NC0004774_Monitoring (Information)_20190530

(� DUKE
ENERGY®
May 30, 2019
NC Division of Water Resources
Water Quality Permitting Section - NPDES
Attn: Dr. Sergei Chernikov
1617 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1617
NC Division of Water Resources
Water Science Section
1621 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1623
Subject: NPDES Wastewater Permit
Buck Combined Cycle Plant
Permit #NCOOO4774
Fish Tissue Monitoring Plan
Duke Energy
Buck Combined Cycle
1385 Dukeville Road
Salisbury, NC 28146
RE4CEIVED/NCDE6Q/DWR
JUN 0 3 2019
Water Quality
Permitting Section
With reference to Section C.(12.) of the subject permit, attached is the fish tissue
monitoring plan for your approval.
Should you have questions or require additional information, please contact Elizabeth
Glenn at [e-mail] or 980-373-0530.
Sincerely,
4 9-� ; �-- -
Kristopher C. Eisenrieth
General Manager II
Buck Combined Cycle
Attachment
7018 0680 0001 8853 7310 — Mailed by USPS to Raleigh 1617
9590 9402 3857 8060 1483 41— Return USPS receipt from Raleigh 1617
7018 0680 0001 8853 7327 — Mailed by USPS to Raleigh 1621
9590 9402 3857 8060 1483 58 — Return USPS receipt from Raleigh 1621

Fish Tissue Monitoring of the Yadkin River
Study Plan
Buck Combined Cycle Station
NPDES No. NC0004774
V
DUKE
ENERGY
APRIL 2019

Table of Contents
Section Page
1.0 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................2
2.0 Sampling Locations..........................................................................................................................2
3.0 Target Species for Tissue Monitoring.............................................................................................. 2
4.0 Field Sampling Methods...................................................................................................................3
5.0 Tissue Analysis.................................:................................................................................................ 3
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting............................................................................................................3
7.0 References........................................................................................................................................3
Attachment A - Fish Tissue Monitoring - Study Plan Summary and Map
1

1.0 Introduction
Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) owns and operates the Buck Combined Cycle Station located on the Yadkin
River in Rowan County, Salisbury, North Carolina. The Buck Combined Cycle Station National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (No. NC0004774, Section C.12.) requires DEC to conduct
trace elements monitoring in fish muscle tissue each calendar year, in -accordance with a study plan
approved by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). This study plan outlines
the proposed methods for sampling, analyzing, and data reporting to fulfill these NPDES permit
monitoring requirements. DEC 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 Areas
Target fish will be collected from three locations on the Yadkin River (see attached' map) for trace
element analysis of muscle tissue. The UP location will serve as a reference to monitor background trace
element concentrations in fish muscle tissue upstream of the Buck Combined Cycle Station ash basin
discharge. All UP samples will be collected on the Yadkin River upstream of the UP location depicted on
the attached map (approximately 2 miles, or greater, upstream of the current ash basin discharge).
Exact collection locations will be dependent upon river flow and access at the time of sampling. The DI
location will serve to monitor uptake of'elements in fish muscle tissue near the Buck Combined Cycle
Station ash basin discharge. All DI samples will be collected on the Yadkin River near the location
depicted on the map (approximately 0.5 miles downstream of the current ash basin discharge). Exact
collection locations will be dependent upon river flow and access at the time of sampling. The DN
location will serve to monitor uptake of elements in fish muscle tissue further downstream of the Buck
Combined Cycle Station ash basin discharge. All DN samples will be collected on the Yadkin River near
the DN location depicted on the attached map (approximately 5.5 miles downstream of the current ash
basin discharge). The sampling areas are similar to those previously approved for the Buck Combined
Cycle Station by NCDEQ (Duke Energy 2013).
3.0 Target Fish Species for Tissue Monitoring
The proposed target species are based on availability, recreational importance as a game or food fish,
and general trophic level. Duke Energy personnel will attempt to collect ten (six minimum) individuals of
insectivorous (e.g., sunfish) and piscivorous (e.g., black bass) species at each location. 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 fish/size class availability at a particular location.

4.0 Field Sampling Methods
Standard fishery sampling methods, including active and passive gear types, will be employed to collect
target species. Boat electrofishing (Procedure FSH-250.0, Rev. 5), trap nets (Procedure FSH-257.00, Rev.
3), or other standard fishery sampling gear types will be used as necessary to obtain the required
samples. If used, nets will be checked and captured fish removed daily during the sampling period.
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 in a labeled (sample date, sample location,
facility, etc.) bag on ice. This information will be recorded on field fisheries data sheets (generally
electronic). Each day the sealed bags of collected fish will be frozen in deep 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.
Supporting information will be collected during each trip including temperature, dissolved oxygen,
specific conductivity, and pH from the surface of each sampling location. Other environmental
conditions may be recorded during each sampling'period such as weather.conditions and lake level as
appropriate.
5.0 Tissue Analyses
All fish will be processed in the laboratory for metals analysis according to Procedure NR-00107 Rev. 4
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 National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tissue standards. The remaining processed sample will be
archived for two years if re -analysis is needed.
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting
Arsenic, mercury, and selenium concentrations (converted to µg/g fresh weight) determined from the
fish tissue analyses will be reported. A report with the sampling methods, data analysis, and conclusions
will be prepared and submitted with the subsequent NPDES permit renewal application as required by
NPDES Permit No. NC0004774.
7.0 References
Duke Energy. 2013. Trace Elements Monitoring in Fish Tissue, Study Plan. Allen Steam Station NPDES No
NC0004979, Buck Steam Station NPDES'No. NC0004774, Cape Fear Steam Station NPDES No.
NC0003433, Cliffside Steam Station NPDES No. NC0005088; Marshall Steam Station NPDES No.
NC0004987. Duke Energy Corporation. Charlotte, NC.
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.

Attachment A
Fish Tissue Monitoring - Study Plan Summary and Map
Buck Combined Cycle Station
PROGRAM FREQUENCY LOCATION
Trace Elements: Yadkin River near Buck Combined Cycle
Fish (arsenic, mercury, selenium) Annual Station;
UP, DI, DN