ML20081B496

Comments on Environ Rept - OL Stage,Per Ofc of Environ Project Review Dec 1983 Memo.Two Unresolved Aquatic Issues Should Be Addressed as Special Study Conditions of OL

ML20081B496
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	01/20/1984
From:	Mcbay L INTERIOR, DEPT. OF, FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
To:	Farley J SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES, INC.
References
ER-83-1572, NUDOCS 8403090189
Download: ML20081B496 (3)

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FISil ANI) WILI) LIFE SI.RVICE

[ DIVISION OF ECOI.OGICAL SF:RVICES 7, , ,

FEDER AL 11Ull. DING, HOOM 334

%,.- IlltUNSWICK, GEORGIA 31520 January 20, 1984 (ER 83/1572)

Mr. John G. Farley Southern Ccmpany Services P. O. Bcx .2625 Birmingham, AL 35202

Dear Mr. Farley:

The Fish and Wildlife Service has reviewed the Environnental Report, Operating License Stage, for Georgia Power Ccmpany's Vogtle Electric Gmerating Plant-(VEGP), Units 1 and 2, Burke County, Georgia. Our consents are submitted in response to Office of Environnental Project Review's December 1983 Manorandum. Several sections in the report address concerns of the Fish and Wildlife Service that have not been conpletely resolved.

Section 2.2.2.2.1. Savannah River Adult Fish Study. It should in recognized that the connercially important species of the Clupeidae family which are known to be abundant in the Savannah River are not incitx3ed in the total biomass of game and connercial fish species (23.7 kg), apparently because of limitations of the sanpling technique.

Section 2.2.2.2.2. Savannah River Larval Fish Study. It is noted that American Shad (Alosa ,sapidissima) comprised 23.6 percent of the total number of eggs and larvae collected. hhile this value is important, it would be recognized as nore m2aningful if comparisons equally represented the spawning pericx1 of all species.

Section 3.4.1.1. Intake Canal. In the report, it is stated that flow through the canal depends on plant operating conditions and river wter level. The average velocity at the river intake canal entrance ranges from 0.01 ft/s at 13,000 gpn withdrawal and water level of 98 ft. msl to 1.05 ft/s at naximum witix1rawal of 72,000 (based on four intake pmps operating) and annual average water level (84 ft. msl:

flow of 10,300 cfs the entrance velocity is 0.11 ft/s. It is noted that the scenario of operation at maximum withdrawal at a low river water level will create flows at the river intake canal entrance wall exceeding 0.5 ft/s and will increase entrainnent of the larval eggs and fish.

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f Section 3.4.1.4. Intake Structure Designs and Operation. Tte report states that redesign to minimize impingement allows one punp to be operated through each intake cell. Associated velocities through a particular'oell will result fr a one punp operating and thus reduce potential impingement losses. The Nuclear Regulatory Ocunission (NRC) concluded on April 29, 1981 that "no significant effects on the fishes

.of the Savannah River will result from inpingement," following submission of the study required by condition E(7) of the VBGP construction permit.

Biological effects of entrainnent are not well defined in the report although Section 5.1.3.1.1 states that under minimum flow conditions losses represent about 0.65 percent of the rivers icthyoplankton. The report further states "This removal is not expected to have an adverse effect on these populations or in the organisms that feed on them."

The report, however, does not define a significant loss.

Section 3.4.5. Discharge System. - This section states that on January

- 29, 1982 the NRC issued amendnent three to the VBGP construction

, permit allowing the design of the discharge structure to be changed frm a subnerged nultiport diffuser to to a single point 24-inch discharge pipe.

NRC evaluation of the study of the change in discharge structure, based on the minimum river flow of 5,800 cfs', concluded that because

, of the size and location of the thermal plune, little or no biological effect is expected (5.1.3.2.). It should be pointed out that this heated effluent discharge will attract selected species of fish. It s- should also be pointed out that the size of the plune may not be as critical as the difference in tenperature between ambient river and discharge if drifting anadramous' fish eggs and larvae are considered.

It is probable that when ambient temperatures abruptly exceed 70 degrees farenheit or abruptly change in excess of 2-3 degrees farenheit it will have a devastating effect on the exposed eggs and larvae of some anadrmous fish.

Although previous studies were conducted which mitigate adverse impacts on anadronous and cther fish through the incorporation of specific design features, the Fish and Wildlife Service suggests there are reaining aquatic issues unresolved that should be addressed as special study c:>nditions of the operating license. These incitrie:

- 1. . A requirenent to monitor entrainnent of anadromous species eggs and larvae in the intake canal <

entrance for two years during the period March 15 -

June 15.

2. Ccnduct a two-year study of the survival of anadrmous fish eggs and larval fish drifting through the thermal plunn during the period March 15 - June 15.

, ite existence of anadromous fish populations is determined largely by

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the environnental conditions of the watershed and for some species 2

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' utilizing 'the South Atlantic streans; survival of each year class bacomes exrem21y important because adults are not repeating spawners.

Consequently, the survival of eggs and larvae becomes critical. Ia

. ' the interest of sustaining these inportant resources, the Fish and Wildlife Service reconnends the incorporation of Special Conditions 1 and-2 into the operating license and that the need for mitigation of 5

impacts be considered following study conpletion. 'lhe Service requests that you provide us a copy each year of the results of Study 1 and 2.- We would also be interested in available reports that

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address radiological nonitoring of fish and wildlife resources.

s Respectfully, ,

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L. Glenn McBay Field Supervisor C to: ~ NRC, Wa hington, DC y - , _ . . . ~

CEPR, Washington, DC IwS/EC, Washington,-DC r

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