2020-e-1100-40ew-0001 vegetation clearing scope brief.pdf
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Clean TeQ Sunrise Project
Vegetation Clearing Scope Brief
Clean TeQ Doc No: 2020-E-1100-40EW-0001
Other Doc No: N/A
Revision Date Issued for Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by
A 19/12/2018 Review A Jones A Hall
________________ ________________ ________________
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Revision History
Rev Date Sections Revised Reason for Update
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Contents
1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Scope of Works ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Figures
1 Clean TeQ Sunrise Project Location ........................................................................................................ 4
Appendices
Appendix A. Map
Appendix B. Vegetation Clearance Protocol
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1 Introduction
Clean TeQ Holdings Limited (“the Company”) is the proponent of the Clean TeQ Sunrise Nickel / Cobalt /
Scandium Project in NSW, Australia. Sunrise’s unique mineral resource, when combined with the
Company’s proprietary ion exchange extraction and purification processing technology, positions Clean TeQ
to become one of the largest and lowest cost sources of key cathode raw materials to the lithium-ion battery
market – nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate. The Clean TeQ Sunrise Project will also produce significant
quantities of scandium for the next generation of light-weight aluminium alloys for transportation markets.
The scope consists of clearing all vegetation, both living and dead, all minor man-made structures (such as
fences), all rubbish and other materials as directed, on the Clean TeQ Sunrise Project Site.
The Clean TeQ Sunrise Project Site is situated in central New South Wales, approximately 450km WNW of
Sydney, near the town of Fifield on Wilmatha Road. The project is well supported by major centres, with the
mining communities of Parkes, Dubbo and Condobolin, all located within 130km of the project area. See
Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 Clean TeQ Sunrise Project Location
2 Scope of Works
The Works consist of clearing all vegetation, both living and dead, all minor man-made structures
(such as fences), all rubbish and other materials as directed.
Works include grubbing of trees and stumps from areas as defined in Map – Appendix A. Works to
be staged progressively during 2019, 2020 and 2021 periods.
In advance of, or in conjunction with clearing and grubbing operations, install effective erosion and
sediment control measures in accordance with NSW Blue Book – Soils and Construction: Managing
Urban Stormwater 2004.
Clearing limits defined by Map – Appendix A. Survey to be undertaken and clearing limits to be
marked by pegs at 25m intervals around area to be cleared.
Clearing operations within designated areas to include habitat trees and non habitat trees. Habitat
trees will be marked up by Clean TeQ prior to clearing operations and must be cleared in
accordance with Clean TeQ’s Vegetation Clearance Protocol – Appendix B. Non habitat trees
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(generally below 40 DBH) to be cleared prior to habitat trees within each clearing area as per
Vegetation Clearance Protocol.
Clearing of habitat trees will require suitably qualified fauna handler/s to remove native fauna as
required by EIS/development conditions of consent. See Vegetation Clearance Protocol – Appendix
B for details.
Exclusion areas will be clearly marked out by Clean TeQ prior to clearing operations and trees must
not cleared within these areas. Contractor must plan works to ensure that there is no damage to
any trees outside clearing limits and prevent timber falling onto nearby private property.
All trees and stumps, on or within limits of clearing , unable to be felled and removed by the
clearing methods used by Contractor shall be removed by grubbing.
Grubbing operations shall be carried out to a depth of 0.5m below the natural surface or 1.5m
below finished surface level, whichever is lower.
Holes remaining after tress and stumps have been grubbed shall be backfilled promptly with similar
material to existing to prevent infiltration and ponding of water. The backfilling material shall be
compacted to at least relative density of the material existing in the adjacent ground.
Contractor to provide pricing for the following options in regards to removal and/ stockpiling of
cleared vegetation:-
1. Stockpiling of vegetation into designated areas as directed by Clean TeQ
2. Mulching to produce wood-chip derived from crowns of trees and branches of shrubs.
Remaining logs to be stockpiled in designated areas. Mulch material to be placed upon
disturbed areas as part of Erosion and Sediment Control measures for clearing works. a. Note: The wood-chip mulch shall be produced from branches having a maximum diameter of 100
millimetres and the chipping material produced shall not have two orthogonal dimensions
exceeding 75mm and 50mm.
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Appendix B.
Vegetation Clearance Protocol
The Vegetation Clearance Protocol (VCP) has been developed to minimise the impact of vegetation
clearance activities on native flora and fauna, including threatened species. The purpose of the VCP is to
minimise the extent of clearing activities in order to minimise impacts on fauna (particularly birds and bats)
and encourage fauna to relocate outside of the disturbance footprint prior to clearing.
The clearing procedure outlines best practice and is designed to be adaptive depending on site-specific
conditions that arise during clearing. The clearing procedure will follow five steps:
1. Pre-clearance Targeted Vertebrate Animal Surveys
2. Planning
3. Clearing of Non-habitat vegetation
4. Remove habitat trees including Hollow-Bearing Trees (HBTs)
5. Reporting
Step 1: Pre-clearance Targeted Vertebrate Animal Surveys
Targeted pre-clearance surveys for vertebrate fauna will be undertaken by a suitably qualified person(s). The
objective of the pre-clearance vertebrate fauna surveys is to identify:
1. habitat features in trees that could harbour vertebrate fauna and place them at risk during vegetation
clearance activities (e.g. tree hollows), or features that could be salvaged and reused such as
mature trees and stags; and
2. vertebrate fauna most likely to be at risk during vegetation clearance activities and those that will be
managed during clearing activities.
The two stages to the pre-clearance surveys are outlined below.
Stage 1 – Habitat Assessment
The first stage of the pre-clearance surveys will involve a habitat assessment to:
identify habitat trees (i.e. trees that contain nests or suspected bat roosts, including mature trees
with hollows);
identify habitat features that will be used in the mine site rehabilitation and habitat enhancement in
the Revegetation Areas (See Biodiversity Management Plan); and
identify seed resources for seedling propagation for mine site rehabilitation.
The first stage of the pre-clearance surveys may be undertaken concurrently with the second stage of the pre-clearance surveys.
Stage 2 – Targeted Vertebrate Animal Surveys
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Targeted vertebrate fauna surveys will be undertaken to identify species most likely to be at risk during
vegetation clearance activities and those that will be managed during clearing activities, such as hollow-
dwelling fauna (e.g. birds, bats and/or arboreal mammals). Targeted vertebrate animal surveys will be
undertaken in a particular area of habitat within two weeks prior to clearing, so the information can be used
to inform clearance activities.
Step 2: Planning
1. All appropriate licences with respect to working with native fauna are to be obtained prior to any
clearing.
a) Ecologists working with fauna require a current scientific licence issued by the NSW Office of
Environment and Heritage and ethics approval issued by the Animal Welfare Unit of the NSW
Department of Primary Industries.
b) Ecologists that may handle bats are required to be vaccinated against Lyssavirus.
2. The nearest veterinary clinic and/or Wildlife Carers should be notified of the clearing works prior to
clearing commencing and their phone number on hand in case any fauna are injured or distressed.
Wildlife carer / Vet Contact Number Address
Parkes Vet 02 6862 2527 312 Clarinda Street, Parkes
WIRES 13 000 WIRES or 1300 094 737 N/A
WIRES Dubbo Branch 1300 027 905 N/A
3. Discuss clearing procedure, equipment / machinery required and clearing schedule. All staff and
contractors involved in the clearing will undertake the ecological induction prior to commencing work.
4. Approved disturbance limits near areas to be cleared will be delineated on the ground prior to
clearing activities in order to protect vegetation and fauna habitat outside the approved disturbance
area.
Step 3: Clearing of Non-habitat vegetation Vegetation around habitat trees may be initially cleared so the habitat trees are isolated and less desirable for animals to inhabit them prior to clearance. This will allow displaced fauna to relocate to nearby
suitable habitat. Prior to each tree being pushed over the tree should be nudged or knocked to allow any
birds that may be perched in the canopy to fly away. Removal of non-habitat vegetation (including fallen logs
and timber) should be completed at least one day prior to the removal of habitat trees or HBTs.
Step 4: Removing Habitat Trees and HBTs A suitably qualified ecologist will be present during clearing of habitat trees and HBTs to manage vertebrate fauna that may be disturbed during this activity in accordance with appropriate licenses. The ecologist will also oversee the salvage of tree hollows and the capture and release of animals or the rescue of injured fauna. Habitat trees will be inspected by a suitably qualified ecologist immediately prior to and after felling for fauna.
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1. Pre-felling procedures for all trees to be felled will include a visual inspection for fauna immediately
prior to tree removal and care should be taken to allow all fauna to vacate a tree prior to felling. Each
tree is to be nudged and shaken immediately prior to felling to encourage fauna such as birds to
vacate the tree. Felling cannot commence until the supervising ecologist has signalled that it is safe
to do so.
2. The “slow drop” technique is to be employed when felling all habitat trees and HBTs. This technique
aims to lower habitat trees and HBTs to the ground whilst minimising disturbance to hollows or other
habitat features (e.g. cracks, fissures, openings). This involves nudging and shaking the tree,
followed by lowering the tree to the ground. Practical execution of this method may involve the use of
the bull dozer blade or mulcher bar to push the tree mid-trunk to initiate felling, followed by lowering
the blade / bar to the base of the tree trunk. It is essential to ensure that suitable exclusion zones are
implemented during these activities and personnel are not exposed to falling tree hazards by
implementing these procedures.
3. Once felled, any hollows are to be inspected by the ecologist for resident fauna. If any fauna are
present they would be captured and relocated into surrounding suitable habitat. Injured or juvenile
animals would be assessed by the ecologist to determine the most appropriate method of care.
Injured fauna should assessed by the ecologist and if necessary, taken to the veterinary clinic
(details above). Juvenile fauna may be taken to WIRES if it is not possible to relocate them to a
suitable location. The ability for the parents to continue to care for the juvenile fauna should be
considered at this stage.
4. All felled habitat trees or HBT’s will be left in situ overnight to enable remaining animals to exit. Any
habitat trees or HBT’s with fauna left inside will be re-checked the following day to ensure the fauna
have relocated during the evening.
5. Details of any injured or relocated fauna must be reported to Clean TeQ Environment Team within
24 hours.
6. All data on fauna species and number of hollow dependent fauna are to be recorded.
7. Tree hollows will be salvaged from removed trees and any other significant fauna habitat features
and relocated to adjoining vegetation, or vegetation stockpile areas nearby.
8. Seed will be opportunistically collected from felled trees if available at the time of clearing.
Step 5: Reporting Following the clearing activities, a report will be prepared by the project ecologist outlining the habitat
assessment, fauna surveys, and results of the clearing activities. This will include a summary of trees
cleared, the number and sizes of hollows, any fauna encountered, location of any fauna relocated, and the
fate of injured or juvenile animals.
Communication Positive communication between the ecologist supervising the clearing and the machinery operator is
paramount to clearing being undertaken in a safe and efficient manner. Communication will be consistent
with the following procedure:
1. Daily discussion prior to work commencing, outlining the areas of operation for the day.
2. A 2-way radio, which will be set on a dedicated channel where available, will be used for communication.
3. The ecologist will outline the clearing procedure to be followed. This will include outlining the following
communication points during the clearing process:
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a. Confirm location the ecologist should stand to observe felling. Safe distance when felling will be assessed
and detailed in the SWMS.
b. ‘Go ahead’ to nudge the tree.
c. ‘Go ahead’ to start felling the tree.
d. ‘Go ahead’ for ecologist to inspect hollows in felled tree (once felling has been completed and machinery
has been switched off).
e. Stop clearing due to fauna observed or alternatively move to next operational area.
An indicative vegetation clearance timeline has been provided below as a guideline to the sequence of
activities undertaken pre, during and post clearing works.
Indicative Vegetation Clearance Timeline
Timing
Description Action Needed
2 weeks prior to
commencement of
clearing
Assign ecologist Engagement of suitably qualified
Ecologist (Clean TeQ to organise)
48 hours prior to
commencement of
clearing
Advise Clean TeQ Environment team
of clearing
Project Manager to contact Clean TeQ
Environment team of clearing at least 48
hours before clearing is to commence.
Clearing area to be delineated by Project
Manager and confirmed by Clean TeQ
Environment team. Pre-clearance survey
Pre-clearance survey will be completed
approximately 48 hours before
vegetation clearance commences to
ensure flagging tape and hollow-bearing
trees are sprayed with spray paint for
easy identification.
During Vegetation
clearance works
Supervision of vegetation clearing by
Ecologist
Results of clearing activities including
details of fauna recorded provided to
Clean TeQ Environment team.
Any injured fauna reported to Clean TeQ
Environment team within 24 hours.
All felled habitat trees and HBT’s must
remain in situ for 24 hours after clearing
works to allow fauna to escape.
Supervision of habitat trees by
Ecologist
Results of clearing activities including
details of fauna recorded provided to
Clean TeQ.
Any injured fauna reported to Clean TeQ
within 24 hours.
All felled habitat trees and HBT’s must
remain in situ for 24 hours after clearing
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works to allow fauna to escape. Post vegetation
clearance works
Compliance report to be prepared by
ecologist and provided to Clean TeQ,
confirming all details of clearing
activities including that fauna
collection and relocation has been
undertaken (photographs and notes
of any species found and details of
relocation should be included).
The project Ecologist will prepare a
vegetation clearance compliance report
following vegetation clearance works.
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