ML030170639

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Summary of Teleconference with National Marine Fishery Service and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources in Support of the Staffs Review of the H.B. Robinson, Unit 2 License Renewal Application
ML030170639
Person / Time
Site: Robinson Duke Energy icon.png
Issue date: 01/16/2003
From: Emch R
Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs
To:
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Emch R, NRR/DRIP/RLEP, 415-1590
References
TAC MB5226
Download: ML030170639 (2)


Text

January 16, 2002 NOTE TO:

FILE FROM:

Richard L. Emch, Jr., Senior Project Manager /RA/

Environmental Section License Renewal & Environmental Impacts Program Division of Regulatory Improvement Programs Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT:

SUMMARY

OF TELECONFERENCE WITH NATIONAL MARINE FISHERY SERVICE AND SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF THE STAFFS REVIEW OF THE H. B.

ROBINSON, UNIT 2 LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (TAC NO. MB5226)

On Monday, January 13, 2003, the NRC conducted a teleconference with representatives of the National Marine Fishery Service (NMFS) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The following people participated in the teleconference:

Richard Emch, NRC Stacey Fox, NRC Jennifer Davis. NRC Dr. Sam Loftin, LANL Duane Neitzel, PNNL Dr. Stephania Bolden, NMFS Mark Collins, SCDNR The Federally-listed endangered and threatened species were discussed for the South Carolina Counties surrounding H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 (Robinson) - Chesterfield, Darlington, Florence, Lee, and Sumter Counties. Species of concern for these Counties were also discussed in much less detail. The endangered shortnose sturgeon is known to inhabit the Pee Dee River, but it is not known whether this species inhabits Black Creek or how far up Black Creek. Dr. Bolden agreed to send copies of the 1998 Shortnose Sturgeon Recovery Plan and the 2000 Protocol to the NRC. Dr. Bolden and Mr. Collins asked several questions regarding the shortnose sturgeon.

1. What is the potential for the sturgeon to access Lake Robinson? Are there fish passage facilities that would allow the sturgeon to gain access upstream to Lake Robinson? Are there other dams on Black Creek between Lake Robinson and the Pee Dee River?

There are no fish passage facilities for the dam on Lake Robinson. No one participating in the teleconference knew if there are dams lower on Black Creek that block the sturgeon from inhabiting Black Creek below Lake Robinson. Mr. Emch committed that NRC will investigate the existence of downstream dams on Black Creek.

2. What are the potential temperature impacts on sturgeon from thermal releases at Robinson?

Mr. Emch indicated that the water discharged from Robinson into Lake Robinson is regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit issued by the

State of South Carolina. This permit limits the temperature of the discharge water and the amount of contaminants that can be released.

3. What are the potential impacts on sturgeon from contaminants released from Robinson?

Same answer as question No. 2.

4. What are the possible impacts on sturgeon resulting from the flow patterns at the discharge from Robinson?

Mr. Neitzel indicated that surging is not an issue for Lake Robinson because Robinson is not a hydro-powered plant and the lake is not used for pumped storage.

Dr. Loftin noted that the Atlantic sturgeon is also listed by NMFS as a candidate species and should be included in the biological assessment.

Mr. Collins asked if there has been an aerial survey of the plant site and the transmission corridors for bald eagles nests. Dr. Loftin indicated that surveys for bald eagle nests have been conducted, but not aerial surveys. Mr. Collins also indicated that there have been a number of bald eagle deaths that are believed to be linked to hydrilla infestations in lakes in the Southeast.

It is believed that toxic algae grow on the hydrilla, and bald eagles feed on coots (a small waterfowl) that ingest the hydrilla with the toxic algae. Mr. Emch committed that NRC will investigate the possibility of hydrilla infestation in Lake Robinson.

Mr. Collins also asked about surveys and critical habitat for the three endangered plant species

- rough-leaved lossestrife, chaffseed, and Canbys dropwort. Dr. Loftin indicated that CP&Ls Environmental Report states that there are no critical habitats for any of the endangered and threatened species on the Robinson site or the transmission line corridors.

No issues were identified for the other endangered and threatened species. One species of concern, the broadtail madtom (a small catfish), was discussed. Mr. Collins indicated that Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas by Fred Rahde states that this fish is un-described. Mr.

Collins was not aware of any other information about this species.

Accession no.: ML030170639