SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a special environmental impact assessment (EIA) and an environmental management plan (EMO). The environmental assessment will include a preliminary desktop analysis of environmental aspects and impacts, site investigation, assessment of native vegetation clearance and consideration of necessary environmental management. This preliminary assessment, supplemented by appropriate research, will be developed as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to determine whether referral to State and/or Commonwealth authorities is necessary.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
P ROJECT L OCATION
METHODOLOGY
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
The need for a local air quality assessment was determined using the criteria described in the MRWA Environmental Guideline, Air Quality.
C OMMONWEALTH R EFERRAL
S TATE R EFERRAL
EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
D ESCRIPTION
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
CLEARING OF NATIVE VEGETATION
D ETAILS OF V EGETATION A SSOCIATIONS TO BE C LEARED
A SSESSMENT AGAINST C LEARING P RINCIPLES
The nearest registered rare flora area is 3 km NW of the western extent of the project on the outskirts of Dwellingup. DEC's Dwellingup District Manager is of the opinion that this vegetation community (Jarrah Marri Medium Forest) does not support endangered plant species. The vegetation of the project area is Jarrah Marri medium forest, which is well represented in the surrounding area, as 70% of it remains from pre-European settlement.
The general condition of the vegetation throughout the length of the project is good, as is the average forest of the adjacent extensive timber reserve. Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation areas. Due to the scale and location of the clearing being mainly on a ridgeline, it is unlikely to affect flooding.
Does the assessment indicate that clearing may be non-compliant or inconsistent with one or more of the clearing principles. Does the assessment indicate that clearing is inconsistent with one or more of the principles for clearing.
ASSESSMENT OF ASPECTS AND IMPACTS
Not relevant to the proposed works, the project does not require the use of hazardous substances. Pollution The works are taking place within a road reserve and no known previous land use in or adjacent to the project area has had the potential to cause pollution, e.g. A search of DEC's contaminated sites database indicates that there are no identified contaminated sites in the project area.
National Heritage Places A search of the Australian Heritage Places Inventory Database found no sites in the vicinity of the project. A search by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Search Tool for Protected Matters found one Ramsar wetland in the vicinity of the project. A search by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Search Tool for Protected Matters found no threatened ecological communities, 9 threatened species and 5 listed marine species in the vicinity of the project.
A search of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Search Tool for Protected Matters located 7 migratory species in the vicinity of the project. It is unlikely that the project activities will have a significant impact on these species as the vegetation present is unlikely to be a habitat for these species.
DECISION TO REFER
R EFERRAL TO THE D EPARTMENT OF S USTAINABILITY , E NVIRONMENT , W ATER ,
R EFERRAL TO THE E NVIRONMENTAL P ROTECTION A UTHORITY
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
OTHER APPROVALS/PERMITS/LICENCES
A Guide to the Assessment of Applications to clear Native Vegetation under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) (2006), EPBC Act - Principal Significant Impact Guidelines 1.1, Matters of National Environmental Significance. Vurdering for tilstedeværelsen af Phytophthora cinnamomi – Pinjarra Williams Road, rapport for Main Roads WA.
Inventory of Australian Heritage Sites, Western Australian Heritage Council Database Search and Shire of Murray Heritage Council. However, an official appointment has not been made and the Department has not prepared all the necessary data for an appointment. There appear to be no heritage issues in the area of the proposed road widening/resurfacing.
At this stage, the project is only a conceptual design and plans are not yet available. Realignments are proposed between SLK 14 and 16 to the south of the existing road and 20 to 21 to the north. We are currently doing a preliminary investigation just to see if there are any issues that might need to be considered in the final design.
Provide information on any heritage sites near the road along this length (SLK 14-66). Main Roads South West Region is proposing widening and realignment works along Pinjarra Williams Road between 14 and 66 SLK in the Shire of Murray. As part of the environmental assessment of the project, I am asking the Shire for information on heritage sites or other issues that may arise in the area.
I note that the Shire's website includes a Municipal Heritage Inventory which I have checked, but I would like to confirm with you so that nothing is overlooked.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FOOD ADVICE ON DECLARED
I NTRODUCTION
This Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was developed for the project area following the completion of the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEIA) report. The purpose of this EBP is to minimize the environmental impacts associated with the proposed works, as well as to define areas of responsibilities required for the. Main Roads' standard environmental contract specifications (Specifications and 304) must be complied with where appropriate.
C OMMUNICATION P LAN
E XTERNAL C OMMUNICATION AND C OMPLAINTS
M ONITORING
C ONTINGENCY M EASURES
A UDITING
Project manager Main roads Selection of individual tree specimens that can be preserved and protected. Project manager Main roads The clearing line (or individual samples) will be clearly marked and. Main roads Trees to be removed must be felled in such a way that they fall within.
Contractor Main roads Vehicles and equipment will not be parked or driven over tree roots etc. Contractor main roads Dwellingup State Forest outside the road reserve (clearance line) must be included in inductions as a no-go zone. However, due to the location of the site on a ridge line, there is a reduced likelihood of this happening.
After tillage, a herbicide control program may be required in October, as the disturbance of the road soil will trigger germination of the dormant seed bank. This vegetation must be used during any rehabilitation work and either mulched or re-scattered in accordance with the TDP/Revegetation Plan. Public Relations Inform highways, local shire and local landowners of the nature and timing of the work and provide contact details for complaints.
Access to private property and appropriate traffic management measures must be planned and implemented prior to construction of the works. Main road contractor Any complaints regarding dust will be dealt with as soon as possible. Watering, hydromulching, or other forms of mulching to protect loose surfaces are used as mitigation measures.
The designated service area shall be bundled to contain any spills or leaks and shall not be located in an area adjacent to any drainage areas or watercourses or shall drain into a temporary sump. All waste oil will be collected for recycling and any empty fuel/oil containers, used filters and waste hydraulic parts will be collected and stored in an allocated area and then removed to an approved site. The project areas, including hardstand areas, will be kept tidy at all times.
