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STRATEGIC MATERIAL AREA NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGHWAY SLK 145.6
Environmental Management Plan
March 2009
Prepared by Crystelle Evangelista Environment Officer Gascoyne Region
Printed copies are uncontrolled unless marked otherwise
Main Roads Western Australia Page 2 of 63 Table of Contents 1
4
4.1 P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP
S TUDY
8
4.1.1
W ETLANDS
8 4.1.2
T HREATENED F LORA
,
F AUNA AND C OMMUNITIES ,
C ONSERVATION R ESERVES 8
4.1.3
A IR Q UALITY 8
4.1.4
H ERITAGE
8 4.1.5
A BORIGINAL H ERITAGE
8
4.1.6
S ENSITIVE W ATER R ESOURCES
8
4.1.7
C ONTAMINATED S ITES 8
4.1.8
A CID S ULFATE S OILS
8
4.1.9
W EEDS
8 4.1.10
D IEBACK 8
5
9
5.1 S ITE I NVESTIGATION
9
6
9
6.1 D ESCRIPTION 9
6.2
S ITE I NVESTIGATION 10
7
11
7.1 A SSESSMENT AGAINST C LEARING
P RINCIPLES
11
7.2
E NVIRONMENTALLY S ENSITIVE A REA
(ESA) 11
8
12
11.1 C OMMUNICATION P LAN
14
11.1.1
E XTERNAL C OMMUNICATION AND C OMPLAINTS
14
12
14
Main Roads Western Australia Page 3 of 63
FIGURES INDEX
Figure 1 Location of Proposed Strategic Material Area on North West Coastal Highway SLK 145.6
Figure 2 Proposed Strategic Material Area on North West Coastal Highway SLK 145.6
APPENDICES A Low Impact Environmental Screening Checklist B Site Photos C DEC‟s Threatened Flora and Fauna Database Searches
D
Non-Inidgenous Heritage Searches E
Indigenous Heritage Search F WAPC‟s Acid Sulfate Soils Mapping G
Department of the Environment and Heritage Database Search H
Main Roads WA – Revegetation Plan for Pastoral Areas I Vegetation Clearing Assessment Report
Main Roads Western Australia Page 4 of 63
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (MINOR PROJECTS) STRATEGIC MATERIAL AREA NORTH WEST COASTAL HIGWHAY 145.6 SLK
Main Roads Gascoyne Region (Main Roads) over a number of years has slowly been exhausting material stock piles required for road construction and maintenance. Main Roads is currently in the process of developing a region wide strategic plan to identify potential future material sites. The identification of material sites will help the region locate required road building material for road construction and maintenance as well as for use during emergency situations that may arise after events such as cyclones.
As part of this region wide strategic material plan, Main Roads has identified a potential material site along North West Coastal Highway, SLK 145.6 (Figure 1).
This report details the environmental impact assessment conducted on Strategic Material Area SLK 145.6, which:
Describes the significant aspects of the existing project environments; and Details the primary environmental and social impacts of the proposed works.
As per Main Roads‟ Environmental Assessment and Approval process, the Low Impact Environmental Screening Checklist has been completed for the proposal, refer to Appendix A.
2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Over the past few years, the number of material stock piles required for much needed road construction and maintenance works along Main Roads‟ road networks have slowly been exhausted. Main Roads‟ Gascoyne Region is curre ntly developing a region wide 20 year strategic plan that identifies potential future material areas.
Main Roads proposes to construct a strategic material sites along North West Coastal Highway at SLK 145.6 (Figure 1).
This potential material area was identified as part of the region wide strategic material plan and is located within Eurardy Station. The proposed strategic material sites will be used to supply road building material for construction and maintenance works including emergency activities that may arise after events such as cyclones.
As this proposed material area make up part of this 20 year strategic plan, the area will be systematically cleared and revegetated in relatively small areas (for example 1 or 2ha) as material is required. In this way, only small proportions of the material site will be cleared at any one time, with revegetation occurring as soon as the cleared areas are no longer required.
Due to the increase in mining tenement applications, Main Roads is seeking to create reserves over these areas under the Mining Act 1978, for the purpose of gravel extraction. The aim of this reservation process is to secure areas of importance to Main Roads and to avoid land use conflicts with future mining leases.
Main Roads Western Australia Page 5 of 63 This strategic material area will be used for the maintenance of North West Coastal Highway, with the aim of providing safe road conditions for the travelling public. Given the anticipated activities requiring the use of this material area, it is expected that only a minimal amount of the proposed area identified at each site will need to be cleared for the purpose of material extraction.
The main reason for the identification of such large areas is to allow for material investigation to take place to identify the best quality material at each site. Material investigation works require minimal clearing and are non-intrusive, resulting in the majority of the sites remaining uncleared.
The strategic material area is located approximately 1km off North West Coastal Highway on the eastern side.
Strategic material area SLK 145.6 is located within the Eurardy Station, approximately 30km north of the Murchison River. This strategic material area is currently vested to Main Roads through Section 19 approvals for material excavation activities, in accordance with the Mining Act 1978.
The access tracks into the pit are in good condition and will easily allow the movement of machinery in and out of the project area.
It is proposed that clearing endorsements be obtained for the entire strategic material area along North West Coastal Highway. Obtaining environmental clearances for the entire area identified will allow Main Roads Gascoyne Region to reserve these areas for the extraction of material outside of mining tenements and will allow material investigations to be conducted throughout the entire identified zones.
The location and boundaries of the study area are shown in Figures 1-2. Main Roads Western Australia Page 6 of 63
Figure 1: Location of Proposed Strategic Material Area on North West Coastal Highway SLK 145.6
Pit Extension 145.6 SLK
Main Roads Western Australia Page 7 of 63
Figure 2: Proposed Strategic Material Area on North West Coastal Highway SLK 145.6 A C D B Proposed Project Co-ordinates (Zone 50)
Easting
Northing A)
0273957 6950779
B) 0274925
6950744 C)
0274890 6950038
D) 0273945
6950049
Main Roads Western Australia Page 8 of 63 4 METHODOLOGY 4.1 Preliminary Desktop Study A preliminary assessment of the project area and its potential constraints was undertaken by reviewing a number of government agency managed databases (and consulting where necessary).
4.1.1 Wetlands The locations of wetlands within the project area was determined using the Commonwealth Department of the Environmental and Heritage (DEH) mapping tool and Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Geographic Data Atlas mapping tool (http://maps.dec.wa.gov.au/idelve/doedataext/).
4.1.2
Threatened Flora, Fauna and Communities, Conservation Reserves D EC‟s database was searched for known populations of threatened flora, fauna and Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) and conservation reserves, refer to Appendix C.
4.1.3
Air Quality The need for a local air quality assessment was determined using the criteria outlined in the MRWA environmental guideline, Air Quality.
4.1.4 Heritage Non-indigenous heritage was examined utilising the Australian Heritage Places Inventory ( http://www.heritage.gov.au ), Heritage Council of Western Australia ( http://register.heritage.wa.gov.au/ ) and the Shire‟s of Carnarvon and Ashburton Municipal Heritage Inventory, refer to Appendix D.
4.1.5
Aboriginal Heritage A Search of the Department of Indigenous Affairs‟ (DIA‟s) ( http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage/SitesSurveysSearch.aspx ) database was undertaken to determine whether the project area contains any sites of Aboriginal heritage, refer to Appendix E.
4.1.6
Sensitive Water Resources The Commonwealth Department of the Environmental and Heritage (DEH) mapping tool and Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) Geographic Data Atlas mapping tool was used to determine whether the project area supported, or was adjacent to, any significant lakes, rivers or wetlands or proclaimed areas.
4.1.7
Contaminated Sites The reserve has been in Main Roads continual control; therefore no further work will be necessary/required.
4.1.8
Acid Sulfate Soils The Western Australian Planning Commission‟s (WAPC‟c) acid sulfate soils maps were reviewed and the self assessment done ( http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au/Publications/213.aspx ) to determine what level of risk the project area is exposed to, refer to Appendix F.
4.1.9
Weeds An onsite investigation of the project areas was undertaken to determine whether there are any known populations of declared plants or significant weeds in or adjacent to the project area.
4.1.10 Dieback Project receives <400 mm of rain so determined not to be an issue. Main Roads Western Australia Page 9 of 63
COMMONWEALTH REFERRAL The decision whether to refer the project to the Commonwealth‟s DEH was based upon whether the project would impact upon matters of national significance, e.g. World Heritage properties, protected wetlands and migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, threatened species or communities or nuclear actions (refer to the Commonwealth webpage www.deh.gov.au/epbc/assessmentsapprovals/index.html for further information and the search tool page at
http://www.deh.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/imap/map.html ), refer to Appendix G. 5.1 Site Investigation A site visit was carried out by Robbie Mallard (BGC Contractor) and Crystelle Evangelista (Environment Officer) on 22/04/08 to examine the general features of the area. The broad vegetation types in the vicinity of the project area were identified. Other issues that were considered included topography, the impacts on creek lines, property access and the potential for noise and vibration impacts (dilapidation).
Site photos were taken and are included in Appendix B. 6 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 6.1 Description Strategic Material Area SLK 145.6 occurs within vegetation association No. 365 which is described as Shrublands; bowgada & jam scrub with scattered York gum & red mallee (Shepherd, et.al. 2002). According to Native Vegetation Association Data (DEC; 2007), this vegetation association is well represented in the region with 92.97% remaining. The condition of the vegetation is best described as good to excellent, with small areas being completely degraded due to previous material extraction.
The following lists of species were observed at the proposed material pits: Botanical Name: Common Name: Conservation Status: Acacia coolgardiensis Spinifex Wattle Not threatened
Nil
Not threatened Acacia ramulosa var. ramulosa Horse Mulga Not threatened
Nil
Not threatened Dampiera incana var. fuscescens Hoary Dampiera Not threatened
Nil
Not threatened Keraudrenia velutina subsp. velutina Nil
Not threatened Hibbertia glomerosa var. glomerosa Guinea-flower Not threatened
Nil
Not threatened Philotheca kalbarriensis Nil
Priority 2 Ptilotus polystachyus Green Mulla Mulla Not threatened
Nil
Priority 1 Main Roads Western Australia Page 10 of 63 6.2 Site Investigation Site Investigation Description/Comment Total area (ha) of native vegetation to be cleared The proposed material area is part of a 20 year strategic plan and will be systematically cleared and revegetated in relatively small areas (e.g. 1 or 2 ha) as material is required.
Total Area of Strategic Material Pit = 67.65 ha Total area (ha) of other vegetation, including regrowth, landscape areas, to be cleared Nil
Weeds present Proposed project area is relatively weed free Drainage areas or wetlands present None
Adjacent land uses Pastoral, Conservation Main Roads Western Australia Page 11 of 63 7 CLEARING OF NATIVE VEGETATION Native vegetation describes all indigenous aquatic and terrestrial vegetation (living or dead). The term does not include vegetation that was intentionally sown, planted or propagated unless it was required under a statutory condition.
Apart from activities that are exempt under the clearing regulations, such as clearing vegetation that is less than 10 years old for maintenance, typically all Main Roads clearing will be undertaken using its Statewide Project Purpose Permit.
In assessing whether the project is likely to have a significant impact on the environment, the project has been assessed against the DEC‟s 10 principle s of clearing, refer to Appendix I.
The project will be at variance with the DEC‟s 10 clearing principles (a).
7.2 Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)
Sensitive Area (ESA) Yes/ No Comments Does the area to be cleared occur within an ESA where the vegetation is in good or better condition? No
Main Roads Western Australia Page 12 of 63
8 ASSESSMENT OF ASPECTS AND IMPACTS Table 1: Aspects and Impacts – Material Pit Extensions – 145.6SLK - NWCH Aspect Evaluation of Potential Impacts Air quality Not relevant to the proposed works. Local air quality assessment is not required for the project area since:
the predicted traffic flow is less than 15,000 vehicles per day in rural areas; and residential and other sensitive receptors are not within 200 meters of the road centre Dust Likely to be a minor issue during earthworks. No sensitive receptors near the work sites. Fauna
DEC website search resulted in the Malleefowl, Shield-backed Trapdoor Spider, Major Mitchell‟s Cockatoo, Western Spiny -tailed Skink and Lined Skink as possibly occurring within the project areas. Given the small area of clearing and the mobile nature of the species found within the area, no impacts are expected
The EPBC Act Protected Matters Report resulted in the Western Spiny-tailed Skink is likely to occur with the area. Given the type of vegetation that exists and the mobile nature of the species, works will not impact upon this species. Vegetation –
The proposed material area is part of a 20 year strategic plan and will be systematically cleared and revegetated in relatively small areas (e.g. 1 or 2 ha) as material is required;
The projects will involve temporary clearing and so will require a revegetation plan; The condition of the native vegetation to be cleared is very good to excellent;
The native vegetation to be cleared is well represented regionally; The native vegetation to be cleared does not occur within an ESA; and
The native vegetation to be cleared will be done so using the purpose permit. Vegetation –
Consultation with DEC confirms that there are no TEC‟s within the project area and the proposal will not have a significant impact upon this environmental aspect. A DEC database search indicated that priority flora species are located within the vicinity of Strategic Material Area 145.6 SLK.
A minor flora survey was conducted in July 08 and two priority species were identified within the vicinity of the project area. During the flora survey two priority flora species were identified to occur within the project area and the surroundings.
The two priority flora species that were identified were: Thryptomene ninghanensis (Priority 1)
Philotheca kalbarriensis (Priority 2) No Declared Rare Flora was recorded to occur within the vicinity of the project area.
No Matters of National Environmental Significance as protected under EPBC Act (1999) will be impacted. It is proposed that a more extensive targeted flora survey be undertaken to determine the extent of the priority flora populations within the project area and its surrounds.
Vegetation –
There was minimal weed species observed within the project area and surrounding environment. It is recommended that extensive weed management strategies are outlined in the EMP to minimise the introduction of weed species into the project area and surrounding environments.
Vegetation –
dieback Not an issue given the project area receives less than 400 mm of average annual rainfall and is above the 26˚ parallel.
Reserves / Conservation areas
The Kalbarri National Park is located 6-10km from the proposed project areas.
Given the location of the proposed project area on the opposite site of the Highway to the National Park and the relatively small amount of clearing proposed to be undertaken, the proposed project will not impact on the environmental aspects of the National Park. Main Roads Western Australia Page 13 of 63 Table 1: Aspects and Impacts – Material Pit Extensions – 145.6SLK - NWCH Aspect Evaluation of Potential Impacts Heritage (non- indigenous) A search of the Australian Heritage Places Inventory, Heritage Council of Western Australia and the Shire of Carnarvon‟s Municipal Heritage Inventory on -line databases has indicated that there are no heritage significance listed sites present in the currently proposed works areas. Aboriginal heritage A search of DIA database identified no known sites of Aboriginal heritage significance within the vicinity of the project areas at SLK 145.6.
Further consultation with the Native Title Claimant Group will be undertaken in order to minimise impacts to any unregistered heritage sites.
Surface
water/drainage On-site visit confirmed that the proposed works will not disturb or interrupt any natural drainage and surface run-off patterns.
Wetlands There are no wetlands within the vicinity of the project areas.
Groundwater No dewatering nor drainage modifications are required, hence no change to groundwater level or quality. Noise and vibration There are no sensitive local receivers near the project areas. Visual amenity The proposed works will result in minor and short-term visual impacts during construction. Suitable site completion treatments, including rehabilitation, will result in an improvement in local visual amenity.
Public safety and risk Provided traffic management and signage to Main Roads standards is employed, none of the proposed works present any significant hazards to public safety.
Hazardous substances Not relevant to the proposed works. Contamination Given the relatively superficial nature of the required earthworks, there appears to be no risk of any significant contamination issues. Salinity Given the nature and scale of the project the impact is not relevant.
Acid Sulfate Soils The WAPC‟s self -assessment (Planning Bulletin 64) indicates that no further soil investigation is required for the project. Statutory Land Use Planning As the proposed works are entirely within the land that has been vested to Main Roads, no further amendments would be required to the Local Government Planning Scheme or Region Scheme.
9 DECISION TO REFER Given the scale of the project, the low significance of its impacts to the surrounding environment and the environmental management measures proposed, the project does not require referral to the WA Environmental Protection Authority or the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.
10 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION Name Agency Date Comments
Bridgette Long (Flora) DEC 28/04/07
Kellie Mantle (Fauna) DEC 02/05/08
Main Roads Western Australia Page 14 of 63 11 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN This section of the report (the EMP) has been developed for the project area following the completion of the above sections. The main aim of this EMP is to provide a management plan to assist in minimising the environmental impacts of the activities associated with the proposed works and identify who is responsible for the implementation of the management strategies.
This EMP will only address the actions already listed as well as any site-specific issues that were identified during the PEIA. The project specific management measures identified within this EMP are in addition to the standard specifications used for Category 2 projects. The environmental management measures/conditions in Main Road‟s Specifications 203, 204, 301, 30 2 and 304 are still to be followed where applicable.
The areas that require special management will be addressed in terms of:
the timing of the various management actions; the topic (e.g. vegetation);
the objectives for each area; the actions that are necessary to minimise the impact;
the responsible party for implementing the action; and whether the action arose from external advice or is a Main Roads requirement.
Environmental issues specific to the project will be communicated as:
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