Major Roads The Goldfields-Esperance Region is proposing to realign two sections of the Coolgardie Esperance Highway (CEH) within the Shire of Esperance at the intersections of Circle Valley Rd (SLK 273.51) and Logan Rd (SLK 281.90). The works are required for safety reasons as the two junctions currently do not provide adequate gathering distances for 36.5m road trains to enter or exit the motorway. In accordance with the corporate environmental assessment and Main Streets approval process, a low impact environmental control checklist was completed for both projects (see Appendix B).
As the works involve the clearing of native vegetation outside the road's current maintenance zone, a Preliminary Environmental Impact Study is required. This report also intends to meet the requirements of Main Roads Statewide Project Purpose Cleaning Permit (CPS 818/4) proposed for use for both projects. Importantly, this assessment will also cover a proposed borrow pit area that could be used for obtaining fill for both projects.
All other materials required for road construction will be imported from local suppliers, meaning no further assessment of material source areas will be required. A map showing the general location of the project area is provided in Appendix A as Figure 1.
P RELIMINARY D ESKTOP S TUDY
Vegetation types and associations were determined by examining the Shared Land Information Platform (SLIP) Natural Resource Management (NRM) database. http://spatial.agric.wa.gov.au/slip/). Where appropriate, non-Indigenous heritage was explored by searching the Australian Heritage Places Inventory (http://www.heritage.gov.au), Heritage Council of Western. Australian database (http://register.heritage.wa.gov.au/) or the local Shire's Municipal Heritage Inventory.
A search of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) database. http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Heritage--Culture/Heritage-management/Register-of-Aboriginal- sites/) was undertaken to determine whether the project area contained any Aboriginal Heritage sites. The location of wetlands within the project area was determined by examining the DEC Geographic Data Atlas mapping tool (http://maps.dec.wa.gov.au/idelve/doedataext/) and/or the DEC Wetlands Database (http:// www.dec.wa.gov.au/management-and- . protect/wetlands/wetland-base/view-wetlandbase-online.html). The Department of Water (DoW) Geographical Data Atlas was examined. http://portal.water.wa.gov.au/portal/page/portal/MapsDataAtlases/GeographicDataAtlas) to determine whether the project site supported or was adjacent to any lakes, rivers, wetlands or designated significant areas (including public drinking water source areas).
The presence of contaminated sites in the project area was identified by examining the DEC Contaminated Sites Database where appropriate (http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/pollution-.prevention/contaminated-sites/contaminated-sites- act/database .html) and assessing the history of surrounding land use. The Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) Acid Sulfate Soils Maps were reviewed where necessary (http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au/Publications/213.aspx) to determine the level of risk to which the area was exposed of the project.
S TATUTORY R EFERRAL D ECISIONS
Extinction was considered a potential issue for the project only if the mean annual precipitation of the area is >400 mm and if the project area lies below the 26th parallel.
S ITE I NVESTIGATION
Up to 20.53 ha of natural vegetation may need to be cleared for the proposed works (for maximum clearing limits see Figures 2d and 3d in Appendix C). According to various database searches, there are no TECs, PECs, Declared Rare Flora (DRF) or Priority Flora (PF) located within the proposed clearing areas. A nature reserve (Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve) has been identified immediately adjacent to the proposed project site at Logan Rd.
No significant impacts on any connection between protected areas are considered likely as there are relatively significant areas of natural vegetation remaining immediately adjacent to the proposed clearing areas. A historic school site (Red Lake School) is located adjacent to the proposed roadworks at Logan Rd. One site (known as Red Lake, Site ID 1459) is located near both proposed projects, but no impact is expected at this site given the distances involved.
Wetlands There are several wetlands (none with any conservation category) located near the proposed work areas at Circle Valley Rd. No wetlands exist near or within the boundaries of the proposed work areas at Logan Rd.
A VOIDING , M INIMISING AND R EDUCING THE I MPACT OF C LEARING
Groundwater As no significant drainage or dewatering modifications are required, no significant changes to the current groundwater level or quality are expected. Any water required for construction purposes must be legally obtained and subject to any requirements from the Water Department. The works are not expected to contribute significantly to noise levels at the nearest receivers.
It is expected that works will improve visual amenity values in the long term given the proposed replanting measures. Contamination Given the relatively shallow nature of the earthworks required, there appears to be a low risk of any significant contamination issues. A search of DEC's database of contaminated sites revealed no known sites in the vicinity of the proposed project areas (see Appendix C).
No excavation or excavation below the water table is planned and therefore the risk of exposure or deterioration of acid sulphate soils is considered to be low.
A SSESSMENT AGAINST THE C LEARING P RINCIPLES
Principle (h) Native vegetation shall not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to affect the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area. Although the Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve is located directly adjacent to the proposed works on Logan Rd, no major impacts are expected given the relatively small amount of cleanup. Furthermore, the proposed clean-up areas are not in an area where the connectivity between remnant vegetation in the surrounding landscape would be severely affected.
Principle (i) Native vegetation should not be cleared if the clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water. Assessment No significant change to the area's hydrology is expected given the relatively modest nature of the works. Principle (j) Native vegetation should not be cleared if clearing the vegetation is likely to cause or exacerbate the occurrence of flooding.
The clearing is therefore very unlikely to cause or exacerbate flooding in the area.
P ROJECT S PECIFIC R EQUIREMENTS R ELATING TO CPS 818/4
At a minimum, ground checks will be conducted by the Main Roads Goldfields-Esperance Region Environmental Officer. Western Australia MAIN ROADS 13 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd Intersections. Western Australia MAIN ROADS 14 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd Intersections.
MAIN ROADS Western Australia 15 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd Intersections. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 16 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd Intersections. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 17 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd Intersections.
MAIN ROADS Western Australia 18 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 19 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 20 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd.
MAIN ROADS Western Australia 22 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 28 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd and Logan Rd. MAIN ROADS Western Australia 29 of 57 Project 4 PEIA EMP - Intersections of Circle Valley Rd & Logan Rd.
