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). As the proposed works include the clearing of native vegetation, a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) are required.
Gravel Pit 397.4SLK is approximately 200 yards off the North West Coastal Highway on the left. The access paths to the pit are in good condition and make it easy to move machinery in and out of the project area. Gravel Pit 416.9SLK is approximately 320 yards off the North West Coastal Highway on the left.
The proposed extension is to the northwest of the existing pit boundary (See figure 3). The pit access tracks are in good condition and will allow easy movement of machinery in and out of the project area.
P ROJECT L OCATION
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
The decision to refer the project to the Commonwealth's DEH was based on whether the project would have an impact on 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 web page 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.
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
D ESCRIPTION
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
The term does not include vegetation that has been intentionally planted, planted or propagated, unless required by a statutory provision. Except for activities that are exempt from clearing regulations, such as clearing vegetation that is less than 10 years old for maintenance, generally all Main Street clearing will be undertaken using its permit for the purposes of the statewide project.
A SSESSMENT AGAINST C LEARING P RINCIPLES
E NVIRONMENTALLY S ENSITIVE A REA (ESA)
Given the small area of clearing and the mobile nature of the species found in the area, no impacts are expected. Given the type of vegetation that exists and the mobile nature of the species, works will have no impact on this species. A search of the DIA database did not identify any known sites of Aboriginal heritage interest in the vicinity of the project areas.
Provided that traffic management and directions are used according to Highway Standards, none of the proposed works pose any significant public safety hazards. Pollution Given the relatively shallow nature of the earthworks required, there appears to be no risk of any significant pollution issues. Given the scale of the project, the low significance of its impact on the surrounding environment and the proposed environmental management measures, the project does not require referral to the WA Environmental Protection Authority or the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage.
This part of the report (EMP) was developed for the project area after the completion of the above sections. The main objective of this EMP is to provide a management plan to assist in reducing the environmental impacts of activities associated with the proposed works and to determine who is responsible for implementation.
C OMMUNICATION P LAN
VEGETATION CLEARING ASSESSMENT REPORT
Monitoring of the weeds identified in the project area includes the use of the input criteria below. Given the size and nature of the project, no emergency measures have been identified as the inherent environmental risks are small. 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 adverse impact on the environment. Construction Fire Ensure that the fire risk associated with the construction of the proposal is minimized. Ensure that the site is managed to ensure that the construction of the proposal will have minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
Final cleaning will be to the satisfaction of the Project Manager and the Site Superintendent. Overload and then topsoil will be uniformly and evenly spread over the disturbed areas of the well. The entire existing pit floor, including drainage pipes, will be ruptured to a depth of 300-500mm deep with rupture lines between 500-800mm apart (if the material in the pit can be ruptured).
The vegetation period is at least twelve months after the completion of the works. The state of the vegetation is best described as degraded due to livestock grazing and prior material extraction. The state of the vegetation is somewhat deteriorated and does not represent a high level of biodiversity.
The state of the vegetation is somewhat degraded and does not represent an important habitat for fauna. Pit 397.4 SLK is representative of Beard Vegetation Association 346 of which 100% of the pre-European extent remains. DEC's web-based Geographic Data Atlas map tool GIS Database:. g) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of vegetation is likely to cause significant land 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. Due to the nature of the soil and the low rate of precipitation, these proposals will not exacerbate the occurrence of flooding and are therefore not contrary to this principle. Pit 416.9 SLK is representative of Beard Vegetation Association 346, of which 100% of the pre-European extent remains.
Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to affect the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area.
