fpl. l-2012-142 cfr april 3, 2012 u.s. nuclear regulatory ... · l-2012-142 10 cfr 52.3 april 3,...

0FPL. L-2012-142

10 CFR 52.3

April 3, 2012

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory CommissionAttn: Document Control DeskWashington, D.C. 20555-0001

Re: Florida Power & Light CompanyProposed Turkey Point Units 6 and 7Docket Nos. 52-040 and 52-041Updated Ecology Information for the Combined License Application Part 3 -Environmental Report

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) provides, as an attachment to this letter, updatedecology information for the Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 Combined License Application(COLA) Environmental Report (ER). ER subsections 2.4.1.2, 4.3.1.1.2, 4.3.1.3.1, 5.6.1,and 6.5.1.1 are affected by this update. The attachment identifies changes that will bemade in a future revision of the Turkey Point Units 6 and 7 COLA.

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact me at 561-691-7490.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on April 3, 2012.

Sincerely,

William MaherSenior Licensing Director - New Nuclear Projects

WDM/RFO

Attachment: Ecology Updates to COLA Part 3 - ER

cc:PTN 6 & 7 Project Manager, AP1 000 Projects Branch 1, USNRC DNRL/NRORegional Administrator, Region II, USNRCSenior Resident Inspector, USNRC, Turkey Point Plant 3 & 4

Florida Power & Light Company

700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, FL 33408

Proposed Turkey Point Units 6 and 7Docket Nos. 52-040 and 52-041Ecology Updates to COLA Part 3 - ERL-2012-142 Attachment Page 1 of 6

COLA Part 3, Subsection 2.4.1.2 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:

The Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais coupern) is a federally threatened species thatinhabits a variety of habitats in the southeastern United States from scrub and sandhill to wetprairies and mangrove swamps. Their existence is frequently linked to gopher tortoisepopulations and use of their subterranean burrows. Indigo snakes have been observed southof the industrial wastewater facility in the Everglades Mitigation Bank (in 2004 and 2008-2011),and within an area south of SW 344th Street/Palm Drive 7 adjacent to the FPL child daycarefacility (in 1981), and at two locations in the Eastern Preferred transmission line corridor(in 2011). Eastern indigo snakes could also be found within appropriate habitats found nearthe access roads, reclaimed water pipelines, FPL-owned fill source, and transmissioncorridors. Critical habitat has not been defined for the indigo snake.

Several state-listed species have been observed on or adjacent to the Units 6 & 7 plant area.These include two threatened species: the least tern (Sterna antillarum) and the white-crownedpigeon (Columba leuccephala). A Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana),designated as "species of special concern", was observed on one occasion in 2010along the main north-south access road in the southern portion of the industrialwastewater facility. Florida burrowing owls typically inhabit open, well drainedlandscapes such as pastures and mowed areas. Six wading birds designated as "speciesof special concern" have been observed on or adjacent to the 6 & 7 plant area: little blueheron (Egretta caerulea), roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), snowy egret (Egretta thula), tricoloredheron (Egretta tricolor), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), and white ibis (Eudocimus albus).Many of these wading bird species were observed during 2008-2009 reconnaissance alongthe transmission corridors and all wading bird species could possibly use appropriate wetlandhabitats associated with the access roads, reclaimed water pipelines, FPL-owned fill source,and transmission corridors.

COLA Part 3, Tables 2.4-1 and 2.4-2 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:


Table 2.4-1 (Sheet I of 4)Avifauna Observed onlnear the Turkey Point Plant Property and Along ExistinglProposed Transmission Corridors

GeneralCommon Name Scientific Name Habitat(a) FES(b) DERM(b) Survl(b) Surv2(b) Winter'09(c)Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus C Y ....Common myna Acridotheres tristis F -- - - YSpotted sandpiper Actitis macularia C Y Y Y YRed-winged blackbird Agelaius phoenicius M, C Y - Y Y CRoseate spoonbill Ajaia ajaja M, C, T - - Y YAnhinga Anhinga anhinga C, T - - - Y UGreat egret Ardea albus M, T Y Y Y Y CGreat blue heron Ardea herodias M, C, T Y - Y Y C

Florida burrowing owl(d) Athene cunicularia floridana C .....Great horned owl Bubo virginianus M - Y Y - -

Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis M, F, C Y ....Red shouldered hawk Buteo lineatus C, T Y - Y - -

Broad-winged hawk Buteo platypterus T - - - Y -

Green heron Butorides virescens M, T Y Y Y Y USanderling Calidris alba C - Y Y - -

Red knot Calidris canutus C .- - UWestern sandpiper Calidris maurii C - Y Y -L ULeast sandpiper Calidris minutilla C - Y Y - UChuck-will's-widow Caprimulgus carolineusis C - - - Y -

Northern cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis C, T Y - - Y UWillet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus C - - Y - CTurkey vulture Cathartes aura C, T Y - - Y CBelted kingfisher Ceryle alcyon C, T Y Y Y Y USemipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus C - Y Y - UKilldeer Charadrius vociferous F, C Y Y Y Y CWilson's plover Charadrius wilsonia C - Y Y - -


Table 2.4-1 (Sheet 4 of 4)Avifauna Observed on/near the Turkey Point Plant Property and Along Existing/Proposed Transmission Corridors

GeneralCommon Name Scientific Name Habitat(a) FES(b) DERM(b) Survl(b) Surv2(b) Winter'09(c)Everglades snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis p. T - - - YAmerican redstart Setophaga ruticilla M - - - YYellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius C Y ....Least tern Sterna antillarum C, T - Y Y YCommon tern Sterna hirundo C, M Y ....Royal tern Sterna maxima C - - Y -

European starling Stumus vulgaris F - - - Y CLesser yellowlegs Tringa flavipes C - Y -

Greater yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca C - Y Y Y CSolitary sandpiper Tringa solitaria C - Y Y -

American robin Turdus migratorius M Y ....Mourning dove Zenaida macroura C, F, M, T - - - Y U

(a) Habitat categories include: C - cooling canal area, F - facilities area, M - mangrove area8, T - transmission corridor.(b) Avian surveys within the Turkey Point plant property prior to the seasonal surveys:

FES: surveys of the canal area, mangrove areas (E of canals) in 1972-1973.DERM: surveys of the plant area on August 29, 2007, by Miami-Dade County Dept. Environmental Resources Mgmt.Survl: surveys of the Units 6 & 7 and construction staging areas in November 2007, and June 2008.Surv2: reconnaissance of the general facility, cooling canals, and transmission corridors in May 2008, and during other wildlife surveys in April 2009(does not including the seasonal avian surveys).

(c) During the late winter 2009 avian surveys, species were classified by their relative abundance: A = abundant (> 50 individuals observed), C =common (10- 50 observed), U = uncommon (< 10 observed).

(d) Florida burrowing owls were not observed during the surveys described in footnotes b and c. A single Florida burrowing owl wasobserved on October 18, 2010, along the main north-south access road in the southern portion of the industrial wastewater facility.


Table 2.4-2Wildlife Observed on/near the Turkey Point Plant Property and Along the Existing/

Proposed Transmission Corridors

General Early AprilHabiat~) Suvey~b) 2009

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat(a) Surveys(b) SurveysMammals

Virginia opossum Didelphus virginiana M, T - YWhite-tailed deer Odocoileus virginiana M, T - YRice rat Oryzomys palustns C, M YCotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus M YRaccoon Procyon lotor C, F, M, T - YBlack rat Rattus rattus C, M - YCotton rat Sigmodon hispidus C - YMarsh rabbit Silvilagus palustris C, T Y YEastern cottontail Silvilagus floridanus C, M Y -

ReptilesCarolina anole Anolis carolinensis C, M, T YKey West anole Anolis sagrei stejnegeri C, M YCuban brown anole Anolis sagrei C, F, M - YFlorida softshell turtle Apalone ferox M - YSouthern black racer Coluber constrictor priapus C, M Y YAmerican crocodile Crocodylus acutus C, M Y YEastern diamondback Crotalus adamanteus C, M, T YrattlesnakeEastern indigo snakelci Drymarchon corais couperi S, T - -

Mediterranean gecko Hemidactylus turcicus M - YGreen iguana Iguana iguana C - YMangrove salt marsh snake Nerodia clarkii M Y Y

compressicaudaFlorida water snake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris M - YRough green snake Opheodrys aestivus C - YAmphibians

Florida cricket frog Acris gryllus dorsalis C, M YSouthern toad Bufo terrestns C, T - YGreenhouse frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris M - YGreen tree frog Hyla cinerea C, M, T Y -

Little grass frog Hlya ocularis C, M, T Y -

Squirrel tree frog Hyla squirella C, M, T Y -

Florida chorus frog Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa C, M Y -

Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana C, M, T Y -

Southern leopard frog Rana utricularia M, T - Y


(a) General habitat categories: C = industrial wastewater facility (including proposed construction site); F =existing facilities (Units 1-5); M = mangrove swamp;-and T = transmission corridors- ; and S = south ofthe industrial wastewater facility.

(b) Observation recorded in AEC 1972, and reconnaissance in 2003 and 2008.(c) Observations recorded south of industrial wastewater facility in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011;

observations recorded along transmission corridor in 2011. Indigo snakes were not observedduring the surveys described in footnote b.

COLA Part 3, Subsection 4.3.1.1.2 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:

Small numbers of wood storks have been observed in shallow water within the laydown areaimmediately west of the Units 6 & 7 plant area. Wetlands within this laydown area and theplant area would be eliminated by construction of Units 6 & 7. However, wood storks and otherwading birds also use shallow waters within the industrial wastewater facility and, therefore,the loss of these wetlands within the construction areas would not significantly impact local orregibnal wood stork populations, and impacts would be SMALL (also see Subsection4.3.1.3.1).

One Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), a species of special concern,had been observed in the southern portion of the industrial wastewater facility. Floridaburrowing owls typically inhabit open, well drained landscapes such as pastures andmowed areas. Given that the Florida burrowing owl has not been observed within theconstruction footprint or in areas likely to be impacted by construction activities,construction impacts on the Florida burrowing owl would be SMALL.

COLA Part 3, Subsection 4.3.1.3.1 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:

The initial component of the Clear Sky-to-Levee corridor would cross the industrial wastewaterfacility, most of which is considered critical habitat for the crocodile. Small areas of habitatwithin the industrial wastewater facility would be lost for transmission tower pads and bridgesto access the pads and crocodiles may be disturbed temporarily during tower installation.Potential mitigation for construction impacts to crocodiles are described in Subsection4.3.1.1.2, including enhancement of other portions of their habitat and construction constraintsduring sensitive periods of activity (nesting season and nocturnal period).

Eastern indigo snakes have been observed at two locations in the Eastern Preferredcorridor. This snake inhabits a variety of habitats in Florida, ranging from mangroveswamps and wet prairies to xeric pinelands and scrub, so it is reasonable to concludethat appropriate habitats along other corridors exist. Construction of new corridors,modification of existing corridors and constructionlmodification of access roads wouldresult in temporary disturbance during the activity and some alteration of potentialhabitat. Given that the Eastern indigo snakes could continue to use habitats within anytransmission corridor after construction is complete, construction impacts on theEastern indigo snakes would be SMALL.


COLA Part 3, Subsection 5.6.1 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:

As identified in Subsection 2.4.1.2, multiple federal- and state-listed endangered andthreatened species, candidate species, and state species of special concern are found inMiami-Dade County, the county containing all of the proposed and existing transmissioncorridors (see Table 2.4-3). During a recent reconnaissance (April and June 2008) of thesecorridors, a single Everglade snail kite was the only federally listed fauna observed in or nearthe corridors (ENP segment). These kites feed almost exclusively on apple snails and, thus,use extensive marsh systems or lake littoral zones as foraging habitat.

Subsequent to the 2008 transmission corridor reconnaissance, an Eastern indigo snakewas observed at two locations on the Eastern Preferred transmission corridor in 2011.Eastern indigo snakes inhabit a variety of habitats.

COLA Part 3, Subsection 6.5.1.1 will be updated in a future COLA revision, as shownbelow:

As reported in Subsection 2.4. 1, several important species (as defined in NUREG-1 555) existor have been observed within the Turkey Point plant property including the Americancrocodile, American alligator, woodstork, Florida manatee, eastern indigo snake, little blueheron, snowy egret, reddish egret, tricolored heron, white ibis, white-crowned pigeon, roseatespoonbill, least tern, Florida burrowing owl, and game species such as deer, rabbits,waterfowl, and dove.

fpl. l-2012-142 cfr april 3, 2012 u.s. nuclear regulatory ... · l-2012-142 10 cfr 52.3 april 3,...

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