L-2021-242, Environmental Protection Plan Report for Event Date: November 23, 2021 Re Unusual or Important Environmental Event on Turtle Mortality

Environmental Protection Plan Report for Event Date: November 23, 2021 Re Unusual or Important Environmental Event on Turtle Mortality

ML21351A034
Person / Time
Site:	Saint Lucie
Issue date:	12/17/2021
From:	Godes W Florida Power & Light Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
L-2021-242
Download: ML21351A034 (2)

Text

December 17, 2021

L-2021-242 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: November 23, 2021 Unusual or Important Environmental Event - Turtle Mortality

On November 23, 2021, a deceased juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant Intake cooling canal five-inch barrier net. A necropsy was performed o n November 23, 2021 with results provided to Florida Power & Light (FPL) on November 29, 2021. The determination is that the mortality was causal to plant operations due to forced submersion.

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.

If you should have any questions, please contact Vince Munné at 772-263-2847.

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

Florida Power & Light Company

6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 L-2021 -242 Attachment

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT On November 23, 2021 a deceased juvenile green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was recovered from the east side of the St. Lucie Plant Intake Canals five-inch turtle barrier net. The sea turtle was sent to Nancy S. Mettee, DVM for necropsy.

The necropsy determined that the mortality was due to forced submergence, thus causal to plant operations.

The limits for sea turtle injuries and mortalities resulting from plant operations have not been exceeded.

CAUSE OF EVENT The cause of the mortality on November 23, 2021 identified by the necropsy was due to forced submersion; however, the necropsy also recognized that the condition of the turtles health was extremely compromised by 100% vision impairment due to infiltration of fibropapillomas and that the starvation experienced by the turtle had progressed to the point that death was likely.

CORRECTIVE ACTION The five-inch turtle net was inspected by staff biologists directly after the mortality. No issues were identified that could have contributed to the mortality. Hourly inspections of the five-inch net are performed during daylight hours, as well as constant surveillance of the two tangle nets that are deployed east of the five -inch turtle net.

ACTIONS TO PRECLUDE FUTURE EVENTS Aggressive turtle monitoring and removal protocols remain in place; hourly inspections of the five-inch net and constant observations on the tangle nets occur during daylight hours. When visibility allows staff biologists perform hand and dip net turtle captures in an effort to minimize turtle residence time.

AGIENCES NOTIFIED The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified on November 29, 2021 in accordance with Marine Turtle Permit MTP-125 and the Site Environmental Protection Plan.

A notification was made to the NRC on November 29, 2021 per the requirements of 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi).