ML20323A200
| ML20323A200 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Saint Lucie  |
| Issue date: | 11/18/2020 |
| From: | Godes W Florida Power & Light Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| EPP 4.1, L-2020-159 | |
| Download: ML20323A200 (2) | |
Text
Florida Power & Light Company 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 November 18, 2020 L-2020-159 10 CFR 50.4 10 CFR 50.36.b EPP 4.1 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 RE:
St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Docket Nos. 50-335 and 50-389 Environmental Protection Plan Report Event Date: October 23, 2020 Unusual or Important Environmental Event Capture of a Giant Manta Ray On October 23, 2020, a live, healthy giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) was captured and released unharmed from the St. Lucie Plant intake canal.
The attached report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.1 of the St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plans to provide the description of this important event. This event is an important environmental event because giant manta rays are threatened under the Endangered Species Act; however, the St. Lucie Plant does not yet have a site take limit.
Sincerely, Wyatt Godes Licensing Manager St. Lucie Plant WG/rcs Attachment cc:
FDEP Siting Office Audra Livergood, National Marine Fisheries Service Briana Grange, Biologist, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Meghan Koperski, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
L-2020-159 Attachment DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On October 23, 2020, a live, healthy giant manta ray (Mobula birostris) was captured and released unharmed from the St. Lucie Plant intake canal.
The ray was small for its species at 242 cm wide, 105 cm long and 91 kg. It was not immediately identified as a manta ray since many varieties of smaller mobulid rays, such as the Atlantic devil ray (Mobula hypostoma), have a similar appearance (e.g., all having triangular pectoral fins and horn-shaped cephalic fins located on either side of their mouths). On October 26th, using photographs and a consultation with a manta ray expert, St. Lucie biologists identified it as an immature giant manta ray.
Photographic evidence was subsequently used to identify another mobulid ray that was captured in the intake canal on September 11, 2020. The September 11th specimen was identified as a very small giant manta ray. It was 188 cm wide and 30 kg. This manta ray was also healthy and had been released back into the environment in good condition.
CAUSE OF EVENT The event occurred when the rays swam into the St. Lucie Intake Cooling Canal. Once in the canal, the rays were removed using the nets used for the capture of sea turtles.
CORRECTIVE ACTION After the rays were released, the staff biologists monitored a three-mile stretch of the beach along the release site for any possible delayed impacts on the captured rays for seven consecutive days. During daylight hours, the canal east of the 5-inch turtle barrier is inspected hourly by boat and additionally from the canal bank. The free floating turtle tangle nets are also inspected.
Staff biologists are now more aware of the subtle differences between the physical appearance of immature Mobula birostris and adult Mobula hypostoma.
ACTIONS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE EVENTS The staff biologists are very experienced in handling megafauna, but the potential exists for larger manta rays to enter the intake canal. Large rays are a challenge to safely capture without harming the animal or biologists. Since giant manta rays breathe by ram ventilation, this presents additional challenges and learning opportunities for our staff. The staff biologists will continue to work with manta ray experts and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as appropriate to align best practice protocols for handling captured manta rays.
AGENCIES NOTIFIED The NMFS and the NRC were notified on October 27, 2020. Since giant manta rays are threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and the St. Lucie Plant does not yet have a site take limit, this event is expected to result in a Section 7 consultation between the NRC and the NMFS.