RA-08-061, Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2008-1 and 2008-2

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2008-1 and 2008-2

ML082060197
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	07/18/2008
From:	Randich J AmerGen Energy Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RA-08-061
Download: ML082060197 (8)

Text

. .- "ý AmerGenSM An Exelon Company AmerGen Energy Company www.exelonCOrP.COm Oyster Creek US Route 9 South, P.O. Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731-0388 July 18, 2008 RA-08-061 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Facility Operating License No. DPR-16 NRC Docket No. 50-219

Subject:

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2008-1 and 2008-2 This report provides detailed information regarding the recent incidental takes of two juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles at Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station on two separate occasions.

The turtles were taken alive on June 27 and July 7, 2008, from the circulating water intake bays.

As indicated on the attached incident reports, the turtles were promptly turned over to the custody of the Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) for examination and tagging. Both animals were active with no major injuries.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Malcolm Browne at (609) 971-4124.

Sincerely, Ja sadc Plant Manager, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station

Enclosures:

1. Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2008-1 with photograph

2. MMSC-093 Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network Stranding Report

3. Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2008-2 with photograph

4. MMSC-097 Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network Stranding Report

Page 2 of 2

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cc: Julie Crocker U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 Pasquale Scida U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service Northeast Region Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 Samuel J. Collins, Administrator, Region 1 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 G. Edward Miller Senior Project Manager US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 8-B1 Washington, DC 20555 Mark Ferdas Senior Resident Inspector Oyster Creek Generating Station PO Box 388 Forked River, NJ 08731 Jeanette Bowers-Altman NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife P.O. Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625-0400 Regulatory Assurance File No. 07024

OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2008-1 At approximately 0220 hours0.00255 days <br />0.0611 hours <br />3.637566e-4 weeks <br />8.371e-5 months <br /> on Friday, June 27, 2008, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) operator noticed a live sea turtle with its head above water in Bay #1 of the circulating water intake. The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 78 degrees F (25.6 C) and OCNGS was in operation at 100% power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Skies were cloudy.

The turtle appeared to be healthy and was very active. OCNGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kemDi). Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the trash bars prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks had been inspected and cleaned earlier the same morning. The turtle was not observed during that trash rack inspection and cleaning.

The turtle measured only 21.7 cm carapace length straight line and weighed 3.4 lb. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the incidental take within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

The turtle was handed over to personnel from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 0515 hours0.00596 days <br />0.143 hours <br />8.515212e-4 weeks <br />1.959575e-4 months <br /> on June 27, 2008. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined, measured, fed, and tagged. MMSC personnel reported that the animal was very active and suffered no major injuries. Only minor bruising was present on plastron and ventral surfaces of its flippers. The animal began eating immediately upon arrival at MMSC. At the time of this report, the turtle is still being held at the MMSC until arrangements for its release are finalized.

Incidental Sea Turtle Take 2008-1, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station - June 27, 2008

SEA TURTLE STRANDING AND SALVAGE NETWORK - STRANDINGREPORT OBSERVER'S NAME / ADDRESS / PHONE: STRANDING DATE:

First Brandi M.I._ Last' Biehl Year 20 08 Month 06 Day 2 7 Affiliation Marine Mammal Stranding Center Turtle number by day 01 Address PO Box 773, 3625 Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, NJ 08203 Field ID# MMSC-093 Coordinatormust be notified within 24 hrs; this was done by [ phone (609)266-0538 Area code/Phone number (609) 266-0538 Elemail r0fax SPECIES: (check one) STRANDING LOCATION: .E]Offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) OInshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc)

E1 CC = Loggerhead State New Jersey County Ocean' Fl CM =Green Descriptive location (be specific) Forked River, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

1- DC = Leatherback 17 El = Hawksbill Z. LK = Kemp's Ridley Latitude 39.81417*N Longitude 74.20700°W 17 LO = Olive Ridley.

El UN =Unidentified Check Unidentifiedif not positive. Do Not Guess. CONDITION: (check one) FINAL DISPOSITION: (check) 0 0= Alive Ell =Left on beach where found; painted? E]Yes* E-No(5)

El 1= Fresh dead E12 =.Buried: F] on beach/ E] off beach; Carcass necropsied? E]YesZNo El 2 =Moderately decomposed carcass painted before buried? E] Yes* E] No Photos taken? ZYes []No [] 3 = Severely decomposed 13 = Salvaged: El all / El part(s), what/why?

Species verified by coordinator? Q 4 = Dried carcass Z Yes E[No. El 5 =Skeleton, bones only E]4:= Pulled up on beach/dune; painted? E]Yes* E]No, 17716 = Alive, released E7 = Alive,.taken to rehab. facility, where?

SEX: TAGS: Contact coordinatorbefore MMSC 0 Undetermined disposing of any tagged animal!! E18 = Left floating, not recovered; painted? E]Yes* E]No E Female R Male Checked for flipper tags? 0 Yes Ej No 09 = Disposition unknown, explain Does tail extend beyond carapace? Check all 4 flippers. Iffound, record tag 1- Yes; how far? cm /in number(s) / tag location / return address *lf painted,what color?

0 No How was sex determined?

PIT tag scan? [ Yes E] No E] Necropsy Iffound, record number / tag location El Tail length (adult only) CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

.Coded Wire.tag.scan? E]_Yes, ].No Using calipers Circle unit Ifpositive response, record location (flipper) Straight length (NOTCH:TIP) 21.7 Ocm Emin Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) -_E]cmE-in Unable to check for Straight width (Widest Point) 20.5 0cm Emin Checked for living tag? IYes E] No Using non-metal measuring tape Circle unit Iffound, record location (scute number &side)\

Curved length (NOTCH-TIP) ___-__ cm Emin Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) ___Ecm E]in Curved width (Widest Point) __ Ecm Ein Circle unit Weight 0 actual / El est. 3.4[kg E1b Mark wounds / abnormalities on diagrams at left and describe below (note tar or oil, gear or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epibiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note if no wounds / abnormalities are found.

Turtle was impinged on cooling intake. Animal was very active and suffered no major injuries.

Only minor bruising present on plastron and ventral surfaces of flippers: Animal began eating immediately upon arrival at MMSC. Tagged right front flipper stainless steel tag #SSL120 and PIT taged on left front flinner #43101 A6518.

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2008-2 At approximately 0131 hours0.00152 days <br />0.0364 hours <br />2.166005e-4 weeks <br />4.98455e-5 months <br /> on Monday, July 7, 2008, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) operator noticed a live sea turtle during trash removal activities in Bay #3 of the circulating water intake. The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 77.1 degrees F (25.0 C) and OCNGS was in operation at 100 % power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Skies were cloudy.

The turtle appeared to be healthy and was active. OCNGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kenDi).

Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been in the intake bay prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks had been inspected four hours prior to the take at 21:19 hours the previous evening. The trash racks had last been cleaned approximately 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> prior to the take.

The turtle measured only 25.9 cm carapace length straight line and weighed 5.9 lb. No tags were present on the turtle when captured. USNRC and NMFS personnel were notified of the incidental take within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

The turtle was handed over to personnel from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ at approximately 0425 hours0.00492 days <br />0.118 hours <br />7.027116e-4 weeks <br />1.617125e-4 months <br /> on July 7, 2008. At the MMSC, the turtle was examined and measured. MMSC personnel reported that the animal was active during transport to MMSC but had numerous small barnacles present on its flippers, head, carapace, and plastron. Only minor bruising was present on plastron and ventral surfaces of its flippers.

At the time of this report, the turtle is still being held at the MMSC due to their concern regarding pre-existing heavy barnacle infestation and abnormal blood work. The turtle is presently being treated with antibiotics and will be held at MMSC until such time as they determine release is appropriate.

Incidental Sea Turtle Take 2008-2, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station - July 7, 2008

SEA TURTLE STRANDING AND SALVAGE NETWORK' STRANDING REPORT OBSERVER'S NAME / ADDRESS / PHONE: STRANDING DATE:

First Jay M.l. Last Paael Year 20 08 Month 07 Day 0 7 Affiliation Marine Mammal Stranding Center Turtle number by day 01 Address PO Box 773. 3625 Briaantine Blvd.. Briaantine, NJ 08203 Field ID# MMSC-097 Coordinatormust be notified within 24 hrs; this was done by [phone (609)266-0538 Area code/Phone number (609) 266-0538 E-]email 17-fax SPECIES: (check one) STRANDING LOCATION: E-Offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) ZInshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc) 17 CC = Loggerhead State New Jersey County Ocean nl CM = Green Descriptive location (be specific) Forked River, Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station.

El DC = Leatherback El El = Hawksbill Z LK = Kemp's Ridley Latitude 39.814170N Longitude 74.20700°W El LO = Olive Ridley rl UN = Unidentified Check Unidentifiedif not positive. Do Not Guess. CONDITION: (check one) FINAL DISPOSITION: (check)

M 0 = Alive [11 = Left on beach where found; painted? E]Yes* ElrNo(5)

El 1 = Fresh dead E12 = Buried: El on beach / El off beach; Carcass necropsied? ElYesE]No El 2 = Moderately decomposed carcass painted before buried? E] Yes* E] No Photos taken? MYes E-No El 3 = Severely decomposed E13 = Salvaged: El all/ El part(s), what/why?

Species verified by coordinator? El 4 = Dried carcass 0 Yes 17 No El 5= Skeleton, bones only E14 = Pulled up on beach/dune; painted? E]Yes* E]No 0-6 = Alive, released Z7 = Alive, taken to rehab. facility, where?

SEX: TAGS: Contact coordinatorbefore MMSC E Undetermined disposing of any tagged animal!!

El Female El Male E]8 = Left floating, not recovered; painted? E]Yes* nNo Checked for flipper tags? Z Yes E] No [-]9 = Disposition unknown, explain Does tail extend beyond carapace? Check all 4 flippers. Iffound, record tag El Yes; how far? cm / in number(s) / tag location / return address *lfpainted,what color?

[No How was sex determined?

PIT tag scan? Z Yes [E No El Necropsy Iffound, record number / tag location El Tail length (adult only) CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

Coded wire tag scan? E] Yes [E No Using calipers . Circle unit Ifpositive response, record location (flipper) Straight length (NOTCH-TIP) -25.9 Ncm Elin Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) ___ ]cml'in Unable to check for Straight width (Widest Point) 23.8 Ncm Elin Checked for living tag? ZYes El No Iffound, record location (scute number &side)\ Using non-metal measuring tape Circle unit Curved length (NOTCH-TIP) _____Elcm Elin Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) __Elcm Elin Curved width (Widest Point) _ Elcm lin Circle unit Weight Z actual /El est. 5.9 Fkg lb Mark wounds / abnormalities on diagrams at left and describe below (note tar or oil, gear or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epibiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note ifno wounds / abnormalities are found.

Turtle was impinged on cooling intake. Animal was active during transport to MMSC, but had numerous small barnacles present on its flippers, head, carapace and plastron. Only minor bruising present on plastron and ventral surfaces of flippers.