ML18093A981

Ro:On 880709 & 12,sea Turtles Stranded on Circulating Water Sys Intake Trash Bars.Caused by Weather Migration Pattern. Trash Bars Observed at Least Once Per 8 H Shift & Cleaned at Least Once Per Day

ML18093A981
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	07/21/1988
From:	MILTENBERGER S Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
NLR-N88108, NUDOCS 8808010251
Download: ML18093A981 (4)

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 Nuclear Officer Ju 1 Y 21 , 1 9 8 8 NLR-N88108 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Gentlemen:

REPORT OF JULY 9 AND 12, 1988 IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLES SALEM GENERATING STATION, UNIT NO. 2 DOCKET NO. 50-311 This report is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Salem Unit No. 2 Environmental Technical Specifications, Sections 4.1.1 and 5.4.2a, b and c. This report is required within thirty (30) days of discovery.

Attachment C Mr. D. c. Fischer Licensing Project Manager Mr. R. W. Borchardt Senior Resident Inspector Sincerely, Mr. w. T. Russell, Administrator Region I Mr. D. M. Scott, Chief Bureau of Nuclear Engineering Department of Environmental Protection 380 Scotch Road Trenton, NJ 08625 Mr. Richard Delgado New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection IMPINGEMENT OF SEA TURTLES REPORT: July 13, 1988 OCCURRENCE DATE: July 9 and 12, 1988 FACILITY:

Salem Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Public Service Electric and Gas Company Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 IDENTIFICATION OF One Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle was stranded on the Salem Generating Station circulating water system (CWS) intake trash bars on July 9 and four were stranded on July 12. The loggerhead is federally listed as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. CONDITIONS PRIOR TO OCCURRENCES July 9, 1988 -Unit 1, 100% power (1,145 MWe) -Unit 2 , 100% power (1,130 MWe) July 12, 1988 -Unit 1, 100% power (1,145 MWe) --unit 2, 100% power (1,130 MWe) DESCRIPTION OF OCCURRENCES On July 9, 1988, at 0700 hours0.0081 days <br />0.194 hours <br />0.00116 weeks <br />2.6635e-4 months <br />, one loggerhead sea turtle was reported on the trash bars of the CWS intake. Both units were at full power and twelve circulating pumps were in operation at the time the turtle was found. The turtle was captured during the cleaning of the trash racks and was in good shape when recovered.

The loggerhead had an approximate carapace length (SL) and carapace width (SW) of 35 and 32 centimeters, respectively.

Weight was to be 16 kilograms.

On July 12, 1988, at 1015 hours0.0117 days <br />0.282 hours <br />0.00168 weeks <br />3.862075e-4 months <br />, two Loggerhead sea turtles were reported on the trash bars of the CWS intake. Two more loggerhead sea turtles were reported on the intake at 1330 hours0.0154 days <br />0.369 hours <br />0.0022 weeks <br />5.06065e-4 months <br />" Both units were at full power and twelve circulating pumps were in operation at the time the turtles were found. The turtles were captured during the cleaning of the trash racks and were dead when recovered.

Carapace length and width and estimated weights for the turtles are presented below.

Length Width Weight (cm) (cm) (kg) Turtle #1 48 39 16 Turtle #2 37 32 7 Turtle #3 43 39 14 Turtle #4 43 38 14 . In accordance with the usual procedure, the turtles were turned over to R. Schoelkopf of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC), of Brigantine, New Jersey. The live turtle stranded on July 9 was held briefly for observation and then released offshore of Brigantine, New Jersey. The dead collected on July 12, were necropsied by MMSC. Two of the specimens had internal injuries/infections which were not and likely contributed to their occurrence on the the intake. All of the necropsied animals were disposed of by MMSC in Brigantine, New Jersey. The Senior Shift Supervisor was notified of the July 9 event by the circulating water intake operator and by J. M. Eggers of Licensing and Regulation on July 12. The following agencies were notified after the occurrence.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Resident Inspector)

u. S. National Marine Fisheries Service New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection APPARENT CAUSE OF OCCURRENCES Sea turtles are a summer migrant, common to Delaware Bay. Small numbers typically occur in the lower Delaware River near Salem during July through September.

Past experience indicates that healthy sea turtles are usually able to avoid the approach velocity of the CWS intake, although occasionally one will become impinged on the trash bars. ANALYSIS OF OCCURRENCE The CWS intake is monitored for the accumulation of debris, which is periodically removed. Any turtles which are observed impinged against the trash bars are recovered immediately.

Between 1979 and present, a total of 33 sea turtles have been collected at or in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Of these, eight (24%) were Ridleys and 25 (76%) were loggerheads.

Of the total turtles collected, 11 (33%) were alive when recovered.

i . CORRECTIVE ACTION The trash bars are observed at least once per 8 hour9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> shift and cleaned at least once per day. As a result of the increased frequency of occurrence during the last week, trash bars are being observed at least once per 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br />. Any sea turtle observed on the trash bars is removed immediately.

Resuscitation will be attempted if the turtle is not unquestionably dead. In accordance with standard procedure, all specimens will be held under appropriate conditions and turned over to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.