RA-09-077, Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2009-10 and 2009-11

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2009-10 and 2009-11

ML093210169
Person / Time
Site:	Oyster Creek
Issue date:	11/09/2009
From:	Massaro M Exelon Nuclear
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RA-09-077
Download: ML093210169 (8)

Text

Oyster Creek Generating Station www.exeloncorp.com Exelkn Nuclear Route 9 South PO Box 388 Forked River, NJ o8731 10 CFR 50.2 November 9, 2009 RA-09-077 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Facility Operating License No. DPR-1 6 NRC Docket No. 50-219

Subject:

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Reports 2009-10 and 2009-11 The attached reports provide detailed information regarding the recent incidental takes of two live juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles at Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) on October 7 and October 30, 2009, from intake bays of the plant's dilution and circulating water systems. The turtles were promptly turned over to the custody of the Brigantine Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) for examination and monitoring. The animals did not have external evidence of major injuries when initially examined by MMSC personnel.

After receipt at the MMSC personnel noticed that the animal incidentally taken on October 7, 2009, was not eating and expired three days after arrival at the MMSC. The turtle was shipped to a veterinarian in Florida specializing in sea turtle necropsies. The cause of death was determined as pneumonia and septicemia not related to station operation.

The turtle incidentally taken on October 30, 2009, was examined by MMSC personnel and transferred to Riverhead Foundation on Long Island in New York State for long term treatment prior to eventual release.

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

Sincerely, Michael J. Massaro Vice President Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station

Page 2 of 2

Enclosures:

Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2009-10 with photograph MMSC Stranding Report MMSC-09-145 Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2009-11 with photograph MMSC Stranding Report MMSC-09-151 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 Jeff Kulp 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. 09024

OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2009-10 At approximately 1100 hours0.0127 days <br />0.306 hours <br />0.00182 weeks <br />4.1855e-4 months <br /> on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) operator noticed a sea turtle in Bay # 6 of the dilution water intake while removing debris from trash grates. The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 68.1 degrees F (20.1 C) and OCNGS was in operation at 100% power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation. Skies were cloudy with no precipitation occurring at the time of the incidental take.

The turtle was very active and alert when retrieved from the intake bay. The turtle appeared to be healthy and had no obvious signs of physical trauma. OCNGS Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kerni). Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been on the trash bars prior to removal, the dilution water trash racks had been inspected less than four hours earlier and raked the previous morning without the turtle being observed.

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 promptly handed over to personnel from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ later on the same day. The turtle measured 31.6 cm carapace length straight line and weighed 10.0 lb. After receipt at the MMSC personnel noticed that the animal was not eating and the animal expired within three days of arrival at MMSC. The turtle was shipped to a veterinarian at the University of Florida specializing in sea turtle necropsies. The cause of death was determined as pneumonia and septicemia not related to station operation.

OYSTER CREEK NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION Sea Turtle Incidental Take Report 2009-11 At approximately 1735 hours0.0201 days <br />0.482 hours <br />0.00287 weeks <br />6.601675e-4 months <br /> on Wednesday, October 30, 2009, an Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) operator noticed a sea turtle in Bay # 4 of the circulating water intake while performing a regularly scheduled intake inspection tour. The water temperature at the time of the incidental take was approximately 58.9 degrees F (14.9 C) and OCNGS was in operation at 100% power with four circulating water pumps and two dilution pumps in operation.

Skies were cloudy with no precipitation occurring at the time of the incidental take.

The turtle was fairly active when retrieved from the intake bay. Environmental personnel who took custody of the turtle confirmed it to be a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). Although it is impossible to say precisely how long the turtle had been in the intake area prior to removal, the circulating water trash racks had been inspected less than four hours earlier and raked at approximately 0400 hours0.00463 days <br />0.111 hours <br />6.613757e-4 weeks <br />1.522e-4 months <br /> on the same day without the turtle being observed.

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 promptly handed over to personnel from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine, NJ later the same evening. The turtle measured 26.4 cm carapace length straight line and weighed 5.6 lb. After receipt at the MMSC personnel noticed that the animal was eating very little. The turtle was transferred to Riverhead Foundation in Riverhead, New York; a facility specializing in sea turtle rehabilitation prior to its eventual release.

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

First Brandi - M.I. Last Biehl Year20 09 Month 10 Day 07 Affiliation Marine Mammal Strandin Center Turtle number by day 01 Address P0 Box 773, 3625 Brigantine Blvd., Bri-gantine, NJ 08203 Field ID# MMSC-09-145 Coordinatormust be notified within 24 hrs; this Area code/Phone number (609) 266-0538 was done by 0 phone (609)266-0538 AreacodePhoenuber_.______609___266-0538__remail [--fax SPECIES: (check one) STRANDING LOCATION: U--Offshore (Atlantic or Gulf beach) 91Inshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc)

El CC =Loggerhead State New Jersey _ County Ocean n CM =Green Descriptive location (be specific) Forked River, Oyster Creek NPGS, impinged on intake 1- DC = Leatherback grate

[] El = Hawksbill Z LK= Kemp's Ridley Latitude 39.81417*N Longitude 74.20700"W

[] LO = Olive Ridley U]

CheckUNUnidentified

= Unidentifiedif not Cositive. D Not Guess. fo CONDITION: (check one) FINAL DISPOSITION: (check) o 0 0 =Alive Ell = Left on beach where found; painted? U]Yes* r']No(5))

El 1=Fresh dead U2 = Buried: Ul on beach / Ul off beach; Carcass necropsied? ZYesU]No U 2 = Moderately decomposed carcass painted before buried? Ul Yes' U] No Photos taken? ZYes U]No [] 3 = Severely decomposed Z3 = Salvaged: U all / Z part(s), what/why?

Species verified by coordinator? U 4 = Dried carcass flipper punch-genetics: histology samples-Univ. of FL Z Yes [] No U] 5 = Skeleton, bones only E4 = Pulled up on beach/dune; painted? U]Yes* U]No U6 =Alive, released Sc7 = Alive, taken to rehab. facility, where?

SEX: TAGS: Contact coordinatorbefore MMSC U7 Undetermined disposing of any tagged animaill U8 = Left floating, not recovered; painted? []Yes* U]No Z Female Ul Male Checked for flipper tags? 0 Yes U] No 09 = Disposition unknown, explain Does tail extend beyond carapace? Check all 4 flippers. Iffound, record tag carcass sent to Univ. of FL for necropsy then disposed of U Yes; how far? Ujcm/[]in number(s) / tag location / return address *lfpainted,what color?

[] No How was sex determined? PIT tag scan? 0 Yes U No N Necropsy Iffag sconu / tag lo U Tail length (adult only) Iffound, record number I tag location CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

Coded wire tag scan? U Yes 0 No Using calipers Circle unit NOTCHa CohaeI Ifpositive response, resordlo wrespons record location (flipper) Straight Minimumlength length(NOTCH-TIP)

(NOTCH-NOTCH) 31.6 0cm r-__ Din cm-]in Unable to check for Straight width (Widest Point) 29.6-0cm U-]in Checked for living tag? U No nYes Using non-.metal measuring tape Circle unit Iffound, record location (scute number &side)l Curved length (NOTCH-TIP) 33 0cm U]in Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) ___]cm U]in Curved width (Widest Point) 3314 0cm Ulin Circle unit Weight Z actual I U est. 1J0 nkg 1lb Mosterior__T Marginal TIP Posterior NOTCH Mark wounds /abnormalities on diagrams at left and describe below (note tar or oil, gear (1 or debris entanglement, propeller damage, epibiota, papillomas, emaciation, etc.). Please note if no wounds I abnormalities are found.

I nr~rnnt.1 tn*,ra IinninnA -n -at-r ,,rnL t I ti ,-rn, knacnn nn fl; kl^nAehnt .,ae Ic, Taken to MMSC for observation and treatment: the turtle was found dead in its pen on the moming of Oct. 10, 2009, Carcass was sent to Dr. Brian Stacev at the University of Florida for necropsy.

Necropsy report on file at MMSC and NMFS NER.

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

First Bill M.I. Last Deerr Year 20 09. Month 10 Day 3 0 Affiliation Marine Mammal Stranding Center Turtle number by day 01 Address PO Box 773, 3625 Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, NJ 08203 Field ID# MMSC-09-151 Coordinatormust be notified within 24 hrs; this Area code/Phone number --(609) 266-0538 was done by 0 phone (609)266.0538 lemail E"fax SPECIES: (check one) STRANDING LOCATION: [lOffshore (Atlanticor Gulf beach) Zlnshore (bay, river, sound, inlet, etc)

El CC = Loggerhead State New Jersey County Ocean El CM =Green Descriptive location (be specific) Forked River, Oyster Creek NPGS El DC = Leatherback El El Hawksbill 0 LK Kemp's Ridley Latitude 39.81417°N Longitude 74.20700OW' El LO Olive Ridley 0] UN Unidentified Check Unidentified Ifnot positive. Do Not Guess. CONDITION: (check one): FINAL DISPOSITION: (check) 0 =Alive Eli1 =Left on beach where found; painted? ElYes* []No(5)

El 1 =Fresh dead [12 = Buried: El on beach I 0 off beach; Carcass necropsied? E-Yes0No E] 2 = Moderately decomposed carcass painted before buried? E] Yes* [] No Photos taken? OYes E]No El 3=Severely decomposed El3 = Salvaged: El all/ El part(s), whatlwhy?

Species verified by coordinator? [] 4 = Dried carcass 0 Yes El No El 5 =.Skeleton, bonesonly 014"= Pulled up on beachldune; painted? []Yes [E]No El6 = Alive, released 07 =Alive, taken to rehab. facility, where?

TAGS: Contact coordinatorbefore MMSC then transferred to Riverhead Foundation disposingof any tagged animal!! El0 =Left floating, not recovered; painted? ElYes* ElNo Checked for flipper tags? 0 Yes El No E19 = Disposition unknown, explain Check all 4 flippers. Iffound, record tag number(s) / tag locaution / return address *Ifpainted, what color?

PIT tag scan? Z Yes El No.

Iffound, record number I tag location CARAPACE MEASUREMENTS: (see drawing)

Coded wire tag scan? [] Yes!0 No Using calipers Circle unit Ifpositive response, record location (flipper) Straight length (NOTCH-TIP) 26.4 ' cm lin Unable to check for Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) "_"__Ecm[lin Checked for living tag? OYes El No Straight width (Widest Point) 24.7 Eln icm Iffound, record location (scutenumber &side)\ Using non-metal measuringtape Circle unit Curved length (NOTCH-TIP) 27.7 cm E]in Minimum length (NOTCH-NOTCH) _____Elcm [Eln Curved width (Widest Point) 29.* *cm l]in Circle unit Weight N actual /(Elest. 5.6 [-1kg Olb 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 I abnormalities are found, Incidental Capture: impinged onintake grate: animalwas lethargic and cold: skin was pink: turtle was dehydrated with sunken eyes: algae covering carapace, head, and plastron: missing tips of RFFLRF. & RRF: small chip near rear tipDof carapace. several small holes in carapace on left rear side near midline: a few. tiny barnacles on carapace near front of ridge: no tags":

11/2/09 - transferred to Riverhead Foundation for longterm treatment