NC0001422_Review of LV Sutton Steam Plant_20110317

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NCDENR
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Division of Water Quality
Beverly Eaves Perdue Coleen H. Sullins Dee Freeman
Governor Director Secretary
March 17, 2011
J. Mark Frederick, Plant Manager
Sutton Steam Electric Plant
Progress Energy
801 Sutton Steam Plant Road
Wilmington, NC 28401
Subject: Review of Progress Energy's L.V. Sutton Steam Plant(NPDES Permit NC0001422):
"Fishery Monitoring to Evaluate the Rerouting of Ash Pond Effluent, February 21, 2011".
Dear Mr. Frederick,
Thank you for your continued efforts to provide the North Carolina Division of Water Quality with annual fish
selenium monitoring data from the lower Cape Fear River. As required by NPDES Permit NC0001422,fish
tissue analysis is performed annually by Progress Energy at three locations near the L.V. Sutton Steam
Plant in Wilmington, NC if the outfall from the ash pond discharges to the river for 120 days in a calendar
year. To date, selenium concentrations in all targeted fish species have remained similar to the baseline
concentrations reported in 1999. Progress Energy data from 2010 continues to show that the rerouting of the
ash pond outfall in the Cape Fear River has had little effect on fish Selenium levels in the vicinity of the
power plant and that all Selenium levels in fish are well below the Department of Health and Human
Service's fish consumption action level of lOppm.
As noted in our March 10,2010 letter,we are pleased to know that Progress Energy Carolinas Inc. is
scheduling major changes to the Sutton Steam Electric Plant that will reduce mercury emissions by the year
2014. We see this as a unique monitoring opportunity for Progress Energy Carolinas Inc.and the North
Carolina Division of Water Quality. Therefore,we are requesting that Progress Energy begin simultaneous
mercury analysis of fish from the Lower Cape Fear River during all subsequent fish-selenium monitoring
efforts.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff.
Sincerely,
y�
"Tki‘.6ry
Jay H. Sauber
Chief, Environmental Sciences Section
Cc: Chuck Waklid, Deputy Director
Matt Matthews, Surface Water Protection Section
Tom Belnick. NPDES Complex Permitting Unit
Rick Shiver,Wilmington Regional Office
Environmental Sciences Section
1621 Mail Service Center,Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1621
Location:4401 Reedy Cr Road.Raleigh,North Carolina 27604
Phone:[phone] FAX:[phone] Customer Service:1-877.623-6748 One
Internet:www.ncwaterquality.org NortthCarolliina
An Equal Opportunity 1 Affirmative Action Employer Naturally Ly

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k‘ .� Progress Energy J.Mark Frederick
Plant Manager
File No.: SUT 12520-B
February 21,2011
Certified Mail$
Jay Sauber
North Carolina Division of Water Quality(DWQ)
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh,NC 27699-1621
FISHERY MONITORING TO EVALUATE THE REROUTING OF ASH POND EFFLUENT
Dear Mr.Sauber:
Carolina Power&Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas,Inc.submit three(3)copies of the
fish tissue monitoring report in accordance with Part I,Section A(12)of the L. V.Sutton Steam
Electric Plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System(NPDES)Permit Number
NC0001422. The selenium fishery monitoring report is required annually when discharge of Outfall
004 to the Cape Fear River occurs for more than 120 calendar days in a calendar year.
If you have any questions please contact Robin Bryson at(919)546-3962 or Reid Garrett at(919)
546-5434. Both Robin and Reid are Sr.Environmental Specialists with Progress Energy's
Environmental Health and Safety Section.
I cert, 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.
Respectfully yours,
J. Mark Frederick
Progress Energy Carolinas,Inc.
Sven Steam Plan
801 Sut•r, Stern Plan,F•i:rl
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L. V. Sutton Electric Plant
NPDES Permit No. NC0001422
Selenium Monitoring of Fish in the Cape Fear River, 2010
New Hanover County, North Carolina
Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc.
Environmental Services Section
February 2011

Table of Contents
Page
1.0 Introduction 2
2.0 Study Site Description and Sampling Locations 2
3.0 Target Species 2
4.0 Field Sampling Methods 2
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Selenium Analysis 3
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting 3
7.0 Reference 3
List of Tables
Page
Table 1 Baseline selenium concentrations in axial muscle of fish from the
lower Cape Fear River, 1999 5
Table 2 Selenium concentrations in axial muscle of fish from the
lower Cape Fear River,2010 6
List of Figures
Page
Figure 1 Cape Fear River selenium monitoring locations 4
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1.0 Introduction
Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. (Company) owns and
operates the L. V. Sutton Electric Plant(Sutton Plant) located on the east side of the Cape Fear River
in New Hanover County. Sutton Plant is approximately twelve river miles upstream of Wilmington,
North Carolina. As required by the Sutton Plant's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Permit No. NC0001422, monitoring selenium concentrations in fish from the Cape Fear
River was conducted during 2010 to fulfill the monitoring requirements under Part I, Section A. (12)
Fish Study and Monitoring to Evaluate the Rerouting of Ash Pond Effluent.
2.0 Study Site Description and Sampling Locations
Fish from three locations of the lower Cape Fear River (Figure 1) were collected during four
separate sampling trips in 2010. Multiple sampling attempts were made due to limited
availability of some of the target species. As a result, some of the target species were not
collected during 2010. Sampling Station UP is located approximately 1.5 miles upstream of the
Sutton Plant discharge and is characterized as riverine with woody debris and overhanging trees.
This station typically receives minimal influence of the tidal saltwater intrusion. Station DI is
located near the plant discharge to the river and Station DW is located approximately 1.5 miles
downstream of the discharge. The two stations are greatly affected by tidal saltwater intrusion.
3.0 Target Species
The original primary target species in the study plan for the baseline pre-operational sampling
was the blue catfish Ictalurus f urcatus. During 2010, in addition to blue catfish, channel catfish
Ictalurus punctatus, bluegill Lepomis machrochirus, pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, redear
sunfish Lepomis auritus, and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides were also collected as
target species. An attempt was made to collect fish of similar size; however, due to limited
availability, most target fish were retained and processed regardless of size if enough tissue was
available for analysis.
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4.0 Field Sampling Methods
Standard fishery gear types were used during the collection effort including a boat electrofisher
(pulsed DC current), angling, and trotlines. Trotlines were checked at approximately 24-hour
intervals during the sampling period. High salinity waters at Stations DI and DW affected the
availability of freshwater fish, particularly at Station DW, and as in past sampling years resulted
in fewer target species being collected despite significant sampling effort during the four separate
sampling trips.
Ancillary fisheries data including species, numbers, total lengths, and total weights, were
recorded. Fish collected for selenium analysis were placed in a labeled (date, station, target
species, etc.) bag and placed on ice until they were transferred to an on-site freezer at the end of
each day. Only live fish that showed little signs of deterioration were retained for analysis.
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Selenium Analysis
All fish were processed in the Company's trace element laboratory for selenium analysis
according to procedure NR-00107 (Revision 1)Trace Element Monitoring Laboratory Procedure
of the Progress Energy Certified Biological Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Most of the processed samples (lyophilized) were analyzed in-house according to procedure
CHE-NGG-0044 Energy Dispersive Polarized X-ray Fluorescence Procedure. Eight fish were
analyzed at an external laboratory for selenium using hydride generation/atomic absorption
spectroscopy due to their small sample sizes. Fillets of left axial muscle were used for the
analyses. The fish carcasses with sufficient tissue remaining were archived and will be kept up
to two years in the event that re-analysis is needed.
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting
For comparison purposes, the original baseline selenium concentrations (converted to µg/g wet
weight) in fish collected in 1999 are shown in Table 1. The selenium concentrations (wet
weight) collected in 2010 are shown in Table 2. In addition to the lengths and weight of each
fish, the dry-to-wet weight ratios are presented for conversion the selenium concentrations
between wet and dry weight values, if desired. Selenium values from the fish at all three stations
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were similar to or slightly above the range of values reported in the baseline data. Four fish at
Station DI were slightly elevated above I ppm wet weight. However,all the results were below
the US EPA and North Carolina(Health Department)screening values(NCDNER 2006).
7.0 References
NCDENR.2006.Standard operating procedures fish tissue assessments,Raleigh,North Carolina.
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Table 1. Baseline(prior to Outfall 004 operation)selenium concentrations in axial
muscle of fish from the lower Cape Fear River, 1999.
Length Weight Selenium Dry-to-wet*
Fish Species Month Station (mm) (g) (wet wt.3Ig/g) Weight Ratio
Bluegill January UP 142 49 0.3 0.18
Bluegill January UP 153 66 0.2 0.19
Bluegill January UP 153 66 0.4 0.19
Blue catfish January UP 427 618 0.2 0.18
Blue catfish January UP 310 242 0.2 0.16
Blue catfish January UP 421 572 0.1 0.18
Bluegill January DI 141 52 0.3 0.19
Bluegill January DI 145 48 0.2 0.18
Bluegill January DI 146 51 0.7 0.21
Blue catfish January DI 131 35 0.2 0.17
Bluegill January DW 130 33 0.4 0.18
Bluegill January DW 195 152 0.2 0.20
* To convert to a dry weight, divide the wet weight selenium concentrations by the tissue dry-to-
wet weight ratio.
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Table 2. Selenium concentrations in axial muscle of fish from the lower Cape Fear
River,2010.
Length Weight Selenium Dry-to-wet*
Fish Species Month Station (mm) (g) (wet wt.µg/g) Weight Ratio
Bluegill June UP 196 189 0.3 0.22
Bluegill June UP 201 194 0.4 0.21
Bluegill June UP 168 98 0.4 0.20
Pumpkinseed June UP 180 112 0.2 0.18
Pumpkinseed June UP 163 82 0.5 0.20
Pumpkinseed June UP 176 109 0.4 0.20
Pumpkinseed June UP 164 98 0.4 0.20
Pumpkinseed June UP 157 86 , 0.5 0.18
Pumpkinseed June UP 166 105 0.5 0.19
Pumpkinseed June UP 163 86 0.4 0.18
Largemouth bass June UP 279 344 0.4 0.20
Largemouth bass June UP 279 314 0.4 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 267 256 0.4 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 282 284 0.4 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 257 230 0.4 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 267 276 0.5 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 291 355 0.4 0.18
Largemouth bass June UP 314 508 0.5 0.22
Largemouth bass June UP 305 391 0.3 0.19
Largemouth bass June UP 267 291 0.2 0.19
Channel catfish June UP 475 1040 0.2 0.17
Blue catfish Sept UP 705 4075 0.4 0.26
Blue catfish Sept UP 490 975 0.2 0.14
Blue catfish Sept UP 728 4040 0.2 0.18
Blue catfish Sept UP 622 2450 0.1 0.17
Blue catfish Oct UP 710 4600 0.2 0.19
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Length Weight Selenium Dry-to-wet*
Fish Species Month Station (mm) (g) (wet wt.pg/g) Weight Ratio
Blue catfish Oct UP 631 2800 0.1 0.16
Blue catfish Oct UP 701 3600 0.1 0.19
Blue catfish Oct UP 517 5150 0.1 0.19
Bluegill June DI 201 205 0.5 0.18
Bluegill June DI 177 116 0.5 0.20
Bluegill June DI 169 100 0.4 0.20
Bluegill June DI 171 95 2.2 0.20
Bluegill Sept DI 190 138 1.7 0.19
Bluegill Sept DI 171 110 0.2 0.20
Bluegill Sept DI 176 111 1.2 0.20
Bluegill Oct DI 212 208 0.3 0.18
Bluegill Oct DI 198 170 0.3 0.18
Redear Sunfish Oct DI 219 192 0.4 0.18
Largemouth bass June DI 371 882 0.6 0.21
Largemouth bass June DI 409 1100 0.6 0.21
Largemouth bass June DI 352 707 0.6 0.21
Largemouth bass June DI 349 697 0.6 0.22
Largemouth bass June DI 345 676 0.7 0.22
Largemouth bass June DI 350 654 0.4 0.16
Largemouth bass June DI 356 652 0.8 0.17
Largemouth bass June DI 308 438 1.3 0.20
Largemouth bass June DI 395 960 0.3 0.20
Largemouth bass June DI 336 526 0.7 0.21
Blue catfish Sept DI 784 5425 0.1 0.16
Blue catfish Sept DI 665 2900 0.2 0.17
Blue catfish Oct DI 725 5100 0.4 0.15
Blue catfish Oct DI 645 2800 0.2 0.17
Blue catfish Oct DI 548 1600 0.2 0.17
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Length Weight Selenium Dry-to-wet*
Fish Species Month Station (mm) (g) (wet wt.µg/g) Weight Ratio
Blue catfish Dec DI 725 4575 0.2 0.19
Blue catfish Dec DI 624 2700 0.2 0.19
Blue catfish Dec DI 644 3500 0.2 0.19
Largemouth bass Oct DW 296 448 0.3 0.20
Blue catfish Oct DW 663 3100 0.2 0.16
Blue catfish Oct DW 645 2800 0.2 0.18
Blue catfish Oct DW 830 5900 0.2 0.16
Blue catfish Oct DW 650 3150 0.2 0.18
Blue catfish Oct DW 720 4900 0.2 0.19
Blue catfish Oct DW 652 2850 0.1 0.17
Blue catfish Oct DW 650 3000 0.1 0.18
Blue catfish Oct DW 887 10500 0.2 0.18
Blue catfish Oct DW 678 3800 0.1 0.15
Blue catfish Oct DW 780 5800 0.2 0.15
*To convert to a dry weight, divide the wet weight selenium concentrations by the tissue dry-to-
wet weight ratio.
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