L-2006-167, Environmental Protection Plan Report Responses to FDEP Comments on FPL Proposal for Information Collection Clean Water Act Section 316(b)
ML061930374 | |
Person / Time | |
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Site: | Saint Lucie ![]() |
Issue date: | 07/06/2006 |
From: | Johnston G Florida Power & Light Co |
To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
References | |
L-2006-167 | |
Download: ML061930374 (103) | |
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Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 a July 6, 2006 L-2006-167 10 CFR 50.4 EPP 3.2.2 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 Responses to FDEP Comments on FPL Proposal for Information Collection Clean Water Act Section 316(b)On May 31, 2005, FPL forwarded to the NRC a copy of FPL's proposal to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for an information collection study pursuant to the Clean Water Act Section 316(b) at the St. Lucie Plant via FPL letter L-2005-119.
On September 19, 2005, the FDEP provided FPL with comments on the proposal.
This letter forwards FPL's response to the FDEP comments that FPL submitted to the FDEP on June 13, 2006. The attached information is being submitted pursuant to the requirements of Section 3.2.2 of the St. Lucie Units 1 and 2 Environmental Protection Plans.Please contact Ken Frehafer at (772) 467-7748 if there are any questions on this matter.Very truly yours, Gordon L. Johnston Vice President St. Lucie Plant GLJ/KWF Attachment
&0o an FPL Group company 0 .Florida Power & Light Company, 6501 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957 FPL June 13, 2006 Marc Harris Florida Department of Environmental Protection Industrial Wastewater Section Division of Water Resource Management 2600 Blairstone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
Subject:
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)St. Lucie Nuclear Plant NPDES Permit Number FL0002208 Responses to FDEP Comments on FPL St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Proposal for Information Collection Dated May 2005 Section 316(b) Phase T
Dear Mr. Harris:
Attached please find the "Responses to FDEP Comments on FPL St. Lucie Plant Proposal for Information Collection Dated May 2005" and nine (9) associated attachments.
If you have any questions on these responses to comments (particularly Comment 1 dealing with the use of Big Mud Creek as the source water for calculation baseline effects) or feel you need additional clarification, please contact me at 772-467-7453 of Ron Hix at 561-691-7641.
Sincere Vince Munne Environmental Compliance Supervisor Plant St. Lucie Florida Power & Light an FPL Group company RE: Florida Power & Light Company (FPL)Responses to FDEP Comments on FPL St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Proposal for Information Collection Dated May 2005 Comment 1. Use of Indian River Lagoon for the Calculation Baseline: A significant issue with the St. Lucie PIC is the selection of the Indian River Lagoon as the source water for calculating the baseline effects. The definition of Calculation Baseline in section 125.93 of the Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 includes the following language "...the. standard 3/8-inch mesh traveling screen is oriented parallel to, the shoreline near the surface of the source waterbody; and the baseline practices, procedures, and structural configuration are those that your facility would maintain in the absence of any structural or operational controls, including flow or velocity reductions, implemented in whole or in part for the purpose of reducing impingement mortality and entrainment." This language would appear to require the facility to use the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Indian River Lagoon in their calculation of baseline as it is the source water body. The facility maintains that the intake was moved from the Big Mud Creek, within the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to the Atlantic Ocean during the pre-construction planning phase as a direct result of environmental concerns expressed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This issue has been discussed in a teleconference among FPL, USEPA Region 4, USEPA Washington, DC Office of Water, and FDEP.Response:
Prior to the teleconference cited above, on June 1, 2005 FPL submitted information supporting the position presented in the Proposal for Information Collection (a copy is included as Attachment 1). As a follow-up to the referenced teleconference, on March 24, 2006, Kristy Bulleit, an attorney for the Utility Water Act Group (UWAG) representing FPL, spoke with Mary Smith, Director, Engineering and Analysis Division, EPA -Office of Water (Washington, DC), concerning FPL's decision to use of Big Mud Creek for the calculation baseline for the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant.As you are aware, EPA has been in the process of developing a 316(b) Q&A [to be posted on the EPA 316(b) website];
it was expected that our situation would be addressed in the 316(b) Q&A. In that conversation, Mary Smith stated that EPA will be deleting the proposed Q&A on the topic of different water body locations and will revise the "shoreline" Q&A to read as follows: "Under the assumption approach, a facility may use a different shoreline location to estimate the calculation baseline if the move to the current location was implemented in whole or in part for purposes of reducing IMIE. A facility must show that the move to the current location was done to reduce IM/E because there are no criteria in the assumption approach that address this issue." Mary Smith also advised Kristy Bulleit that FPL can provide FDEP with the above language as it reflects EPA's current intent. She also stated that if FDEP or Kerrie-Jo Shell, EPA Region 4, feels it Florida Power & Light Company-2-May 31, 2006 is necessary to consult EPA Headquarters, the contact person is Jan Goodwin, Chief, Economic &Environmental Assessment Branch, EPA -Office of Water (Washington, DC) at (202) 566-1060.Intent -The following attachments provide documentation for the reasons FPL switched from the Big Mud Creek intake location to the Atlantic Ocean intake. It is clear from these documents that the main intent of relocating the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant intakes from Big Mud Creek to the Atlantic Ocean was to reduce Impingement Mortality and Entrainment.
The information presented below will be addressed in detail in the Comprehensive Demonstration Study.Attachment 2 -Correspondence from the Martin County Taxpayers Association (MCTA) to FPL: In this correspondence, dated March 20, 1969, the MCTA recognized the need for a new plant, but states, "We are willing to condone the vast overcut of the so-called access canal to provide fill for plant construction (in Big Mud Creek), but protest vigorously the withdrawal of cooling water from the Indian River." Attachment 3 -FPL Response to the MCTA: In this correspondence, dated April 3, 1969, FPL states, "Preliminary indications from our scientific advisors are that the Indian River intake is feasible, and on this basis have indicated this source as our primary design. We have, however, instructed our engineers to so design the plan as not to preclude another source of intake should any studies demonstrate that harm would come to the Indian River. An ocean intake is not the preferred method because of its associated potential for storm damage and the consequent effects on the reliability of the plant." Attachment 4 -US Department of Interior (DOI) to FPL: Question 6 of this correspondence, dated March 26, 1969, which requested size, type, depth, and location of an Indian River intake location, was quoted in the June 1, 2005 submittal.
Attachment 5 -FPL to USD01: FPL's response, dated April 14, 1969, was also quoted in the June 1, 2005 correspondence.
It states that the intake will be located in the Indian River, although if studies, "... indicate it would be in the public interest to utilize the Ocean as a source of cooling water, we will request the necessary permits from the applicable agencies and submit and amendment to our application to the AEC.Attachment 6 -FPL to USAtomic Energy Commission (AEC): In this correspondence, dated April 1, 1969, FPL also states, "Should any of our studies indicate that it would be in the public interest to utilize the Ocean as the source of cooling water, we will submit an amendment to our Application." Attachment 7 -State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS): This correspondence, dated October 17, 1969, DHRS states, "We appreciate institution of ecological studies based upon both (1) Intake from the Indian River and discharge to the Atlantic Ocean and (2) intake from the Atlantic Ocean and discharge to the same body of water. It is believed timely, however, that we express a strong preference for the latter cooling water supply and disposal systems.Attachment 8 -Excerpts from the Final Environmental Statement, prepared by AEC, related to the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Unit No. 1: This document, dated June 1973, was quoted extensively in Attachment
- 1. On pages XI -10 through XI-12 this report acknowledges that the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant was originally designed to have an Indian River intake and discusses the "pros and cons" of once-through cooling from the intake on the Indiah River (Big Mud Creek).
Florida Power & Light Company-3-May 31, 2006 The "pros" included:* increased flushing to remove pollution from sewage outfalls, stabilization of salinity and temperature to slow growth of bacteria, algae, and some of the grasses, while supplying more nutrients to mangrove communities; allowing the waters to support increased populations of fishes and invertebrates and become a more efficient nursery ground and possibly offsetting potential increased entrainment (see "cons");* flushing action in Big Mud Creek would probably prevent it from returning to an anoxic state, thus minimizing fish kills;* economic savings (almost $10,000,000 capital costs) along with more plant efficiency as recirculation occurs with an Atlantic Ocean intake;* elimination of an Atlantic Ocean navigation hazard;* elimination of a proposed recirculation canal and intake defouling procedure (not actually built); and* elimination of the intake canal, approximately 32 acres that would be available for other purposes.The "cons" listed were:* Altering the natural current patterns and flushing rates in the Indian River; and* High impingement and entrainment rates.In summary, the AEC staff concluded, "... extensive studies would be necessary to insure that beneficial rather than detrimental ecological effects would occur in the Indian River. In view of these uncertainties and the minimal environmental damage predicted from the proposed design (Atlantic Ocean intake proposed in the Final Environmental Statement), this alternative (Indian River intake) is not recommended.
Comment 2. Cooling Water Intake Structures:
The Cooling Water Intake Structures (CWIS) are significantly improved upon compared to the calculated baseline intake structure.
The intake structures (two 12' I1D pipes and one 16' IED pipe) are 1,200 feet offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, with openings at mid-depth, each with a velocity cap. The velocity caps convert the horizontal water flow to lateral water flow, which according to the facility's consultants, is easier for fishes and other motile organisms to avoid.Water from the CWIS is delivered to the 300-foot wide by 5,000-foot long Intake Canal. Water velocity within the Intake Canal ranges between 0.5 and 1.0 feet/second.
Three sets of barrier nets, used to exclude turtles, fishes, and unauthorized personnel, are located within the Intake Canal. At the facility end of the Intake Canal are trash racks and intake traveling screens.Even if the calculated baseline for this facility were based upon the Atlantic Ocean as the source waterbody, the facility's CWIS have already been constructed with many of the entrainment and impingement-reducing technologies in place. These technologies would be factored into the calculation of percent E&I reduction over the calculated baseline.Response:
We agree with FDEP that the FPL St. Lucie Nuclear Plant's CWIS was constructed and has been operating for over 2 decades with many of the entrainment and impingement-reducing Florida Power & Light Company-4-May 31, 2006 technologies available.
In the Comprehensive Demonstration Study (CDS) FPL will demonstrate the reduction in impacts to the environment as compared to a baseline facility.
Data will be collected from the Big Mud Creek/Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean to demonstrate the credit allowable under the rule for the locational choice in addition to the other existing control technologies.
Comment 3. Need for a Pilot Study: Regardless of which area is used as a baseline, the study design is seriously lacking specifics on what mathematical methods will be used to calculate the baseline and reduction figures and with what confidence.
The actual sampling to be done is very vague as well. For example, page 37 in section 7.1 states: "The metric to be applied to the data collected through this sampling program will remain undefined in order to provide maximum flexibility during the preliminary data collection effort (i.e., data will be collected to allow the use of the most appropriate metric)." Response:
It is our intent that the data be collected and compiled to allow the use of any of the metrics discussed in the rule (biomass, individual counts or representative important species).
The metric(s) to be used for the demonstration will be selected after careful review of all data. Other statistical methods and data transformations will be selected based on the character and distribution of the data.At times, the document seems to allude to a pilot study without actually saying they are doing one. It would be prudent (and cost-saving) for the facility to design a pilot study which would include "oversampling" of the areas of concern and depth profile work. This is needed to determine what a plankton or fish tow actually represents (i.e., two 7-minute otter trawl tows at 2 knots at depth X represents 75% of the fish species found in twenty-five 7-minute tows). This would allow determination of the actual distribution of the various biota in the water column, estimates of variability using their sampling methods, and the calculation of the correct number of samples to take to achieve a given level of confidence in the baseline and reduction estimates (i.e., 90% confidence that the percent reduction in impingement mortality of fish eggs is between X% and Y%; 80% confident that the baseline population of zooplankton is between X and Y). It is possible that the facility could sample for two years and have so much variability that their estimates will be unacceptably "vague" (i.e, 90%confident that the percent reduction is between 30% and 80%). This would be an unfortunate result given the effort and expense of the study.Response:
FPL agrees with FDEP and states in the PIC that collection of current biological data is necessary.
However, there are several reasons why a pilot study is not warranted at this site. First, the historical monitoring data were reviewed and evaluated to develop the proposed sampling plan (i.e., the historical data could be viewed as an 8-year pilot study in preparing the proposed sampling plan).Second, the primary purpose of the Impingement Mortality and Entrainment (IM&E)Characterization Study is to characterize current IM&E in sufficient detail to support development of the other elements of the CDS. Another objective is to estimate the calculation baseline.
However, in the preamble to the Phase II final rule (Ibid, page 41596) EPA recognized that year-to-year Florida Power & Light Company-5-May 31, 2006 variability caused by natural or anthropogenic factors may affect the performance of a particular technology; and that meeting a specific numerical performance standard may not be possible.
This is especially true with only one to two years of baseline biological data -- which is all that the rule allows or anticipates based on the required implementation schedule.
Therefore, the adaptive management provisions of the Technology Installation and Operation Plan were added to the final rule to account for this uncertainty.
As EPA states (Ibid), "the plan provisions allow implementation to be adaptive, and allow for data development and assessment to proceed in a manner that is appropriate for the facility, technology and the waterbody characteristics." The impingement and entrainment data being collected at the St.Lucie Nuclear Plant will be used to assess the viability and feasibility .of potential alternatives; and to select and design an initial approach for compliance with performance standards.
The Verification Monitoring Study demonstrates whether a facility is meeting the applicable reduction standards.
Following the logic of the rule, the IM&E Characterization Study can be thought of as a "pilot study" for the Verification Monitoring.
Additional data collected during a Verification Monitoring Study can be used to refine the initial estimate of the calculation baseline.
On the other hand, if the data collected during the impingement and entrainment study demonstrate that the facility is already meeting the performance standard then additional verification studies may not be required.Third, in addition to the year-to-year variability, there is significant seasonal variability in biological data. Consequently, a short-term pilot study (less than one year) likely will not provide the data needed to answer the statistical questions that are posed in the above comments.
In fact, a short-term pilot study (one to two months) could produce misleading statistical conclusions.
Nevertheless, as the impingement and entrainment study proceeds, if changes to the sampling plan are necessary and appropriate, they will be implemented.
The performance standards developed by EPA are based on conceptually simple reduction metrics;and are specified as an acceptable range of reduction (e.g., reduce entrainment by 60 to 90 percent).The performance standards make no reference to statistical confidence limits. In fact, EPA states in the preamble to the Phase II rule (Ibid, page 41600) "EPA is expressing the performance standard in the form of ranges rather than a single performance benchmark because of the uncertainty inherent in predicting the efficacy of any one of these technologies, or a combination of these technologies, across the spectrum of facilities subject to today's rule." At least part of this uncertainty comes from the seasonal and year-to-year variability in biological data. Further down the same page, EPA states"In specifying a range, EPA anticipates that facilities will select the most cost effective technologies or operational measures to achieve the performance level (within the stated range) based on conditions found at their site, and that Directors will review the facility's application to ensure that appropriate alternatives were considered." Therefore compliance can be demonstrated by meeting the acceptable range of the performance standard based on the annualized impingement mortality and entrainment rates.While a significant amount of historical monitoring data exists for this facility, that data was collected when only Unit 1 was operational.
The existence of Unit 2 and the age of the older data makes more current sampling necessary.
Response:
FPL agrees with FDEP and is collecting current data as stated in the PIC. Based on input provided by FDEP in these comments, FPL is considering additional field sampling.
Should the sampling plan be modified, FDEP will be provided an amendment to the PIC.
Florida Power & Light Company-6-May 31, 2006 We strongly suggest a pilot study, the results of which will be used to give specific sampling strategies (sample size, sample method, population quantified, level of confidence, metric to be used, etc) for the multiyear study.Response:
The information presented above can not be answered in a short-term pilot study with regards to sample size, population quantified, level of confidence, metric to be used, etc.Unfortunately, it could take years to address level of confidence and to determine optimum sample size. Compliance with the rule does not afford the time required to address these issues prior to the characterization study, so they are evaluated as part of the study. The sampling strategy was developed based on the objective to assess when and what organisms are present, life stage and size.To this end the sampling study was designed with 26 equally spaced paired temporal events per year (each event includes day and night sampling).
The time interval and sampling frequency is sufficient to meet this objective.
However, as has been stated in the PIC, the sampling interval can be adjusted during the second year of sampling based on the biological variability of the data collected.
Comment 4. Section 5.3.3 Summary: There are some conflicting statements within the PIC in regards to the historical data. The first sentence of the summary states that fish and shellfish were not observed to accumulate in the Intake Canal, yet Section 7.2 Impingement Sampling Plan states that "the relatively long residence time of larger fish and shellfish in the canal, the numbers of many fish species found impinged on the screens are not representative of what is being pulled into the CWIS".Response:
Fish and shellfish that enter the Intake Canal are able to survive and feed on each other during their residence time in this large canal. Eventually the fish may weaken and become unable to swim against the intake current and at that time are pulled onto the screens and removed by the traveling screens. So there is no direct relationship between large fish and shellfish being pulled into the canal and what is collected on the screens. Some large organisms may live out their full life cycle in the canal, while others (such as plankton) may have a short residence time.The last sentence of the summary states that "Impingement sampling at the screens and entrainment behind the screens has not been conducted at the Plant"; but Section 5.3.2 discusses the intake screen impingement studies that were conducted between 1976 and 1978.Response:
Section 5.3.2 is correct, impingement studies were conducted at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant.A 1983 analysis of the data by Applied Biology, Inc. concluded that no significant variations in fishes inhabiting the nearshore waters in the vicinity of the St. Lucie Plant could be attributed to the Plant. However, the report also noted that there was considerable year-to-year variation in the numbers of fishes in these waters, which calls into question whether the study's sampling design was sufficient to detect significant differences attributable to the plant even if they existed.Response:
The conclusions of the 1983 study are not applicable to the current situation.
New data are being collected at the St, Lucie Nuclear Plant.
Florida Power & Light Company-7-May 31, 2006 Comment 5. Section 7.2 Impingement Sampling Plan: As noted above, the historic data suggests that organisms were not accumulating in the Intake Canal, so the logic presented in section 7.2 for not performing impingement sampling is not supported.
Additionally, a direct measure of what is actually being impinged or entrained at the plant with all its E&I-reducing technologies in place is critical for comparison back to the calculated baseline effects. The most difficult part of this comparison will be how to model the theoretical baseline facility, since the immediate shoreline is a high energy Atlantic Ocean beach.Response:
FPL agrees with FDEP that this Plant's location on an island with a high energy coast presents a unique baseline situation.
FPL chose to relocate its CWIS in this high energy area, at significantly higher cost, as a measure to reduce impingement mortality and entrainment of organisms in the Indian River Lagoon.FPL will assess the benefits and the impacts (sampling design, plant operation, feasibility, safety and validity of the approach) for collecting direct samples from the traveling screens, and how these data could be used in the CDS. The potential issue is that there is no direct relationship between what gets impinged on the screens and what may have been entrapped in the Intake Canal. The level of survival of entrapped organisms would be difficult to assess.Comment 6. Section 7.2.2 Sampling Frequency and Methodology:
As suggested earlier, sampling frequency/effort should be determined based upon a pilot study to determine "of what" each type of sampling is representative and with what confidence.
Trawling is proposed for mid-depth and bottom. Since this data will be used in the calculation of baseline effects, it seems appropriate to also include surface trawls since the baseline facility would not be selectively drawing intake water from mid-depth or bottom. The appropriate depths for long term sampling can be determined in a pilot study.Response:
The pilot study was addressed in the first response.
Regarding the use of surface trawls, trawls are bottom sampling devices and it is difficult (but possible) to pull a trawl at mid-depth; surface sampling with trawls is not feasible.
Gill nets can be used for near-surface sampling, but FPL believes that gill netting would not be allowed by the regulatory agencies in this area due to the possibility of entanglement of sea turtles. The mid-depth sampling would represent the depth area of the velocity caps, the bottom sampling would be used to develop additional credit for locating the intake at mid-depth (in an area of lower organism density).Trawling is proposed for both the IRL and Atlantic Ocean. The IRL sampling may or may not be necessary depending upon EPA's position statement on the use of the IRL in the baseline calculation.
Response:
Sampling in Big Mud Creek and the Indian River Lagoon was initiated in January 2006. EPA Headquarters' current position on this issue was addressed in Response to Comment 1.Regarding the data being collected, it would be useful to also include weather conditions (wind speed, direction) and sea state as these factors can affect the Florida Power & Light Company-8-May 31, 2006 difficulty of obtaining the samples as well as where the animals may be in the water column.Response:
FPL agrees with FDEP and will collect this information as part of the PIC.Comment 7. Section 7.2.3 Treatment of Data: More detail is needed in this section. What type of statistical treatment of the data is intended and what will it intend to demonstrate?
Response:
The proposed sampling plan will provide data that can be analyzed and evaluated using different statistical methods and metrics. The data will be summarized by location, by sampling event and by species/age group using standard descriptive statistics (e.g., maximum, minimum, mean, median, standard deviation, range ...). The data will be collected and compiled to allow the use of any of the metrics discussed in the rule (biomass, individual counts or representative important species).
The metric(s) to be used for the demonstration will be selected after careful review of the data. Other statistical methods and data transformations will be selected based on the character and distribution of the data. Reductions in impingement and entrainment will also be developed by paired analysis of organisms collected in the Atlantic Ocean, Big Mud Creek/Indian River Lagoon, and at the screens. These paired analyses will provide the basis for the reduction ratios. Additional detail is provided in the amended PIC Sampling Plan.Comment 8. Section 7.3.1 Plant Entrainment:
The PIC proposes to sample the Intake Canal rather than sampling organisms that were actually entrained in the plant's cooling water system. As with the impingement sampling, a direct measure seems more appropriate than an indirect measure. Entrapment of larger organisms is dealt with through a live capture and release program, but the fate of entrapped zooplankton would ultimately be to either die in the Intake Canal (including being consumed by other larger entrapped organisms) or to pass through the cooling water system.Since the larger entrapped organisms likely feed upon the zooplankton within the Intake Canal and are later released, it doesn't seem appropriate to consider all entrapped zooplankton in the entrainment calculation.
Response:
FPL is conducting entrainment sampling at the intake headwalls, as stated in the PIC.Sampling at the intake canal headwall directly measures entrainable organisms that are drawn from the Atlantic Ocean. FPL will consider adding entrainment sampling at the screens and will evaluate its feasibility and use of these data in the CDS. Should additional sampling be implemented, an amendment to the PIC will be submitted to the FDEP.It is important to note that should the IRL be used as the baseline, there is an effect on the plankton from the freshwater being discharged from Lake Okeechobee.
It will be important to consider that factor in the design of the sampling plan and to keep records of the discharge to use as a possible covariate in the data analysis.
A paper was presented by B.L. Winner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission titled "Ichthyofaunal survey of the St Lucie estuary and effects of freshwater inflow: Too much of a good thing?" that gives background on this variable.
Florida Power & Light Company-9-May 31, 2006 Response:
FPL agrees with FDEP and data on discharge records into the Indian River Lagoon will be collected and used in the evaluation of data from this site. We will review this paper and incorporate this information into the CDS.The depth(s) at which the plankton tows will be taken is not stated in the PIC and should be determined in the pilot study.Response:
Plankton tows in the Indian River Lagoon will be oblique tows (bottom to surface) to incorporate organisms throughout the water column in this relatively shallow estuary. The plankton samples collected at the headwall are also oblique tows from near bottom to surface.Comment 9. Section 7.3.3 Treatment of Data: This section is very vague. In order to have a scientifically defensible study result, it is necessary to decide before starting what the measures will be, how much variability in the calculation can be tolerated, and what mathematical methods will be used to make the determination.
Only then can you design a study to assure the goals will be met and the money well spent.Response:
This comment has been addressed in Response to Comment 7.Comment 10. Section 7.3.4 Calculation of Base Densities:
It will be necessary to determine what biota are being sampled"representatively".
As stated earlier in this review, a pilot study is needed for that determination.
Response:
It can not be predetermined what biota is susceptible to the intakes at any site, this is the reason a characterization study is conducted over one to two years and is used to select the metrics for compliance (representative important species, total numbers, biomass).
Some information is available from the historical studies, and current data will augment the database of susceptible organisms at this site. Actual sampling will provide the data identifying the fish and shellfish vulnerable to impingement and entrainment at the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant. The characterization data will provide the basis for selection of the metric that will be used for compliance.
Regarding the "linear interpolation" for the densities of unsampled days, at this time, it isn't known that the densities have a linear relationship.
There are a number of statistical "hole-filling" techniques.
It would be a good idea to investigate the most appropriate one to use based on what is learned about the relationship in the actual study and not commit to a "linear" one right now.Response:
FPL agrees and acknowledges that there are other methods available and the study design will not preclude their use. Linear interpolation is the most common approach used for this type of data. Based on the highly variable nature of biological data, other methods may be considered once the data are available.
The rule states that both impingement and entrainment are proportional to facility flow. Densities for unsampled days will be extrapolated weighted on flow.Comment 11. Section 7.4 QA/QC Plan:
Florida Power & Light Company-10-May 31, 2006 In order to evaluate procedures used in the study, it is important that the Department have the opportunity to review the project Quality Assurance Plan and Standard Operating Procedures.
Response:
FPL submitted its Quality Assurance Plan to FDEP on February 15, 2006. The St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Standard Operating Procedures for this field program are included as Attachment 9.It would be useful to have a description of the type of database that will be used.Will the consultants use Microsoft Access, some other commercial package, or will they develop a custom, in-house program? A description of how they plan to submit the data to DEP (and EPA) would also be useful (e.g., a tab-delimited text file, Access database, or something else?).Response:
FPL's consultant (Golder Associates Inc.) has developed a custom database for 316(b) in Microsoft Access. Their staff is available to discuss and demonstrate this database.
The raw data will not be submitted to FDEP, the CDS will include tabulated summary data from the characterization study.
Attachment 1 Information Submitted to EPA and FDEP on June 1, 2005 (Prior to Teleconference)
Applicability to the 316(b) Rule and Calculation Baseline of Pre-operational Technology and Design Changes in Response to EPA and other Agency Comments Regarding Reduction of Entrainment and Impingement Impacts Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) met with the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDEP) in Tallahassee on May 25, 2005 to discuss the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Proposal for Information Collection (PIC). EPA Region IV participated via audioconference (Karrie-Jo Shell). The following information is provided for your review and further consideration in support of using the Indian River Lagoon as the selected Calculation Baseline for the Plant. We believe that this is consistent with 316(b) regulatory requirements as supported in the Preamble to the 316(b) Rule and EPA technical documents.
Location It is important to note that the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant is located on an island, and that it currently withdraws water from the East side of Hutchinson Island (the Atlantic Ocean), and that the Plant was originally designed to withdraw water from the West side of the island (the Indian River Lagoon).Applicable Performance Standards The St. Lucie Plant is required to demonstrate that it has or will reduce impingement mortality by 80 to 95 percent and entrainment by 60 to 90 percent from the calculation baseline.
The definition of calculation baseline "means an estimate of impingement mortality and entrainment that would occur at your site assuming that the cooling system has been designed as a once-through system..." In the preamble to the final rule [Federal Register (FR) Vol. 69, No. 131, page 41595, July 9, 2004), EPA states that the definition of the calculation baseline "recognizes and provides credit for any structural or operational controls, including flow or velocity reductions, a facility has adopted that reduce impingement mortality or entrainment." Calculation Baseline The calculation baseline location for the St. Lucie Plant has been selected based upon the original plant design to locate the CWIS on the Indian River Lagoon (at Big Mud Creek). As provided in The Final Environmental Statement for St. Lucie Plant Unit No. 1 [United States Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC), 1973], "Indian River (Big Mud Creek) could be used as a source of cooling water for the Plant with discharge to the Atlantic Ocean. The Plant was originally designed for such a system (see Figure XI-1 of USAEC, 1973), however, the plan was altered prior to issuance of a construction permit because of possible adverse effects on the ecological balance in the Indian River." FPL could have chosen not to relocate the intake to the Atlantic Ocean from the Indian River Lagoon during the permitting stage of the plant. Instead the decision was made to spend millions of dollars to minimize Adverse Environmental Impacts (AEI) to the Indian River Lagoon and implement Best Technology Available (BTA) and protect the aquatic environment.
This decision was made over 30 years ago, with input from numerous federal and state agencies, as well as local parties. This technology implementation decision is as relevant today under the current 316(b) Rule as it was under the previous Rule.
To capture the significance of this important decision to minimize AEI and meet BTA, FPL has proposed sampling the Indian River Lagoon as the Calculation Baseline for the St. Lucie Plant, and the Atlantic Ocean for the current CWIS. We plan to compare the difference in impingeable and entrainable organisms in these source waters to develop credit for the aquatic resources"saved" by the decision to relocate the intakes to the Ocean. If EPA does not allow FPL to use the Indian River Lagoon for the Calculation Baseline, it would negate the important decision made, the aquatic resources saved for the past 30 years, and the millions of dollars spent to minimize AEI and implement BTA.The importance of the decision to relocate the CWIS was recognized by EPA in the current Rule by assigning a "N/A" in Appendix A of the Rule. For these facilities, EPA stated that they"would already meet otherwise applicable performance standards based on existing technologies and measures" (Federal Register, Volume 69, No. 131, July 9, 2004, Page 41646). EPA projected"zero" compliance costs for these facilities including the St. Lucie Plant. To make the above determination it would appear that EPA used this historical record in developing the Rule and determining that the St. Lucie Plant already meets the performance standards.
FPL is asking for the same opportunity that EPA had in determining that the St. Lucie Plant meets the performance standard by also using the Indian River Lagoon for the Calculation Baseline.Facility Description The St. Lucie Plant (Unit 1) was originally designed to have the CWIS located off the Indian River Lagoon in Big Mud Creek, as described in a letter description of the design aspects of the Hutchinson Island Power Plant (currently named St. Lucie Plant), responses submitted to the U.S. Department of Interior, dated April 14, 1969 from FPL: Question:
We understand that you intend to use Indian River water for cooling purposes.What will be the size, type, depth, and location ofyour intake facility?Answer: The intake facility will be located on the west side of the plant approximately 450 feet from Big Mud Creek The intake structure will be reinforced concrete approximately 60feet wide by 70feet long by 44feet high. It will house four circulating water pumps in separate bays, screens and miscellaneous other equipment.
The top deck will be at plant grade which is elevation plus 18 feet, and the invert will be at approximately elevation minus 26 feet. A bridge crane on a steel structure will be installed above the top deck to service the equipment.
At present we have studies under way to determine the effects of taking the cooling water from the River. These studies include hydraulics of the Indian River and Ocean, stability studies of the inlets, beaches and channels, predicted mixing area of the cooling water effluent, chemical analyses, background studies of phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic plants andfauna, andfisheries.
Upon completion of these studies which are scheduled to be complete in July 1969, we will furnish them to the appropriate County, State and Federal agencies.In the event that our studies indicate it would be in the public interest to utilize the Ocean as a source of cooling water, we will request the necessary permits from the applicable agencies and submit an amendment to our application to the AEC.
Although locating the CWIS in the Indian River Lagoon/Big Mud Creek had some postulated environmental benefits, due to the potential for fish entrainment and impingement impacts FPL selected a higher cost alternative, to relocate the Plant's CWIS to an offshore location in the Atlantic Ocean as demonstrated in the submittal of the Environment Report submitted to the USAEC dated May 20, 1971: "The once through cooling systems considered are: (1) the earlier version based on taking cooling water from the Indian River and discharging it to the ocean, and (2) the present design in which water is taken from, and released to the ocean.The first version was discarded as described in Section 2.3.6 of the original Environmental Report because of possible hazards to the ecology of the Indian River. The present system takes its water from and discharges into an area which is both low in nutrients and biota. The estimated costs for these two versions of the cooling water system are: Indian River to Ocean $ 3,340,000 Ocean to Ocean $13,138,000 The ocean to ocean system, while considerably more expensive, justifies its cost in protecting the environment by assuring minimum damage to the aquatic biota. The spread between the cost of the mechanical cooling towers and the once-through, ocean to ocean system is not great enough to be the controlling factor. The selection of the once-through system was made to prevent salt spray damage and for the other reasons discussed" (Final Environmental Statement, 1971).The CWIS pipelines were subsequently designed to be constructed below the ocean floor with intakes at a location 1,200 ft offshore.
The pipelines were also designed with velocity caps located at mid-depth to further minimize fish entrainment and impingement.
The Final Environmental Statement, 1973, (Section XI.4.f page XI-10) documents the fact that once-through cooling with an intake in the Indian River Lagoon (Big Mud Creek) was the originally planned configuration.
The document also discusses the fact that the decision to move the intake to the Atlantic Ocean was made to reduce entrainment and impingement and not for economic advantage.
As discussed during the FDEP presentation on May 25, 2005, it is our belief that EPA intended to give credit to facilities for design and construction technologies, operational measures and/or restoration measures that have already been implemented to minimize adverse environmental impact. In the preamble to the Phase II Rule for Existing Facilities (FR Vol 69, No. 131, page 41601), EPA provides additional clarity to the criteria and analysis of the calculation baseline, "In many cases, existing technologies at the site show some reduction in impingement and entrainment when compared to this baseline.
In such cases, impingement mortality and entrainment reductions (relative to the calculation baseline) achieved by these existing technologies should be counted toward compliance with the performance standards.
In addition, operational measures such as operation of traveling screens, employment of more efficient return systems, and even locational choices should be credited for any corresponding reduction in impingement mortality and entrainment".
It is stated further in the preamble to the Final Phase II Rule (FR Vol 69, No. 131, page 41612)that "the purpose of a calculation baseline is to properly credit facilities that have installed control technologies prior to the promulgation of the rule."
The rule defines Calculation Baseline (125.93) as (emphasis added) "... and the baseline practices, procedures, and structural configuration are those that your facility would maintain in the absence of any structural or operational controls, including flow or velocity reductions, implemented in whole or in part for the purposes of reducing impingement mortality or entrainment.
...You may request that the calculation baseline be modified to be based on a location of the opening of the cooling water structure at a depth other than at or near the surface if you can demonstrate that the other depth would correspond to a higher baseline level of impingement mortality and/or entrainment." The Unit 1 Final Environmental Statement, Section XI-10, states "Indian River (Big Mud Creek)could be used as a source of cooling water for the Plant with discharge to the Atlantic Ocean. The plant was originally designed for such a system (See Figure XI-1). However, the plant was altered prior to issuance of a construction permit because of possible adverse effects on the ecological balance in the Indian River." Because the St. Lucie Plant is on an island, the original design would have withdrawn water from one side of the island and discharged it to the other side, in order to minimize thermal recirculation.
Further, because the Indian River side was dredged to support navigation, it would have deeper water and would have been the logical choice for the intake side. The Unit 1 Final Environmental Statement (see Figure XI-1 reproduced below) confirms the original design exactly as described above.Figure XI-1 The St. Lucie Plant PIC relies on receiving credit and determining the calculation baseline based on decisions that were made during the planning phase of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant licensing effort. EPA makes this consideration clear in the Phase I Rule for New Facilities, which provides regulation for the construction and operation of power plant cooling water intake structures which should be considered during the planning and design of "new" power plants subject to the rule. Specifically, in the preamble to the Phase I Rule for New Facilities, (FR Vol 66, No. 243, Page 65280), EPA states that facilities "can use the location of their cooling water intake structures to achieve further reductions in impingement and entrainment.
Location of the cooling water intake structure can be addressed during the planning and design phases of new facility construction.
At that time, it may be possible to choose a particular waterbody type and a specific location on that waterbody where (considering the proposed capacity of the cooling water intake structure) the potential for impingement and entrainment is relatively low." Since EPA has established that decisions made during planning for new power plants can be used to meet the performance standards, this consideration should be granted for existing facilities that clearly, through the regulatory process, made technological and/or operational changes during the planning phase in order to reduce impingement and entrainment impact. This decision-making process is well documented in the Final Environmental Statement, 1973.The selection of the St. Lucie Plant Calculation Baseline proposed is also supported, and referenced in the Technical Development Document for the Final Section 316(b) Phase II Existing Facilities Rule (EPA-821-R-04-007), Page 3-16, which provides an example of the: "relocation of CWISs offshore or otherwise in areas that minimize impingement and entrainment impacts (compared to conventional onshore locations), though the ability of existing facilities to do so may be quite limited. There are limited published data quantifying the locational differences in I&E rates at individual power plants. However, some information is available for selected sites: o For the St. Lucie plant in Florida, EPA Region 4 permitted the use of a once-through cooling system instead of closed cycle cooling by locating the outfall (intake) 1,200 off shore (with a velocity cap) in the Atlantic Ocean. This avoided impacts on the biologically sensitive Indian River estuary." As stated in the Technical Development Document, due to the "existing" nature of facilities, the quantification of the reduction of impingement and entrainment impacts due to the relocation of the cooling water intake structure is limited, however, since the decision to relocate the CWIS at the St. Lucie Plant was documented and acknowledged through the federal regulatory process, consideration should be granted for decisions made during the planning phase of the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant.Also, the preamble to the Final Phase II Rule (FR Vol 69, No. 131, page 41577) establishes that the final regulation is supported by three major documents:
- 1) Economic and Benefits Analysis for the Final Section 316(b) Phase II Existing Facilities Rule (EPA-821-R-04-005), hereafter referred to as the Economic Benefits Analysis.
This document presents the analysis of compliance costs, closures, energy supply effect, and benefits associated with the final rule.2) Regional Analysis for the Final Section 316(b) Phase II Existing Facilities Rule (EPA-821-R-04-006), hereafter referred to as the Regional Analysis Document or the Regional Studies Document.
This document examines cooling water intake structure impacts and regulatory benefits at the regional level; and 3) Technical Development Document for the Final Section 316(b) Phase II Existing Facilities Rule (EPA-821-R-04-007), hereafter referred to as the Technical Development Document.
This document presents detailed information on the methods used to develop unit costs and describes the set of technologies that may be used to meet the final rule requirements.
The above documents have been reviewed extensively by FPL and their consultants at Golder Associates.
These documents should be taken into consideration and used during review and comment of the St. Lucie Plant's PIC.
Attachment 2 Correspondence from Martin County Taxpayer Association (MCTA) to FPL
-DIRECTO;t
-GRANT JOHN G SCAKLIC T. T. OUCHTrRSOH NATHANIEL P_ LEONARD L. SMITH WALTER C. CRDWCL., JOHN LI MCQUICG CEOnOS K. PERMCULA P. RECO r_ C. WARZHZIM JOX H. CARDHER CEORGE OLIVER ROECOS" H. PHILRtIcK JACK A., ROWINSON DAWSON ZAUG iMrtiui Couinty Taxpayers A Haion, hIo.(A CORPORATION NOT FOR PROFIT)P. 0. 13OX 741 TELEPHONE 2137-2573 SWIJART. FLORIDA 33404 E. H. GLUCKLER EXECUTIVE:
SECRETARY 20 March 1969 Mr R flD. ill, Vice-President, RECEIVEDU Florida Power andLight Co. A 4 1%f PO Box 31, WestiPalm Beach, Florida, 33401, .. !5S1EDl Wl 0If
Dear Mr. Bill:
The board of directors of' the Martin County Taxpayers Association., in a recent meeting, voted unanimously to adopt the following res-olution concerning a protest over one facet of the proposed const--ruction of a nuclear generating plant on Hfitchinson Island. Follow-ing is the full text of the reso2utiont
- "Resolved, that the board of directors of the Talartin County Tax-payers Asjoci'ation, at a board meeting Miarch 7, vote unanimously to protest the announced plan og the Florida Power and Light Oomn-pany to withdraw from the Indiad&RTIver, the 'cooling water neededits nuclear generating plant to be built on Hutchinson Island."We recognize the need for the xiew plant, welcome the company's program, and oppose only the present cooling plan.-."The preponderant objective opinion of independent scientists, ec-ologists and biologists is that w7ater from the Indian River, with its replacement by sea wiater from the two inlets,St.
Lucie pund Fort Pierce, will do untold damage to the hydrology and ecology of this valuable estaurine area.-The brackish ecology of a considerable area 71il be destroyed, a vast acreage of phytoplankton, larval fauna and bethnic organisms basid to the chain of life will bekilled by passing through the plantr and discharging into the sea, hydrology will be chaRnged with either negative or unknown results by the massive withdrawal of estaurine water and the life within it, W i7Xthout trying to suggest engineering remedies, it is well known tha-t cooling can be accomplished, without damage to the estuary, by both withdrawing and to the sea, by a closed system, or in other ways. ." The Indian River Estuary is vital to the economy of this area. Its..rich production is our overwhelming asset, and cannot be risked byI WV CRANr CHAMDERLAIN WA?..?rR C. CROWCLL.JOX H. GARONCR Q,~JOHN C SEARLE JOHN L. MCQU2ca CEORCE OLIVER.- ZRECTOI?9 T. T. OUCHTERSON CrO1RCC X, VERKINU ROSCOZ H. POIJLCMCK NATHANICL.
P. REED Ir PCRMCLtA V. flCCO (3NRS.. JOSEPH)JACK A. RODINVON CLEONARZ L. CMITI£.C WAACNHjaH DAWSON ZAUC Martin .m nty ssliati, no.(A COR-*ORATION NOT FOR PROFIT)P. 0. 1OX 741 TELEPHONE:
287.-Z78 STUART, FLORIDA 33494 E. H'. GLUCKLER EXECUTIVE SE;ZE7.-ARy 2-the Florida Power and Light Company plan nowz proposed 0 We are will-ing to condone the vast overcut of the so-called access canal to provide f£ll for plant construction, but protest vigorously the withdrawal of cooling water from the Indian River*11°Qh Copies of this resolution are being sent to other interested boards, individuals or groups, as indicated below.Very truly yours, Z..IH.Gluckler, executive secretary.
CC: Florida Air and 17ater Poftution'.Opttrol Board, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Sports isheries and Florida Board of onservation Federal Water Polluti on Control .Administration Atomic Energy Commission Gov. Claude RKirk, Jr.U.S. Sen° Edward J.Gurney U.S. Sen. Spessard Holland U.S. Rep. Paul G.1ogers St.Lucie County Commission Martin County Comnission U.S.Army Corps of 4ngineers~ild.1 if e Attachment 3 FPL Response to the MCTA West Palm Beach, 1Florida April 3, 1969 Mr. E. H. Gluckler, Executive Secretary Martin County Taxpayer's Association P. 0. Box 741 Stuart, Florida 33494
Dear Mr. Gluckler:
It was nice for you to meet with Mr. Spencer, Mr. Law and me the other day regarding your lettel of March Z0 and to dis-cuss Florida Power & Light Company's proposed Hutchinson Island power plant.We appreciate having the views of concerned citizens'groups, such as yours, and welcome this opportunity to further dis-cuss some of the things which our company is doing to prevent any harm to the environment from our proposed power plant. We are certainly happy that this project has received the overall'.acceptance of your group. You can count on the fact that Florida Power & Light*Company will do everything possible to merit your ionfidence and to be ltgood neighbors" throughout the life of the plant.First, I would like to make clear our company's policy.We will do everything feasible to avoid harm to our environment from any and all of our operations..
This is not just a platitude; it is plain, good business as well as good citizenship.
Our record vindicates our policy. In 40 years of operation there has not been a single case of harm attributable to our power plant cooling water use.On the contrary, our plants year'aftae year continue to be the source of most sought-after fishing and recreation spots in our state.-.But we have not chosen to stop with our record. We have carefully considered the expressed coacerns of many citizens 1such as yourselves for possible adverse* eficts of plant cooling water ugage. We have sought scientific ax-ice from private, educational, and governmental sources. We are en.gaged in extensive investigative programs at Hutchinson Island. Dr. Robext L. Dean, Chairman of the Department of Coastal and Ocela=,-Zraphic Engineering, University of Florida, is conducting studies to the effect of cooling water usage on inlet stability, inle: .urrents, beach erosion, Indian* I.1 Ar. E. H. Gluckler April 3, 1969 River currents, Indian River salinity, ocean mixing, and other effects.Dr. Jame s B. Lackey, Professor of Biology, Emeritus, University of Florida, and Dr. William S. Carr, Professor of Zoology, University of Florida, a~e investigating plankton, benthic fauna, bottom plants, and spawning pievalence in.both the Indian River and the ocean. Addi-tional studies are being undertaken in meteorology, ground water hydrology, and soil conditions.
This massive scientific effort is needed in order to thoroughly and carefuilly evaluate the many complex interactions involved.Preliminary indications from our scientific advisers are that an Indian River intake is feasible, and on this basis have indicated this source as a preliminary design. We have, however, instructed our engineers to so design the plan as not to preclude another source of intake should any of the studies demonstrate that harm would come to the Indian River. An ocean intake is not the preferred method because of its associated potential for storm damage and the consequent effects on the reliability of the plant. However, we have advised the Atomic Energy Commission that should our studies indicate that it would be in the public interest to utilize the ocean for cooling water, we will submit an amendment to our application.
Our letter to the Atomic Energy Com-mission-is attached.We hope that your organization will withhold judgment on matters relating to the plant until.these studies have been completed and evaluated.
We expect this to be in the late summer of this year.We pledge to you and all our customers that Florida Power & Light.Company will contiinue to use every effort to carry out its obligation to provide Florida's ever-increasing population with economical and reli-able electric service and do it in such a way that no harm comes to environment.
Thank you again for this opportunity to discuss these.impor-tant matters with you.Sincerely yours, gV R.. D. Hill Vice President!RDH:mj Encl.
Attachment 4 US Department of Interior (DOI) to FPL United States Department of tie Interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY w.UWASHINGTON, D C 202.40 March 26, 1969 re reply address: Actlng Regional Coordinator Department of t1h Interior 30-A Building Atlanta, Georgia 30323 AIRMAIL Florida Power and Light Company P.O.'Box 3100 Miami, Florida 33101 Gentlemen:
Interested agencies of the Department of the Interior are in the process of reviewing ycur application No. 69-55 to dredge an access channel in:" Indian River near Fort Pierce, Florida, and have received a 3Q-day extension of time from the Corps of Engineers for the submission of-comments.
These agencies have also been reviewing your Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (TSAR) to the Atomic Energy Commission.
Several questions have arisen on which we would appreciat6 the comments of your engineering division, in order that we may complete our review and provide comments.1. Your application to the Corps of Engineers states that 1.5 million cubic yards of dredged material will be placed on the plant siie. Inspection of the application drawing indicates that apparently several times that amount dill. actually be dredged. What is the actual amount of Material to be dredged from Indian River and Big Mud Creek, and what is to be done with the amount of material in excess of the 1.5 million cubic yards of foundation material.?
- 2. 'What is the purpose of a 26-foot deep navigation channel vhen the controlling depth for navigation in Indian River is ýresently 1.0 feet?3- We would appreciate receipt of a detailed map, preferably on a topographic quadrangle, showing the length of channel in Indian River; the length, width, and depth of dredging to be done in Big Mud Creek; the location of. all spoil sites for disposal of all the materials to be dredged;and the dimensions and arrangement of dikes for control of this material.4. Please describe the equipment to be used in the construction of dikes and in the dredging and transmission of material to the fill, and spoil areas..........................-
.....-...........--...............-
f f l5. Your PSAR states that, if necessary, materials under the reactor site will, be removed to an elevation of minus 60 feet, replaced and compacted.
1`urther., if portiong of these removed materials are not suitable for compacted fill, they will be spoiled and suitable fill used. nWhere will these unsuitable materials be placed, and what 'wilI be the source of the replacement fill?6. -We understand that you intend to use Indian River water for cooling purposes.
What will be the size, type, depth, and location of your intake facility?7- Your PSAR states that under winds of 50-60 m.p.h., it is estimated that an extreme low tide of minus 3 feet m.l.w. can be expected to occur at the plant site. Presumably this level might be even lowdr in the event of hurricane force winds. What effect would these winds and lover water levels have on the source and quality of cooling water?8. Please describe the proposed cooling water discharge channel to the ocean: size, type, and possible effects on beach erosion rates.9. What is the anticipated cooling water intake and discharge in cubic* feet per second?10. What is the anticipated increase in temperature of cooling water between point of intake and point of dischargef
_11. What is the number and capacity of pumps and heat exchangers in the final cooling loop?We realize that some of these questions deal with facilities which will be the subject of futuxe applications to the Corps of Engineers.
However, it is the responsibility of this Department to evaluate the effects of projects such as this on all aspects of the environment.
It has been our experience that it is difficult for us to properly cdscharge our responsibilities to the applicant as well as to the public when a project analysis is attempted in piecemeal fashion.'
Therefore, we believe that the only sensible and equitable procedure is to consider the project as a whole In order that the occurrence of unexpected problems in the future may be reduced. Your continued cooperation will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours, C. Edward Carlson Acting Regional Coordinator 2
Attachment 5 FPL to US DOI
-'P"~P 0 BOX 3100 MIA\iI FLO3)DA 3ý3101 FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COAM.PA,,Y April 14, 1969 Mr. C. Edward Carlson Acting Regional Coordinator U. S_ Department of the Interior 30-A Peachtree-Seventh Building Atlanta, Georgia 30323
Dear Mr. Carlson:
This is in reply to your letter of March 26, 1969 which requested answers to eleven questions on the design aspects of our Hutchinson Island power plant. Your questions and our answers pre presented below.1. Question:
Your application to the Corps of Engineers states that 1.5 million cub-ic yards of dredged material will be placed on-the plant site. inspection of the application drawing indi-cates that apparently several times that amount will actually" be dredged. What is -he -actual amount of material to be dredged froui Indian River and Big Mud Creek,and what is* to be done with the amount of material in excess of the-l.5 million cubic yards o.f foundation mate=_'Answer: A revised zLication drawing was submitted to the Corps of Engineers c= April-3, 1969. This revised drawing indicates an access of constant width from the Intra-coastal Waterwav t-' t-a plant site with approximately 1,.500,-000 cubic yards of -ate=-- to be dredged from the proposed channel.It is estimated that ,250,000 yards will be required at the plant and the re-.a-_- 250,000 yards will be spoiled adjacent to the plant area -_- =se fox parking areas, storage areas, and temporary const z_--4z-- -zeas. Spoil material will be disposed of within a dikes a-i~z s o that the decant will not return directly to the Indian Rivei ' Mud Creek..2. Question:
What is = -_urpose of a 26-foot deep navigation channel when the control.._*- for navigation in Indian River is pre-sently 10 feet?Answer: The purzca -:-: the 26-foot depth of channel is to obtain the fill required =- nstruction of the plant with a minimum width of c-hannel.
Mr. C. Edward Carlson' April 14, 1969 3. Question:
We would appreciate receipt of a detailed map, pref-erably on a topographic quadrangle, showing the length of channel in Indian River; the length, width, and depth of dredging to be done in Big Mud Creek; the location of all spoil sites for dis-posal of all the materials to be dredged; and the dimensions and arrangement of dikes for control of this material.Answer: The term "'sp 0 oil" site is probably a misnomer.
We are presently planning to store the dredged matexial suitable for compacted fill in the area of the svwitchyard.
The dike that is being installed around the excavation area for flood protection of the foundation preparation will include the dredge storage area.The topDof this dike will be 12 feet above mean low water with side slopes of one vertical to three horizontal.
Dredged material unsuited for compacted fill will also be stored within a similar diked area and subsequently used for storage and parking areas.The decant from the dredged material used fot this dike will be directed so that the flow is towards the swamp. adjacent to the plant.The cohstruction specifications will, require that the turbidity of the receiving waters will not be increased by more than 50 Jackson units above the existing level of turbidity due to decant from the dredging operations.
- 4. Question:
Please describe the equipment to be used in the con-struction of dikes and in the dredging and transmission of matdrial to the fill and spoil areas.Answer: The eauipment for dredging and construction of dikes has not at this time been selected.
However it is anticipated that the dikes will be constructed by the use of scrapers and bull-dozers from materials obtained in the major construction excava-tion within the plant area. The dredge will probably be sized for a 35-foot ladder and will pump the suitable dredged material to the storage area in the switchyard.
When the dredged material dries to the proper moisture content, it will be transported by scrapers to the compacted fill area. Dredged material unsuitable for compacted fill in the foundation area will be stored within a diked area on the owner's property and will be used for con-struction of dikes along the discharge cooling water canal or for construction of parking and storage areas.It is our intent to dredge only sufficient material required for construction of the plant.
e * -Mr. C. Edward Carlson April 14, 1969 5. Question:
Your PSAR states that, if necessary, matexials under the reactor site will be removed to an elevation of minus 60 feet, replaced and compacted.
Further, if portions of these removed materials are not suitable for compacted fill, they will be spoiled and suitable fill used. Where will these unsuitable materials be placed, and what will be the source of the replacement fill?Answer: Unsuitable fill will be used for construction of dikes along discharge cooling water canal, parking areas, and storage ( areas. All replacement fill will be obtained from the dredged channel in the Indian River and Big Mud Creek.6. Ouestion:
We understand that you intend to use indian River water for cooling purposes.
What will be the size, type, depth, and location of your intake facility?*Answer: The intake facility will be located o*n-the west side of the plant approximately 450 feet from Big Mud Cxeek. The intake structure will be reinforced concrete approximately 60 feet wide by 70 feet long by 44 feet high. It will house four circulating water pumps in separate bays, screens and miscellaneous other equipment.
The top deck will be at plant giade which is elevation plus 18 feet, and the invert will be at approximately elevatibn minus 26 feet. A bridge crane on a steel structure will be in-stalled above the top deck to service the equipment.
At present we have studies under way to determihe the effects of taking the cooling water from the River. These studies include hydraulics of the Indian River and Ocean, stability studies of the inlets, beaches and channels, predicted mixing area of the cooling water effluent, chemical analyses, background studies of phyto-plankton, zooplankton, benthic plants and fauna, and fisheries.
Upon completion of these studies which are scheduled to be complete in July 1969, we will furnish them to the appropriate County, State and Federal agencies.In the event that our studies indicate it would be in the public interest to utilize the Ocean as a source of cooling water, we will request the necessary permits from the applicable agencies and sub-mit an amendment to our application to the AEC. We have advised the AEC in this regard, and a copy of our letter to them is enclosed for your records.
Mr. C. Edward Carlson April 14, 1969 7. Question:
Your PSAR states that under winds of 50-60 mph, it is estimated that an extreme low tide of minus 3 feet m.l.w. can be expected to occur at the plant site. Presumably this level might be even lower in the event of hurricane force winds. What effect would these winds and lower water levels have on the source and quality of cooling water?Answer: The extreme low tide of minus three feet is associated with a maximum possible hurricane and is calculated to be the lowest water level conceivable.
Under this condition, the winds at the site would be 50-60 mph. Higher winds would not cause lower water levels.8. Question:
Please describe the proposed cooling water discharge channel to the ocean: size) type, and possible effects on beach erosion rates.Answer: The discharge cooling water canal will terminate in a concrete box located approximately 300 feet west of the ocean shore-line.
A 14-foot diameter pipe will run from the box to a.point approximately 800 feet east of the shore line for discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. This pipe will be installed under the ocean floor with a minimum of five (5) feet of cover and will have no effect on beach erosion.9. Question:
what is the anticipated cooling water intakhe and dis-charge in cubic feet per second?Answer: Approximately 1600 cubic feet per second is the anti-cipated cooling water system requirement.
- 10. Question:
What is the anticipated increase in temperature of cooling water between point of intake and point of discharge?
Answer: Approximately 12 degrees.11. Question:
What is the number and capacity of pumps and heat -exchangers in the final cooling loop?Answer: Four (4) cooling water pumps each with a capacity of approximately 400 cubic feet per second will furnish cooling water to two (2) turbine condenser shells. Three (3) intake 6ooling
- @Mr,. C. Edward Carlson April 14, 1969 water pumps each with 50 percent system capac.ity and rated at approximately 66 cubic feet per second will furnish cooling water to two (2) component cooling water heat exchangers and two (2) turbine cooling water heat exchangers.
We are glad to cooperate with the Department of the Interior in furnish-ing answers to the foregoing questions.
Please let us know if you need further information.
Yours very truly,*/ /. z.*A.. 1. Davis*Vice President*AMD:rp Encl.*.*.,
Attachment 6 FPL to US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
P. 0.. Box 3100 MIAMI, FLORIDA 33101 April. 13 19509 Dir. Petor A 16_rris, Director* Dkvision.
of" Roaczor LicensinS
-U. S. At~omie Encrsy Com=issison IWknshl P.-ton, D. DC. 20545 FiOe: Iocet- 'No. 50-335 -Ht_,tchinson Island Plant, Uný.t V1o. I
Dear Dr. 1oxr-_is:
- The prol~iminay Safety Amal~yzis Re,-ort portion oil our* Aplicý-t'ion for a Constr~iction.
- 2orm.1it.
for rh~ s project convt~ýpatl.aes inrea11c of co 0 o. I gwte fro-m tho I-ndie- River and dischar-11o to the Atlantic Ocan Our acol~oziLcal.
and onviroxonT.tal studios of the adiJaCeflt
?Rive= and Occan *.reas are we).ll uznderway.
One of the pux-oses of t*hi.-s work. I~s to determi~ne 11f there are likdty to bo .eny adverse aFAects* cle to usln thc Ruixvr as th co olinog water source, Concurrentl~y, dosign studies Zara in progress on alternate plans usin.- the Ocean for int~ake anCd discha3rge.
Slhoul~d any of; wor studies i~ndlicato t~hat it: would be in t*he publ~ic intoresý to mtiie the Ocorm as the soreof cooli.=t w;ater, we wI2A. submdlt an sxmondtnont to oux: Ap?1.icati~on.
Off i~cal, Applicortoio for ae. poit to conv:uStrLc the 1part chnof islan-Very truly Yours" CGeorga Xinsm an .Sonior VicOasdn*~~I C.sd Attachment 7 State of Florida, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS)
STIATr OF F -OI )A CLAUDE R KIRK JR GOVERNOR.JAMES A. BAX SECRETARY DEPARTMENT of HEALTH and REHABILITATIVE SERVICES DIVISION OF HEALTH WILSON T SOWDER M D M P H DIRECTOR BOX 210-JACKSONYILLE 32201-TEL 904 -3S4.3961 October 17, 1.969 St. Lucie County IW Florida Power & Light Co.Hutchinson Island Nuclear Plant */116 Mr. A. M. Davis Vice President Florida Power & Light Company Post Office Box 3100 Miami, Florida 53101
Dear Mr. Davis:
We appreciate receipt of Amendments 2 and 3to your Hutchinson Island Pre-liminary Safety Analysis Report. A search of the report has not disclosed the volume of condenser and.other equipment cooling waters to be.circulated through the plant. We would be pleased to know their volumes and proposed temperature rise during minimum, maximum and normal intake water temperature-at various operating rates.We appreciate institution of ecological studies based upon both (1) intake from the Indian River and discharge to the Atlantic Ocean and (2) intake from the Atlantic Ocean and-discharge to the same body of water. It is believed timely, however, that we express a strong preference for the latter cooling water supply and disposal system.Very truly yours, Nick Mastro, Assistant Chief Bureau of Sanitary Engineering lM:mj cc: D.A. & W. P. C.cc: Mr. Richard W. Starr E. COLEMAAN BREWER PH G. Member LEO M. WACHTEL M.D. Member ADVISORY COUNCIL FUGENE G PFFK Jr M.D. Prsi;drnt WILLIAM J WESER D V M Member A Rt MAI I OVAY D.D.S.. Mcrnlb, Attachment 8 Excerpts from the Final Environmental Statement, prepared by AEC, related to the St. Lucie Nuclear Unit No. 1
/?ECy 7'0 JIJI r U 2 4197a"v 0o etl st m*n 0e related to the SLUCIE PLANT UNIT NO. I'FLORIDA POWER AND UGHT COMPANY Docket No:50-335:* ':* , : ..-; : < .-- p.* "JVUNE193 STATES ATOMIC ENE COMMISSION
,. '3 DI0;TORAE OFLICEISING aR'* -1 ,, Mz* .* ~ I: ,* *.. 44-,.... .-.":' .". .' " ."r.'6".+, .,,. ,,, U
., I XI-1O Aesthetically the towers would be at lea~t 200 ft taller than the reactor dome, thus tending to dominate the: skyline, and the plume would be visible for several miles.In summary, natural draft saltwater cooling towers could be utilized but insufficient test data are available now to confirm predicted minimal impact from salt carryover and drift. Costs would be substantially higher than the propsed cooling system design, and there itould be significann neg itve, aesthetic impacts.The Staff concludes this alternative at this Site is unacceptable because the Large incremental cost, the adverse aesthetic impact, and the potential drift problem outweigh potential environmental gains over the currently'proposed cooling system: f. Once-Through Coolinvwith*Intake on Indian River Indian River (Big Mud Cr~ek)" could be used as a source. of cooling water for the Plant with 'discharge to the Atlantic Ocean. The Plant was originalTy designed for such a system (see Figure XI-l).However, the plan was altered prior to issuance of a conqtruction perzit because of possible adverse effects on the ecological balance in the Indian Rivpr.1 1 This intake alternative would alter the natural current patterns* and flushing rates in Indian River and Big Hid Creek. The natural flushing time of the river nov is estimated by the Staff to bq on the order of one year. With the intake on Indian River, preliminary computations by the Staff indica'te this flushing time would be reduced to approximately
-1 mounth. Currents induced In Indian Riwv and Big Mud Creek would be very low, approximately 0.02 and 0.05 fps, respectively, and the present salinity range of 15 to 32 ppt would be narrowed.Sereral possible benefits might result from this increased flushing action. 'India River is presently polluted by sewage outfalls, i drain field sepage saZ isnitary vaptes from boats. As a result of this pollution, the Florida Health Board closed the waters to'shellfishing in 1970. Increased flushing action could remoye much of this pollution.
A reduction in pollutants and a stabilization of salinity and temperature would combino to slow the growth of bacteria, algae, md som of the grasses. At the same time nutrients would be coný-tinually supplied from the mangrove commities and runoff froe the ia I I -
xI-11 I I I[ -*I DISCHARGE CANAL STATE ROAD A-i-A I I a-REACTOR BUILDINGS I SWITCHYARD AREA q ISSION FIGURE Xl-1.KANT .LOT hLA SHOWING BIG HUD CREEK INTAKE I It XI-12 savanna. Thus the waters might well support an increased popula-tion of fishes and invertebrvtes and become a more efficient tnursery ground. This increased productivity would erhaps more than offset the problem of entrainment discussed belowU The flushing action in Big Mud Creek would probably prevent it from returning to an anoxic state (see Section IV.B.2). The problem of hydrogen sulfide productioh and possible resulting marine kills -would be minimized.
On the other hand, an Indian River intake would probably result in substantially more entrainment and damage of organisms than will occur with the proposed intake system, particularly if Big Mud Creek remains a productive area. Despite this damage, it is quitd possible the over-all productivity of the Indian River-Big Mud Creek nursery ground would be enhanced.Economic savings could result from an Indian River intake. The Applicant estimated an incremental capital cost increase of $9.8 mil-lion from switching to the proposed Atlantic Ocean intake, 1 2 At the present tiie, however, any savings would be less than $9.8 million due to construction advances that have occurred sitice the estimate was prepared.
In addition, the Staff estimates recirculation from the discharge plume to the intake will increase annual operating costs approximately
$50,000 due to a slightly higher (1.5*F to 3*F)than ambient inret temperature to the condenser.
Other benefits from an Indian River intake include (1) elimination of the Atlantic Ocean intake as a navigation hazard, (2) elimination of the proposed recirculation canal and intake defouling procedure, and (3) elimination of the 5000-ft long intake canal-approximately 32 acres proposed for the intake and recirculation canals would be made Ivailable for other purposes.l ..The staff concludes,, however, that extensive studies would be neces-sary to insure that beneficial rather than detrimental ecological effects vould occur in the Indian River. In view of these uncer-ýtainties and Phe minimal environmental damage predicted from the proposed design, this alternative is not recommended.
- g. Alternative Discharge Confi&uratlons The proposed dischaige configuration from shoreline to point of discharge consists of a buried 12-ft diameter pipeline termi-'nating at a dredged HLW depth of 36 ft (18 ft ocean depth) at a!
- I i!XI-13 distance approximately 1200 ft from shore. This pipeline is a two-port, Y-type jet discharge.
The ports do not form a true Y; rather, o e leaves at a 45' angle to the main trunk. The horizontal discharge velocity is estimated to be 13 fps and is estimated to produce a maximum rise in surface water tempera-ture of about 6*F above ambient.In selecting this configuration, the Applicant sponsored
" hydraulic model and other studies 1 3 for the purpose of evalua-ting the heat dissipation characteristics and related-costs of alternative configurations.
Four alternative configurations were considered:
(1) the presently planned 13 fps Y-discharge at 18 ft ocean depth, (2) a 10 fps single jet at 18 ft ocean -depth, (3) a 10 fps single jet at 30 ft ocean depth, and (4) a. 10 fps uultiport diffuser at 18 ft ocean depth. Discharge velocities, maximumt surface water temperature rise and incrementhil cost of these configuratio.s have been estimated by the Applican&i and are shown in Table XI-3.Single port discharge configurations at 18-ft and 30-ft ocean depthl result in surface temperature increases of about'10'F and 6*F respectively, as copared to about 6*F for the present design.These designs assume additional dredging weln below the ocean depths noted, however. Where dredging is not assumd, the Staff estimates the temperature rises produced by 10 fps single jets at HLV depths of 18 and 30 ft to be about 15 and 12*F respectively.
The proposed design is expected to produce temperatures having : a minimal environmental impact, which will cbmply with the relevant Florida water quality standards (Section V.C.2.f.).
1he 10 fps single jet at 18 ft ocean depth is a less costly alternative, but would produce an unacceptable temperature increase with possible;I resulting environmental impacts which would not comply with the Florida water quality standards.
The remaining two alternative configurations would cost more and would not represent an improve-nt In environmental Ip act when compared with the proposed design.h. Discharge Water Dilution System It is feasible to dilute the heated effluent from the condenser cooling system to attain lover temperatures at the discharge; The proposed recirculation canal could be used to divert water from the intake canal to the discharge canal, bypassing the con-denser. For example, at an estimated cost of $9 million an'II S I I I!i ~XI-25 Two Circuit Overhead Transmission System: $1.7 million capital cast decrease (savings) incurred uniformly over a 2-year period; no startup delay; no change in operating1 and maintenance posts.2. Indian River Intake This alternative offers cot advantage over the presint design and may result in enviro imen~tjal enrhancement.
Cost savings result from elimination of most If the intake canal and the recirculation canal, and from a slightly higher operating efficiency resulting from no reciiculation-between the heated discharge and the 'intake.The estimated capital cost reduttion*
of $9 .8 million converts to-a present value of $8.6 million and the annual operating cost sairing'of $530,000 converts to a present value of $0.5 million. Total present value savings from an Indian River Intake is thus estimated to be$9.1 million. These savings are contingent upon the degree of constru-4ion completion at time of conversion, however.Votential major envirorliental benefits from this alternative include (1) removal of p~ollutants'from Indian River with possible reopening to shelifishing, (2) Increased productivity of Indian River-Big Miud Creek as a nursery ground and (3) maintenance of Big Mud Creek as; a productive area. The majlor adverse impact would probably be increased.
damage tco marine organisms from entrainment, if the total productivity of Indian River and Big Mud Creek is increasfd.
There is also an'undefined potential for adverse impact on the ecology of Indian River resulting from lenvironmental.
changes. Since the environmental Impact of the proposed Atlantic Ocean intake is considered minimal and ac-ceptable by the Staff, it is concluded that the ocean intake con-stitutes the preferable approach.3. 'Altern *te Discharge ConfigVrations Configurations that would result in the same or lower surface temapera-tures than the reference case would cost more. Additional line lefigths would be required 'for either single -port or multiport -configiiatiobn*
to reach the ocean depths required. .Equall or lower cost configuritions would result in substantially higher surface temperatures, generally more thaii 10*F above ambient. The potential environmental impact of t4bese temperatures is crusidered by the Staff to be unacceptable, and sIkich discharges would not comply with the relevant Florida walter quality standards (see discussion in Section V.C.2.f).*
Impactd associated with the surface temperatures resulting from the refereute-case are considered by the Staff to be minor and do comply with the relevant Florida water quality standards; therefore, the reference' case is considered superior to the alternate configurations analgLed..1.a I.I R-9 REFERENCES (Continued) 1 References for Section X (Continued)
(10) 1970 National Power Survey, Federal Power Commisqion, December 1971, p. 11-3-14.(ii) Letter from J. N. 8asaikas, Chairman, Federal Power Comnis-sion to H. L. Price, Director of Regulation, USAEC, July 2, 1971.References for Section nI (1) Letter from J. N. Nassikas, Chairman, Federal Power Commission to H. L. Price, Director of Regulation, USAEC, July 2, 1971.(2) "An Evaluation of the Powered Spray Module for Salt Water Service I at T.;- ey Point,'! Southern Nuclear Engineeiing, Inc., Dunedin,*Florida, May 1970. 1 (3) florida Power and Light Company, Hutchinson Island Plant Unit No. 1, Environmental Report, Supplement I, p. V-6, January 6, 1972.(4) Jersey Central Power and Light Company, Forked River Nuclear Station Umit 1, Applicant's Environmental Rejort, January P972.(5) G. E. H.Vehil, "Evaluation of Cooling Tower Effects at Zion Nuclear Generating Station," Final Report to Commonwealth Edison Company, Chicago, Illinois, by Sierra Research Corporation, Boulders Colorado, pp. 37-38, 1970.(6) Floida Power and Light Company, St. Lucie Unit No. 1 (formerly Hutchinson Island) .Environmental Rep4rt .upplement 8, October 25, 1972.(7) Pollution Control Counc.1, Pacific Northwest Area, "A Survey of Thermal Power Plant Cooling Facilities," pp. 21, 31, 1969.(8) Prelixinary Report: "Effect of Cooling Tower Effluents on Atba-sptaric Conditions in Northeastern Illinois,", Circular 1000, Illinois State Water Survey, Urbana, pp. U1, 13, 14, 1971._ -.+ S. .. !.,
i R-10 r REFERENCES (Continued)
References for Section It (Continued)
(9) D. J. Broehl, "Field Investigation of Environmental Effects of Cooling Towers for Large Steaw Electric Plants," Portland General Electric Company, Portland, Oregon, p. 24, 1968.(10) 0. F.. Bierman, C. A. Kunder, J. F. Sebald, and R. F. Visbisky, Characteristics, Classification and Incidence of Plumes from Large Natural Draft Cooling Towers, paper presented at the American Power Conference 33rd Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, pp. 10-11, April 22, 1971.(11) Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, Initial Decision, June 30,..1970. -(12) Florida Power and lght Company, Hutchinson Island Plant " Uait No. 1; Environmental Report, Supplement I, p. IV-9, January 6, 1972. -(13) Florida PoweF and Light Company, Hutchinson Island Plant Unit No. 1, Environmental Report, p. 32, May 20, 1971.(14) thasco Services, Inc., Hutchindon Island Utit No. 1, Cooling.Water Discharge Report for Florida Power and Light Company, pp. 7-10, May 1971.(15) Florida Power and Ligýt Company, Hutchinson Island Plant Unit No. 1, Environmental Report Supplement No. 3, p. 18-2, May 30, 1972.(16) Florida Power and Light Company, Hutchinson Island Plant Uknt No. 1, EnvIronmental Report, Supplezent.
No. 3, p. 8-2, Msy 30, 1972.(17) Letter from Jals Coughln, Vice President, Florida Power and Light Company to Dniel R. Mller, Assistant Director for Environ-mental Projects, IWAEC, p. 5-6, March 12, 1973.(18) ITid, p, 5-5.'
Attachment 9 St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant Standard Operating Procedures STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)FOR SECTION 316 (b) PHASE II RULE IMPINGEMENT MORTALITY AND ENTRAINMENT STUDY ST. LUCIE PLANT -ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Prepared By Ecological Associates Inc.P.O. Box 405 Jensen Beach, Florida 34958 March 2006 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction
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1 2.0 Mobilization (General for All Types of Sampling Events) ...............................
2 3.0 Field Collection
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4 3.1 Nearfield Ocean Trawl Sampling (Fish and Shellfish)
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4 3.3 Nearfield IRL/BMC Bongo Net Sampling (Ichthyoplankton and Shellfish Larvae) ...........................................................................................................
13 3.4 Entrainment Sampling (Ichthyoplankton and Shellfish Larvae) ..................
17 4.0 Laboratory Sorting and Specimen Identification for Ichthyoplankton
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22 4.1 Sorting ...............................................................................................................
22 4.2 Sample Splitting
...........................................................................................
24 4.3 Sample W eighing .........................................................................................
25 4.4 Taxonom y ....................................................................................................
26 5.0 Sampling Location and Frequency
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28 5.1 Sampling Locations
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28 5.2 Sampling Commencement and Frequency
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28 5.3 Number and Location of Stations and Samples ...........................................
28 6.0 W ater Q uality .....................................................................................................
30 7.0 H ealth and Safety ..............................................................................................
30 APPEN DIX A ...................................................................................................................
34 APPEN DIX B ...................................................................................................................
46 APPEN DIX C ...................................................................................................................
48 APPEN DIX D ...................................................................................................................
50 APPEN DIX E ...................................................................................................................
52 i ECOLOGICAL ASSOCIATES INC.STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP)FOR SECTION 316 (b) PHASE II RULE IMPINGEMENT MORTALITY AND ENTRAINMENT STUDY ST. LUCIE PLANT -ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA 1.0 Introduction This document describes the methods, procedures, and protocols (collectively referred to hereafter as procedures) to be used by staff of Ecological Associates, Inc. (EAI) in support of Florida Power and Light Company's (FPL's) impingement mortality and entrainment study at the St. Lucie Plant (PSL). The objective of this monitoring program is to determine if the location, design, technology, and/or operational measures implemented at the St. Lucie Plant have sufficiently reduced levels of impingement mortality and entrainment relative to baseline conditions to achieve compliance with the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards set forth for existing plants (Phase II Rule) under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Activities governed under these Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) include sample collection, sample processing, taxonomic identification of specimens, and collection of physicochemical data.Fish, shellfish, and ichthyoplankton sampling will be conducted within three general areas adjacent to the St. Lucie Plant (Figure 1): Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the facility's offshore intake structures; intake canal near the Unit 2 intake pipe (16 ft); and Big Mud Creek (BMC)/Indian River Lagoon (IRL) within the vicinity of the plant's Emergency Cooling Water Intake System. As described in the Proposal for Information Collection (PIC), the field sampling program will allow comparison of numbers of St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 organisms impacted under the present Cooling Water Intake System (CWIS)configuration, which uses the Atlantic Ocean as source cooling water, with those that would have been impacted had the CWIS utilized the Indian River Lagoon as the source cooling water, as originally designed.
Data will be collected bi-weekly, during both day and night periods. Data analyses will examine trends in species composition, abundance, and biomass, as well as seasonal and diurnal variation between these two areas.Sampling will be accomplished using three methods: 1) entrained organisms will be sampled in the intake canal using a stationary 1-m plankton net fitted with a 0.300-mm mesh net; 2) organisms susceptible to entrainment within the BMC/IRL will be sampled using towed plankton nets (paired 20-cm diameter, 0.300-mm mesh bongo nets; and 3)organisms susceptible to impingement will be sampled in both the ocean and BMC/IRL using an otter trawl. Ocean trawls will consist of both mid-water and bottom tows.Questions on sampling techniques, staffing, schedules, health and safety issues, and/or Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) issues should be directed to one of the following individuals:
> Bob Ernest, EAI Project Manager Office: (772) 334-3729 Cell: (772) 284-5817>. R. Erik Martin, QA/QC Officer Office: (772) 334-3729 Cell: (772) 284-5803> Mark Mohlmann, H&S Officer Office: (772) 334-3729 Cell: (772) 349-2135> Phillip Light, Field Team Leader Office: (772) 334-3729 Cell: (772) 427-3737 2.0 Mobilization (General for All Types of Sampling Events)2.1 Confirm vehicle, boat, and staff availability for scheduled sampling date, as applicable.
2 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 2.2 At least 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> prior to a sampling event, notify designated FPL PSL contact by email of impending field activities:
- FPL St. Lucie Plant Contacts: o Vince Munne -Environmental Compliance" Office: (772) 467-7453" Cell: (772) 263-2847" Email: vincemunne@fpl.com o Dave Niebch -Land Utilization" Office: (772) 467-7316" Cell: (772) 240-9523" Email: DavidNiebch@fpl.com 2.3 Copy all email correspondence to Golder Project Manager.* Isabel Johnson -Golder Associates, Inc.o Office: (352) 336-5600 o Cell: (352) 359-8299 o Email: ijohnson@golder.com 2.4 At least 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> prior to the date of departure:
2.4.1 Contact FPL PSL by phone to confirm sampling schedule (arrival date & time).2.4.2 Notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law (FWC) Enforcement Dispatch Center, (305-956-2500), as required by EAI's Special Activity License (SAL; #05SR-071B).
2.4.3 Assemble equipment and supplies using applicable Equipment and Supplies Checklist and ensure that all needed gear is in proper operating condition.
2.4.4 Review Health and Safety Plan (HASP) and ensure that all requisite safety gear are included with equipment and supplies.2.4.5 Calibrate field instrumentation (Appendix A).2.5 On the date of field sampling: 2.5.1 Review sampling protocols prior to initiating field activities.
2.5.2 Conduct a Safety and Environmental Tailboard meeting at the site prior to sampling to address any safety and environmental conditions the field team may encounter (refer to HASP).3 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.0 Field Collection 3.1 Nearfield Ocean Trawl Sampling (Fish and Shellfish) 3.1.1 Mobilize 3.1.1.1 3.1.1.2 3.1.2 Embarkati 3.1.2.1 3.1.2.2 3.1.2.3 3.1.2.4 3.1.2.5 3.1.3 Vessel Use Equipment and Supplies Checklist to assemble and ready field gear (Appendix B).Provide a Float Plan to EAI's primary contact person.on Conduct safety briefing prior to loading gear on vessel.Ensure all personnel are wearing Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) and closed-towed, non-skid footwear at all times when working on or around water.Load gear aboard vessel.Maintain boat log indicating persons on trip, destination, and times of departure and return.Depart for the St. Lucie Plant via the St. Lucie Inlet.3.1.4 3.1.3.1 A leased vessel will be used for most trips. It is moored in the Manatee Pocket immediately south of Pirate's Cove Marina.3.1.3.2 EAI's 25 ft Parker may be used for some trips. Launch boat at Sandsprit Park.Ancillary Data Collection 3.1.4.1 Upon arrival on station, record weather conditions, tidal stage, sea state, current direction, and water depth on Field Data Sheet.3.1.4.2 Abort sampling activities if the Field Team Leader determines that conditions are unsafe or will not permit the safe collection of representative samples (e.g., 4 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc threatening weather, rough sea conditions, unusual waterbody conditions, etc.).3.1.4.3 Collect water quality data twice during each diel sampling event, prior to initiation of sampling and upon completion of all sampling.
This will provide data to bracket the period of sampling.3.1.4.3.1 Prior to arriving on station, turn on meters and allow to warm up.3.1.4.3.2 Measure temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and salinity with Quanta or equivalent backup meter.3.1.4.3.3 Take measurements at surface, mid-depth, and near bottom.3.1.4.3.4 Record results on Field Data Sheet.3.1.5 Sample Locations and Methods 3.1.5.1 Conduct sampling along three shore-parallel transects/stations (Figure 1).3.1.5.2 Use 16-ft otter trawl for bottom tows and 16-ft modified otter trawl for mid-water tows.3.1.5.3 Begin sampling along each transect just south of the PSL ocean discharge pipes (center on discharge canal).Ensure that the start of the tow is slightly south of the discharge to prevent entanglement with relict construction debris.3.1.5.4 Conduct each tow north to south.3.1.5.5 Conduct each tow for 15 minutes.3.1.5.6 Conduct one mid-water and one bottom trawl along each transect.3.1.5.7 Operate at slow speed (2 -2.5 knots). Ensure that the tow line has the proper scope to keep the net at the appropriate sampling depth.5 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.1.6 Collect Samples 3.1.6.1 Prepare the trawl for deployment.
Attach trawl harness to the stem cleats on each gunwale and attach the trawl bridle to the trawl doors. Tie off the cod end of the net and make sure the net and lines are not twisted and will deploy correctly.
3.1.6.2 Prepare a flow meter for deployment.
3.1.6.2.1 Sea Gear meters. No preparations necessary.
3.1.6.2.2 General Oceanics meters.3.1.6.2.2.1 Complete the following immediately prior to net deployment at the first sampling location to ensure accurate readings.3.1.6.2.2.2 Remove the screw at rear of the flow meter.3.1.6.2.2.3 Hold nose of meter down.3.1.6.2.2.4 Inject syringe with tap water into meter chamber until full.3.1.6.2.2.5 Replace screw.3.1.6.2.2.6 Record the meter reading 3.1.6.2.3 Feed meter towing line through davit pulley.Attach one end of the flow meter bridal to a small depressor and the other end of the bridle to the tow line. Adjust the bridal and tow line as necessary to accommodate water depth. The flow meter should be deployed at a depth of approximately 5 feet.3.1.6.2.4 Record the initial meter reading of the flow meter on the Field Data Sheet. Ensure that the flow meter propeller does not turn prior to its deployment.
6 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.1.6.3 Position the boat at the north end of the station transect and motor forward maintaining an appropriate speed to deploy the net (just at or above idle). Ensure that all personnel are clear of all lines and are positioned outside of the bridle and harness.3.1.6.4 Record the water depth at the start of the tow on the Field Data Sheet.3.1.6.5 Deploy the net by tossing cod end off the stem and to the side of the motor and/or prop, as applicable, ensuring that net, lines, and tickler chain clear the prop.Swing the doors over one side of the boat and guide the bridle, tow line, and harness to the stem clear of the prop.3.1.6.6 When the net is fully deployed (tow line becomes taut), immediately deploy the flow meter from the davit and ensure that it is properly oriented and facing into the current. Immediately activate stopwatch.
Record time of deployment and GPS start point on Field Data Sheet.3.1.6.7 Record the GPS starting waypoint on the Field Data Sheet.3.1.6.8 Pull net at approximately 2 knots for 15 minutes in a relatively straight line and at constant depth parallel to shore.3.1.6.9 At the end of the tow, immediately retrieve flow meter and record the end time, end GPS position, and flow meter reading on the Field Data Sheet. Take the boat out of gear and haul in the tow line and harness, maintaining tension on the lines. As the boat nears the net, it may be necessary to bump in and out of forward gear so the boat doesn't drift back over the net.7 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.1.6.10 Bring the doors along side of the boat, clear of the prop.Pull the doors over the side and into the boat, and shake net to concentrate catch into cod end.3.1.6.11 Empty cod end into collection tub.3.1.6.12 Carefully examine net liner in the mouth and body of the net and remove any entangled organisms.
3.1.6.13 If at anytime during the tow the net snags on debris or the bottom, or if is determined that it has not fished properly, discard the contents of the trawl overboard and repeat the tow after addressing the cause of the problem.3.1.7 Process the sample.3.1.7.1 Wear work gloves when processing samples to avoid injury.3.1.7.2 Carefully, sift through debris in collection tub and transfer specimens to a processing tub filled with seawater and equipped with an aerator.3.1.7.3 Use a small dip net to remove specimens from the processing tub one at a time for processing.
3.1.7.4 Process live specimens first and return to the water as quickly as possible.
Retain dead specimens until the trawl tows have been completed before discarding.
3.1.7.5 Sort, identify and enumerate fish and shellfish contained in the sample. Identify specimens to the lowest practicable taxon. Scientific and common names will follow Nelson et al., (2004). Field guides (e.g., Robins et al., 1998) will be available during collections, and a checklist of previously collected species and common identification characters will be developed over the life of the project and available for reference.
8 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.1.7.6 Measure and weigh (to the nearest 0.1 g) a subset of 50 individuals of each species present in the sample.Record these data on the Fish and Shellfish Length and Weight Data Sheet. If more than 50 individuals are present, enter the total number and batch weight of all remaining specimens on the Data Sheet. If samples contain excessively large numbers of individuals, a random split may be used to obtain a representative sub-sample that can be analyzed within a one-hour period. If specimens of a particular taxon are in poor shape or individuals too small to obtain an accurate weight in the field, a batch weight may be obtained for all individuals in the sample.3.1.7.7 Determine total length (TL; maximum length with the lobes of the caudal fins pinched together) and standard Length (SL; maximum length from anterior-most part of head or jaws to the hypural plate) for all bony fishes.(Alternatively, only SL will be measured and established TL-SL regression equations may be used for assigning TL to individual specimens.)
Determine disk width for rays. Determine carapace width for crabs. Determine post-ocular carapace length for shrimp.3.1.7.8 Established length-weight regression equations may be used for assigning weights to individual specimens in lieu of actual field measurements, at the discretion of the Project Manager.3.1.7.9 Place specimens retained for QAIQC purposes or representative specimens of species that cannot be identified to the species level in plastic bags labeled with the date, station number, sample period (day or 9 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 night), and sampling depth (bottom or mid) and store on ice for subsequent identification and/or preservation in the lab.3.1.7.10 Ensure that all required information has been entered on the Field Data Sheet prior to leaving the site.3.1.8 Laboratory Follow-up 3.1.8.1 Specimens retained for QA purposes will be preserved in 10-percent formalin solution.
For fish greater than 150 mm, an incision about 30 mm in length will be made along the abdominal cavity on the right side, to ensure penetration of preservative into the tissues.3.1.8.2 Organisms that cannot be readily identified in the laboratory will be preserved and sent to a recognized expert for taxonomic identification or verification.
A list of experts, appropriate to the taxon in question and approved by the Golder Project Manager, will be maintained at the EAI laboratory.
3.1.8.3 A reference collection of all species collected during the project will be maintained and archived at the EAI laboratory.
3.2 Nearfield IRL/BMC Trawl Sampling 3.2.1 Mobilize 3.2.1.1 Use Equipment and Supplies Checklist to assemble and ready field gear (Appendix C).3.2.1.2 Provide a Float Plan to EAI's primary contact person.3.2.2 Embarkation 3.2.2.1 Conduct safety briefing prior to launching vessel.3.2.2.2 Ensure all personnel are wearing a PFD and closed-towed, non-skid footwear at all times when working on or around water.3.2.2.3 Launch vessel and load gear.10 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.2.2.4 Maintain boat log indicating persons on trip, destination, and times of departure and return.3.2.2.5 Prior to leaving the dock, contact following agencies to alert them to sampling activities in Big Mud Creek:* U.S. Coast Guard, Ft. Pierce: (772) 464-6100" FPL Security Shift Captain: (772) 467-7005" FPL Land Utilization:
(772) 240-9523 3.2.2.6 Depart for the St. Lucie Plant.3.2.3 Vessel 3.2.4 3.2.3.1 EAI's 25 ft Parker will be used for most trips. Launch boat at Jensen Beach Causeway.Safety Tailboard 3.2.4.1 Upon arriving on station, disconnect security cable across mouth of BMC and proceed by boat to Land Utilization office.3.2.4.2 Moor vessel in barge canal.3.2.4.3 Conduct safety tailboard with designated Land Utilization representative.
3.2.4.4 Upon completion of safety tailboard proceed to Station 1 to initiate sampling activities.
Ancillary Data Collection 3.2.5.1 Prior to sample collection at each station, record weather conditions, tidal stage, sea state, current direction, and water depth on Field Data Sheet.3.2.5.2 Abort sampling activities if the Field Team Leader determines that conditions are unsafe or will not permit the safe collection of representative samples (e.g., threatening weather, rough sea conditions, unusual waterbody conditions, etc.).3.2.5.3 Collect water quality data once at each station during each diel sampling event.3.2.5 11 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.2.5.3.1 Prior to arriving at Station 1, turn on meters and allow to warm up.3.2.5.3.2 Measure temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and salinity with Quanta or equivalent backup meter.3.2.5.3.3 Take measurements at surface, mid-depth, and near bottom at Station 1 and at mid-depth only at Stations 2 and 3.3.2.5.3.4 Record results on Field Data Sheet.3.2.6 Sample Locations and Methods 3.2.6.1 Conduct sampling along three transects/stations beginning at Station 1 (Figure 1).3.2.6.2 Upon completion of both trawling and ichthyoplankton at Station 1: 3.2.6.2.1 Secure security cable across mouth of BMC.3.2.6.2.2 Notify FPL Plant Security that sampling operations within BMC have been completed.
3.2.6.3 Use 10-ft otter trawl for all tows.3.2.6.4 Conduct one bottom trawl at each station.3.2.6.5 Tow trawl in relatively straight line for 5 minutes, unless drift algae conditions necessitate shorter tow time. A slight arc to the tow path may be necessary to reduce effects of prop wash.3.2.6.6 Operate at slow speed (approximately 2 knots). Ensure that the tow line has the proper scope to keep the net on the bottom.3.2.7 Collect Samples 3.2.7.1 Follow procedures listed under 3.1.6 for ocean trawling, with the following exceptions.
12 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.2.7.1.1 Deploy flow meter at mid depth and adjust flow meter bridal to ensure that depressor does not contact bottom during deployment.
3.2.7.1.2 Conduct tows into prevailing current, if detectable.
3.2.7.1.3 Pull net at approximately 2 knots for 5 minutes in a relatively straight line and at constant depth.3.2.7.1.4 If the sample contains a large quantity of drift algae, such that the mouth of the net becomes clogged, discard the sample and repeat the tow using a 3-minute tow time.3.2.7.1.5 If samples contain excessively large numbers of individuals or excessively large amounts of drift algae, a random split may be used to obtain a representative sub-sample that can be analyzed within a one-hour period.3.2.8 Process the sample.3.2.8.1 Follow procedures listed under 3.1.7 for ocean traw sampling.3.2.9 Laboratory Follow-up 3.2.9.1 Follow procedures listed under 3.1.8 for ocean traw sampling.3.3 Nearfield IRL/BMC Bongo Net Sampling (Ichthyoplankton and Shellfish Larvae)3.3.1 Mobilize'1 3.3.1.1 Use Equipment and Supplies Checklist to assemble and ready field gear (Appendix D).3.3.1.2 Affix exterior sample labels on sample containers.
Tape interior labels to container lids.3.3.1.3 Fill sample containers with 90-100 ml of formaldehyde (which will yield approximately 10% formalin when 13 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 the container is filled with sample) and place in carrying case.3.3.2 Concurrent Sampling 3.3.2.1 Conduct bongo net sampling concurrent with trawling.3.3.2.2 Adhere to procedures established in 3.2.2 through 3.2.5.3.3.3 Sample Locations and Methods 3.3.3.1 Conduct sampling at three stations beginning at Station 1 (Figure 1).3.3.3.2 Use 20-cm diameter paired bongo nets fitted with 0.300 mesh nets.3.3.3.3 Conduct one bongo net tow at each station.3.3.3.4 Tow for 5 minutes.3.3.3.5 Operate at slow speed (1.5-2 knots).3.3.3.6 Fish the net at mid depth.3.3.4 Collect Samples 3.3.4.1 Prepare the bongo net for deployment.
Feed towing line through davit pulley and attach to net frame. Ensure that cod-ends are securely connected to both nets.Attach float line to cod-end.3.3.4.2 Prepare two flow meters for attachment to the bongo net, following steps listed under 3.1.6.2.3.3.4.3 Position the flow meters within the mouth of each side of the bongo frame using the attachment rods.3.3.4.4 Attach the depressor to the center frame of the bongo net. The depressor should not hang more than 1 foot below the frame.3.3.4.5 Immediately prior to deployment, record the initial meter readings of each flow meter on the Field Data Sheet. Ensure that the flow meter propellers do not turn prior to deployment 14 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.3.4.6 Position the boat into the current (or wind if no current is detected) and motor forward maintaining an appropriate speed to deploy the net (just at or above idle).3.3.4.7 Maintain a constant speed of approximately 1.5-2 knots, place the bongo net in water and begin to slowly deploy nets ensuring that flow meters are properly oriented into the current. As soon as the bongo net is completely beneath the surface of the water, activate stopwatch.
Record time of deployment and GPS start point on Field Data Sheet.3.3.4.8 Direct the boat in a broad counter clockwise arc to prevent the net from washing under the boat and contacting the prop.3.3.4.9 Pull net for 5 minutes, unless algae or other debris in the water column prevents the net from fishing effectively for that length of time. If shorter tows are required, pull net for 2.5 minutes and composite two tows for the equivalent of a 5-minute tow.3.3.4.10 If the net collects large amounts of debris or contacts the bottom, retrieve the net, discard sample, rinse net, record new flow meter readings, and redeploy.
Record new start time and meter reading on Field Data Sheet.3.3.4.11 Constantly monitor bongo net while deployed to ensure it fishes at appropriate depth. Make slight adjustments to the amount of line deployed to maintain a constant position in the water column. This is particularly important in shallow areas (Stations 2 and 3) where too much scope will cause the net to skim the seagrasses and foul and too little scope will cause the net to break the water's surface.15 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.3.4.12 When net is brought out of the water, deactivate stopwatch.
Record time of retrieval and GPS end point on Field Data Sheet. Record the final meter reading of each flow meter on the Field Data Sheet.3.3.5 Preserve and Label the Sample 3.3.5.1 Elevate bongo frames on davit and thoroughly but gently rinse down contents of nets from the outside using source water. Once all of the net contents have been rinsed into the cod-end, tip the cod-end to drain excess water, and then use a squeeze bottle filled with source water to rinse sample from proximal end of net back into the cod-end.3.3.5.2 Carefully unscrew cod-end to avoid spillage.
Remove large debris such as sticks and leaves, and rinse any organisms adhering to this material back into the cod-end. Use squeeze bottle to rinse all contents of cod-end into sample bottle(s) spiked with preservative.
3.3.5.3 The maximum volume of the drained sample material should not exceed 25% of the sample bottle. fill remaining volume of sample bottle with filtered seawater (filtered through 0.300-mm mesh) being careful not to overflow.3.3.5.4 Fill in sample information on exterior sample label using pencil or water-proof ink. Place interior label with sample identification number inside jar and tightly secure lid.3.3.5.5 If more than one jar is required per sample, label should indicate jar number (e.g., 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.). Contents of multiple-jar samples will be composited in the laboratory for analysis.3.3.5.6 Record sample information on Field Data Sheet.16 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.3.5.7 Place sample containers securely in their carrying case.3.4 Entrainment Sampling (Ichthyoplankton and Shellfish Larvae)3.4.1 Mobilize 3.4.1.1 Use Equipment and Supplies Checklist to assemble and ready field gear (Appendix E).3.4.2 Embarkation 3.4.2.1 Prior to leaving the lab, contact the following to alert them to sampling activities in the intake canal: " FPL Security Shift Captain (nighttime sampling only: (772) 467-7005" FPL Land Utilization:
(772) 240-9523 3.4.2.2 Depart for the St. Lucie Plant.3.4.3 Safety Tailboard 3.4.3.1 Upon arriving at the plant conduct safety tailboard with designated Land Utilization representative.
3.4.3.2 Upon completion of safety tailboard proceed to initiate sampling activities.
3.4.3.3 Ensure all personnel are wearing PFDs and closed-towed, non-skid footwear at all times when working on or around water.3.4.4 Activate Intake Canal Floodlights (Nighttime Sampling Only)3.4.4.1 Open and secure front panel of generator.
3.4.4.2 Turn on ignition key.3.4.4.3 Once generator starts, toggle on Master Switch.3.4.4.4 Toggle on 4 switches to activate individual lights on lighting array.3.4.4.5 Ensure that work areas of the canal are adequately illuminated.
3.4.4.6 Contact FPL Land Utilization representative to report any problems with lighting apparatus.
17 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.4.4.7 Postpone nighttime operations if the Field Team Leader determines that the lighting environment is inadequate for safe operations.
3.4.5 Ancillary Data Collection 3.4.5.1 Prior to sample collection, record weather conditions, tidal stage, sea state, current direction, and water depth on Field Data Sheet.3.4.5.2 Abort sampling activities if the Field Team Leader determines that conditions are unsafe or will not permit the safe collection of representative samples (e.g., threatening weather, rough sea conditions, unusual waterbody conditions, etc.).3.4.5.3 Collect water quality data once during each diel sampling event.3.4.5.3.1 Prior to arriving at the plant, turn on meters and allow to warm up.3.4.5.3.2 Deploy meters from west end of floating boat dock north of the Unit 2 headwall.3.4.5.3.3 Measure temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and salinity with Quanta or equivalent backup meter.3.4.5.3.4 Take measurements at mid-depth.
3.4.5.3.5 Record results on Field Data Sheet.3.4.6 Sample Locations and Methods 3.4.6.1 Conduct sampling at the west end of the scaffolding and catwalk structure adjacent to the Unit 2 intake headwall (Figure 1).3.4.6.2 Use 1-in plankton net fitted with 0.300 mm mesh.3.4.6.3 Conduct one tow per diel sampling event.3.4.6.4 Fish net at mid depth.18 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.4.6.5 Fish the net for 5 minutes, unless one of the plant's two units is down for repairs or refueling.
If only one plant is operating, fish the net for 10 minutes.3.4.7 Collect Samples 3.4.7.1 Identify and position shoreside observer for on-water operations.
3.4.7.1.1 Equip observer with cell phone and contact sheet for emergency operation numbers at the plant.3.4.7.1.2 In case of an emergency (e.g., man overboard, capsized boat, etc.) observer will: 3.4.7.1.2.1 Contact PSL Control Room and notify operators of location and nature of emergency.
3.4.7.1.2.2 Maintain visual contact with persons in the water until assistance arrives.3.4.7.2 Load sampling gear into FPL skiff at floating dock, including:
3.4.7.2.1 Plankton net and cod end.3.4.7.2.2 Flow meter and bridle.3.4.7.2.3 Net depressor.
3.4.7.2.4 Tow line.3.4.7.2.5 Bow line with O-ring.3.4.7.2.6 Safety life ring with 90 feet of line.3.4.7.3 Secure net depressor with Carabiner clips to metal frame at mouth of net.3.4.7.4 Prepare a flow meter for attachment to the net, following steps listed under 3.1.6.2. Secure both ends of the flow meter bridle to opposite sides of the metal net frame such that the meter is positioned near the center of the net.19 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 3.4.7.5 Position the O-ring in the center of the bow line and secure the two free ends of the line to the bow cleats on opposite sides of the vessel.3.4.7.6 Secure the distal end of the net towline to one of the aft cleats on the boat (the side from which the net will be deployed).
3.4.7.7 Slowly and carefully motor the boat away from the dock and position bow toward west end of Unit 2 catwalk. Secure mooring line attached to Unit 2 catwalk and attach terminal clip to O-ring of bow line.Allow boat to drift with current until bow line is taut.Turn off engine.3.4.7.8 Immediately prior to deployment, record the initial meter readings of the flow meter on the Field Data Sheet. Ensure that the flow meter propellers do not turn prior to deployment 3.4.7.9 Ensure that all personnel are clear of all lines and are positioned outside of the tow line.3.4.7.10 Deploy the net, cod end first, over the side of the boat into the Unit 2 intake current keeping the mouth of the net and depressor inside the boat. Once all of the net is in the water, place the mouth of the net and depressor over the side of the boat and allow the net to sink to the appropriate sample depth keeping tension on the tow line. Cleat off any excess tow line and activate stopwatch.
Activate stopwatch and record time of deployment on Field Data Sheet. Depending on currents at time of sampling, scope may have to be adjusted periodically to maintain appropriate fishing depth.20 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 3.4.7.11 Near the end of the tow, start the boat's outboard engine. After the net has fished the appropriate time, quickly but carefully use the bow line to pull the boat towards the Unit 2 catwalk, disconnect the mooring line from the O-ring, and allow the boat to drift in the current. Immediately begin retrieving the net.3.4.7.12 Once the mouth of the net is above the water's surface, deactivate stopwatch.
Once the meter is back on board, record the end time and final flow meter reading on the Field Data Sheet.3.4.7.13 Slowly motor the boat back to the floating dock, secure the vessel and unload the gear.3.4.8 Preserve and Label the Sample 3.4.8.1 Once on shore, elevate the plankton net and thoroughly but gently rinse down contents of net from the outside using source water. Once all of the net contents have been rinsed into the cod-end, tip the cod-end to drain excess water, and then use a squeeze bottle filled with source water to rinse sample from proximal end of net back into the cod-end.3.4.8.2 Carefully unscrew cod-end to avoid spillage.
Use squeeze bottle filled with filtered (0.300 mm net)source water to rinse all contents of cod-end into sample bottle(s) spiked with preservative.
3.4.8.3 The maximum volume of the drained sample material should not exceed 25% of the sample bottle, fill remaining volume of sample bottle with filtered seawater (filtered through 0.300-mm mesh) being careful not to overflow.3.4.8.4 Fill in sample information on exterior sample label using pencil or water-proof ink. Place interior label 21 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc with sample identification number inside jar and tightly secure lid.3.4.8.5 If more than one jar is required per sample, label should indicate jar number (e.g., 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.). Contents of multiple-jar samples will be composited in the laboratory for analysis.3.4.8.6 Record sample information on Field Data Sheet.3.4.8.7 Place sample container securely in secure carrying case for transport to the lab.Depart Plant (Nighttime Sampling Only)3.4.9.1 Turn off lighting array.3.4.9.1.1 Toggle off switches for individual lights on lighting apparatus.
3.4.9.1.2 Toggle off Master Switch.3.4.9.1.3 Turn off generator key and close front panel.3.4.9.1.4 Notify FPL Plant Security that sampling has been completed.
3.4.9 4.0 Laboratory Sorting and Specimen Identification for Ichthyoplankton 4.1 Sorting 4.1.1 Obtain a sample from the raw sample storage area of the lab and fill in all requisite information at the top of the Laboratory Bench Sheet. Ensure that the sample is scheduled for processing by comparing the Sample Identification Number (SIN) with the Master Sample Inventory.
4.1.2 Remove and retain in-jar sample label. This will be returned to the sample container with the archived portion of the sample or sample residue. Record the SIN on the Laboratory Bench Sheet.4.1.3 Working under a ventilated fume hood, or in an open-air location, carefully decant the formalin solution from the sample container 22 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 through a 0.300-mm mesh cone into a labeled Waste Formaldehyde transfer container.
Transfer the waste formaldehyde to a Hazardous Waste holding container for subsequent disposal in accordance with EAI's HASP. Gently rinse residual formalin from the sieved sample into a sink. If woody debris, vegetation, or other large detritus are present in the sample, each piece of material may be washed in a larger mesh sieve (e.g., 5-mm) suspended over the 0.300-mm sieve. Following a thorough but gentle rinsing with tap water, discard any large detritus retained by the large mesh sieve.4.1.4 Use a squeeze bottle filled with tap water to wash contents of the fine mesh cone into a 1-L beaker. Inspect the cone to ensure that all organisms have been transferred to the beaker.4.1.5 Pour the organic material from the 0.300-mm sieve into a gridded sorting tray(s). Inspect the sieve to ensure that all organisms have been transferred to the sorting tray. Add enough tap water to cover sample material, and spread material over bottom of tray as evenly as possible.
For large samples, it may be necessary to partition the sample among several sorting trays.4.1.6 Prepare three sample vials containing 70% ethanol preservative and label each for either fish eggs, fish larvae, or meroplankton.
4.1.7 Inspect contents of each sorting tray grid under a dissecting scope.Move systematically from one grid to the next carefully searching for target organisms.
Staining may be used, as necessary, to help distinguish specimens from debris.4.1.8 Remove all fish eggs, fish larvae, and targeted meroplankton (refer to list provided by EAI Project Manager) from sorting tray using soft forceps or pipette, as practical, and place in appropriate labeled specimen bottle.4.1.9 Prepare labels containing the SIN and insert it into each sample vial. Seal vials with a cap or stopper and affix a color-coded label to the top to designate its contents (fish eggs, fish larvae, or 23 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 meroplankton).
Record the time that sorting was completed on the Laboratory Bench Sheet and store the sorted samples in designated area of the lab for subsequent taxonomic identification.
Place the bench sheet in the Sorted Sample Folder.4.1.10 Return the sample residue to its original container.
Insert the original sample label after adding words "sorted residue" and preserve in 70% ethanol. Place a unique color-coded label on the lid, seal and store in the designated sorted sample storage area.4.1.11 Until a laboratory technician has been deemed qualified, his/her sorting will be checked by EAI's QA/QC Officer or another qualified technician, as described in the QAP. During this period, prior to storing the sample residue, the QA!QC Officer or designee will inspect the sorting tray(s) of the original sorter, and any missed organisms will be removed, counted and placed into the appropriate sample vials. The total number of missed organisms missed will be recorded on the Laboratory Bench Sheet and Sorting Efficiency calculated.
Additionally, on-going QC checks will be made over the life of the project, as described in the QAP.After all applicable QC checks are completed, the sample residue will be archived.4.2 Sample Splitting 4.2.1 Samples containing excessive amounts of debris (algae, ctenophores, etc.) or high numbers of plankton may be split with a Folsom or Motodo sample splitter, at the direction of the Laboratory Manager. The Lab Manager will visually inspect the sample and determine if a split is appropriate.
Samples that would require an experienced Certified Sorter more than four hours to process will generally be split.4.2.2 Pour sample into sample chamber and dilute with sufficient amount of tap water from a wash bottle to ensure an even split.Gently but thoroughly stir sample, tilt splitter, and carefully pour 24 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 contents into collection trays. Check to ensure that water levels in the two collection trays are equal. If not, combine contents of both trays in sample chamber and repeat the process. Carefully and thoroughly rinse chambers after each use and empty wash water into collection trays.4.2.3 Remove collection trays. Place contents of one tray in grided sorting tray(s) for processing.
Place contents of other tray into labeled residue container.
4.2.4 If necessary, make additional splits, by pouring contents of one of the collection trays (a one-half split) back into the chamber and repeat the process, as necessary until desired organism density is obtained.
With each successive split, pour the residue from the unused half into the labeled residue container.
Record the total number of splits on the Laboratory Bench Sheet.4.2.5 The count of individuals for each species in the split sample multiplied by the inverse of the split is the estimated number of organisms in the total sample.4.3 Sample Weighing 4.3.1 Weigh sorted fish eggs, fish larvae, and meroplankton separately.
4.3.2 Zero analytical balance.4.3.3 Place weighing dish on scale and record weight to nearest one-thousandth gram. Leave dish on scale.4.3.4 Decant ethanol from sample vial using a mesh sieve, rinse internal label, sieve and sample vial with de-ionized water and transfer all specimens into 40 ml beaker.4.3.5 Using forceps, place Whatman filter on top of vacuum pump apparatus, place glass sample receptacle on top of filter, seal with metal clamp.4.3.6 Measure 100 ml of de-ionized water and pour into sample receptacle and turn on vacuum pump. When filter paper is exposed begin timing for 10 seconds then turn vacuum pump off.25 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 4.3.7 Remove filter paper with forceps and place on weighing dish in analytical balance and weigh to nearest one-thousandth gram, record on data sheet. This represents the wet weight of the filter paper.4.3.8 Place filter paper back on vacuum apparatus, attach sample receptacle and secure, pour sample from 40 ml beaker into sample receptacle.
Use squirt bottle to thoroughly rinse sides of 40 ml beaker with de-ionized water to remove any residue and pour into sample receptacle.
4.3.9 Turn on pump and rinse sides of sample receptacle with de-ionized water until clean. Let pump run 10 seconds after filter paper is exposed and then turn off pump.4.3.10 Use forceps to remove filter and place on weighing dish. Weigh sample to nearest one-thousandth gram, record on data sheet.4.3.11 Subtract wet filter weight from value of wet filter and sample. This is the net wet sample weight.4.3.12 Repeat steps 4.3.2 through for 4.3.11 for each of the different components of sample (fish eggs, fish larvae, and meroplankton).
4.4 Taxonomy 4.4.1 Obtain a bench sheet from the Sorted Sample Folder and locate the corresponding sample bottles. Fill in all requisite information (taxonomist name, date and start time) at the top of the Laboratory Bench Sheet. Remove and retain internal sample label.4.4.2 Prepare a series of sample vials filled with 70% ethanol.4.4.3 Pour the contents of the sample bottle into a sorting tray. Identify shellfish (meroplankton) and ichthyoplankton to the lowest practical taxon. Count and record the number of individuals for each taxon by life stage (e.g., egg, yolk-sac larvae, post-yolk-sac larvae, or juvenile for fish; larval stage for shellfish), on the Laboratory Bench Sheet. Specimens damaged beyond recognition 26 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 will be recorded as unidentified.
Scientific and common names will follow Nelson et al. (2004).4.4.4 In the event that a sample contains an excessive number (>200) of organisms of various life stages, subsampling may be conducted using the Folsom or Motodo sample splitter (see 4.2). The number of splits will be recorded on the Laboratory Bench Sheet, and numbers of organisms contained in the analyzed portion of the sample will be extrapolated to estimate the number in the full sample.4.4.5 Determined total length (TL) to the nearest 1.0 millimeter for up to 50 undamaged larvae of each life stage for all species contained in the sample. Record lengths on the Laboratory Bench Sheet.4.4.6 Place each taxon whose identity is questionable in separate vials.Return all other specimens to the original sample bottle. Prepare labels for each sample vial using pencil or extra fine-tipped waterproof marker. Place the SIN on one side of the label and the scientific name on the reverse side. Return the original sample label to the sample bottle containing composited species. Secure the vials/bottles with lids or stoppers, as appropriate, and place in the area designated for sample archival/QC.
4.4.7 Record the date and time the taxonomy was completed on the Laboratory Bench Sheet and file in the Taxonomic Folder.4.4.8 One or more representative individuals of each species will be preserved in 70% ethanol and retained in a reference collection archived at EAI. Individuals will be selected to represent the various sizes and developmental stages of the species contained in the samples. An electronic photographic reference collection will also be maintained.
If specimens are removed from a sample for the reference collection, a notation will be made on the Laboratory Bench Sheet.27 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 4.4.9 Organisms that cannot be readily identified in the laboratory will be sent to an outside recognized expert (approved by the Golder Project Manager) for taxonomic identification/confirmation.
Alternatively, electronic images of the specimens may be submitted to the expert, alleviating the need for sending specimens through the mail.5.0 Sampling Location and Frequency 5.1 Sampling Locations (Figure 1)5.1.1 Sampling will be conducted at the following locations:
5.1.1.1 Atlantic Ocean in vicinity of PSL offshore intake structures (Stations 1-3).5.1.1.2 Big Mud Creek adjacent to PSL Emergency Cooling Water Intake System (Station 1).5.1.1.3 Indian River Lagoon between ICW and mouth of Big Mud Creek (Stations 2 and 3).5.1.1.4 Intake canal near Unit 2 headwall.5.2 Sampling Commencement and Frequency 5.2.1 Initial sampling will begin in January 2006.5.2.2 All sampling will be conducted bi-weekly for a total of 26 sampling events per year (Table 1).5.3 Number and Location of Stations and Samples 5.3.1 Nearfield ocean trawl sampling.5.3.1.1 During each sampling event, sampling will be conducted at each of three stations.5.3.1.2 A single bottom trawl and a single mid-water trawl sample will be collected at each station during each diel sampling period.5.3.1.3 Sampling will be conducted once during the day (Y2 hour after sunrise to /2 hour before sunset) and once during the night (1/2 hour before sunset to 2 hour2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> after 28 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 5.3.2 sunrise).
This yields 6 bottom and 6 mid-water trawl samples per sampling event.5.3.1.4 A total of 156 bottom trawl and 156 mid-water trawl samples will be collected per year (6 samples per sampling event X 26 sampling events; Table 1).Nearfield IRL/BMC trawl sampling.5.3.2.1 During each sampling event, sampling will be conducted at each of three stations.5.3.2.2 A single bottom trawl sample will be collected at each station during each diel sampling period.5.3.2.3 Sampling will be conducted once during the day (%/hour after sunrise to /2 hour before sunset) and once during the night (V2 hour before sunset to 2 hour2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> after sunrise).
This yields 6 bottom trawl samples per sampling event.5.3.2.4 A total of 156 bottom trawl samples will be collected per year (6 samples per sampling event X 26 sampling events; Table 1).Nearfield IRL/BMC ichthyoplankton sampling 5.3.3.1 Nearfield IRL/BMC bongo net sampling for ichthyoplankton will be conducted at each of three stations.5.3.3.2 A single bongo net sample will be collected at each station during each diel sampling period.5.3.3.3 Sampling will be conducted once during the day ('A hour after sunrise to %2 hour before sunset) and once during the night (A hour before sunset to %2 hour after sunrise).
This yields 6 bottom ichthyoplankton samples per sampling event.5.3.3 29 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 5.3.3.4 A total of 156 bottom ichthyoplankton samples will be collected per year (6 samples per sampling event X 26 sampling events; Table 1).5.3.4 Entrainment sampling 5.3.4.1 Sampling for ichthyoplankton entering the St. Lucie Plant intake canal will be conducted at one location.5.3.4.2 A single 1-m plankton net sample will be collected during each diel sampling period.5.3.4.3 Sampling will be conducted once during the day (V 2 hour2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> after sunrise to /2 hour before sunset) and once during the night (2 hour2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> before sunset to 2 hour2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> after sunrise).
This yields 2 entrainment samples per sampling event.5.3.4.4 A total of 52 entrainment samples will be collected per year (2 samples per sampling event X 26 sampling events; Table 1).6.0 Water Quality 6.1 A suite of standard water quality parameters, including temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, will be taken during each sampling event.6.2 Water quality conditions will be measured in situ as stipulated in the procedures for each type of sample collection.
6.3 All meters taken into the field will be calibrated at the EAI office prior to and following data collection in accordance with EAI's Quality Manual and QAP for the St. Lucie Plant project.7.0 Health and Safety 7.1 All employees will read and be familiar with the St. Lucie Plant HASP.30 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 7.2 An approved copy of the HASP will be kept with the field team during all sampling activities.
7.3 Appropriate safety gear will be worn and utilized for all field activities in accordance with the HASP and any additional measures mandated by FPL.31 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc FIGURE 1 892000 894000 896000 898000 900000 904000 906000 892000 894000 896000 898000 900000 902000 904000 906000 FPL St. Lucie Plant 316(b) Monitoring Program Sampling Locations-----------
-,e-9109 ýILSAI OiiT.CQUOM k"MAT". INC St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc Table 1 Summary of 316(b) Field Sampling Program for St. Lucie Plant, St. Lucie County, Florida.Impact Gear Frequency Locations Replicates Number of Assessment Samples/Year Bottom Otter Trawl 26/Yr Nearfield 4.9-m semi-balloon (Night&Day)
Ocean Mid-Water Otter 26/Yr Trawl 3 156 4.9-m semi-balloon (Night&Day)
Bottom Otter Trawl 26/Yr 3.0-m semi-balloon (Night&Day)
Bongo Net 26/Yr 1 156 (0.300-mm mesh) (Night&Day)
Entrainment 1-m Plankton Net 26/Yr (Intake Canal) (0.300-mm mesh) (Night&Day) 1 33 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc APPENDIX A CALIBRATION OF FIELD INSTRUMENTATON 34 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 FIELD INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION General Information The day of each sampling event, the Field Team Leader will verify that all equipment is in proper working condition, calibrated, and that batteries are properly charged (DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000). Calibrations performed prior to the collection of the first sample for each event are considered Initial Calibrations and are recorded on the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Log. Final Calibration Checks will be performed upon return to the lab. Initial and Final calibration checks will be performed for all measured variables.
If an Initial or Final Calibration Check fails to meet acceptance criteria, the instrument will be immediately recalibrated.
If the instrument fails a second time, it will be removed from service. In this case, the Field Technician will use the back-up instrument during collection of field data (DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000). If a Final Calibration Check fails to meet acceptance criteria, and it is not possible to reanalyze the sample(s), the Field Team Leader will a) report all results between the last acceptable calibration check and the failed calibration check as "estimated" by using the 62-160, F.A.C. qualifier "J"; b)include a narrative description of the problem; and c) shorten the time period between verification checks or replace/repair the instrument, as appropriate.
Specific Procedures Specific Procedures for each of the field instruments to be used during the 316(b) field sampling program at the Port Everglades Plant are provided in the following tables.35 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-1 Procedures for System Conductivity Calibration of the YSI 85 Meter 1. Prior to calibration of the YSI 85, it is important to remember the following:
1.1. Always use clean, properly stored, NIST traceable calibration solutions.
When filling a calibration container prior to performing the calibration procedures, make certain that the level of calibration buffers is high enough in the container to cover the entire probe. Gently agitate the probe to remove any bubbles in the conductivity cell.1.2. Rinse the probe with distilled water (and wipe dry) between changes of calibration solutions.
1.3. During calibration, allow the probe time to stabilize with regard to temperature (approximately 60 seconds) before proceeding with the calibration process. The readings after calibration are only as good as the calibration itself.1.4. Perform sensor calibration at a temperature as close to 25'C (77'F) as possible.This will minimize any temperature compensation error.2. Turn the instrument on and allow it to complete its self-test procedure.
- 3. Select a calibration solution that is most similar to the sample you will be measuring.
- 4. Place at least 3 inches of solution in a clean glass beaker.5. Use the MODE button to advance the instrument to display conductivity.
- 6. Insert the probe into the beaker deep enough so that the oval-shaped hole on the side of the probe is completely covered. Do not rest the probe on the bottom of the container
-suspend it above the bottom at least 1/4 inch.7. Allow at least 60 seconds for the temperature reading to become stable.8. Move the probe vigorously from side to side to dislodge any air bubbles from the electrodes.
- 9. Press and release the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW buttons at the same time.10. The CAL symbol will appear at the bottom left of the display to indicate that the instrument is now in Calibration Mode. The *C should be flashing to demonstrate that the instrument is reading Specific Conductance (temperature compensated; NOT Specific Conductivity which is NOT temperature compensated).
- 11. Use the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW button to adjust the reading on the display until it matches the value of the calibration solution you are using.12. Once the display reads the exact value of the calibration solution being used (the instrument will make the appropriate compensation for temperature variation from 25 0 C), press the ENTER button once. The word "SAVE" will flash across the display for a second indicating that the calibration has been accepted.13. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000. Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.36 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-2 Procedures for Dissolved Oxygen Calibration of the YSI 85 Meter 1. Ensure that the sponge inside the instrument's calibration chamber is wet. Insert the probe into the calibration chamber.2. Turn the instrument on by pressing the ON/OFF button on the front of the instrument.
Press the MODE button until the dissolved oxygen is displayed in the mg/L. Wait for the dissolved oxygen and temperature readings to stabilize (usually 15 minutes is required).
- 3. Use two fingers to press and release both the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW buttons at the same time.4. The LCD will prompt you to enter the local altitude in hundreds of feet. Enter 0 for our location.
Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the altitude.
When the proper altitude appears on the LCD, press the ENTER button once.5. The Model 85 should now display CAL in the lower left of the display, the calibration value should be displayed in the lower right of the display and the current mg/L reading (before calibration) should be on the main display. Make sure that the current mg/L reading (large display) is stable. Verify that the reading satisfies the acceptable calibration criteria for the appropriate temperature:
Solubility of 02 Instrument response that results in a precision Instrument response that results in a precision of Temp in Water-(0 Qn saturated Air-a of +/- 0.2 mg DO/L and an accuracy of+1- 0.2 +/-0.2 mg DO/L and an accuracy of +/-0.2 mg Sea Level mg DO/L DO/L 20.0 9.092 8.892 -9.292 mg/L 8.892 -9.292 mg/L 21.0 8.915 8.715 -9.115 mg/L 8.715 -9.115 mg/L 22.0 8.743 8.543 -8.943 mg/L 8.543 -8.943 mg/L 23.0 8.578 8.378 -8.778 mg/L 8.378 -8.778 mg/L 24.0 8.418 8.218 -8.618 mg/L 8.218 -8.618 mg/L 25.0 8.263 8.063 -8.463 mg/L 8.063 -8.463 mg/L 26.0 8.113 7.913 -8.313 mg/L 7.913 -8.313 mg/.L 27.0 7.968 7.768 -8.168 mg/L 7.768 -8.168 mg/L 28.0 7.827 7.627 -8.027 mg/L 7.627 -8.027 mg/L 29.0 7.691 7.491 -7.891 mg/L 7.491 -7.891 mg/L 30.0 7.559 7.359 -7.759 mg/L 7.359 -7.759 mg/L Table 2. Solubility of Oxygen in Water (Saturated with Air) at Various Temperatures at an Atmospheric Pressure of 760 P mm (Sea Level). Values taken from DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1500.6. Once the mg/L reading has been verified to pass the acceptance criteria, press the ENTER button. The display should read SAVE, then should return to the Normal Operation Mode.7. Each time the Model 85 is turned off, it may be necessary to re-calibrate before taking measurements.
All calibrations should be completed at a temperature which is as close as possible to the sample temperature.
Dissolved oxygen readings are only as good as the calibration.
- 8. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000 (see Table 1). Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.37 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-3 Procedures for Temperature Calibration of all Thermistor Devices (YSI 85 Meter, YSI 60 Meter, and Fisherbrand Field Thermometer)
- 1. In conformance with DEP-SOP-0001/01 FT 1400 Field Measurement of Temperature, all calibrations for temperature will be performed using a NIST-traceable Celsius certified thermometer with scale marks for every O.1 0 C increment, a range of 0°C to 100IC, and a correction chart supplied with certification.
- 2. The EAI Field Laboratory is equipped with a Brooklyn Thermometer Company, Inc.certified thermometer that meets the above standards (certified June 30, 2003). Store this thermometer in the manufacturer's hard case in a cool, dry area of the Field Lab.3. The factory certificate states the following corrections are needed for the Brooklyn NIST-traceable standard thermometer.
Temperature Thermometer Correction Reading 0°C 0.09 -0.09 10 0 C 10.09 -0.09 20 0 C 20.10 -0.10 30 0 C 30.09 -0.09 40 0 C 40.12 -0.12 Table 3. NOTE: If the correction is -the true temperature is lower than the thermometer reading.4. Inspect glass thermometers for liquid separation.
Do not use a thermometer if the liquid has separated.
- 5. Allow the thermistor (meter) devices and the Brooklyn NIST-traceable standard thermometer to equilibrate to ambient in-situ temperature.
- 6. Record the temperature reading from the Brooklyn NIST-traceable standard thermometer to the nearest 0.1 *C when the reading stabilizes and remains constant.Record this reading under "STD VALUE" (Standard Value) on the Field Instrument Calibration Records sheet.7. Record the temperature reading from all thermistor (meter) devices and field thermometers against the Brooklyn NIST-traceable standard thermometer at several temperatures in the expected sample measurement range, using the correction factors indicated above. Record these readings under "INSTRUMENT RESPONSE" on the Field Instrument Calibration Records sheet.8. Make note in the Field Instrument Calibration Records sheet, the degrees of deviation between the Standard Value and the Instrument Response.
If the standard temperature is lower than the thermistor reading, then the correction is -; if the standard temperature is higher than the thermistor reading, then the correction is +.Using a waterproof Sharpie pen, write this correction on a piece of labeling tape on the thermistor itself.9. The field measurement device may be used with a linear correction factor provided that the observed temperature difference with the standard thermometer is 38 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 documented at incremental temperatures over the range of the expected sample temperatures.
- 10. Use the resulting correction factor when making temperature measurements of samples with the thermistor.
- 11. Prominently display the correction factor on the field measurement device, with the date last checked.12. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000 (see Table 1). Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.39 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc Table A-4 Procedures for Dissolved Oxygen Calibration of the YSI 54 DO Meter 1. Ensure that the oxygen probe is prepared for operation and the two probe plugs are connected to the jacks on the side of the instrument.
- 2. With the instrument turned off, check the mechanical ZERO of the meter (pointer should indicate zero). Tap the meter case to overcome pivot friction -adjust with the screw meter on the case. Recheck when the position of instrument is changed.3. Switch to the RED LINE position and adjust the meter to red line with the front panel control.4. Place the probe in the calibration medium.5. Switch to the TEMP position and read the temperature when the meter is steady.6. Switch to the ZERO position and adjust the meter to zero with the ZERO control.7. Switch to the 0- 10 or 0-20 ppm position and calibrate the instrument with the CAL control.8. There are two methods for calibration.
We will use the following procedures:
- 9. Place the probe in fresh air of known temperature.
Use the following table to obtain the oxygen concentration value. Adjust the instrument for that value. This method is possible because, under equilibrium conditions, the partial pressure of oxygen in air-saturated water is equal to that of the oxygen in water-saturated air.Temperature Solubility of Oxygen in Water-(0Q Saturated Air at Sea Level (0 C) (mg/L)0.0 14.621 1.0 14.216 2.0 13.829 3.0 13.460 4.0 13.107 5.0 12.770 6.0 12.447 7.0 12.139 8.0 11.843 9.0 11.559 10.0 11.288 11.0 11.027 12.0 10.777 13.0 10.537 14.0 10.306 15.0 10.084 16.0 9.870 17.0 9.665 18.0 9.467 19.0 9.267 20.0 (68.0 -F) 9.092 21.0 (69.8 -F) 8.915 22.0 (71.6 -F) 8.743 23.0 (73.4 -F) 8.578 24.0 (75.2 -F) 8.418 25.0 (77.0 TF) 8.263 26.0 (78.7 -F) 8.113 27.0 (80.6 -F) 7.968 28.0 (82.4 TF) 7.827 40 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc 29.0. (84.2 'F) 7.691 30.0 (86.0 TF) 7.559 31.0 7.430 32.0 7.305 33.0 7.183 34.0 7.065 35.0 6.950 36.0 6.837 37.0 6.727 38.0 6.620 39.0 6.515 40.0 6.412 41.0 6.312 42.0 6.213 43.0 6.116 44.0 6.021 45.0 5.927 46.0 5.835 47.0 5.744 48.0 5.654 49.0 5.565 50.0 5.477 Solubility of Oxygen in Water (Saturated with Air) at Various Temperatures at an Atmospheric Pressure of 760 P mm (Sea Level).Values taken from DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1500.10. This table assumes the use of water saturated air. The error which may result from the lack of water vapor pressure using dry air is small.11. NOTE: Calibration and measurement should be carried out on the same range to avoid compounding meter tolerance error. For example, if the instrument is calibrated on the 0-20 ppm range and read on the 1-10 ppm range, a 0.2 ppm error (1% of full scale on the 0-20 ppm range) could be added to a 0.1 ppm error (1% of 10 ppm) to total 0.3 ppm.12. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000 (see Table 1). Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.41 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-5 Procedures for Conductivity Calibration of the YSI 33 Meter 1. If necessary, with the switch OFF, adjust meter to 0 pMHOS with meter screw.2. Make sure that plug probe is fitted tightly into jack.3. Select a calibration solution that is most similar to the sample you will be measuring.
- 4. Fill a 250-mL glass beaker with the 1 mS/cm conductivity standard, and submerge the probe in the solution.5. Switch to RED LINE. Adjust meter to red line with RED LINE control.6. Switch to TEMPERATURE, read meter when needle is steady. Verify temperature using the NIST-traceable Celsius certified thermometer.
- 7. Read temperature, and set 'C CONTROL to indicated temperature.
- 8. To measure conductivity, switch to appropriate jiMHOS range for on-scale meter reading. Multiply meter reading by range. (pMHOS directly correspond to jtS/cm.)9. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000. Verify that the reading falls within a 5% margin of error of the 1,000 [tS/cm conductivity standard.
Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.42 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-6 Procedures for Ph Calibration of the YSI 60 Meter 1. The YSI 60 MUST be calibrated before making pH measurements.
Calibration may be performed at 1, 2, or 3-points (at pH 7, 4, and 10). Perform a 1-point calibration (at pH 7) ONLY if a previous 2 or 3-point calibration has been performed recently.
In most cases, a 2-point calibration will be sufficient for accurate pH measurements, but if the general range of pH in the sample is not known, a 3-point calibration may be necessary.
3-point calibration assures accurate pH readings regardless of the pH value of the sample.2. Turn the instrument on by pressing the ON/OFF key. If the instrument was already on, press the MODE key until pH is displayed.
- 3. Rinse the probe with deionized or distilled water, then carefully dry the probe with KimWipes (or rinse it with some of the pH buffer solution to be used for calibration).
- 4. Place 30 mL of the pH 7 buffer in the-100 mL plastic graduated cylinder.
The graduated cylinder minimizes the amount of solution needed. Immerse the probe making sure that both the pH and temperature sensors are covered by the solution.5. For best results: 5.1. Calibrate as close as possible to the anticipated water temperature at the point of sampling.5.2. After storage in pH 4 buffer/KCI solution, place the sensor in pH 7 buffer and allow to acclimate before calibrating (5 to 10 minutes).5.3. Always give the pH and temperature sensors enough time to equilibrate with the temperature of the buffer.6. To enter the calibration menu, use two fingers to press and release both the UP ARROW and DOWN ARROW keys at the same time. The YSI 60 display will show CAL at the bottom, STAND will be flashing and the main display will show 7.00 (the buffer to be used to adjust the offset).7. NOTE: The YSI 60 automatically accounts for the fact that the true pH of the buffers changes with temperature, therefore, the pH values displayed during calibration will vary with temperature.
- 8. Press the ENTER key. The YSI 60 display will show CAL at the bottom, STAND will stop flashing and the pH calibration value is shown with the middle decimal point flashing.9. When the reading is stable (does not change by 0.01 pH in 10 seconds), the decimal point will stop flashing.
Press and hold the ENTER key to save the calibration point.The YSI 60 will flash SAVE on the display along with OFS to indicate that the offset value has been saved.10. SLOPE will now appear on the display and be flashing.
This indicates that the slope is ready to be set using a second pH buffer. The system is now calibrated at a single point. If you are only performing a single point calibration, press the MODE key to return to normal operation.
- 11. Rinse the probe with deionized or distilled water, then carefully dry the probe with KimWipes. (Don 't press any buttons!)43 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 12. If you are performing a 2-point Continuing Verification Check or 3-point Initial or Final calibration, thoroughly rinse the plastic 100-mL graduated cylinder with distilled water. Fill it with 30-mL if the second value pH buffer (pH 4) and immerse the probe into the solution.13. Press the ENTER key. The YSI 60 display should now show CAL at the bottom, SLOPE will stop flashing and the pH calibration value (automatically sensed by the instrument) is shown with one of the decimal points flashing.14. Since the second pH buffer is less than the first buffer (which was used to adjust the offset; pH 7), the left decimal point will flash.15. When the reading is stable (does not change by 0.01 pH in 10 seconds), the decimal point will stop flashing.
Press and hold the ENTER key to save the first SLOPE.The YSI 60 will flash SAVE on the display along with SLP to indicate that the first slope value has been saved.16. SLOPE will start flashing again indicating that the slope is ready to be set using a third pH buffer.17. The system is now calibrated at two points. If you are only performing a two point Continuing Verification calibration, press the MODE key to return to normal operation.
- 18. Rinse the probe with deionized or distilled water, then carefully dry the probe with KimWipes.
STOP HERE IF PERFORMING A 2-POINT CONTINUING VERIFICATION CALIBRATION.
- 19. If you are performing a 3-point Initial or Final Calibration, rinse the 100-mL plastic graduated cylinder with distilled water and fill it with the third value pH buffer (pH 10). Immerse the probe into the solution.
Make sure that the temperature sensor is immersed.20. Press the ENTER key. The YSI 60 display will now show CAL at the bottom, SLOPE will stop flashing and the pH calibration value (automatically sensed by the instrument) is shown with one of the decimal points flashing.
Since the third buffer is greater than the first (which was used to adjust the offset; usually pH 7), the right decimal point will flash.21. When the reading is stable (does not change by 0.01 pH in 10 seconds), the decimal point will stop flashing.
Press and hold the ENTER key to save the second SLOPE.The YSI 60 will flash SAVE on the display along with SLP to indicate that the second slope value has been saved.22. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000 (see Table 1). Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.23. The system is now calibrated at three points and will return to normal operation.
- 24. Rinse the probe with deionized or distilled water.44 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP. Revision 1.1 doc March 2006 Table A-7 Procedures for Calibrating the Orion Research Model 201 Ph Meter Single-Buffer Calibration
- 1. Choose a buffer which is near the expected sample pH.2. Buffer should be at room temperature.
- 3. Set the slope to 100% or to the percent slope determined in a two-buffer calibration.
Set the temperature to the temperature of the buffer.4. Rinse electrode with distilled water and shake off excess water.5. Place the electrode in the buffer. Wait for a stable display. Set the meter to the pH value of the buffer at its measured temperature (this table of pH values at various temperatures is supplied with the buffer).6. Rinse electrode with distilled water and shake off excess water.Two-Buffer Calibration
- 7. This procedure is recommended for precise measurement.
- 8. Choose two buffers which bracket the expected sample pH. The first should be pH 7 and the second near the expected sample pH (e.g., pH 4).9. Ensure that buffers are at room temperature.
- 10. Rinse electrode with distilled water and shake off excess water.11. Place electrode in the pH 7 buffer. Wait for a stable display. Set the meter to the pH value of the buffer at its measured temperature (this table of pH values at various temperatures is supplied with the buffer).12. Rinse electrode with distilled water and shake off excess water.13. Place electrode in the second buffer. When display is stable, set meter to the actual pH value of the buffer.14. Rinse electrode with distilled water and shake off excess water.15. Determine whether the instrument has passed or failed the Calibration Acceptance Standards as specified in DEP-SOP-001/01 FT 1000 (see Table 1). Document the results in the EAI Field Instrument Calibration Records.45 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc APPENDIX B EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST OCEAN TRAWL SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT 46 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST OCEAN TRAWL SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT Item Calibration Ready Required Copy of SOP Copy of FWC Special Activity License (SAL)Copy of Health and Safety Plan Field and Boat Logs Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Contact list (Names and phone numbers of Coast Guard, FWC Law Enforcement, SeaTow, etc.)Cell phones (primary/backup)
Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Boat gear (fire extinguisher, PFD's, flares, oar, first aid kit, air horn, anchor and line, and depth recorder)Handheld GPS (primary/backup) with spare batteries GPS coordinates of sample sites Tool box and tools Jerry jug w/extra gas Extra quarts of oil 4.9-meter bottom otter trawl (primary and backup)4.9-meter mid-water otter trawl and backup doors Flow meters (primary/backup)
Container of tap water and syringe for filling flow meter Trawl harness Primary water quality meter(s) ______ -_Backup water quality meter(s)Igloo cooler with ice Multiple large plastic tubs for holding and sorting samples Fish length boards, calipers Hanging scales (large and small)Field guides and summaries of key taxonomic characters Ziploc bags of various sizes Interior labels for Ziplock bags and sample jars Pencils, waterproof markers, sample labels Field watch and stopwatch Rain gear Flashlight and headlamps Work gloves Q-beam spotlight and accessories (AC adaptor and spare batteries)
Spare parts (batteries, etc.)47 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc APPENDIX C EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST IRL/BMC TRAWL SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT 48 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST OCEAN TRAWL SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT Item Calibration Required Ready Copy of SOP Copy of FWC Special Activity License (SAL)Copy of Health and Safety Plan Field and Boat Logs Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Contact list (Names and phone numbers of FPL contacts, Coast Guard, FWC Law Enforcement, SeaTow, etc.)Cell phones (primary/backup)
Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Boat gear (fire extinguisher, PFD's, flares, oar, first aid kit, air horn, anchor and line, and depth recorder)Handheld GPS (primary/backup) with spare batteries GPS coordinates of sample sites Tool box and tools Jerry jug w/extra gas Extra quarts of oil 3.0-meter bottom otter trawl (primary and backup)Flow meters (primary/backup)
Container of tap water and syringe for filling flow meter Trawl harness Primary water quality meter(s)Backup water quality meter(s) ____.._Igloo cooler with ice Multiple large plastic tubs for holding and sorting samples Fish length boards, calipers Hanging scales (large and small)Field guides and summaries of key taxonomic characters Ziploc bags of various sizes Interior labels for Ziplock bags and sample jars Pencils, waterproof markers, sample labels Field watch and stopwatch Rain gear Flashlight and headlamps Work gloves Q-beam spotlight and accessories (AC adaptor and spare batteries)
Spare parts (batteries, etc.)49 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc APPENDIX D EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST IRL/BMC BONGO NET SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT 50 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST BONGO NET SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT Item Calibration Required Ready Copy of SOP Copy of FWC Special Activity License (SAL)Copy of Health and Safety Plan Field and Boat Logs Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Contact list (Names and phone numbers of FPL contacts, Coast Guard, FWC Law Enforcement, SeaTow, etc.)Cell phones (primary/backup)
Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Boat gear (fire extinguisher, PFD's, flares, oar, first aid kit, air horn, anchor and line, and depth recorder)Handheld GPS (primary/backup) with spare batteries GPS coordinates of sample sites Tool box and tools Jerry jug w/extra gas Extra quarts of oil 3 Flow meters (2 primary & backup)Container of tap water and syringe for filling flow meter Primary water quality meter(s)Backup water quality meter(s)(3) Plankton nets and cod-ends (300-micron mesh)(2) Bongo net frames (2) Net depressors/planers Net repair kit 100-ft of 3/8" line for towing nets Squeeze bottles (for washing down cod end)Plastic Ziploc baggies (various sizes)(16) 1-L plastic sample jars, spiked w/formaldehye, and lids Interior and exterior sample labels Box for holding and transporting specimen jars Pencils, waterproof markers Field watch and stopwatch Rain gear Flashlight and headlamps Latex or surgical gloves Tape (electric, duct)Spare parts (batteries etc.)51 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.March 2006 Revision 1.1 doc APPENDIX E EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST ENTRAINMENT SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT 52 St. Lucie Plant 316(b) SOP.June 2005 Revision 0.doc EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES CHECKLIST ENTRAINMENT SAMPLING, ST. LUCIE PLANT Item Calibration Ready Required Copy of SOP Copy of FWC Special Activity License (SAL)Copy of Health and Safety Plan Field and Boat Logs Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Contact list (Names and phone numbers of FPL contacts)Cell phones (primary/backup)
Clipboard and Field Data Sheets Boat gear (fire extinguisher, PFD's, oar, and first aid kit)Tool box and tools Flow meters (primary & backup) and bridle Container of tap water and syringe for filling flow meter Primary water quality meter(s) _ _._ ___Backup water quality meter(s) ;: --7 " 1-m plankton nets and cod-end (300-micron mesh)Net depressor/planers 50 ft of 3/8" line for deploying net.Bow line with O-ring Net repair kit Squeeze bottles (for washing down cod end)(2) 1-L plastic sample jars, spiked w/formaldehye, and lids Interior and exterior sample labels Pencils, waterproof markers Field watch and stopwatch Rain gear Flashlight and headlamps Q-beam spotlight Latex or surgical gloves Spare parts (batteries etc.)53