ML18254A347

Letter from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federally Threatened and Endangered Species Near Turkey Point

ML18254A347
Person / Time
Site:	Turkey Point
Issue date:	09/11/2018
From:	US Dept of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML18254A347 (11)

Text

United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE South Florida Ecological Services Field Office 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559 Phone: (772) 562-3909 Fax: (772) 562-4288 http://fws.gov/verobeach In Reply Refer To: September 11, 2018 Consultation Code: 04EF2000-2018-SLI-1063 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 Project Name: Turkey Point Subsequent License Renewal

Subject:

Updated list of threatened and endangered species that may occur in your proposed project location, and/or may be affected by your proposed project To Whom It May Concern:

The enclosed species list identifies threatened, endangered, proposed and candidate species, as well as proposed and final designated critical habitat, that may occur within the boundary of your proposed project and/or may be affected by your proposed project. The species list fulfills the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) under section 7(c) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

New information based on updated surveys, changes in the abundance and distribution of species, changed habitat conditions, or other factors could change this list. Please feel free to contact us if you need more current information or assistance regarding the potential impacts to federally proposed, listed, and candidate species and federally designated and proposed critical habitat. Please note that under 50 CFR 402.12(e) of the regulations implementing section 7 of the Act, the accuracy of this species list should be verified after 90 days. This verification can be completed formally or informally as desired. The Service recommends that verification be completed by visiting the ECOS-IPaC website at regular intervals during project planning and implementation for updates to species lists and information. An updated list may be requested through the ECOS-IPaC system by completing the same process used to receive the enclosed list.

The purpose of the Act is to provide a means whereby threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems upon which they depend may be conserved. Under sections 7(a)(1) and 7(a)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 402 et seq.), Federal agencies are required to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of threatened and endangered species and to determine whether projects may affect threatened and endangered species and/or designated critical habitat.

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 2 A Biological Assessment is required for construction projects (or other undertakings having similar physical impacts) that are major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment as defined in the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)

(c)). For projects other than major construction activities, the Service suggests that a biological evaluation similar to a Biological Assessment be prepared to determine whether the project may affect listed or proposed species and/or designated or proposed critical habitat. Recommended contents of a Biological Assessment are described at 50 CFR 402.12.

If a Federal agency determines, based on the Biological Assessment or biological evaluation, that listed species and/or designated critical habitat may be affected by the proposed project, the agency is required to consult with the Service pursuant to 50 CFR 402. In addition, the Service recommends that candidate species, proposed species and proposed critical habitat be addressed within the consultation. More information on the regulations and procedures for section 7 consultation, including the role of permit or license applicants, can be found in the "Endangered Species Consultation Handbook" at:

http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/TOC-GLOS.PDF Please be aware that bald and golden eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668 et seq.), and projects affecting these species may require development of an eagle conservation plan (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/

eagle_guidance.html). Additionally, wind energy projects should follow the wind energy guidelines (http://www.fws.gov/windenergy/) for minimizing impacts to migratory birds and bats.

Guidance for minimizing impacts to migratory birds for projects including communications towers (e.g., cellular, digital television, radio, and emergency broadcast) can be found at: http://

www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/towers.htm; http://

www.towerkill.com; and http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Hazards/towers/

comtow.html.

We appreciate your concern for threatened and endangered species. The Service encourages Federal agencies to include conservation of threatened and endangered species into their project planning to further the purposes of the Act. Please include the Consultation Tracking Number in the header of this letter with any request for consultation or correspondence about your project that you submit to our office.

Attachment(s):

Official Species List

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 1 Official Species List This list is provided pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and fulfills the requirement for Federal agencies to "request of the Secretary of the Interior information whether any species which is listed or proposed to be listed may be present in the area of a proposed action".

This species list is provided by:

South Florida Ecological Services Field Office 1339 20th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960-3559 (772) 562-3909

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 2 Project Summary Consultation Code: 04EF2000-2018-SLI-1063 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 Project Name: Turkey Point Subsequent License Renewal Project Type: ** OTHER **

Project

Description:

In January 2018, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) submitted an application for subsequent license renewal for Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Units 3 & 4 (Turkey Point) to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The current renewed licenses expire at midnight on July 19, 2032, for Unit 3 (DPR 31) and April 10, 2033, for Unit 4 (DPR 41). The NRCs Federal action is to decide whether to renew the licenses for an additional 20 years. Turkey Point is a two unit, nuclear powered, steam electric generating facility that began commercial operation in June 1986. The Turkey Point site is located on western edge of Biscayne Bay and lies within the Mangrove and Coastal Glades physiographic province.

This area includes a broad band of wetlands at or near sea level that is often flooded by tides or freshwater runoff. Circulating water for the cooling system is withdrawn from and discharged to a closed system of cooling canals commonly referred to as the cooling canal system.

License renewal would include continued operations of Turkey Point and the associated cooling canal system and other existing infrastructure. FPL does not anticipate performing refurbishment or major construction activities during the license renewal period. Ground disturbing activities within developed portions of the site would be limited to mowing, weed-eating, hedge trimming, weed removal, herbicide application, tree trimming, brush removal, debris removal, and the maintenance and repair of plant infrastructure such as roadways, piping installations, fencing, and security-related structures. Within less developed portions of the site that contain wetlands, mangroves, and marshes, ground disturbing maintenance activities may include hand and mechanical vegetative control, hand and mechanical debris removal, maintenance of the cooling canal system access roads (e.g., mechanical scrapping and aggregate placement), underground piping repair (e.g., digging and equipment staging), and equipment replacement at groundwater wells and monitoring stations. FPL annually removes exotic species, such as Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia) and Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius),

from within cooling canal system canals and berms, along the access roads, and cooling canal system perimeter roads.

Project Location:

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 3 Approximate location of the project can be viewed in Google Maps: https://

www.google.com/maps/place/25.406314602155497N80.36061845744243W Counties: Miami-Dade, FL

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 4 Endangered Species Act Species There is a total of 46 threatened, endangered, or candidate species on this species list.

Species on this list should be considered in an effects analysis for your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain fish may appear on the species list because a project could affect downstream species.

IPaC does not display listed species or critical habitats under the sole jurisdiction of NOAA Fisheries1, as USFWS does not have the authority to speak on behalf of NOAA and the Department of Commerce.

See the "Critical habitats" section below for those critical habitats that lie wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction. Please contact the designated FWS office if you have questions.

1. NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce.

Mammals NAME STATUS Florida Bonneted Bat Eumops floridanus Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8630 Florida Panther Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1763 Habitat assessment guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/assessment/population/8/office/41420.pdf Puma (=mountain Lion) Puma (=Felis) concolor (all subsp. except coryi) Similarity of Population: FL Appearance No critical habitat has been designated for this species. (Threatened)

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6049 West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus Threatened There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location overlaps the critical habitat.

This species is also protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and may have additional consultation requirements.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 5 Birds NAME STATUS Bachman's Warbler (=wood) Vermivora bachmanii Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3232 Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6584 Everglade Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7713 Species survey guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/survey/population/1221/office/41420.pdf Florida Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum floridanus Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/32 Florida Scrub-jay Aphelocoma coerulescens Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6174 Ivory-billed Woodpecker Campephilus principalis Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8230 Kirtland's Warbler Setophaga kirtlandii (= Dendroica kirtlandii) Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8078 Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Threatened Population: [Atlantic Coast and Northern Great Plains populations] - Wherever found, except those areas where listed as endangered.

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6039 Red Knot Calidris canutus rufa Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1864 Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7614 Wood Stork Mycteria americana Threatened Population: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 6 NAME STATUS No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8477 Habitat assessment guidelines:

https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/guideline/assessment/population/124/office/41420.pdf Reptiles NAME STATUS American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Similarity of No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Appearance Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/776 (Threatened)

American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus Threatened Population: U.S.A. (FL)

There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location overlaps the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6604 Eastern Indigo Snake Drymarchon corais couperi Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/646 Hawksbill Sea Turtle Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3656 Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1493 Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta Threatened Population: Northwest Atlantic Ocean DPS There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1110 Fishes NAME STATUS Atlantic Sturgeon (gulf Subspecies) Acipenser oxyrinchus (=oxyrhynchus) Threatened desotoi There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/651

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 7 Snails NAME STATUS Stock Island Tree Snail Orthalicus reses (not incl. nesodryas) Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/466 Insects NAME STATUS Bartram's Hairstreak Butterfly Strymon acis bartrami Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4837 Florida Leafwing Butterfly Anaea troglodyta floridalis Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6652 Miami Blue Butterfly Cyclargus (=Hemiargus) thomasi bethunebakeri Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3797 Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1951

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 8 Flowering Plants NAME STATUS Beach Jacquemontia Jacquemontia reclinata Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1277 Blodgett's Silverbush Argythamnia blodgettii Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6823 Cape Sable Thoroughwort Chromolaena frustrata Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4733 Carter's Mustard Warea carteri Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5583 Carter's Small-flowered Flax Linum carteri carteri Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/7208 Crenulate Lead-plant Amorpha crenulata Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6470 Deltoid Spurge Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. deltoidea Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/199 Everglades Bully Sideroxylon reclinatum ssp. austrofloridense Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4735 Florida Brickell-bush Brickellia mosieri Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. Your location is outside the critical habitat.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/956 Florida Pineland Crabgrass Digitaria pauciflora Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3728 Florida Prairie-clover Dalea carthagenensis floridana Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/2300 Florida Semaphore Cactus Consolea corallicola Endangered There is final critical habitat for this species. The location of the critical habitat is not available.

09/11/2018 Event Code: 04EF2000-2018-E-03379 9 NAME STATUS Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4356 Garber's Spurge Chamaesyce garberi Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8229 Okeechobee Gourd Cucurbita okeechobeensis ssp. okeechobeensis Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/5999 Pineland Sandmat Chamaesyce deltoidea pinetorum Threatened No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/1914 Sand Flax Linum arenicola Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4313 Small's Milkpea Galactia smallii Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/3360 Tiny Polygala Polygala smallii Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/996 Ferns and Allies NAME STATUS Florida Bristle Fern Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum Endangered No critical habitat has been designated for this species.

Species profile: https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/8739 Critical habitats There are 2 critical habitats wholly or partially within your project area under this office's jurisdiction.

NAME STATUS American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus Final https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/6604#crithab West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus Final https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/4469#crithab