c 316 (a) and (b) Finding for Plants at Canaveral -1 

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Based on our discussions of April 28, 1983, I am submitting a final Finding 

of Fact which addresses the criteria of 40 C.F.R. part 125.71 (c) regarding 

316 (a) and our revised 316 (b) conclusions. Hopefully, this document will 

- 

- help you with your deliberations and final issuance of the permits. 

Ronald L. Raschke 

E PA Form 13206 (Rev. 3-76) 
FINDING OF FACT 

FOR 

BIOLOGICAC AND ENVIRONMENT& 316 DEMONSTRATION STUDIES 

AT THE FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT (FPLL) COMPANY 

CAPE CANAVERAL POWER PLANT AND 

THE ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION (OUC) 

INDIAN RIVER POWER PUNT 

INDIAN RIVER 

Source and receiving water body for the two power plants’ cool- 

‘ing water is the Indian River (Figure 1). 

body of brackish water which firms a lagoon parallel to the Atlantic 

shoreline. This lagoon extends frm north of Titusville (latitude 

28’48’N) southward to Stuart, Florida (latitude 27.07”) a distance 

of approximately 190 km (119 mi). Lagoon waters are impounded frun 

the Atlantic Ocean by a continuous chain of off-shore barrier islands. 

The upper reaches of the Indian River are a considerable distance fran 

pints of water exchange with the Atlantic Ocean. The only direct connection with the ocean is Sebastian Inlet, located at the extreme 

southern end of Brevard County, approximately 96 km (60 mi) fran the 

two power plants. Indirectly, the northern portion of the lagoon connects with the ocean via Haulover Canal and Mosquito Lagoon at Ponce 

de Leon Inlet, 42 km (26 mi) north of Haulover Canal (Figure 1). The 

Canaveral Barge Canal connects the Indian River with the Banana River, 

and the Banana River links with the ocean at Port Canaveral (Figure 

1). There is essentially no water flow between the Banana River and 

the ocean because of a ship lock at Port Canaveral. Thus, the northern 

part of the lagoon is susceptible to long flushing periods and high 

salinities in excess of 40 ppt when the rate of evaporation exceeds 

freshwater input. Ambient temperature of the broad expanse of water 

in the Indian River lagoon is controlled by climate. 

The river is a long, narrow 

SITE LOCATIONS 

The Florida Power and Light Company (FP&I,) Cape Canaveral Power 

Plant is located on the western shore of the Indian River near Frontenac, 

Florida which is about half-way between Titusville and Cocoa (Figure 

1). This power plant is about 10 km (6 mi) southwest of the Visitor 

Information Center of the John F. Kennedy Space Center. 

of time, the power plant was known as the Cape Kennedy Power Plant. 

For a period 

I. ’ 
I 

I b 

Figure 1. Location of the FPL Cape Canavers1 and OUC Indlan Rfver 

Plants in Bnvrrd County. flortrla. 

.- 
The Orlando Utilities Commission's (OUC) Indian River Power Plant 

is located on the west shore of the Indian River near Delespine, 

Florida. This power plant is 3.5 km (2.2 mi) upriver from the FP&L 

power plant. 

Both power plants are within the political boundaries of Brevard 

County. Because of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center, the ppulation of Brevard County increased substantially over the past three 

decades. The U.S. Bureau of Census reported the 1950 population to be 

23,653. The population surged to 111,435 in 1960 and 230,006 in 1970. 

Population projections for the county are 296,300 persons in 19RO and 

4R9,500 by the year 2010. .' 

CANAVERNi POOTi 

The portion of the 'tnrlian River (Figure 2) in the vicinity of the 

two power plants is bounded on the north by the NASA Causeway (Fla. 

405) and on the south by the Bennett Causeway (Fla. 528 and AIA), both 

of which link Merritt Island to the mainland. This area is, for purposes of discussion, called the Canaveral Pool. Areas to the north 

and south are referred to as the Titusville Pool and the Cocoa Pool, 

respectively. 

The Cnnaveral Pool has a surface area of 5334 ha (I 3,170 acrcs) 

anfl an avornqe depth of l.A m (5.9 ft). The qrcntcst nntiirsl del9th is 

3.0 111 (s.n ft); ttcwcv(?r, t tic Intrnconntnl Wntcrway i:i (lt.(*tl(y~I to et 

depth of 4.3 m (14.1 ft). The characteristic depth along ttic stlore is 

0.5 m (1.5 ft) for both the east and west sides of the river. 

Water level is controlled by mean ocean elevation, the diurnal 

astronomical tide, rainfall, and wind. A typical daily range is abmut 

G cm (0.2 ft). The difference between the lowest water level and the 

highest water level during the study period was 0.37 m (1.2 ft). 

Typical water velocities under the causeway bridges were 0.03 to 

0.15 m/sec (0.1 to 0.5 ft/sec), averaging about 0.08 m/sec (0.25 ft/ 

sec). Velocities in the full width of the river in the vicinity of 

the pwer plants is about one-fourth of that under the bridges. Durinq periods of flow reversal, water in some sections of the Canaveral 

Pool will continue to flow one way even though water in other sections 

flows in the opposite direction. No internal circulation pattern was 

observed within the Canaveral Pool, except in the immediate proximity 

of the power plants. 

-3- 

, 
IitUIVtLLC *OOL 

CINIVl RaL POOL 

Flgure 2. 

3 

.. 

POOL 

Location of the FPL Cape Canaveral Plant, the WC Indian River 

Plant, and study area for the Cape Canaveral/Indian River Pmject, 

November 1978 - October 1979. 
The volume of the Canaveral Pool is 95' million m3 (3344 million 

ft3). 

95 million m3 (3344 million ft3) to 316 million m3 (118123 million 

ft3) per month, averaging aproximately 198 million m3 (6970 million 

ft3). On the average, slightly more than two changes of water occur 

in the Canaveral Pool each month. Net water flow was measured to be 

north in the spring and summer and south in the autumn and winter. 

The amount of water that enters the Canaveral Pool varies from 

The ambient temperature of the Canaveral Pool (excluding thermal 

plume areas) was identical to the ambient temperature measured in the 

Titusville Pool to the north and the Cocoa Pool to the south. During 

the coldest period (late January and early February) of the study year, 

the average ambient temperature was 14.1.C (57.3.F) and the lowest 

measurement was 11.5.C (52.7.F). During the warmest period (in July 

and early August), the average ambient temperature was 30.3.C (86.5.F) 

and the highest measurement was 32.2.C (90.0.F). The average daily 

range of the ambient water temperature is 1.4.C (2.5.F) in the winter 

and 1.9.C (3.2.F) in the summer. 

Very little temperature stratification occurs in the water column. 

The relatively uniform temperature from top to bottom results from 

the shallow depth combined with mixing caused by the wind. 

POWER PTANT DESCRIPTIONS 

The FP&J, power plant has two essentially identical fossil-fuel 

fired r-lwtricnl qcnprntinq tinitn that have a combinctl continuous 

ticat calmi3ility of 735 MW. Ac*ttiirl nvernqit Ioiicl (net. MW) (1111 111'1 t.Iitb 

sttwly period was 4f35 MW or 66% of the continuous net cnpal~ility; however, during the warmer months of the year, loading was 85% to 96% 

of the net capability. Unit 1 was placed in operation in 1965. It 

has an expected 15 remaining years of service. Unit 2 was fired up 

in 1969 and it has an estimated life of 19 years. 

The FP&L power plant uses a once-through condenser cooling system. 

Cooling water is drawn from the Indian River lagoon through an intake 

canal along the west shore. The intake and discharge structures are 

separated by a mole or peninsula 800 m (2625 ft) in length. The power 

plant has 4 circulating water pumps that produce a cooling flow rate 

of 3.0 million m3/day (1224 cfs or 791 mgd) when all pumps are in 

operation. During the l-year study period, the actual average flow 

rate was 2.4 million rn?/day (9R1 cfs or 634 mqtl) or no?. of the flow 

for a1 1 4 pumps opcrnt inq cant-inuousl y. At tlw intake. st rnct iircwl t iw 

-5- 
water passes through trash bars spaced 67 mm (2.6 in) apart and then 

through conventional traveling screens having a square mesh opening of 

9.5 mm (0.4 in). Cooling water enters the intake of each unit at a 

velocity of about 0.6 mps (2.0 fps). Velocities through the vertical 

bars are 0.7 rnps (2.3 fps), while velocities through the traveling 

screens reach 1.0 mps (3.3 fps). Organisms and debris impinged at the 

FPCL power plant are either raked off the trash bars or washed fran 

the traveling screens into the*Indian River lagoon at a point 9.1 m 

(30 ft) southeast of the Unit 1 discharge. 

The OUC power plant has three fossil-fuel fired electrical generating units. Unit 1 has a capacity of 88 MW, Unit 2 has a capacity of 

204 MW, and Unit 3 has a capacity of 318 MW. The 3 units have a canbined continuous net capability of 610 MW. Actual average load (net 

MW) during the study period was 352 MW or 58% of the combined continuous net capability: yet 74% to 87% of the net capability was utilized between June and October. These 3 units were placed in operation in 1960, 1964 and 1973: thus, they have estimated remaining service of 10, 148 and 23 years, respectively. 

The OUC power plant utilizes a once-through condenser cooling 

system. The intake and discharge structures are separated by a mole 

610 m (2000 ft) in length. The power plant has 7 circulating water 

pumps that produce a cooling water flow rate of 3.2 million m3/day 

(1292 cfs or 835 mgd) when all pumps are in operation. During the 1- 

year stmy period, the actual average flow rate was 2.4 million m3/day 

(988 cfs or 639 mqd) or 76% of the flow of all 7 pumps operating cont inuoiisly. At the intake str~ctiir~~, water ~E~BBCS throtirth trafih hnrR 

npiwccl 67 mm (2. fl 1 n) apart ant1 then through convcrit iottit 1 t riivt: I j ri(1 

scrccns having a square mesh opening of 9.5 mm (0.4 in) on Units 1 and 

2 and 12.7 mm (0.5 in) on Unit 3. Organisms and debris impinged at 

the OUC power plant are raked off the trash bars and washed fran the 

traveling screens. This material is then washed down a sluiceway into 

a metal-meshed basket and hauled away to a land fill. Intake water 

velocities, with all 7 circulating pumps in operation, average 0.17 

mps (0.56 fps) at the entrance of the intake canal and 0.43 to 1.04 

rnps (1.4 to 3.4 fps) at the front of the trash bars. 

During the study year, the two power plants utilized a combined 

average of 144 million m3 of water/mnth (1969 cfs or 5100 million 

ft3/month) or 73% of the average amount of water that enters the 

Canaveral pool each month. Over a week's time, approximately 25% of 

the intake water is made up of recirculated water flowing from the 

discharge around the moles. Approximately 25% of the intake water 

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b: . 
. i 

Overall, the study year generation levels of the 2 plants are not 

significantly different from the levels of the previous 5 years. When 

all 5 units of the 2 plants are in operation at full load, the total 

heat rejected to the cooling water is about 144 x lo9 BTU/day (79 x 

lo9 by Fp&L and 65 x 109 by OUC). 

plants at full load is about 6% of the naturally occurring solar heat 

load. 

The additional heat load fran the 2 

Biologists of EPA's Region IV Ecology Branch have visited the 

C'ape Canaveral site, and they have examined the 1980 demonstration 

document. The following presentation addresses the adverse impacts 

relative to sections 316a and 316b of the Clean Water Act. 

Discharge Effects 

o The common aquatic vegetation in the Indian River lagoon 

study is shoal grass (Halodule wrightii), manatee grass 

(Syringodium filifome-), and drift algae (primarily Gracilaria 

verrucosa, Acanthophora specifera and Hypnea spp. ) . o Drift algae were the most abundant vegetation throughout the 

study year. However, they are, in our opinion, of little value 

in determining the power plants' impacts. Drift algae mobility, 

as exemplified by its growth habit, subjects it to physical 

and biological forces such as winds, currents and presence of 

aeagrass beds which determine its location in space and time. 

o Seagrasses are important cmponents of the Indian River and 

the Canaveral Pool in the warm/wet season. They create habitat 

for other marine flora and fauna through the buildup and stabilization of sediments: they provide areas for habitation by invertebrates and other plants and fishes: and they account for a portion 

of the total production in the marine food chain. 

o Fish and shellfish larval densities were highest at stations 

on the east shore where seagrasses were most abundant. 

o No significant preferences were shown by fish or shellfish 

for any one species of seagrasses. A definite preference for 

a combination of seagrass/drift' algae habitat over a relatively 

pure drift algae habitat was apparent. 

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it 

o Manatee grass supported the highest number of benthic invertebrate species per unit area (species diversity). 

Manatee grass habitats were also characterized by the highest 

mean benthic invertebrate diversity, faunal density and biomass. 

o Shoal grass and drift algae habitats were alike in terms of 

benthic species density and diversity, but shoal grass exhibited higher faunal density and biomass. 

o Seagrass cover wae exteneive durinq the growing seasons of 

sprjnq, mirmmr nnd niltitinn, nttainjnq ita qrenteRt extent in 

*ttily. Iiiir iirl t Iw t-crlclcrr iw1t\t I\n, 1 lw atmi# nnntan *)8'llWl nI ly 111 0 

Imc*k (t~rt ittit w1t Iivly) niul 11wti rcwlqwnt 111 I lit* nlii Iicl. 

seagrass growth is 2388 ha (5896 acres). Of the maximum area 

available for potential seagrass growth, 1756 ha (4336 acres) 

encompass the east shore and 632 ha (1560 acres) circumscribe 

the west side where the 2 power plants are located. 

o Maximum area potentially available in the Canaveral Pool for 

o The extent of the power plants' damage to seagrass beds is 

limited to the vicinity of their discharges for a maximum in 

the summer of 263.7 ha (651 acres or 1.02 mi2)* This damage 

amounts to 11% of the area available for seagrass colonization 

in the Canaveral Pool and 41.7% of the available acreage for 

colonization along the west side of the pool. 

clenude 255 ha (629 acres) of pool area and R km (5 miles) of 

shoreline: OUC denudes 194 ha (479 acres) and 5.3 km (3.3 

miles) of shoreline, and FP&L denudes 61 ha (150 acres) and 

2.7 km (1.7 mi) of shoreline. 

o For all practical purposes, the 2 power p1nnt.R' clIRchnrcft*ti 

o The demonstration reports shows a high association of thermal 

plume effects upon adversely impacted seagrass zones (Tables 

lI.A.5-10, II.A.5-4: Figures 1.C-3, II.A.5-6, 1.C-4, II.A.5-7, 

II.A.5-10). 

o During the wannest 5-week period from July to early August, 

the average ambient temperature was 30.3OC (86.5'F). The 

warmest ambient temperature recorded during the study period 

was 32.2OC (90.0.F). These ambient temperatures are beyond 

the upper temperature limit for optimum growth of manatee 

grass and shoal grass (Manlon and Voss, 1975: Phillips, 1960). 

-8- 
c 

o On a summer day on the Indian River, the total amount of solar 

heat absorbed by the Canaveral Pool is about 2360 x lo9 BTU/day. 

In comparison with the total heat load of the Canaveral Pool, 

the 2 power plants operating at full load add 6.1% as much heat 

as the natural solar heat load. This additional heat load adversely impacts up to 11% (651 acres) of the area that is 

potentially available fir seagrass colonization. 

o Impacts of the discharge plumes on species diversity, species 

evenness, species density, faunal density and biomass were 

spatially restricted. Species diversity was most affected by 

discharge plumes. Impacts upon diversity occurred over the 

broadest area in June. 

o A worst case areal extent for plume impacts upon benthic invertebrate diversity was 245 ha (GO4 acres). Sensitive benthic 

fauna, such as Axiothella, llargeria, Limnodriloirles and 

are significantly less abundant in this area. 

o The maximum areal extent f;or adverse impact upon faunal density 

was 142 ha (350 acres). 

o Figures 1I.A.S-5,6,7 and 8 show plume boundaries at fly-ovem 

in February, May, Auqust and September. During the eritieci. 

period of August 1979, about 243 ha (600 acres) are within the 

3'C isotherm and over 122 ha (300 acres) are within the 6eC 

isotherm. 

o Arthropod and echinoderm biomass were most sensitive to the 

discharges. 

o Adverse plume impacts upon invertebrate biota are greate:', i.- 

the June through September periods when temperatures arc CZCvated. Opportunistic species colonize the impacted areas at 

this time with a concanitant decline of sensitive species. 

Reoccurrence of sensitive species appears after temperature 

effects have moderated. 

o During the warm/wet season, fish eggs, most fish larvae and 

shellfish larvae found within the 2°C isotherm of the drfscharges were adversely affected. The area of adverse inpet 

is equivalent to 7% to 10% (373 ha to 533 ha or 921 acres to 

1316 acres) of the surface area of the Canaveral Pool. (This 

range varies from average to maximum power plants' megawatt 

loads ) . 

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o An estimated 100 manatees use the FPdL and OUC discharges 

as a winter refuge. Most manatees move into the power plants' 

zone of influenace when air temperature drops below 50°F (10°C). 

INTAKE EFFECTS 

o A total of 30,105 "adult" shellfish weighing 4398 kg (9698 

lbs) was recorded for the FP&L plant during the study year, 

while 19,955 shellfish weighing 5570 kg (12,282 lbs) were 

collected at the OUC plant. 

o At both power plants, adult commercial shrimp (Penaeus spp.) 

were the most abundant (by number) shellfish impinged. Based 

on weight (59,160 kg or 130,440 lbs), the noncommercial horseshoe crab was the most abundant shellfish impinged. 

o At both power plants, impingement of commercial shrimp over 

the year amounted to 204,926 individuals weighing 5103 kg 

(11,226 lhs) 

o Total annual impingement at both power plants was 7,163,729 

fish weighing 26,729 kg (58,927 lbs). The FP&L plant impinged 

6,798,379 fish weighing 20,849 kg (45,964 lbs) while the OlJC 

plant removed 365,3SO fish weighing 5R80 kg (12,963 lbs). 

o Bay anchovy accounted for 93% of the total number of fish 

impinged by both power plants. This amounts to 6,662'26P 

anchovie impinged annually. Although high numbers of brl4.y 

anchovy were impinged by both power plants, the weight (894-7 

kg) impinged was relatively small. 

o Silver perch was the second most abundant fish impinged 

during the demonstration. Total annual impingement was 153,431 

individuals weighing 2667 kg (5881 lbs). 

o Weight of predominant or imprtant sport or commercial 

fishes impinged, other than anchovy, amounted to 13,194 kg 

(29,087 lbs) annually or 83 lbs/day. 

-1 0- 
'. 1 

o The magnitude of estimated entrainment for larvae and postlarvae of abundant forage species such as anchovies and 

gobies ranged from 9.9 billion to 6.4 billion, respectively. 

o Estimates for sport and canmercial taxa entrained included 

drum (1058 million), sole and flounder (105 million). 

o These estimates of potential larval and post-larval entrainment are based on sampling with stationary nets in the intake 

canal. Because of gear avoidance, they represent minimal 

estimates. 

In the case of the sport and commercial taxa mentioned above, 

virtually no larvae or post-larvae greater than 5 mm were 

collected in the sampling. Post-larvae up to 25 rnm are 

normally abundantly entrained with specimens to 35 mm 

occasionally entrained. Thus, it appears likely that the 

entrainment estimates for the sport and commercial taxa 

represent severe underestimates of the numbers actually being 

entrained. 

o The numbers of dead and decomposed larvae in th meroplankton 

samples (greater than 30% of the total collected for some 

species) combined with the absence of larvae greater than 5 

mm are very perplexing. In other power plant studies i~ the 

southeast, dead and decanposed larvae were rarely, if 

collected by conventional sampling techniques. Several possibilities were considered including: 

00 Iliqh larva 1 mortal I ty eubeequent to itl)w>rrjt ion of 

the yolk sat resulting from heat, toxics, or inmlcquate food supply. While this may be the case, it 

does not appear to be a function of power plant effects 

alone since Station 12, outside the Canaveral Pool, 

exhibited the same pattern of dead and decompsed 

larvae. 

This raises the possibility that the Indian River 

system it is subject to a variety of stresses to the 

extent that it is presently not serving as a functional 

nursery area for the larvae and post-larvae of many 

indigenous species. 

-1 1- 
00 Poor sample preservation could explain the dead 

and decomposed larvae in which case the lack of 

larger larvae may be a function of gear avoidance. 

o As a measure of entraiment impact, the permittee calculated 

the percent of ichthyplankton in the Canaveral Pool lost to 

entrainment through the power plant intakes. 

centage loss estimates are unusually high, ranging from (for 

both plants) 21% (spotted seatrout) to as high as 91%.(black 

drum). 

These perThese high loss values are indicative of the large volume 

of plant flows vs Canaveral Pool volume. In addition, it is 

apparent from an examination of the calculated " f" values, 

that the intake canal attracts and concentrates some of the 

species indigenous to the pool. 

CONCLUS IONS 

The Indian River has been notably influenced by man. Dredging 

and channelization is widespread. Bulkheading along the shoreline 

has occurred in many areas. Several causeways constructed between 

the mainland and the barrier islands have contributed to the impediment of flow and presumably noma1 circulation patterns. Additionelly, 

wastewater treatment plant discharges and agricultural runoff have 

influenced the lagoons character. All of these influences have had 

their adverse impacts upon the Indian River. Yet, the river has maintained a rich and diversified flora and fauna worthy of protection. 

Both EPA and the Florida DER set the precedent for protecting the 

Indian River in the early 1970's when t,hey obtained an agreemcPrt Erm 

FP&L to move their proposed St. Lucie power plant intake and dis2ir~i'ne ~2 

pipes from the Indian River to the open ocean. 

Causeways constructed over the Indian River serve as artificial 

impediments to natural flow and a means of drawing attention to rhe 

water bodies between their confines. Nearby causeways both upstream 

and downstream of the OUC and FPhL power plants created an artificial 

"pool," the "Canavernl Pool," where attention was focused POP k.h~ 

316(a) (b) determination st~xlics. The prior contents of this d~~.i.:i::-??(: 

address the adverse impacts of the thermal discharges upon the Car.3veral 

Pool flora and fauna. Although these discharges are adversely impacting 

-1 2- 
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. -. .- 

.- 

Ai 

I 

a substantial amount of biological resources on the western side of 

the pool in the vicinity of the two power plants during the warm-wet 

season, it is our professional opinion that the Canaveral. Pool on 

the whole is able to sustain a diverse and balanced indigenous community of fish, shellfish and wildlife throughout the year. 

With respect to the 316(b) demonstration, it is our opinion 

that the magnitude of entraiment losses at the FP&L and OUC Indian 

River facilities are adverse, and the existing design, location and 

capacity of the intakes cause substantial biological impact on the 

aquatic community of the Canaveral Pool. 

REFERENCES 

Hanlon, R. and G. Voss. 1975. A guide to the Seagrass of Florida, 

The Gulf of Mexico, and The Caribbean Region. University of 

Miami Sea Grant Program. Sea Grant Field Guide Studies No, 4.* 

July. Miami, Florida. 

OUC. 1977. 316b Demonstration and Monitoring Report. 

Phillips, R. C. 1960. Observations on the Ecology and DistributSc~n 

of the Florida Seagrasses. Prof. Pap. No. 2. Florida Gtaee 

Bd. Conserv., 72 pp. 

-1 3- b .. . 
EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING ALTERNATIVES 

CAPE CANAVERAL/INDIAN RIVER PLANTS 

Seven alternatives were evaluated by the permittees in their 

October, 1980 final report as'methods to reduce.or minimize intake 

and/or thermal impacts as compared to existing once-through 

systems. 

request of EPA. 

of the Permits iiection with input fron the Ecological Support Branch. 

An eighth alternative was subsequently evaluated at the 

These alternatives have been reviewed by the staff 

A. Zntake Alternatives 

1. Variable Speed Circulatinq Water pumps 

Puxitp motors would be replaced to allow condenser cooling 

flow rate to be proportional to plant load. 

reduced by 20 percent on a yearly average. This flow reduction 

would be expected to reduce entrainment by 20 percent or less. 

Impingement reduction also would be expected, though of a minor 

amount. Reduction of flow would increase discharge temperatures by 

about 1.1 to 1.40C (2 to 2.5OF) as an average and tend to 

exacerbate thermal impact, although most of the temperature increase 

would be during cooler temperature periods. Capital costs of $5.2 

million and annual operating costs of about $0.75 million would 

result in a orie-time equivalent cost of about $9.5 Billion BP am 

annualized cost of $3.65 willion per year. Such expenditures w~u%d 

result in a 1/2 to one percent increase in cost of power from the 

plants. 

Intake volume could be 

2. Porous Dikes 

A sand-gravel-stone dike would be constructed in the Indian 

River to filter inconing water prior to the pump intakes in this 

alternate. Virtually all organisms would be removed with minimal 

damage. Dikes would cover approximately 20ha (50 acres) of existing 

River Dottom and would enclose and additional 242ha (600A) in order 

to achieve adequate dike length to filter entire plant inflou, This 

alternative is experimental and subject to significant unknown& c: 

the plant sites. It is not considered to be available technobogy. 
i 

if2 

3. Pine Mesh Screens 

A new intake structure would be coiistructed utilizing fine 

mesh ocreens 40.2mm mesh) to remove virtually all fish and shellfish 

eggs and larvae from plant intake water with a return mechanism to 

transport organisms back to ambient waters. Data available from the 

Tampa Electric Company Big Bend Station showed that screening is a 

viable alternative for shellfish protection. Bowever, it was also 

shown that fish larvae are extremely fragile and that their survival 

was extremely low. Approximately 16ha -/4OA) of bottom dredging 

would be required. Capital costs of $33.4 million and annual 

operating costs of $0.6 million would result in a one-time cost 

equivalent to $36.3 million or an annualized cost of $6.5 million 

per year. Such expenditure would result in a two to four percent 

increase in cost of power from the plants. 

B. Discharqe Alternate 

1. Offshore Discharge Pipes 

Pipes would be installed to convey the thermal discharges 

beyond the grassbeds and thereby significanlty reduce the thee6i;al 

impacts upon the grassbed communities. Manatees, however, vobzld be 

drawn into the new thermal plume area during cooler periods bmere 

more boat traffic occurs. The site area is an established Manatee 

Sanctuary under State Law. 

annual operating costs of $1.4 million per year would result in a 

one-time cost equivalent of $48.6 million or an annualized cost of 

$8.5 million per year. 

five percent increase in cost of power frou the plants. 

Capital costs of $40.6 million and 

Such expenditure would result in a three ts 

C. Combined Intake and Discharge Control Alternates 

1. rresh Water Cooling Towers 

Use of cooling towers with freshwater intake from etne St, 

Johns River or groundwater would significantly reduce or eliraiwcke 

intake problems and significantly reduce thermal impacts due 4c “i~e 

much smaller flow volume. Demands on surface water and grouniu-L&?f 

are critical and use of 11.4 MGD would exacerbate present 

shorta~es. Costs would exceed those for mechanical draft salt water 

systems due to long supply pipeline and other facilities. 
.. .. ii3 

I 

2. Mechanical Draft Salt Hater Coolinq Towers and 

3. Natural Draft Salt Water Cooling Towers 

Both intake and thermal problems would be mitigated by this 

In 

- alternate Which would recirculate condenser cooling water with a 

make-up requirement of only 11 percent of the once-through rate. 

addition to high costs, disadvantages would include salt water 

drift, aesthetics, fogging on nearby highways, and reduction of 

wintertime manatee refuges. Capital costs for the mechanical draft 

system of $59.4 million and annual operating costs of $7.4 million 

per year would result in a one-time cost equivalent of $102 million 

or an annualized cost of $17.8 million per year. Such expenditure 

would result in a six to 10 percent increase in the cost of power 

from the plants if laechanical draft towers were used. Capital costs 

for a natural draft system of $81.6 million and annual operating 

costs of $5.6 million would result in a one-time cost equivalent of 

$133.9 million or an annualized cost of $19.9 million per year. 

Such expenditures would increase the cost of power from the planks 

by seven to 11 percent. Mechanical draft towers would have more 

drift impact, but less aesthetic impact than natural draft towers. 

Tall natural draft towers might also prove unacceptable due to the 

proximity of the Titusville-Cocoa Airport. 

4. Reduced Plant Loads 

Both entrainment and thermal problems could be redaced in 

approximately the same proportion if plant laod arid associated 

condenser cooling water flow were reduced. A 50 percent redue~ftatn 

of output from the two plants for four months (June-September) mmld 

result in increased costs for replacement power of about $14 %iL%im - 

in 1982, and would increase in future years. Replacement psmx 

costs would exceed costs of generation at the plants by 25 to 50 

percent, based on 1982 projections. 

D. Conclusions 

1. variable Speed Circulating Water Pumps 

Reductions in entrainment by this alternate would not, in 

our opinion, 8ufficiently.mitigate losses and would cause somk 

exacerbation of thermal impacts. Costs would be equivalent to a 
. 

I 

ir0. .. .- f. 

4 

one-time investment of about $9.5 million or an annualized cost of 

$1.65 million per year and increase generation costs by 1/2 to one 

per cent . 

2. Porous Dikes 

Although virtually all organisms would theoretically be 

removed from intake water by this experimental technique, some 262ha 

(650A) of bottom land would be removed from biological production. 

Additionally, this alternate is not considered practical due to 

absence of use of this technology at a similar site. 

3. Fine Mesh Screens 

Ghellfish and fish eggs would be returned without excessive 

damage; however, fragile fish larvae would suffer high mortality due 

to removal and return mechanisms.. Data from the demonstration 

indicates that most larval losses through entrainment were absorbed 

by the fish; thus, fine mesh screening would not, in our opinion, 

substantially lessen losses at this site. 

to the one-time investment of about $36.9 million or an annualized 

cost of-S6.5 million per year and would increase generation cost’by 

about two to four percent. 

Costs would be equivalent 

4. Offshore Discharqe Pipes 

Discharge would be moved beyond the grassbeds, thus 

minimizing thermal impact. EOWeVCL, manatee would be drawn to the 

thermal discharge during cooler water temperature periods and 

encounter more boat traffic than in the present near-shore areas. 

Adverse wind conditions would still move the thermal plume into 

near-shore waters, although the temperatures would be significantly 

reduced. Costs would be equivalent to the one-time investment of 

about $48.6 million or an annualized cost of $8.5 million per yeqr 

and would increase generation cost by about three to five percent. 

Conditions hazardous to manatee would be created by this alternate 

which are considered unacceptable. 

5. Fresh Water Cooling Towers 

Cooling towers would mitigate both intake and thermal 
t 

5 

impacts. 

however, are not considered to be available. 

Adequate sources of fresh surface water or groundwater, 

6 and 7. Nechanical and Natural Draft Salt Water Cooling 

Towers 

Cooling towers would mitigate both intake and thermal 

effects. Disadvantages include aesthetics, salt drift, increased 

fog on highways, significant reduction in size or loss of manatee 

refuges, and high costs. Costs for mechanical draft towers, the 

less expensive alternate, would be equivalent to the one-time 

investment of about $102 million or an annualized cost of $17.8 

million per year and would increase generation cost by about six to 

10 percent. 

8. Reduced fh-ant Load 

Reduced genez.aE@n hnd condenser flow at the two pl~nts 

would result in decreased thermal and entrainment damage, somewhat 

proportioned to the decreage in load and flow. 

costs would exceed cost8,of generation at the plants by 25 @Q 53 

percent, if alternate power sources were available. Availability oE 

this quantity of power during the June-September high demand period 

is unlikely. 

Replacement power 

Because entrainment loss and thermal impacts are primarily confined 

to the warrn/wet season, it is felt that all of the above 

alternatives are either environmentally undesirable, too costly, or 

both, at these two power plants. 

@J, YU 

Charles H. 'Kaplan, - P.E. 

Coordinator, Thermal Analysis I 

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