The main roads of Gascoyne and BGC have been slowly depleting the region's gravel reserves over several years. Expansion of many pits is required to supply gravel to maintain the main road network and also to supply material in emergency situations (eg damage due to cyclones). In accordance with the Major Roads Environmental Assessment and Approval process, a Low Impact Environmental Review Checklist has been completed for the proposal, see Appendix A.
As the proposed works include the clearing of native vegetation and the expansion of existing pits, the project requires a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) and an Environmental Management Plan (EMO). Gravel pit 175 SLK is located approximately 1 kilometer from the Minilya-Exmouth road on the left. The pit access track is in good condition and will allow machinery to move in and out of the project area without any problems.
P ROJECT L OCATION
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
A field investigation of the project areas was undertaken to determine if there are any known populations of declared plants or significant weeds within or near the project area. The decision whether to refer the project to the Commonwealth DEH was based on whether the project would affect matters of national importance, eg World Heritage properties, protected wetlands and migratory species, Commonwealth marine areas, threatened species or communities or nuclear actions (refer to the Commonwealth website www.deh.gov.au/epbc/assessmentsapprovals/index.html for information on further and the search tools page at http://www.deh.gov.au/erin/ert/epbc/imap/map.html), refer to Appendix F.
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
D ESCRIPTION
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
The term does not include vegetation intentionally sown, planted or propagated unless required under a statutory condition. Apart from activities exempted under the clearing regulations, such as clearing vegetation less than 10 years old for maintenance, typically all main road clearing will be undertaken using its statewide project purpose permit.
A SSESSMENT AGAINST C LEARING P RINCIPLES
E NVIRONMENTALLY S ENSITIVE A REA (ESA)
Given the small area of the clearing and the mobile nature of the species, no effects are expected. The Mulgara was reported as possibly occurring in the area, but no impacts are expected given the highly mobile nature of the species. A search of the DIA database identified no known sites of Aboriginal heritage significance in the vicinity of the project areas.
Provided that traffic management and signage are applied according to the standards of the major roads, none of the proposed works pose a significant threat to public safety. Contamination Given the relatively superficial nature of the earthworks required, there does not appear to be a risk of significant contamination problems. Given the size of the project, the minor significance of its impacts on the environment and the proposed environmental management measures, the project does not need to be referred to the WA Environmental Protection Authority or the Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage.
This section of the report (the OBP) was developed for the project area after the completion of the above sections. The main purpose of this EIA is to provide a management plan to help reduce the environmental impacts of the activities associated with the proposed works and to identify who is responsible for implementing the.
C OMMUNICATION P LAN
Monitoring of weeds identified in the project area will include the use of the input criteria listed below. Given the scale and nature of the project, no emergency measures have been identified as the inherent environmental risks are low. Given the scale and nature of the project, there is no requirement to audit the implementation of the EMP as the environmental risks are minor.
All projects must maintain the required records related to the clearing of native vegetation according to the purpose permit. Ensure that the overall objectives of the layout and construction works are consistent with maintaining and, where possible, enhancing the biological integrity of the surrounding environment and minimizing. Works associated with the construction of the development must not impede public access along the adjacent reserve.
Ensure that the construction of the proposal is managed to a standard that minimizes any negative impacts on the environment. The project areas, including hard surfaces, will be kept tidy at all times. Construction Fire Ensure that the fire risk associated with the construction of the proposal is minimized.
Ensure that the site is managed so that the construction of the proposal has minimal impact on the surrounding environment. Restore the project area so that the greening area provides a net increase in the area of native vegetation on the site. Final cleaning must be to the satisfaction of the Project Manager and Site Supervisor.
According to Native Vegetation Association Data (DEC & DAF), this vegetation community is well represented in the region with 99.3% remaining. The vegetation condition is best described as good, but slightly degraded by cattle and goat grazing. ASSESSMENT OF THE APPLICATION ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CLEARING. a) Native vegetation should not be cut if it contains a high level of biological diversity.
The condition of the vegetation is somewhat weakened and does not represent a high level of biodiversity. Pit 175 SLK is representative of Beard Vegetation Association 662 of which 99.3% of the pre-European range remains. DEC's web-based Geographic Data Atlas mapping tool GIS Databases:. g) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause significant soil degradation.
Natural vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of an adjacent or nearby conservation area.
