ML18096B047

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 920919,20 & 22,three Loggerhead Sea Turtles & One Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle Recovered on Intake Trash Racks.On 921002,addl Turtle Recovered.Caused by Summer Migration.Turtles Released

ML18096B047
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	10/16/1992
From:	Miltenberger S Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NLR-E92295, NUDOCS 9210210174
Download: ML18096B047 (9)

Text

Public Service Electric and Gas Company Steven E. Miltenberger *Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 609-339-4199 Vice President and Chief Nudear Officer CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED ARTICLE NUMBER: P 063 762 189 OCT 16 1992.

NLR-E92295 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:

REPORT OF IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLE SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-272 AND 50-311 In accordance with Section 5.4.2 of Appendix B, Environmental Protection Plan, to the Operating License for Salem Generating station, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) hereby transmits notification of a nonroutine event discovery, and documents the occurrence and removal of 4 sea turtles (plus one recapture) from the Salem Generating Station circulating water intake structure.

Enclosed please find six (6) attachments. Attachment 1 gives a narrative description of the events, as requested by the NRC.

Attachments 2 thru 6, requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), provide more specific information regarding observance and retrieval of sea turtles.

Should you have any questions regarding this transmittal, please feel free to contact us.

sincerely,

~:!-~

Attachments (6)

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OCT 16 1992 Document Control Desk NLR-E92295 C Mr. J. C. Stone Licensing Project Manager Mr. T. Johnson Senior Resident Inspector Mr. T *. Martin, Administrator Region I Ms. Colleen Coogan National Marine Fisheries Service Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Ms. Jo Ann Frier-Murza, Chief NJ Department of Environmental Protection & Energy Endangered and Nongame Species Program CN 400 Trenton, NJ 08625-0400 Mr. Kent Tosch, Chief New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Environmental Quality Bureau of Nuclear Engineering CN 415 Trenton, NJ 08625

r ATTACHMENT 1 IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLE REPORT DATE: October 16, 1992 FACILITY: Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF OCCURRENCE:

Three loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), and one Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi), were recovered from the Circulating Water System (CWS) intake trash racks at the Salem Generating Station. The loggerheads were retrieved on September 19, 20, and 22, 1992. The loggerhead is federally iisted as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The Kemp's ridley was initially recovered on September 28, 1992. This same turtle was recovered a second time on October 2, 1992, one day after it was released. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are federally listed as an "endangered" species.

CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCE:

Both units 1 & 2 were at 93% - 100% power prior to and during each of the above occurrences DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCE:

The loggerheads were recovered alive, undamaged and vigorous, and each was placed in an 800 gallon holding tank for-observation.

Dr. Burt Paluch DMV, responded to document physical appearance of the turtle, draw a blood sample, and drill a 3/16 inch hole in the left postcentral scute. The blood_ was sent to Dr. Bob George DMV, for analysis of normal blood parameters. The hole in the scute was used for attachment of transmitters to allow tracking of this turtle upon release. The turtle was also flipper tagged and released approximately three and one:half miles southeast of SGS and one half mile offshore in twenty feet of water.

The Kemp's ridley was recovered alive, undamaged, and vigorous, both times it was incidentally caught at the intake structure.

The Senior Shift Supervisor, Licensing and Regulation personnel, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) of Brigantine, New Jersey were notified.

The following agencies have been notified regarding these occurrences:

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection & Energy

ATTACHMENT 2 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon} impingements. This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name: Matt Lutek - Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name: Mike Haberland - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Site of impingement: Salem Generating Station - Unit 1 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack #llb Date and time impingement was observed: 9/19/92, 0100 hours0.00116 days <br />0.0278 hours <br />1.653439e-4 weeks <br />3.805e-5 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected: 9/19/92, 0115 hours0.00133 days <br />0.0319 hours <br />1.901455e-4 weeks <br />4.37575e-5 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation: 3.2 feet on flooding tide Date and time of last observation of screen: 0000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement: 75.5 °F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Unit 1 - 93%

Unit 2 - 100%

Condition of animal: Very good. Ate blue crabs before release.

Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

Carapace length: curved: Straight: 51.9 cm (20.4 in}

Carapace width: curved: straight: 44.5 cm (17.5 in}

Tag number and location, if tagged: QQP911 (RF} & QQP912 (LF}

Loran coordinates: 27390.7 / 43050.8 Latitude - 39° 24.72 Longitude - 75° 28.57 Remarks: The turtle was tagged and released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile offshore in twenty feet of water. The turtle weighed 24.0 kilograms (52.8 lbs}.

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents): Not applicable.

ATTACHMENT 3 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements. This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive,- Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Imp-ingements, Salem and Hope Creek Gene~ating Stations Observers full name: Rick Pfeffer - Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name:- Mike Haberland - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification: Loggerhead (Caretta carettal Site of impingement: Salem Generating station - Unit 1 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack #12a Date and time impingement was observed: 9/20/92, 0915 hours0.0106 days <br />0.254 hours <br />0.00151 weeks <br />3.481575e-4 months <br />

. Date and time animal was collected: 9/20/92, 0930 hours0.0108 days <br />0.258 hours <br />0.00154 weeks <br />3.53865e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation: 3.5 feet on ebbing tide Date and time of last observation of screen: 0800 hours0.00926 days <br />0.222 hours <br />0.00132 weeks <br />3.044e-4 months <br /> Water temperat~re at *site and time of impingement: 74.7 °F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Unit 1 - 100%

Unit 2 -* 100%

Condition of _animal: Alive and vigorouso Fed on blue crab while in holding tank.

Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

carapace length: curved: straight: 61.7 cm (24.3 in)

Carapace width: curved: Straight: 52.6 cm (20.7 in)

Tag number and location, if tagged: QQP907 (RF) & QQP908 (LF)

Loran coordinates: 27389.2 / 43050.9 Latitude - 39° 24.70 Longitude - 75° 28.27 Remarks: The turtle was tagged and released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile offshore in twenty feet of water. The turtle weighed 34.5 kilograms (76.0 lbs).

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents): Not applicable.

ATTACHMENT 4 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements. This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name: - Rich Sampson - Nuclear Shift Supervisor Reporters full name: Mike Haberland - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

Site of impingement: Salem Generating Station - Unit 2 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack #23b Date and time impingement was observed: 9/22/92, 0400 hours0.00463 days <br />0.111 hours <br />6.613757e-4 weeks <br />1.522e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected: 9/22/92, 0415 hours0.0048 days <br />0.115 hours <br />6.861772e-4 weeks <br />1.579075e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation: 2.1 feet on flooding tide Date and time of last observation of screen: 0300 hours0.00347 days <br />0.0833 hours <br />4.960317e-4 weeks <br />1.1415e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement: 72.7 °F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Unit 1 - 100%

Unit 2 - 100%

Condition of animal: Very good. Ate blue crabs before release.

Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

carapace length: curved: Straight: 54.2 cm (21.3 in) carapace width: curved: Straight: 46.7 cm (18.4 in)

Tag number and location, if tagged: QQP909 (RF) & QQP910 (LF)

Loran coordinates: 27389.2 / 43050.9 Latitude - 39° 24.70 Longitude - 75° 28.27 Remarks: The turtle was tagged and released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating Station, one half mile offshore in twenty feet of water. The turtle weighed 25.5 kilograms (56.0 lbs).

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents): Not applicable.

ATTACHMENT 5 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements. This documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name: Jeff Bicker - Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name: Mike Haberland - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification: Kemps ridley (Lepidochelys kempi)

Site of impingement: Salem Generating Station - Unit 1 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack #lla Date and time impingement was observed: 9/28/92, 0825 hours0.00955 days <br />0.229 hours <br />0.00136 weeks <br />3.139125e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected: 9/28/92, 0840 hours0.00972 days <br />0.233 hours <br />0.00139 weeks <br />3.1962e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation: 1.0 feet on flooding tide Date and time of last observation of screen: 0700 hours0.0081 days <br />0.194 hours <br />0.00116 weeks <br />2.6635e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement: 68.9 °F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Unit 1 - 100%

Unit 2 - 100%

Condition of animal: Alive and vigorous.

Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm. or in.):

Carapace length: curved: Straight: 25.4 cm (10.0 in) carapace width: curved: Straight: 23.1 cm (9.1 in)

Tag number and location, if tagged: QQP913 & QQP914 Loran coordinates: 27389.7 / 43051.2 Latitude - 39° 24.69 Longitude - 75° 28.26 Remarks: The turtle was tagged and released approximately three and one half miles southeast of Salem Generating station, one half mile offshore in twenty feet of water. The turtle weighed 2.3 kilograms (5.0 lbs).

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents): Not applicable.

'1 ATTACHMENT 6 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

Appendix II to Section 7 Consultation Photographs should be taken and the information requested below should be collected in association with all protected species (sea turtles and shortnose sturgeon) impingements. This .

documentation should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service, Habitat Conservation Branch One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 Protected Species Impingements, Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations Observers full name: Peter Koppel - Nuclear Equipment Operator Reporters full name: Mike Haberland - Licensing & Regulation Species Identification: Kemps ridley - (Lepidochelys kempi)

Site of impingement: Salem Generating Station - Unit 1 Circulating Water System; Trash Rack Date and time impingement was observed: 10/02/92, 0805 hours0.00932 days <br />0.224 hours <br />0.00133 weeks <br />3.063025e-4 months <br /> Date and time animal was collected: 10/02/92, 0805 hours0.00932 days <br />0.224 hours <br />0.00133 weeks <br />3.063025e-4 months <br /> Tidal stage at time of observation: 1.7 feet on ebbing tide

• Date and time of last observation of screen: 0700 hours0.0081 days <br />0.194 hours <br />0.00116 weeks <br />2.6635e-4 months <br /> Water temperature at site and time of impingement: 64.0°F Average percent of power generating capacity achieved per unit over the 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> previous to impingement: Unit 1 100%

Unit 2 - 100%

Condition of animal: Alive and vigorous.

Sea Turtle Measurements (indicate cm.. or in.):

Carapace length: curved: Straight: 25.4 cm (10.0 in)

Carapace-width: curved: Straight: 23.1 cm (9.1 in)

Tag number and location, if tagged: Tag # QQP913 & QQP914 Loran coordinates: 27357.8 / 43029.0 Remarks: This is a recapture of the turtle released on 10/01/92.

The turtle was re-released approximately nine miles southeast of Salem Generating Station at the mouth of Stow Creek.

Results of necropsy (include stomach contents): Not applicable.

APPARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCE:

Sea turtles are summer migrants, common to Delaware Bay. Small numbers typically occur in the lower Delaware River near Salem Generating Station from June through September. Healthy sea turtles are strong swimmers and are usually able to avoid the approach velocity of the CWS intake. Turtles which are in a weakened condition due to injury by boats or commercial fishing operations are subject to impingement. Apparently healthy turtles which become impinged may not be able to escape the approach velocity due to exhaustion or small size. Also large, apparently healthy turtles may be foraging in the intake channel.

While feeding they may surface in the intake bays and if observed by plant personnel will be removed as if impinged, tagged and released. *

. ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE: .

The cws intake is monitored for accumulation of *.debris, which is periodically removed. Any turtles which are observed in the area of the trash racks are rec.overed immediately.* Between 1979 and present, a total of 90 sea. turtles* (plus three recaptures) have been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Of the 83 turtles collected at the intake, sixty (72%) have been loggerhead sea turtles, tweilty;....one (25.5%) were Kemp's ridley sea turtles and two (2.5%) green sea turtles.

CORRECTIVE ACTION:

During the period of June 1 thru September 31, the trash racks at Salem station are observed every two hours, twenty-four (24) hours a day specifically for sea turtles and cleaned at least once per dai. After three sea turtle mortalities earlier in September, trash rack observation was increased to once an hour and the racks cleaned twice a day. !n addition, due to the l.ater than usual appearance of sea turtles, the twice a day rack*

cleaning has been extended for an additional two weeks. Any sea turtle observed on the trash rack is removed immediately.

Resuscitation will be attempted if the turtle is not unquestionably dead. In accordance with standard procedure, all dead turtles will be necropsied by a qualified individual and injured specimens will be held under appropriate conditions and may be sent to the MMSC.