Section 4.1.

Sincerely,

{. -

Robert E. Grazio Director, Nuclear Regulatory Affairs

)

REG /smg , , , j Attachmer.t ..muOt j i

xc: ( Regional Administrator, Region II \

Senior Resident Inspector l j

NRR Project Manager i g1) l DR 2 S PDR l CRYSTAL RIVER ENERGY COMPLEX: 16760 W. Power Line Street Crystal River. FL 34428-6708 (362) 7954486 A Florida Progress Company L____________..________ _ . _ _ _ _ . _ _ . . __

l

C .. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

" Attaciunent 3F0698-13 Page 1 of 2

' DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS Kemp's Ridley sea turtles, an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, are known to inhabit the Gulf of Mexico. In February 1998, Florida Power Corporation (FPC) began observing an influx of K.emp's Ridley sea turtles in the Crystal River Unit 3 (CR-3) nuclear plant intake canal. FPC established a 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> observation and rescue effon in order to protect the sea tunles.

On May 2,1998, a small Kemp's Ridley sea turtle was observed lodged against the CR-3 intake structure bar racks. Before the turtle could be rescued, the turtle became lodged sideways between two of the bar racks and subsequently slipped past the bar racks into the intake structure of the circulating water system. The turtle then was trapped in the chamber between the bar racks and the traveling screens of the circulating water system.

AcrlONS TAKEN TO CORRECT THE' EVENT l Rescue efforts were attempted to save the turtle once it was known to have entered the plant.

The traveling screens were operated for 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> after the observation, and subsequently for about a 1/2 hour per shift without rescuing the turtle. Later, the bar rack was lifted for 1.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> to allow the turtle time to escape back to the intake canal. During this period of time, the traveling screens were also operated to encourage the turtle to move away from the traveling screea and toward the open end of the intake chamber where the bar rack was lifted. Normal turbidity of the intake water prevented the visual observation of the turtle and a determination as to whether the turtle had escaped. With the bar rack lifted, it was also possible for another

turtle to enter the area. Therefore, the amount of time the bar rack was lifted was optimized at 1.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br />.

l These effons to rescue the turtle failed, and the dead turtle was found on May 12,1998, during l a routine operation of the traveling screens.- Resuscitation efforts by the turtle watch personnel-failed to revive' the turtle. The FPC marine biologist responded to the call out and also attempted resuscitation. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection was notified and the event was reported to the NRC as a significant environmental event as a supplement to event number 34007.

l PROBARLE CAUSE The probable cause of this mortality was drowning. This turtle was the smallest Kemp's Ridley l turtle that had been 'seen and was probably the only turtle'small enough to pass through the 3-3/4" spacing between the bars in the bar rack. Previously, other turtles had been lodged in

'the sideways position but were large enough to remain lodged without passing through the bar racks.

l The water velocity in the chamber is approximately one foot per second, so it is likely that the l turtle was able to swim against the current for a considerable period of time. It is believed that there was sufficient food in this chamber due to the abundance of blue crab and shrimp.

o

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attachment 3F0698-13 Page 2 of 2 >

~ CORRECTIVE ACTIONS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE When FPC began finding sea tunles in February and March 1998, FPC contacted and followed protective measures recommended by the Florida Marine Patrol. Later, the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) provided recommendations. Doth are agencies of the Florida -

Department of Environmental Protection. On March 27,1998, when it became apparent that the sea turtle influx was much higher than normal, CR-3 instituted additional measures described i below to protect the sea turtles. )

Initial corrective actions taken to prevent mortalities included the establishment of a 24 hour2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> observation and rescue program and the prompt notification of FMRI ard the NRC.

Funher actions taken included:

• preparing turtle rescue and handling guidance -

• training of turtle watch observers -

i hiring of experts to advise on turtle behaviors and characteristics

• hiring of expens to conduct netting of turtles for removal from the intake canal

• expediting cleaning of Unit 3 bar racks to remove food source and reduce water velocities e expediting cleaning of Unit 1 and Unit 2 bar racks to remove food source and reduce water velocities

• making routine underwater inspections of intake bar racks

• filing applications for turtle handling permit and turtle tagging permit

• . meeting with FMRI to assess situation, review procedures, and obtain recommendations

• meeting with National Marine Fisheries Service LNMFS) to assess situation, review procedures, and obtain recommendations FPC is continuing to monitor the sea turtle presence at the CR-3 intake canal and is evaluating future protective measures. FPC is continuing the observation and rescue program until it is n ' clear the tunles-have left the intake canal. The number of tunle sightings has decreased dramatically in recent weeks. Although this may be a unique event, FPC is developing a long-term strategy to assure continued protection of the sea tunles. This strategy was discussed with the FMRI, NMFS, and the NRC in a meeting on May 13, 1998. It was agreed at this meeting that FPC would perform a biological assessment under the request of the NRC.  ;

OTHER AGENCIES NOTIFIED AND PRELIMINARY RESPONSES - j FPC immediately notified the FMRI upon observation of the Kemp's Ridley sea turtle having I passed into the plant. The FMRI was also notified upon discovery of the mortality. The event was also discussed on May 13, 1998, with the NRC, NMFS, and FMRI at the Endangered

Species Act consultation meeting.

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