ML20307A128

NMFS to NRC, Recent Giant Manta Ray Captures at St Lucie

ML20307A128
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	10/30/2020
From:	Livergood A US Dept of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service
To:	Briana Grange Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
Briana Grange 301-415-1042
References
Download: ML20307A128 (1)

Text

From: Audra Livergood - NOAA Federal To: Grange, Briana Cc: Mark Lamb - NOAA Federal; Eldridge, Jodie; kristin.eaton@nexteraenergy.com

Subject:

[External_Sender] Recent giant manta ray captures at St. Lucie Date: Friday, October 30, 2020 1:03:23 PM

Dear Briana,

It has recently come to our attention that there were 2 giant manta ray captures (in Sept. 2020 and Oct. 2020) at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant. As you may be aware, giant manta rays are listed as a threatened species and thus, are protected by the Endangered Species Act. In light of this new information, we have decided it is prudent to include giant manta rays in NMFSs Biological Opinion (BO) for the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant.

Due to the need to analyze effects to giant manta rays and include Terms and Conditions specific to them in the BO, this will require extra time. NMFS anticipates having a General Counsel-cleared draft of the BO ready by January 31, 2021. This is a target date and may be subject to change, but it is our best estimate at this time.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or phone.

Kind regards, Audra Audra Banks ESA Section 7 Biologist, Protected Resources Division, S.E. Region NOAA Fisheries l U.S. Department of Commerce Mobile: (786) 351-2225 www.fisheries.noaa.gov