ML20128Q310

Responds to NRC Requesting Info on Species Federally Listed or Proposed to Be Listed as Threatened or Endangered.Species Affected If Powerline Specs Change as Listed.No Listed Species Affected by Drawdown Water Release

ML20128Q310
Person / Time
Site:	South Texas
Issue date:	05/30/1985
From:	Hall H INTERIOR, DEPT. OF, FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
To:	Knighton G Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2-13-85-I-41, NUDOCS 8506040152
Download: ML20128Q310 (2)

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FISI AfD WRJEIFE N y'x. -:d/ DIVISION of ECOLOGICAL SERVICES 17629 El CNENO REAL, SUITE 211 HOUS'im, 'IEXAS 77058 May 30, 1985 Consultation No. 2-13-85-I-41 Mr. George Knighton, Chief Licensing Branch No. 3 Division of Licensing Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Knighton:

This responds to your letter dated May 2, 1985 requesting infornation on species federally listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endan-gered. The proposed action involves the operation of the South Texas Nuclear Station Units 1 & 2 and associated transmission lines. Your geo-graphic area of interest is Matagorda, Wharton, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Brazoria, Lavaca, Victoria, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Comal and Bexar Counties, Texas.

On May 3, 1985, members of my staff met with Mssrs. Jerry LaRoche and Charles Billups of your staff. The purpose of the meeting was, as you've stated in the subject, letter, to " assure a ' thorough reviei' of available ,

data with emphasis on updating information analyzed during the construc-tion / licensing phase of the South Texas Nuclear Station.

Issues discussed at the meeting included:

1. the affect upon species federally listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered by the operatiotal phase of the powerlines shown in your map,

2. the af fect upon species federally listed .or proposed' to be listed as threatened or endangered by the operational phase of drawdown water discharge into the Colorado River, and

3. the affects upon the aquatic ecosystem of the Colorado River from the discharge of the drawdown water.

In addressing each of the issues listed above, we were advised that each of the three transmission powerlines were already in existance . and in operation. Assuming that the proper consultation procedures were fol-lowed prior to their construction, the association of each powerline with the South Texas Nuclear Project should not change the original " affect" determination. However, changes in powerline specifications could change the original determination. Therefore, if powerline specifications are changed, the following species would be affected:

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[ M.; j UNITED STATES

!n Ui DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

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'QL/ DIVISI N of ECOIOGICAL SERVICES 17629 El CAMINO REAL, SUIE 211 HOUSIM, TEXAS 77058 May 30, 1985 Consultation No. 2-13-85-I-41 Mr. George Knighton, Chief Licensing Branch No. 3

- Division of Licensing Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Dear Mr. Knighton:

This responds to your letter dated May 2, 1985 requesting information on species federally listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endan-gered. The proposed action involves the operation of the South Texas N'1 clear Station Units 1 & 2 and associated transmission lines. Your geo-graphic area of interest is Matagorda, Wharton, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Brazoria, Lavaca, Victoria, DeWitt, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Comal and Bexar Counties, Texas.

On May 3, 1985, members of my staff met with Masrs. Jerry LaRoche and Charles Billups of your staff. The purpose of the meeting was, as you've stated in the subject. letter, to " assure a ' thorough review" of available data with emphasis on updating information analyzed during the construc-tion / licensing phase of the South Texas Nuclear Station.

Issues discussed at the meeting included:

1. the affect upon species federally listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered by the operational phase of the powerlines shown in your map,

2. the affect upon species federally listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered by the operational phase of drawdown water discharge into the Colorado River, and 3.- the affects upon the aquatic ecosystem of the Colorado River from the discharge of the drawdown water.

In addressing each of the issues listed above, we were advised that each of the three transmission powerlines were already in existance and in operation. Assuming that the proper consultation procedures were fol-lowed prior to their construction, the association of each powerline with the South Texas Nuclear Project should not change the original "af fect" determination. 'However, changes in powerline specifications could change l the original determination. Therefore, if powerline specifications are changed, the following species would be affected:

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• 2 County Species Jackson, DeWitt, Gonzales Whooping crane (Grus americana)

Guadalupe and Lavaca Attwater's prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Fayette None Colorado Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Attwater's prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)

Wharton Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Matagorda Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Brazoria Brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Jaguarundi (Felis yagouaroundi.

cacomitti)

With regards to Item 2 above, our data indicate no listed species would be affected by the proposed action.

Aside from the endangered species analysis, the EIS you will be preparing should address potential impacts to the aquatic. ecosystem of the Colorado L River from drawdown water discharge. Specifically, data pertaining to water temperature changes, mixing zone size and effluent quality should be included.

If we can be of further assistance, please call our office at (713) 229-3681 or FTS 526-7681.

Sincerely yours, H. Dale Hall Field Supervisor CHM /psm cc: SE, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Austin, TX f

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