One dead turtle, one injured - power plant allowed to kill two or three more in ‘06
September 1st, 2006 by admin
Last weekend, one dead sea turtle and another injured turtle were found in an intake canal at the Progress Energy plant in Crystal River (one end of the canal has screens to keep big objects away from pumps).
The injured turtle was taken to a rehabilitation center, where a veterinarian removed a large amount of fishing line that had entangled the animal.
According to Progress Energy, eight turtles have been “rescued” at the power plant so far this year, and another five were found dead (”from causes not related to the power plant”).
Although sea turtles are protected by federal law, the National Marine Fisheries Service allows Progress Energy to come into contact with 75 turtles- and to be responsible for the deaths of three turtles- each year.
One has to wonder how these numbers were decided. In 2002, one of the worst years at the power plant, 66 turtles were removed from Progress Energy property.
So even if turtles have another horrible year, it is unlikely that anything will change. According to the St. Petersburg Times, even if Progress Energy exceeds the 75/3 allowance, the Fisheries Service will only “undergo a review.”
Turtles swim into the canals looking for food.