NC0000396_Monitoring (Report)_20190604

Asheville Plant Steam Electric Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC000396
Fish Tissue Monitoring in the
French Broad River Study Plan
Asheville, North Carolina
Buncombe County
Water Resources
Duke Energy
May 2019
Raleigh,North Carolina

Table of Contents
Page
1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Site Descriptions and Sampling Locations 1
3.0 Target Species 1
4.0 Field Sampling Methods 2
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Metals Analysis 2
6.0 Reporting 3
7:0 References 3
List of Figures
Page
Figure 1 Transect UP in the French Broad River 4
Figure 2 Transect DI in the French Broad River 4

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1.0 Introduction
Duke Energy Progress, Inc. (DEP) owns and operates the Asheville Steam Electric Plant (Asheville
Plant) located on the east side of the French Broad River in Buncombe, North Carolina. As required
by the Asheville Plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES) Permit No.
NC000396, DEP will annually monitor arsenic; selenium, and mercury in fish tissue in the French
Broad River. This study plan is submitted for approval to fulfill the monitoring requirements under
Part I, Section A. (13)Fish Tissue Monitoring Near Cooling Pond Discharge(Outfall 001).
2.0 Site Descriptions and,Sampling Locations
Fish muscle tissues will be sampled from the French Broad River at two areas near the Asheville
Plant (Figure 1 and 2). An area upstream (Transect UP) of discharge point will serve as a
reference location to monitor background elements concentration in fish muscle tissue and an
area in the immediate vicinity of the discharge point (Transect DI) will serve to monitor near-
field uptake and assimilation of elements in fish muscle tissue. Both locations can be
characterized as riverine with woody;debris and overhanging trees. The upstream sampling
location will start approximately 9.0 river kilometers above the discharge point and extend for
approximately 3.0 river kilometers downstream. The discharge sampling location will start
approximately 0.6 river kilometers above the discharge point (Outfall 001) and extend for
approximately 0.6 river kilometers downstream.
3.0 Target Species
The proposed target species, are based on prior sampling experience, species availability,
importance as fish food, predatory nature of certain species, and general trophic level. Proposed
target species will be black bass (Micropterus spp.)/rock bass (Ambloplites spp.) and sunfish
(Lepomis spp.). DEP will attempt to collect six individuals of each group from each sampling
location. Specimens retained for individual analysis will be larger individuals consider of older
age and sufficient for human consumption. As recommended by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA), an attempt will be made to ensure that the size of the smallest
individual sampled will not be less than 75% of the total length of the largest fish within each
species group (USEPA 2000). An attempt will be made to conform to,this number and size
criteria; however, the number and size of each species will depend upon the availability of
species at a sampling area.
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4.0 Field Sampling Methods
The following active and passive sampling methods may be employed to efficiently collect.target
species: boat electrofisher (pulsed DC current), hoop nets, gill nets, and trotlines. Standard
sampling methods will be used for each gear type as outlined in the American Fisheries
Techniques Manual (Zale, Parrish, and Sutton 2012). Nets and trotlines will be checked at
approximately 24-hour intervals during the sampling period.
Individual fish retained for trace elements analysis will be identified to species, measured for
total length to the nearest millimeter, weighed to the nearest gram, and placed into a labeled
(date, sampling location, etc.) bag on ice until they can be processed or frozen (fish will be frozen
if processing cannot occur within 24-hours of sample collection). Only fresh fish that show no
signs of deterioration will be retained for analysis. Fish that have visible, open wounds that can
allow contamination will not be retained.
Other supporting environmental data will be collected during each trip. Water quality, consisting
of temperature, dissolved oxygen, and specific conductance will be monitored at the surface of
each sampling area during the sampling period. Other environmental conditions may be noted
during each sampling period include river flow conditions (discharge based on the nearest U.S.
Geological Survey gauging station), weather conditions, and other conditions that may assist in
data interpretation.
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Metals Analysis
All fish will be processed in the laboratory for metals analysis according to DEP procedure NR-
00107 Rev. 4 Trace Elements Monitoring Laboratory Procedure approved SOP on file with
NCDEQ). Sample custody and tracking of samples will be performed using chain-of custody
forms during transport to and from the laboratory. Quality of vendor laboratory data, if
applicable, will be ensured by comparing to National Institute of Standards and Technology
tissue standards. The remaining processed samples will be archived for two years if re-analysis
is needed.
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6.0 Reporting
Arsenic, mercury, and selenium concentrations (converted to µg/g fresh weight) from fish tissue
analysis will be reported along with sampling methods, data analysis, and conclusions. A final report
will be prepared and submitted with the subsequent NPDES permit renewal application as required by
NPDES Permit No.NC000396.
7.0 References
USEPA. 2000. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Guidance for assessing chemical
contaminant data for use in fish advisories,vol. 1. Fish sampling and analysis,third edition. EPA 823-
B-00-007. US EPA,Office of Water. Washington,DC.
Zale AV, DL Parrish, and TM Sutton, editors. 2012. Fisheries techniques, third edition. American
Fisheries Society.Bethesda,MD.
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Figure 2. Transect DI in the French Broad River.
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