NC0024406_Fish Tissue Study Plan_20190820

Duke Energy
�•kk) DUKE Belews Creek Steam Station
3195 Pine Hall Road
ENERGY. Belews Creek,NC 27009
(3360 445-0644 OFFICE
[phone] FAX
Certified Mail Number 7015 0640 0006 5098 8911
August g 20, 2019
RECEIVED/NCDEQ/DyyR
Mr. Sergei Chernikov AUG 2 7 2019
WQ Permitting Section -NPDES
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality water Quality
1617 Mail Service Center Permitting Section
Raleigh, NC 27699-1621
Subject: Duke Energy Belews Creek Steam Station, NPDES Permit NC0024406
2019 Fish Tissue Study Plan
Dear Mr. Chernikov:
Enclosed in this letter is the 2019 Belews Creek Steam Station Fish Tissue Study Plan for
NCDEQ review and approval, as required in Section A. (18) [Fish Tissue Monitoring Near Ash
Pond Discharge] of the Belews Creek Steam Station NPDES permit (NC0024406). The 2019
Fish Tissue Study Plan includes the sample locations, methods, and parameters to be analyzed
for fish tissue in the Dan River. We look forward to your review and approval of this plan for
sampling of fish tissue for the next permit term.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Matt McKinney at 980-875-5526, or
via email at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
/71.1111111k
Reginald D. Anderson
General Manager III, Regulated Stations
Belews Creek Steam Station
Power Generation Carolinas East
Enclosure

Arsenic, Selenium, and Mercury Monitoring in Fish Tissue
Study Plan
Belews Creek Steam Station
NPDES No. NC0024406
DUKE
ENERGY
August 2019

I .
Table of Contents
Section
Page
1.0 Introduction
3
2.0 Site Descriptions and Sampling Areas 3
3.0 Target Species 3
4.0 Field Sampling Methods 3
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Elements Analysis 4
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting 4
7.0 References
4
2

1.0 Introduction
Duke Energy owns and operates the Belews Creek Steam Station (BCSS) located in Stokes County, North
Carolina. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for BCSS requires Duke
Energy to conduct trace elements monitoring in fish muscle tissue annually 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 the NPDES permit requirement
for fish tissue monitoring. Duke Energy 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 Site Descriptions and Sampling Areas
Fish muscle tissue will be collected from two areas on the Dan River (see map below). The upstream
sampling area (Area A) is approximately 6.5 miles upstream of the plant discharge and will serve as a
reference location to monitor background trace element concentrations in fish muscle tissue. The
downstream sampling area (Area B), approximately 9.0 miles downstream of the plant discharge point,
will serve to monitor uptake of elements in fish muscle tissue. These sampling areas are accessible by
boat and are consistent with historical sample areas (Duke Energy 2012, 2013, 2014).
3.0 Target Species
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. Duke Energy personnel will attempt
to collect six individuals of the same species from Lepomis spp. and Moxostoma spp. (bottom feeder).
Other similar species may be retained if the primary target species are unavailable.
Specimens retained for individual analysis will be considered of sufficient size for human consumption.
As recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), 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 (US EPA 2000). Conformance with this guideline will depend upon
the availability of size classes at a sampling area.
4.0 Field Sampling Methods
The following active and passive gear types may be employed to efficiently collect target species: boat
electrofisher (puled 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 et al. 2012). Nets
and trotlines will be checked at an approximately 24-hour interval 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, immediately placed in a labeled(date,transect,station,
etc.)bag and stored on ice until they can be frozen. Samples will be processed(NR-00107)or frozen 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 could allow contamination will not be retained, but will
be noted. Sample bags will be labeled with sample location and sample date.
3

In situ water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and specific conductivity will be measured at each
sampling area prior to fish collection. Other environmental conditions, such as river flow and weather
conditions may be recorded during each sampling event.
5.0 Laboratory Processing and Elements Analysis
All fish will be processed in the laboratory for metals analysis according to Duke Energy Progress (DEP)
procedure NR-00107 Trace Element Monitoring Laboratory Procedure (approved SOP on file with NCDEQ
under Biological Laboratory Certification #006). 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 with National Institute of Standards and Technology tissue
standards. The remaining processed sample will be archived for two years in the event re-analysis is
needed.
6.0 Data Analysis and Reporting
Arsenic, mercury, and selenium concentrations resulting from individual fish tissue analyses will be
reported in accordance with applicable NPDES permits. A report with the sampling methods, data
analysis, and conclusions will be prepared and submitted upon the subsequent NPDES permit renewal
application as required by the current NPDES permit NC0024406.
7.0 References
Duke Energy. 2012. Belews Creek Steam Station: 2011 Dan River Summary. Duke Energy Environmental
Services, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Energy. 2013. Belews Creek Steam Station: 2012 Dan River Summary. Duke Energy Environmental
Services, Huntersville, NC.
Duke Energy. 2014. Belews Creek Steam Station: 2013 Dan River Summary. Duke Energy Environmental
Services, Huntersville, 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.
Zale, A.V., D.L. Parrish, and T.M. Sutton, editors. 2012. Fisheries techniques, third edition. American
Fisheries Society. Bethesda, MD.
4

Belews Creek Steam Station
2019 Study Plan
PROGRAM FREQUENCY AREA
Trace elements Once per calendar year A and B
Fish
5

Belews Creek Steam Station Sampling Areas
( \
DUKE ° 0 5 t z mi Area B ;��
Area A *ENERGY
0 0.75 1.5 3 km Lindsey
Bridge
Road
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us tw"g11 \
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Pins Hall /
Road /(
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/ r
3�5
Ash t �e`e
Basin
Belews Creek
Steam Station
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NORTH CAROLINA Belews Creek _----I. ,^°' ASteam Station
6