The Effects of Issuing an Incidental Take Permit to Exelon Generating Company, LLC, for the Continued Operation and Maintenance of Eddystone Generating Station

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue an incidental take permit to Exelon Generating Company, LLC, under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)(B)), and the regulations governing the incidental taking of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222.307). The permit would authorize the incidental take of endangered shortnose (Acipenser brevirostrum), Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrhychus) from the New York Bight, Chesapeake, Carolina, and South Atlantic Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) and the threatened Gulf of Maine DPS during the conduct of otherwise lawful activities associated with operation and maintenance of the Eddystone Generating Station. Specifically, these activities include surface water withdrawals from the Delaware River for cooling purposes and performance of required entrainment and impingement sampling along with other maintenance activities detailed in their application and Habitat Conservation Plan.