Since we have established the data base needed for assessing future 

 power plant impacts on fouling and wood-boring communities, we propose 

 to begin a concentrated study on shipworms to learn more about their 

 life histories in this area. In 1978, a two year gonad development 

 study on shipworms, _T. navalis and _T. bartschi , was completed by Battelle 

 (1979). They described the state of gonad developement of shipworms 

 throughout the year, but obtained little data concerning _T. bartschi . 

 Growth data and fecundity data for these two species in the Millstone 

 area are still poorly understood. Therefore, a study is plannned to 

 obtain data concerning their thermal tolerances, growth rates, and 

 fecundity (Appendix IV). 



In addition, a field study will be conducted to determine the 

 present rate of destruction of common types of wood used in building 

 docks and lobster traps (Appendix IV). Several species of wood and 

 chemical treatments of them will be placed in areas around the Millstone 

 Point and monitored once a year over a period of five years to detect 

 changes in their rates of destruction. This study will more directly 

 answer whether or not power plant operation will affect the natural rate 

 of property damage currently experienced by dock owners and lobstermen. 



Approximately two years prior to the operation of Millstone Unit 3, 

 we will resume the six replicate and six month exposure period study. 

 This program includes subtidal species and woodborers which are not 

 sampled by other Millstone programs. The dominant species comprising 

 these communities have proved to be useful ecological indicators of 

 water quality. Resuming these studies two years prior to three unit 

 operation will increase our data base and provide a continuum between 

 before and after operation studies. To improve the exposure panel study 

 four modifications should be considered. 



33 



