NC0001422_Fish Tissue Monitoring Plan_20201125

tiaN DUKE L.V.Sutton Energy Complex
801 Sutton Steam Plant Rd
ENERGY Wilmington,NC 28401
PROGRESS 0 910.341.4750
t 910.341.4790
November 13, 2020
Certified Mail#7018 1130 0001 4419 9764(2 copies)
Ms. Cyndi Karoly, Chief Water Sciences Section
NCDEQ-DWR
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1621 RECEIVED
Subject: Sutton's Proposed NPDES Fish Tissue Monitoring Plan NOV 2 5 2020
NCDEQ/DWR/NPDES
Dear Sir or Madam:
Enclosed is Duke Energy Progress LLC's (Duke Energy's) NPDES Fish Tissue Monitoring Study
Plan. This is in accordance with condition A. (11.) of NPDES permit NC0001422 for the L.V.
Sutton Energy Complex which became effective July 1, 2020.
If there are any questions, please contact either:
• Mr. R. Glenn Rivenbark, NPDES ORC for the L. V. Sutton Energy Complex; phone (910)
341-4774, e-mail [e-mail];
• Mr. Kent Tyndall, Environmental Professional for the L. V. Sutton Energy Complex; phone
[phone] or e-mail Kent.Tyndall @duke-energy.com; or
• Mr. Justin Dycus, Sr. Environmental Specialist at our North Carolina Regional Office, phone
[phone] or email [e-mail].
I certify. under penalty of law, that this document and all attachments were prepared under my direction or
supervision in accordance with a system designed to assure that qualified personnel properly gather and evaluate the
information submitted. Based on my inquiry of the person or persons who manage the system, or those persons
directly responsible for gathering the information, the information submitted is, to the best of my knowledge and
belief. true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that there are significant penalties for submitting false information,
including the possibility of fines and imprisonment for knowing violations.
Sincer- ,
0:- Corri r
eneral Manager
C: Certified Mail#7018 1130 0001 4419 9757(1 copy)
Sergei Chernikov
NCDEQ NPDES Permitting Unit
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
i

Fish Tissue Monitoring of Sutton Lake and the Cape Fear River
Study Plan
Sutton Energy Complex
NPDES No. NC0001422
DU KE
ENERGY.
November 2020

•
Table of Contents
Section Page
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 Sampling Locations 3
3.0 Target Species for Tissue Monitoring 3
4.0 Field Sampling Methods 4
5.0 Tissue Analysis 4
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting 4
7.0 References 5
2

1.0 Introduction
Duke Energy Progress(DEP)owns and operates the Sutton Energy Complex(Sutton Plant)located
near Wilmington,North Carolina. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES
NC0001422) permit for the Sutton Plant requires DEP to conduct trace elements monitoring in
fish muscle tissue, in accordance with a study plan approved by the North Carolina Division of
Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). This study plan outlines the proposed methods for sampling,
analyzing, and data reporting to fulfill these NPDES permit monitoring requirements. DEP
recognizes that the specifics of this plan may need to be modified to reflect information gained
during implementation. Any such modifications shall be subject to NCDEQ approval.
2.0 Sampling Locations
Target fish will be collected from Sutton Lake and the Cape Fear River(see map below) for trace
element analysis of muscle tissue. Since the lake water circulates and is considered mixed and
homogeneous, target fish will be collected from the whole lake as available. From the Cape Fear
River fish will be collected from three areas. Area UP is located approximately between 1.1 and
2.8 statute miles upstream of the plant discharge and will serve as a reference location to monitor
background trace element concentrations in fish muscle tissue. The area in the immediate vicinity
of the Sutton Plant discharge point (DI) will serve to monitor potential near-field uptake of
elements in fish muscle tissue. Area DW, between approximately 2.1 and 2.6 statute miles
downstream of the plant discharge point, will serve to monitor far-field uptake of elements in fish
muscle tissue.The sampling areas will be similar to those previously approved by NCDEQ(CP&L
1998).
3.0 Target Fish Species for Tissue Monitoring
The proposed target species are based on prior sampling experience,likely availability,importance
as fish food, predatory nature of certain species, and general trophic level. DEP personnel will
attempt to collect six individuals of the same species from Micropterus spp. (top predator), and
Lepomis spp. (intermediate predator). Other similar species may be retained if the primary target
species are unavailable.
Specimens retained for analysis will be individuals considered of sufficient size for human
consumption.As recommended by the US 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). Conformance with
this guideline will depend upon the availability of size class at a particular sampling station.
4.0 Field Sampling Methods
Standard fishery sampling methods, including active and passive geartypes, will be employed to
collect target species.Boat electrofisher(ESFP-SW-0200;Rev.0)and fyke nets(Procedure ESFP-
SW-0202;Rev. 0)or other standard fishery sampling geartypes will be used as necessary to obtain
the required samples. Nets will be checked, and captured fish removed daily during the sampling
period.
3

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 immediately placed in a labeled (date,
transect, station, etc.) zip-lock bag on ice until they can be frozen. This information will be
recorded on field fisheries data sheets (generally electronic).Each day fish collected will be frozen
on site in portable freezers. Only fresh fish that show no signs of deterioration will be retained for
analysis. Fish that have visible, open wounds that could allow contamination will not be retained.
Sample bags will be labeled with sample location and sample date.
Ancillary environmental data will be collected during each trip including temperature, dissolved
oxygen,and specific conductivity from the surface of each sampling location. Other environmental
conditions may be recorded during each sampling period such as river flow conditions (discharge
based on the nearest U.S. Geological Survey gauging station), and weather conditions as
appropriate.
5.0 Tissue Analyses
All fish will be processed in the laboratory for metals analysis according to DEP Procedure ESFP-
SW-601; Rev. 0 Trace Element 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 or from the laboratory. Quality of vendor laboratory data, if applicable,
will be ensured through the use of NIST tissue standards. The remaining processed sample will be
archived and kept by DEP for two years in the event that re-analysis is needed.
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting
Arsenic, mercury, and selenium concentrations in fish tissues resulting from the analyses will be
reported. A detailed report with the sampling methods, data analysis, and conclusions will be
prepared and submitted upon the subsequent NPDES permit renewal application as required by
NPDES NC0001422.
4

7.0 References
CP&L. 1998. Selenium monitoring of fish in the Cape Fear River, New Hanover County, North
Carolina, Study Plan. New Hill, North Carolina.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). 2000. 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.
5

SUTTON ENERGY COMPLEX
Tissue Monitoring Study Plan
PROGRAM FREQUENCY LOCATION
Trace elements Once per calendar year Whole lake;
Fish(arsenic,mercury, Areas UP,DI,and DW
and selenium)
6

N Area G a 1 000 .1 00 4.000 Feet
A ,- a, h 0 250 500 1.000 Meters
(1 P'Se \ C,
o
e
e3 it ci
ca Public
e Boat
_ Ramp• i
a rSutton Lake
U E
_
UP n V
C-... . asitiArea H
+•i°$rf Y Q New
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*it•4 X., Ash Pond\\ `�
;b• ,e0441.41.0.4 4. • Area B AreaA04 .w ••,0 .
'•...�,., ,O� Intake
r.�4 Canal
•+ 4, : \ Sutton
44 DI Plant
on Steam Plant Rd
..•.4
Cooling Pond 1•+ e
Discharge ►44
(Duffel! 001)
Fish Tissue Monitoring Locations 7,-----ce-----
Cape Fear River(UP,DI. DW)
Sutton Lake(Whole Lake)
Cartwheel
Branch ' e
V
1 ...lf !
% •ilk 416,
L.V.Sutton Energy Complex
Sutton Lake and Cape Fear River Sampling Locations.
7