ta 26 evaporation pond desktop final 24 evaporation pond... · evaporation pond infrastructure will...

JUNE 2010

SINOSTEEL MIDWEST CORPORATION LTD

BIOLOGICAL DESKTOP SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED EVAPORATION POND – WELD RANGE PROJECT

This page has been left blank intentionally.

Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd

Biological Desktop Survey of the Proposed

Evaporation Pond

June 2010

i

SINOSTEEL MIDWEST CORPORATION LTD

BIOLOGICAL DESKTOP SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED EVAPORATION POND

WELD RANGE PROJECT



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

ii

Document Status

Approved for Issue Rev. Author Reviewer/s Date

Name Distributed To Date

1 L Roque‐Albelo

C Macpherson

E Fox

R Gabbitus 31 May 2010 Carol Macpherson Wayne Ennor 01 June 2010

ecologia Environment (2010). Reproduction of this report in whole or in part by electronic, mechanical or chemical means including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, in any language, is strictly prohibited without the express approval of Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd and/or ecologia Environment.

Restrictions on Use

This report has been prepared specifically for Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd. Neither the report nor its contents may be referred to or quoted in any statement, study, report, application, prospectus, loan, or other agreement document, without the express approval of Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd and/or ecologia Environment.

ecologia Environment

1025 Wellington Street

WEST PERTH WA 6005

Phone: 08 9322 1944

Fax: 08 9322 1599

Email: [email protected]



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 6

1.1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................7

1.2 SURVEY OBJECTIVES..................................................................................................................7

2 BIOPHYSICAL CLIMATE...................................................................................................... 9

2.1 CLIMATE ....................................................................................................................................9

2.2 VEGETATION .............................................................................................................................9

2.3 LAND SYSTEMS....................................................................................................................... 10

2.4 BIOGEOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................................... 10

3 METHODS ....................................................................................................................... 11

3.1 FLORA..................................................................................................................................... 11

3.2 VERTEBRATE FAUNA .............................................................................................................. 11

3.3 INVERTEBRATE FAUNA........................................................................................................... 11

4 FINDINGS........................................................................................................................ 13

4.1 FLORA..................................................................................................................................... 13



5 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................ 31

5.1 FLORA..................................................................................................................................... 31



6 REFERENCES.................................................................................................................... 32



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

4

TABLES

Table 3.1 – Previous Floristic Biological Survey Reports within 40 km of the Evaporation Pond. ........ 11

Table 3.2 –Floristic Databases Searched to Determine the Potential Floristic Assemblage of the Evaporation Pond. ............................................................................................................ 11

Table 3.3 – Previous Biological Vertebrate Fauna Survey Reports. ...................................................... 11

Table 3.4 – Previous Invertebrate Survey Reports. ............................................................................... 12

Table 4.1 – Vegetation Units Within Evaporation Pond and Broader SMC Leases Study Area............. 14

Table 4.2 – Flora Recorded within the Weld Ranges............................................................................. 20

Table 4.3 – Conservation Significant Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Evaporation Pond Site. ........ 28

FIGURES

Figure 1.1 – Location of the Evaporation Pond site. ................................................................................8

Figure 2.1 – Summary of Climatic Data for Meekatharra Airport (BOM, 2009).......................................9

Figure 4.1 – Previous Survey Effort By Ecologia In The Vicinity Of The Proposed Evaporation Pond... 15

Figure 4.2 – Vegetation within the Proposed Evaporation Pond and Pipeline Corridor....................... 17

Figure 4.3 – Distribution of Priority 1 Taxa within the SMC Study Area................................................ 23



Figure 4.6 – Distribution of Taxa in Interest within the SMC Study Area.............................................. 26

APPENDICES

Appendix A Explanation of Flora Conservation Codes ......................................................................... 33

Appendix B Explanation of Fauna Conservation Codes ....................................................................... 37



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

5

ACRONYMS

CAMBA China‐Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

DEC Department of Environment and Conservation

DEWHA Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts

DoIR Department of Industry and Resources

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EPA Environmental Protection Authority

EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

JAMBA Japan‐Australian Migratory Bird Agreement

WC Act Wildlife Conservation Act 1950



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

6




Evaporation Pond

June 2010

7

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 OVERVIEW

Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd (SMC) is an emerging iron ore producer in the Midwest Region of Western Australia. SMC proposes to develop the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine in the Weld Range within the Midwest Region of Western Australia. The Weld Range Iron Ore Mine is planned to produce a maximum of 15 Mtpa of iron ore over 9 years.

The Weld Range Iron Ore Mine is located approximately 600 km north‐north‐east of Perth and 85 km southwest of Meekatharra. The tenements that form the basis for the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine cover a series of hills that rise approximately 250 m above the surrounding plains. The range is some 3 km wide, extends for up to 60 km in length from southwest to the northeast, and consists of a series of parallel ridges with deep incised valleys.

SMC are seeking approval for the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine through the Part IV Environmental Impact Assessment process with the EPA. SMC developed and gained approval for an Environmental Scoping Document for the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine on the 4th November 2008 and are currently in the process of developing a Public Environmental Review (PER) for submission in late June 2010.

As part of the associated infrastructure with the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine, SMC will require an evaporation pond to manage the disposal of saline water from pit dewatering activities. The evaporation pond infrastructure will be included in the PER assessment. The location of the evaporation pond is shown in Figure 1.1.

To date no biological studies have been completed within the evaporation pond site. This desktop survey investigation will form the first part of the biological surveys for the evaporation pond.

As part of the PER SMC has committed to the following:

“Prior to approval of PER, SMC will conduct vertebrate and invertebrate fauna and vegetation and flora surveys to assess the proposed impact area and to determine the potential impact to fauna and flora as a result of discharging dewatered saline water to an Evaporation pond. This information will influence design parameters and management measures for this proposed work.”

1.2 SURVEY OBJECTIVES

SMC commissioned ecologia Environment (ecologia) to undertake a biological desktop survey of the Evaporation pond site as part of the environmental impact assessment for the Weld Range Iron Ore Mine. The desktop survey will assess flora, vertebrate fauna and invertebrate fauna of the evaporation pond site.

550000 560000 570000 580000 59000070

1000

070

2000

070

3000

070

4000

0 Legend Evap Pond Investigation Area

No constraints

Some constraints

No go area

BFS Base Case

BFS Option 1

BFS Option 2

Midwest Tenements

Road

Coordinate SystemName: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994 A4

Figure:1.1Project ID: 825

Drawn: SGDate: 20/05/10

K0 4 8

Kilometres1:185,000Absolute Scale -

Unique Map ID: S142

Weld Range Constraints Mapping and Evaporation Pond Investigation Area



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

9

2 BIOPHYSICAL CLIMATE

2.1 CLIMATE

Meteorological data has been recorded at the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) weather station at Meekatharra airport.

Weld Range is located in the Midwest region of WA, approximately 80 km west south‐west of Meekatharra. The region experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters. A high pressure band or subtropical ridge dominates the weather pattern throughout the year. During the warmer months, a low pressure trough is located to the south, resulting in southerly and south‐easterly winds. Occasional cold fronts bring little rain to the region whereas tropical cloud bands bring the most rains during the winter months.

Mean maximum temperatures range from 38.2°C in January to 19°C in July. Mean minimum temperatures range from 24.3°C in January to 7.4°C in July. Very hot summers and mild winters are representative of the region (Figure 2.1).

The late summer and early winter months (February and June) provide the most rainfall over the year. The total annual rainfall in this region is very low (less than 250 mm per annum). September is the driest month of the year, receiving on average less than 5 mm of rainfall over the entire month. This dry environment has the potential to result in higher particulate emissions from mining activities.

Figure 2.1 – Summary of Climatic Data for Meekatharra Airport (BOM, 2009)

2.2 VEGETATION

The evaporation pond site is situated in the Murchison botanical district within the Eremaean botanical province. The boundaries of this province are approximately determined by the geological boundaries of the Yilgarn Block, which forms the nucleus of the West Australian Shield (Beard, 1976). The region is well known for the dominance of mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands, and the extensive flats and plains provide optimum conditions for the occurrence of these woodlands (Beard, 1976). The Murchison botanical district is divided into two subregions, and the Weld Range falls within the



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

10

boundaries of the upper or Western Murchison subregion (MUR2). Data recorded from flora surveys and opportunistic collections in the region indicate that the Murchison bioregion encompasses a rich flora, with at least 2,210 known species (Western Australian Herbarium, 2009).

Arid shrublands (Acacia aneura) make up the vast majority of vegetation types encountered in the Murchison region. On the more favourable soils, (plains and valleys) Acacia aneura generally grows in the form of a tree with a single erect trunk and forms low woodlands. On less favourable soils, such as those present on hill slopes and ridges, it takes the form of a shrub producing shrublands/scrublands (Beard, 1976). As a result, the bulk of landscapes are dominated by mixed shrubland/scrubland, with few or no trees, or perennial grasses ‐ randomly scattered or loosely aggregated shrubs, with large areas of bare ground with exposed shallow red soils between them (Curry et al., 1994).

2.3 LAND SYSTEMS

Curry et al. (1994) undertook a regional inventory of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds to document the land systems present and the conditions of each. The area surveyed (88,360 km2) was situated between Meekatharra and Mount Magnet to the east, and the catchments of the Greenough and Wooramel Rivers in the west.

The evaporation pond site is located in the Weld land system, with the surrounding areas predominated by the Yarrameedie, Violet and Jundee land systems.

2.4 BIOGEOGRAPHY

The Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) categorises the Australian continent into regions of similar geology, landform, vegetation, fauna and climate (IBRA, 2000). The Weld Range lies in the Murchison Biogeographic Region, Western Murchison sub region which lies within the Eremaean botanical province or the arid zone of Western Australia.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

11

3 METHODS

3.1 FLORA

A desktop assessment of the recorded flora of the evaporation pond and surrounding areas was undertaken by ecologia in May 2010. This assessment comprised a review of available published and unpublished reports and documents (Table 3.1) and a review of published government databases (Table 3.2). Previous research during the preparation of the Weld Range Vegetation and Flora Assessment (ecologia 2010) entailed a search of the DEC (WA Herbarium and DEC Endangered Flora) databases and this data was cross checked with the recently published revised listing of Declared Rare and Priority Flora (Atkins, 2010) to ensure the status of taxa remained unchanged.

Table 3.1 – Previous Floristic Biological Survey Reports within 40 km of the Evaporation Pond.

Survey Location and Author(s) Distance to Project Area (km) Comments

Weld Range (ecologia) O km Broader survey of the flora and vegetation within the SMC Weld Range Leases. 239 quadrats and additional transect based surveys for rare flora searches

Weld Range (DEC) 0‐10 km Part of a regionally based survey which includes 52 quadrats within the Weld Range

Table 3.2 –Floristic Databases Searched to Determine the Potential Floristic Assemblage of the Evaporation Pond.

Database Search Details

DEC 2010 DRF and Priority Listings

DEC Threatened Flora Database (DEFL);

DEC Declared Rare and Priority Flora List; and

WA Herbarium Specimen Database

DEC TEC and PEC Listing DEC Threatened Ecological Community Database;

DEC Priority Ecological Community Database

Dept. of Environment and Water Resources Protected Matters Database

3.2 VERTEBRATE FAUNA

A desktop assessment of the recorded fauna of the Evaporation pond and surrounding areas was undertaken by ecologia in May 2010. This assessment comprised a review of available published and unpublished reports and documents (Table 3.3), and a review of the Department of Environment and Conservation NatureMap database to ensure inclusion of the most recent information.

Table 3.3 – Previous Biological Vertebrate Fauna Survey Reports.

Survey Location and Author(s) Distance to the Evaporation Pond Site (km)

Comments

Weld Range (ecologia 2010) 0 km Survey of the vertebrate fauna within the SMC Weld Range leases

3.3 INVERTEBRATE FAUNA

A desktop assessment of the recorded invertebrate fauna of the Evaporation pond and surrounding areas was undertaken by ecologia in May 2010. This assessment comprised a review of available published and unpublished reports and documents (Table 3.4), and liaison with regional regulatory bodies.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

12

Short‐range endemism refers to endemic species with restricted ranges, which in Western Australian is currently defined as equal or less than 10,000 km2 (100 km x 100 km) (Harvey 2002). Such taxa are usually invertebrates, as these are more likely to display poor dispersal abilities and display a more defined or restrictive biology which would promote their isolation and eventual speciation.

Table 3.4 – Previous Invertebrate Survey Reports.

Survey Location and Author(s) Distance to the Evaporation Pond Site (km)

Comments

Ecologia internal database 0 km Broader survey of the flora and vegetation within the SMC Weld Range Leases



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

13

4 FINDINGS

4.1 FLORA

The proposed location of the evaporation pond lies within the boundaries of the broader survey area previously investigated by ecologia between November 2006 and August 2009 (ecologia 2010). During this period a total of 239 (400m2) quadrats and 1053 transects were located within the broader survey area encompassing the SMC Weld Range leases. Three of the above quadrats were located within footprint of the proposed evaporation pond, with several more quadrats in close proximity to the associated pipeline corridor (igure 4.1). However it should be noted that the intensity of searching within this area has to date been low (only 1,200 m2 of a proposed 6,000,000 m2, or 0.02% of the total area of the evaporation pond).

4.1.1 Conservation Significance of the Vegetation of the Evaporation Pond

The vegetation of the SMC Weld Range leases, including the area in which the proposed evaporation pond is located has previously been mapped at a scale of 1:15,000 (Figure 4.2) (ecologia, 2010). Three units; 3a, 3b and 5 are present within the evaporation pond area. These units and an additional three units; 1a, 4a and 7b are present within the evaporation pond pipeline corridor.

The representation of these units at a regional scale is unknown, as the only regional mapping available is at the much broader scale of 1:1,000,000 (Beard, 1976). The proportion of each unit within the broader SMC survey area and the evaporation pond is detailed in Table 4.1.

Units 1 and 2 consist of a number of subunits which could not be individually mapped across the broader survey area because they could not be reliably distinguished in the aerial imagery. These units occur across the upper slopes and crests of moderate to steep slopes of the range and are therefore likely to be restricted at a regional scale, given that these Banded Iron Formation Ranges encompass a relatively small proportion of the total area of the bioregion. The proposed evaporation pond will have minimal impact on these units as only a small proportion of the pipeline corridor intersects their occurrence. However, given the occurrence of Mulga woodland (which is vulnerable to alterations in surface water flows) within some areas of this vegetation complex, pipeline construction may need to be designed to minimise disturbance to surface hydrology (e.g. subterranean, raised or culverted) in some areas.

All other units occurring within the evaporation pond area are broadly distributed in the SMC lease area; hence impact at a local level as a result of clearing for the evaporation pond would be minor.

There are no Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) listed under the EPBC Act or DEC listing. Potential TECs that do not meet survey criteria or are as yet inadequately defined are listed by the DEC as Priority Ecological Communities (PECs) while consideration is given to their inclusion as TECs. PECs are classified into one of five possible priority rankings based on frequency of occurrence and known threatening processes, as detailed in Appendix A.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

14

Table 4.1 – Vegetation Units Within Evaporation Pond and Broader SMC Leases Study Area

Vegetation Unit

Area Within Evaporation Pond and Associated

Pipeline Corridor (ha)

Total Area Within SMC Leases Study Area(ha)

Representation Within Study

Area (%)

Proportion of Total

Representation Within Study Area within Evaporation Pond (%)

1 and 2: Acacia aneura low woodland over mixed open shrubs

4.5 1695 3.3 0.27

3a: +/‐ Corymbia lenziana scattered medium trees over Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia aneura sparse shrubland over mixed Eremophila spp. open shrubland over scattered low shrubs of Ptilotus obovatus over open tussock grasses.

212.3 16779 32.6 1.27

3b: +/‐ Acacia pruinocarpa scattered low trees over A. aneura woodland over A. ramulosa var. linophylla and A. aneura shrubland over mixed Eremophila spp. Closed shrubland over Ptilotus obovatus open shrubland.

66.2 8085 15.7 0.82

4a: Acacia sp. Weld Range and A. aneura var. microcarpa open tall shrubland over Eremophila macmillaniana and mixed Senna spp. Open mid shrubland over Ptilotus obovatus open low shrubland

11.3 8412 16.3 0.13

5: Acacia craspedocarpa tall shrubland over Solanum ashbyae /S. lasiophyllum and Ptilotus obovatus low shrubland over low tussock grassland

379.7 9324 18.1 4.07

One Priority 1 PEC is recorded in the vicinity of the evaporation pond (Figure 4.2). Boundaries of the PEC are at present approximate, based on a correlations between geological and vegetation determined by the DEC during their survey of the Weld Range (Markey and Dillon, 2008). It may be subject to modification as information regarding the vegetation of the Weld Range is further refined.

Although the evaporation pond is located to the immediate north of the current boundary of the PEC, the pipeline corridor intersects this area. The design of the pipeline may require modification to minimise the impact to the communities within the PEC.

t should also be noted that the current scope of this document has considered impacts as a direct result of clearing or construction. However indirect impacts may potentially occur to phreatophytic vegetation present in Unit 7a to the east of the evaporation pond, should hyper saline water from the pond contaminate subterranean water with lower salinity levels. Therefore the design of the pond will need to incorporate knowledge of subterranean hydrology unless the pond is designed to be impermeable.

!

!

!!!!

!! !! !

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

! !!

!

!!!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!

!!!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!!

!!

!

! ! ! !!

!!

!

!!

!

!!

! !!!!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!!

! !!

!!

!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!

!!!

!! !!

!

!

!!!

!!!

!!! !

!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!!!!

!!!

!!

!

!

!

! !!!

!! !!

!

!

!

! !!

!! !

!

!!

!

!!

!!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!!

!

!!

! !

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

! !!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!! !

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!!

!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!! ! ! !

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!!!

!!!

!

!!

!!

! !

!!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!!

!!

!

!!!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!!

!!

!!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

! !

!!

!

!!

!

!!! !

!

!

! !

! !

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!

! !

!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!!!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!!!!!

!

!

!!!

!!!!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

! !

!!

!

!!

!

! !

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!!

!! !

!!

!!!

!

!!

!

!

!! !!

!

!!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

! !! !

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!!!!

!!!

!

! ! ! !!!!!

!

!

!

! ! !!!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

! !!!

!

!!!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

!!

!!

!! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!! !

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

! !!!

!!

!

!

! !!!!

!

! ! !!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!!

! !!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!!

! !

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

!!

!!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

! ! ! ! !

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!

!

!

!

! !!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!!!

!

!

!!!

!

! !!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!! ! !

!

!

!!

! !

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!!!!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!!!

!!

!!!!!

!

!!!!

!!!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!!

!!

!

!

!

!

Legend! Transect Locations

Quadrat Locations

Proposed evaporation pond

Midwest Tenements

Client Logo(s)Location of quadrats andtransects in the vicinity of

proposed evaporation pond Coordinate SystemName: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994 A3

Figure: 4.1Project ID: 825

Drawn: SGDate: 26/05/10

K0 2 4


Unique Map ID: MXXX

540000 560000 58000070

2000

070

4000

0

LegendEvaportation Pond Final Investigation Area 19052010

PEC

Vegetation Community

1 and 2 Acacia aneura low woodland over mixed open shrubs.

3a

Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and Acacia aneura sparse shrubland over mixed Eremophila open shrubland over scattered low shrubs of Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus over open tussock grasses.

3b

Acacia pruinocarpa scattered trees over A. aneura woodland over A. ramulosa var. linophylla and A. aneura shrubland over mixed Eremophila closed shrubland overPtilotus obovatus var. obovatus open low shrubland.

3c

Scattered Eucalyptus mallees / trees over Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla open shrubland over Rhagodia eremaea, Eremophila forrestii subsp. forrestii shrubland over Ptilotus obovatusvar. obovatus open low shrubland.

3dAcacia aneura and Acacia cockertoniana open tall shrubland over Eremophila simulanssubsp. simulans and Aluta asperasubsp. hesperia low open shrubland.

4a

Acacia sp. Weld Range and A. aneuria var. microcarpa open tall shrubland over Eremophila macmillaniana and mixed Sennaspp. open mid shrubland over Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus open low shrubland.

4b

Acacia sp. Weld Range and Acacia speckii shrubland over mixed Senna spp. sparse shrubland over Grevillea inconspicua and Dodonaea amplisemmina open shrubland over Cymbopogon ambiguus sparse tussock grassland.

5aAcacia low woodland over Solanum ashbyae / lasiophyllum and Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus low shrubland over mixed low tussock grassland.

5b

Grevillea striata low isolated trees over Acacia craspedocarpa and A. aneura tall open shrubland over Scaevola spinescens sparse mid shrubland over Austrostipa elegantissima and Eriachne flaccida low open tussock grassland.

6aScattered Acacia shrubs over mixed Senna spp. open mid shrubland over Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus sparse shrubland over mixed Maireanna spp. chenopod shrubland.

6bScattered mixed Acacia spp. over Rhagodia eremaea and Scaevola spinescens sparse mid to low shrubland over Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus low shrubland.

6cEremophila maculata subsp. brevifolia low open shrubland over Sclerolaena diacantha low chenopod shrubland over Enneapogon cylindricus low tussock grassland.

7aMelaleuca stereophloia and Cratystylis subspinescens low shrubland over Tecticornia spp. low samphire shrubland over Frankenia laxiflora low shrubland.

7bEucalyptus carnei and Eucalyptus trivalva woodland over Cratystylis subspinescens and Muehlenbeckia florulenta low sparse shrubland over mixed low tussock grasses.

Client Logo(s)Vegetation community in the vicinity of proposed

evaporation pondCoordinate SystemName: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994 A3

Figure: 4.2Project ID: 825

Drawn: SGDate: 26 May 2010

K0 5 10


Unique Map ID: MXXX



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

19

Conservation Significance of the Flora in the Vicinity of the Evaporation Pond

No taxa of Declared Rare or EPBC status have been recorded in the vicinity of the Weld Ranges.

At present there are 25 Priority taxa recorded within the Weld Ranges, 24 of which were recorded during ecologia surveys within the SMC leases (Table 4.2). Two further taxa which are potentially of conservation significance as undescribed taxa, possibly with restricted distribution, have also been recorded. Definition of EPBC and DEC conservation categories are included in Appendix A.

To date no taxa of conservation significance have been recorded within the areas in which is proposed to locate the evaporation pond and pipeline. However, the absence of records at these locations is considered more likely to be a result of the relatively low intensity of survey effort at these locations than a genuine absence of occurrences. Figures 4.2 to 4.4 indicate the distribution of Priority flora recorded to date in the SMC Weld Range leases. As might be anticipated, the distribution of records correlates closely to the distribution of quadrates and in particular, transects, conducted during earlier surveys igure 4.1. Furthermore, it can be seen from Figures 4.3 to 4.5 that a number of taxa have relatively broad distributions across a range of vegetation units, including those units present within the proposed evaporation pond.

As detailed in Table 4.2, all Priority taxa currently recorded at Weld Range have distributions extending over at least 100 km, although there are eight taxa for which the Weld Range records are isolated by more than 100 km from all other records. However to date there do not appear to be any species which are endemic to the ranges (Markey and Dillon, 2008).



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

20

Table 4.2 – Flora of Conservation Significance Recorded within the Weld Ranges

Origin of record(s) at Weld Range

Distribution

Taxon Conserv. status

ecologia DEC

Database

Weld Range disjunct

range >100 km

Vegetation units in which

recorded at Weld Range

Habitat specificity (FloraBase)

Beyeria lapidicola (formerly sp. Murchison)

P1 1&2, 3a, 3b,

3d, 4a Banded ironstone ridges and slopes

Euphorbia sarcostemmoides P1 5b Sandstone ridges, quartzite hills

Goodenia lyrata P1 1&2, 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b, 7a

Red sandy loam. Near clay pan

Sauropus sp. Woolgorong (M. Officer s.n. 10/8/94)

P1 1&2, 4a, 4b Slopes of Banded Ironstone outcrop

Stenanthemum patens P1 1&2, 4a, 4b Rocky hillside

Acacia ?burrowsiana P3 3b, 5a Red‐brown loams with ironstone rubble on surface, calcrete soils, laterite, quartz. Flats adjacent to watercourses, crests of low rises, breakaways.

Acacia speckii P3 1&2, 3a, 3b,

4a, 5a Rocky soils over granite, basalt or dolerite. Rocky hills or rises

Calytrix erosipetala P3 6a, 6b Rocky sandstone or granite breakaways

Dodonaea amplisemina P3 1&2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 7a, 7b

Red‐brown sandy clay on basalt and gabbro and banded ironstone or on dolerite and quartzite. Rocky hills

Eremophila arachnoides subsp. arachnoides

P3 1&2, 3a, 3b,

4a n/a

Grevillea stenostachya P3 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b, 6b

Red sand, sandy loam

Hemigenia tysonii P3 1&2, 3a, 3b, 3d, 4a, 5, 6a

Red sand, sandy clay, lateritic sand. Flats, sand dunes, hills

Homalocalyx echinulatus P3 3a,3b, 4b,

5a Laterite. Breakaways, sandstone hills

Micromyrtus placoides P3 1&2, 3a, 3b, 4b, 5a, 7b

Red‐orange sandy clay, orange‐yellow sandy clay to clayey loam, coarse gravel, banded ironstone, laterite, quartz, basalt. Gently undulating plains, dry creek beds, hillcrests, ridges



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

21

Origin of record(s) at Weld Range

Distribution

Taxon Conserv. status

ecologia DEC

Database

Weld Range disjunct

range >100 km

Vegetation units in which

recorded at Weld Range

Habitat specificity (FloraBase)

Mirbelia ?stipitata P3 3b, 4a, 4b,

5a Red sandy loam

Phyllanthus baeckeoides P3 DEC data Red lateritic & sandy clay soils. Granite outcrops

Prostanthera ferricola P3 4a Shallow red‐brown skeletal sandy loam on banded ironstone, laterite, basalt or quartz. Gently inclined mid to upper slopes of hills, rocky crests, outcrops.

Prostanthera petrophila P3 1&2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b

Lateritic soils.

Ptilotus beardii P3 1&2, 3a, 3b, 4b, 5a, 6a

Clayey soils. Saline flats, low breakaways

Ptilotus luteolus P3 1&2, 3a, 4a,

4b Gravelly slopes down from Banded Ironstone outcrop

Tecticornia cymbiformis P3 5a, 5b, 7a Saline soils. Along the edge of creeklines

Verticordia jamiesonii P3 3b Sandy clay soils. Lateritic breakaways

Baeckea sp. Melita Station (H. Pringle 2738)

P4 1&2, 3a, 3b,

4a, 4b Dark red rocky soil over ironstone. Mulga shrubland

Goodenia berringbinensis P4 5b Red sandy loam. Along watercourses

Grevillea inconspicua P4 3a, 3b, 4a,

5a Loam, gravel. Along drainage lines on rocky outcrops, creeklines

Acacia sp. nov. aff. kochii Species of interest

1&2, 4a, 5a, 6a

Not currently recognized as a discrete taxon in FloraBase but under consideration.

Hemigenia sp. nov (aff. exilis) Species of interest 1&2, 4a, 5a

Not currently recognized as a discrete taxon in FloraBase but under consideration.

+Records at Weld range are classified as disjunct if discrete and separated by more than 100 km from all other records of the taxon.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

22


!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!

!!!!!!

!!!!!! !!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!

!!!

!!!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!! !

!!

!

!

540000 560000 58000070

2000

070

4000

0

LegendPriority 1 Flora

! Beyeria lapidicola

! Euphorbia sarcostemmoides

! Goodenia lyrata

! Sauropus sp. Woolgorong

! Stenanthemum patens

Evaportation Pond Final Investigation Area 19052010

1 and 2

3a

3b

3c

3d

4a

4b

5a

5b

6a

6b

6c

7a

7b

Client Logo(s)Priority 1 flora in

the vicinity of proposed evaporation pond Coordinate System

Name: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50Projection: Transverse MercatorDatum: GDA 1994 A3

Figure: 4.3Project ID: 825 Drawn: SV

Date: 31 May 2010

K0 5 10


Unique Map ID: MXXX

!

!!

!!! !!!!!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!!!!!!!!

!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

!!!!!

!

!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!!

!!!!!!! !!!!

!

!!

!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!! !!!!

!

!!

!!!

!!

!!!!!!! !!! !!!!

!!

!!!!!!! !!!!!

!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!

!!

!!!!!

!!

!!!!!

!!!!! !!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!

!!

!!!!!

!

!

!!

!!!!

!

!!!

!!!! !!

!

!

!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!! !

!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

!!!

!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!

!

!

!!!!!

!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!

!! !!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!!!!!!

!!

!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

!!!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!

!

!!!

! !!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!

!!

!

!!

!!!!!!!

!!

!!!!!

!!

!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!

!

!!!!!

!

!!!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!

!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!

!

! !

!!

!

!

!

!!!!!!

!

!

!

!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!

!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!!!

!

!!!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!

!

!!

!! !!

!!

!!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!

!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

!

!

!!

!!!!! !!!!!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!!!!

!!!

!

!

!!!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!

!!!!!!

!

!!

!

!!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

! !

!!

!

!!

!

!!!

!

!

!!! ! !!!!!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

! !!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

! !

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

!

!!

!!

!

!!!!

!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!!!!!

! !!

!!

!

!!

!

!!

!!

!!

!!!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!

!!!! !!!!!!!

!

!! !!!! !!

!

!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!

!

!!

!!!!!!!

!!!

!!!!

!!

!!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!

!!!!!!

!!

!

!

!!!!!!

!

!!

!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!!

!!

!

!!

!!

!

!

!!

!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!

!!!! !

!!

!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!

!

!!!!!

!!!!

!

!!

!!

540000 560000 58000070

2000

070

4000

0


! Acacia ?burrowsiana

! Acacia speckii

! Calytrix erosipetala

! Dodonaea amplisemina

! Eremophila aff. gracillima

! Eremophila arachnoides subsp. arachnoides

! Eremophila gracillima

! Grevillea stenostachya

! Hemigenia tysonii

! Homalocalyx echinulatus

! Micromyrtus placoides

! Mirbelia ?stipitata

! Prostanthera ferricola

! Prostanthera petrophila

! Ptilotus beardii

! Ptilotus luteolus

! Tecticornia cymbiformis

! Verticordia jamiesonii

Proposed evaporation Pond

1 and 2

3a

3b

3c

3d

4a

4b

5a

5b

6a

6b

6c

7a

7b





Date: 31 May 2010

K0 5 10


Unique Map ID: MXXX

!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

!!!!

!!!!!!

!

!!!!!

!!!!!

!!

!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!!!

!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!

!

!!

!!!!!!!

!

!

!!

!!!

!!!!!!

!!

!!!!!!!

!

!

!

!!

!

!

!!!

!!!!!! !

!

!!!!

!!

!!

!

!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!

!!

540000 560000 58000070

2000

070

4000

0


! Baeckea sp. Melita Station

! Goodenia berringbinensis

! Grevillea inconspicua


1 and 2

3a

3b

3c

3d

4a

4b

5a

5b

6a

6b

6c

7a

7b





Date: 31 May 2010

K0 5 10


Unique Map ID: MXXX

!!

!

!!!!!!!!

!

!

!

!

!

!

540000 560000 58000070

2000

070

4000

0

LegendFlora of conservation interest

! Acacia aff. kochii

! Acacia aff. oswaldii

! Hemigenia sp. nov (aff. exilis)


1 and 2

3a

3b

3c

3d

4a

4b

5a

5b

6a

6b

6c

7a

7b

Client Logo(s)Flora of conservation interest

in the vicinity of proposed evaporation pond Coordinate System



Date: 31 May 2010

K0 5 10


Unique Map ID: MXXX



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

27


4.2.1 Fauna of the Evaporation Pond

A total of 29 native and eight introduced mammal, 156 bird, 88 reptile and five frog species have the potential to occur in the area around the evaporation pond site. However, based on the size and fauna habitats present within the proposed evaporation pond, only a proportion of these species will occur within the evaporation pond.

Two species of conservation significance have previously been recorded within the proposed evaporation pond site; Long‐tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis longicaudata) and a skink (Lerista eupoda), both of which were recorded within the proposed access track to the evaporation pond. In addition to these, an additional six species have been recorded within the vicinity of the evaporation pond and have the potential to occur within this area: Bush Stone‐curlew (Burhinus grallarius), Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Slender‐billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei iredalei), Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), and Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus). For more information on these species, including likelihood of occurrence and potential impacts, refer to Table 4.3. Definitions of EPBC and DEC conservation categories are detailed in Appendix B.


In the Midwest region, some Short Range Endemic species have been listed as threatened or endangered under State or Commonwealth legislation in the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and/or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, including the Shield‐back Spider, Idiosoma nigrum, which has previously been collected from Weld Range and surrounding areas such as Jack Hills. Other Short Range Endemic species have also been recorded from the Midwest area including more than 30 species of mygalomorph spider and several species of scorpion and pseudoscorpion (WAM, 2009).

In 2007, ecologia identified a number of species that are short‐range endemics including two mygalomorph spiders (Cethegus ‘fugax complex’ and the Shield‐back Spider Idiosoma nigrum – a Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Conservation Act), one snail species (Pleuroxia sp.) and a millipede (Antichiropus sp. ‘Weld Range’). These four species have all been recorded through the Weld Range area, with a large number of records occurring for I. nigrum due to intense sampling effort.

The vegetation of an area can be helpful in determining the microhabitats of SRE species.

More specifically, these four species also all occur in the range to the south of the proposed evaporation pond. The vegetation communities in the area of the proposed evaporation pond include 3a (Corymbia lenziana over Acacia ramulosa var. linophylla and A. aneura over mixed Eremophila spp), 3b (Acacia pruinocarpa over A. aneura woodland) and 5a (Acacia craspedocarpa over Solanum ashbyae / lasiophyllum and Ptilotus obovatus over mixed low tussock grassland) according to the vegetation maps provided for the area (ecologia 2009). Idiosoma nigrum and Cethegus ‘fugax complex’ have been collected from all these vegetation communities across Weld Range and so there is the potential for them to occur within the proposed evaporation pond. This is especially significant for the I. nigrum as this is listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act and Schedule 1 under the WC Act. The Antichiropus sp. has also been recorded from the vegetation communities 3a and 3b, while the Pleuroxia sp. has not been recorded in any of the vegetation communities associated with the evaporation pond.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

28

Table 4.3 – Conservation Significant Fauna Potentially Occurring in the Evaporation Pond Site.

Conservation Significance Species

EPBC Act WC Act DEC Habitat Previous Records Likelihood of Occurrence Regional Impacts

Rainbow Bee‐eater (Merops ornatus)

M Open country, most vegetation types, dunes, banks

Recorded in areas surrounding Weld Range

HIGH

Relatively common in region. Some suitable foraging habitat present

LOW

Evaporation pond will not significantly reduce hunting or breeding habitat. Suitable habitat found adjacent to the area

Lerista eupoda P1 Open mulga areas on loamy soils

Recorded from within access corridor and several locations surrounding Weld Range

HIGH

Recorded within evaporation pond area

LOW

Although the species has a restricted distribution, it is common around Weld Range and the small amount of habitat impacted by the proposed evaporation pond will not significantly affect the species

Long‐tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis longicaudata)

P3 Rocky habitat with grass hummocks or open mulga habitats

Recorded within proposed access corridor, and from all along Weld Range

HIGH

Previously recorded within access corridor

LOW

Only a small area of habitat will be impacted and know to occur throughout Weld Range

Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

S4 Coastal cliffs, riverine gorges and wooded watercourses

Recorded from eastern end of Weld Range

MEDIUM

May occasionally hunt within proposed evaporation pond, potential for breeding habitat within access corridor

LOW

Little reduction in foraging or breeding habitat in the region

Bush Stone‐curlew (Burhinus grallarius)

P4

Lightly wooded country next to daytime shelter of thickets or long grass

Several records from around Weld Range

MEDIUM

May occasionally visit the area to forage

LOW

This species is widely distributed and will move to surrounding habitat if disturbed

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

P4 Open grasslands, chenopod flats and low heathland

Records from most stations surrounding the Evaporation pond area

MEDIUM

May occasionally visit the area to forage

LOW

This species is nomadic and widely distributed and will move to surrounding habitat if disturbed



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

29

Conservation Significance

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)

VU S1 Dry inland scrub, mallee

Several old, inactive mounds recorded from around Weld Range

LOW

Although the species is known to have occurred in the area previously, there are no recent records

LOW

Species unlikely to occur in area

Slender‐billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei iredalei)

VU

Treeless or sparsely wooded flatlands, samphire and low melaleuca scrubs

Recorded from chenopod vegetation to north of Madoonga deposit

LOW

No suitable habitat thought to occur within evaporation pond

LOW

Species unlikely to occur in area



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

30




Evaporation Pond

June 2010

31

5 CONCLUSIONS

5.1 FLORA

Although no Priority Flora have been recorded to date in the areas proposed for clearing, it is considered likely to be a reflection of the low intensity of survey, particularly given the relatively broad occurrence of many Priority species in the surrounding vegetation.

It is recommended that a targeted survey be completed prior to construction to establish whether any Priority taxa are present in the area to be cleared. The abundance of any such taxa should also be recorded to allow an evaluation of the proportion of total numbers present which would be impacted.

The proposal also has the potential to indirectly impact flora and vegetation in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline corridor as a result of shadow effects to surface hydrology. In addition there is a potential to affect phreatophytic vegetation in the seasonally inundated area to the east of the evaporation pond should hyper saline water be permitted to contaminated the subterranean water. The design of the pond and pipeline will therefore need to consider both subterranean and surface hydrology to prevent these impacts.


Due to the high level of survey effort conducted in the immediate area no targeted surveys are recommended. Impacts to species of conservation significance, such as Lerista eupoda, will be similar to those discussed in previous fauna assessments (ecologia 2010).


It is recommended that a foraging survey is conducted in the area where the Evaporation pond is proposed in order to determine whether any of these species or other potential SRE species will be affected by the development.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

32

6 REFERENCES

Atkins, K. List of Declared Rare and Priority Flora (2010). Department of Environment and Conservation

Bureau of Meteorology (2009). http://www.bom.gov.au/ Last accessed June 2009.

ecologia Environment (2010) Weld Range Flora Assessment. Report Prepared for Sinosteel Midwest Corporation Ltd. Perth, WA (in draft)

Harvey, M. S. (2002) Short‐range endemism among the Australian fauna: some examples from non‐marine environments. Invertebrate Systematics. 16:555 ‐ 570.

Markey, A. S. and Dillon, S. J. (2008) Flora and Vegetation of the Banded Iron Formations of the Yilgarn Craton: The Weld Range. Science Division, Department of Environment and Conservation

Western Australian Museum. (2009) WAM Database Search, Murchison Area



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

33

APPENDIX A EXPLANATION OF FLORA CONSERVATION CODES



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

34




Evaporation Pond

June 2010

35

Commonwealth EPBC Act

Schedule 1 of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 contains a list of species that are considered Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Extinct, Extinct in the wild and Conservation Dependent.

Table A.1 ‐ Explanation of Codes for Flora under the Commonwealth EPBC Act.

Conservation Category Definition

Extinct A species is extinct if there is no reasonable doubt that the last member of the species has died.

Extinct in the wild A species is categorised as extinct in the wild if it is only known to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population well outside its past range; or if it has not been recorded in its known/expected habitat, at appropriate seasons, anywhere in its past range, despite exhaustive surveys over a time frame appropriate to its life cycle and form.

Critically Endangered The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

Endangered The species is likely to become extinct unless the circumstances and factors threatening its abundance, survival or evolutionary development cease to operate; or its numbers have been reduced to such a critical level, or its habitats have been so drastically reduced, that it is in immediate danger of extinction.

Vulnerable Within the next 25 years, the species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its abundance, survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Conservation Dependent The species is the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered within a period of five years.

Table A.2 ‐ Definition of DEC Declared Rare and Priority Flora categories.

Code Definition

DRF Declared Rare Flora‐Extant Taxa. Taxa which have been adequately searched for and are deemed to be in the wild either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection, and have been gazetted as such.

P1: Priority One Poorly Known Taxa. Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations which are under threat, either due to small population size, or being on lands under immediate threat, e.g. road verges, urban areas, farmland, active mineral leases, etc., or the plants are under threat, e.g. from disease, grazing by feral animals, etc. May include taxa with threatened populations on protected lands. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey.

P2: Priority Two Poorly Known Taxa. Taxa which are known from one or a few (generally <5) populations, at least some of which are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered). Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora', but are in urgent need of further survey.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

36

Code Definition

P3: Priority Three Poorly Known Taxa. Taxa which are known from several populations, and the taxa are not believed to be under immediate threat (i.e. not currently endangered), either due to the number of known populations (generally >5), or known populations being large, and either widespread or protected. Such taxa are under consideration for declaration as 'rare flora' but are in need of further survey.

P4: Priority Four Rare Taxa. Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed and which, whilst being rare (in Australia), are not currently threatened by any identifiable factors. These taxa require monitoring every 5‐10 years.

(From Atkins, K.J., Declared Rare and Priority Flora List Oct. 2010, DEC)



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

37

APPENDIX B EXPLANATION OF FAUNA CONSERVATION CODES



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

38




Evaporation Pond

June 2010

39

Appendix B1 Definitions of relevant categories under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Category Definition

Endangered (EN)

The species is likely to become extinct unless the circumstances and factors threatening its abundance, survival or evolutionary development cease to operate; or its numbers have been reduced to such a critical level, or its habitats have been so drastically reduced, that it is in immediate danger of extinction.

Vulnerable (VU) Within the next 25 years, the species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its abundance, survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Migratory (M)

Species are defined as migratory if they are listed in an international agreement approved by the Commonwealth Environment Minister, including:

• the Bonn Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animal) for which Australia is a range state;

• the agreement between the Government of Australian and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China for the Protection of Migratory Birds and their environment (CAMBA); or

• the agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of Australia for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Birds in Danger of Extinction and their Environment (JAMBA).

Appendix B2 Definition of Schedules under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950.

Schedule Definition

Schedule 1 (S1) Fauna which are rare or likely to become extinct are declared to be fauna that is in need of special protection.

Schedule 2 (S2) Fauna which are presumed to be extinct are declared to be fauna that is in need of species protection.

Schedule 3 (S3) Birds which are subject to an agreement between the governments of Australia and Japan relating to the protection of migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction are declared to be fauna that is in need of species protection.

Schedule 4 (S4) Declared to be fauna that is in need of species protection, otherwise than for the reasons mentioned above.



Evaporation Pond

June 2010

40

Appendix B3 Definition of Department of Environment and Conservation Priority Codes.

Priority Definition

Priority 1 (P1)

Taxa with few, poorly known populations on threatened lands.

Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities, on lands not managed for conservation, e.g. agricultural or pastoral lands, urban areas, active mineral leases. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 2 (P2)

Taxa with few, poorly known populations on conservation lands.

Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from one or a few localities, on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation, e.g. national parks, conservation parks, nature reserves, State forest, vacant crown land, water reserves, etc. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 3 (P3)

Taxa with several, poorly known populations, some on conservation lands.

Taxa which are known from few specimens or sight records from several localities, some of which are on lands not under immediate threat of habitat destruction or degradation. The taxon needs urgent survey and evaluation of conservation status before consideration can be given to declaration as threatened fauna.

Priority 4 (P4)

Taxa in need of monitoring.

Taxa which are considered to have been adequately surveyed, or for which sufficient knowledge is available, and which are considered not currently threatened or in need of special protection, but could if present circumstances change. These taxa are usually represented on conservation lands.

Priority 5 (P5)

Taxa in need of monitoring.

Taxa which are not considered threatened but are subject to a specific conservation program, the cessation of which would result in the species becoming threatened within five years.

ta 26 evaporation pond desktop final 24 evaporation pond... · evaporation pond infrastructure will...

Documents