SOUTH DEPOSIT TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITY MAIN CREEK, SAVAGE RIVER TASMANIAN DEVIL AND SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL PRE-CLEARANCE SURVEY AND MONITORING PLAN

Transcription

1 SOUTH DEPOSIT TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITY MAIN CREEK, SAVAGE RIVER TASMANIAN DEVIL AND SPOTTED-TAILED QUOLL PRE-CLEARANCE SURVEY AND MONITORING PLAN 2nd June 2014

2 Contents List of Shortened Forms Introduction Preclearance Surveys Survey Area Survey method Strategies Timing of survey Measures implemented if a potential den is found Person responsible for survey Camera Monitoring Plan Camera locations Monitoring method Reporting RESULTS Pre-clearance Surveys CONCLUSION Funding Table of Figures Figure 1 Preclearance survey area West... 9 Figure 2 Preclearance survey area East Figure 3 SDTSF development area Figure 4 Preclearance survey areas and remote operational camera locations Table of Tables Table 1 Compliance Table - DoE Approval EPBC 2012/ Table 2 Remote Camera Locations... 5

3 List of Shortened Forms 4WD light vehicle - Four Wheel Drive DoE Department of Environment (Cwlth) DFTD devil facial tumour disease DPEMP development proposal and environmental management plan DPIPWE Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (Tasmanian) EMPCA Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 EPBC Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cwlth) GHD GHD Pty Ltd, Design Engineers NBES North Barker Ecological Services PCAB Policy Conservation Assessment Branch, Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

4 1 Introduction Grange Resources is developing a tailings dam on Main Rivulet, known as the South Deposit Tailings Storage Facility (SDTSF) at Savage River. North Barker Ecosystems Services (NBES) have developed a Tasmanian devil and Spottedtailed quoll pre-clearance survey and monitoring plan for Grange Resources, which has been approved by the Tasmanian EPA/PCAB (including the location of cameras), to facilitate compliance with the Department of Environment (DoE) approval; EPBC 2012/6393 Condition 10 which requires that the approval holder (Grange Resources Tasmania Pty Ltd) must engage a suitably qualified or experienced expert to prepare a Tasmanian devil monitoring plan for the vicinity of the action. NBES have installed monitoring cameras as described below. Grange Resources Tasmania Pty Ltd (Grange) is responsible for the day to day maintenance, use and monitoring of the cameras. The Tasmanian devil and Spotted-tailed quoll pre-clearance survey and monitoring plan (the Plan) has been developed to fulfil the relevant permit conditions 1 for the project. The Plan has been required by regulatory authorities in acknowledgement of the fact that, although some surveying for devil and quoll dens has already been undertaken as part of the assessment process, there is some likelihood that dens have been missed due to the size of the impact footprint and the density of the vegetation. This plan outlines an approach to maximise the likelihood of detecting any dens that may occur within the area of construction works or the inundation footprint. Where a den is detected the Plan outlines a standard approach to ensure that the den is monitored and can be shown to be uninhabited at the time decommissioning occurs. Under Tasmania s Nature Conservation Act 2002 a den (regardless of whether it is inhabited by devils, quolls, wombats etc) is considered a product of wildlife. To destroy a product of wildlife requires a permit issued by the Policy Conservation Assessment Branch (PCAB) of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE). One of the key considerations of the Plan is to determine whether the den is a maternal den, as damage to a maternal devil den risks death or serious injury to devil pups. Advice from PCAB has indicated that the maternal devil denning season is April till October/November inclusive, however due to the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) it should be considered that there is a risk that a maternal den could be encountered at any time of year. It can be assumed that animals are disinclined to establish themselves in the immediate vicinity of new works such as those proposed here. It is assumed that maternal dens sites are generally maintained and retained and that mothers do not move their young to a new den during this time. In view of this, Grange will not undertake further surveys during construction, but will undertake clearance of vegetation, to the extent practicable, outside of the natal denning period (August-February). The survey of potential denning areas within the inundation footprint will be undertaken within 6 months of the predicted inundation of the area. Grange is committed to ensuring that construction and operation a new tailings storage facility on Main Creek, downstream of the existing tailings dam at the Savage River (the South Deposit Tailings Storage Facility (SDTSF)) will not commence until this Plan is approved by the Minister for the Environment as required by Condition 10 of EPBC 2012/ Including FF1 Tasmanian Devil and Spotted-Tailed Quoll Survey Plan (Permit 8808) and EPBC 2012/6393 1

5 Table 1 Compliance Table - DoE Approval EPBC 2012/6393 Condition 10 Devil and Quoll Survey and Monitoring Plan Requirements 10 The approval holder must engage a suitably qualified or experienced expert to prepare a Tasmanian devil monitoring plan for the vicinity of the action 10 (a)the plan must be consistent and compatible with any relevant strategies of the Commonwealth or Tasmanian Governments or Save the Tasmanian Devil Program 10 (b) The plan must provide for the placement and maintenance of at least five (5) infrared monitoring cameras at locations relevant to the action 10 (c) The plan must include measures for the prompt detection and reporting of DFTD 10 (d) The plan must include protocols for regular data retrieval and recording 10 (e) The plan must be supported by adequate funding and other resources Commencement of the action must not occur until the plan has been approved by the Minister. Once approved, the plan must be implemented. Location within Document Section 2.6 Person responsible for survey Section 2.3 Strategies Survey method Section 3.1 Camera locations Section 3.2 Monitoring method and Section 3.3 Reporting Section 3.2 Monitoring method and Section 3.3 Reporting Section 6 Funding Section 1 Introduction 2 Preclearance Surveys 2.1 SURVEY AREA This has been defined as those areas identified in the DPEMP as supporting potentially high and medium quality habitat either within the footprint of the operations or within a buffer of 50m. Figure 4 identifies areas selected for targeted pre-clearance surveys. 2.2 SURVEY METHOD A systematic coverage of the study area will be conducted by traversing a series of transects across the site (2 person in visual site spaced typically 20-50m apart or closer depending on visibility). The extent of visual coverage will be determined based on landscape. All potential den structures will be noted and recorded. These will include dry hollow logs or boulders, dense clumps of vegetation where wombats may be, rock outcrops, burrows and holes. Torches will be used to inspect likely crevices. The presence of variables including spider webs, delicate fungi, wear marks, hairs, scats and footprints at potential den entrances will be noted as indicators of devil activity within a den. Meandering searches will be conducted in areas encountered that are considered to have greatest likelihood of utilisation. Factors that will be taken into account include presence of rocky outcrops or burrowable soils in areas where sunshine reaches the ground for some period of the day (break in canopy). Evidence of wombat use will be noted as devils can use their burrows. Any evidence of mammal activity (scats, footprints, tracks and lay-ups will be recorded. 2

6 A potential den is one that meets at least one of the criteria: A cavity that appears to be used (absence of cobwebs etc) that is also in a well drained location and receives some sunshine on the ground close to the entrance An obvious animal burrow excavated in the ground A cave or entrance beneath or within exposed rocky outcrop. 2.3 STRATEGIES The implementation of a Tasmanian devil and Spotted-tailed quoll pre-clearance survey and monitoring plan forms part of Grange's Devil Management Program instituted in conjunction with the construction and operation of the SDTSF. The objectives of this program include improving the understanding of Tasmanian devil use across the landscape in the Savage River region. The Recovery Plan for the Tasmanian devil (DPIPWE 2010) identified the following Actions to guide the recovery of the Tasmanian devil: 1. Maintain and manage insurance population 2. Manage DFTD in the wild 3. Monitor Tasmanian devils 4. Conduct disease investigations 5. Manage other threats 6. Research and measure habitat variables 7. Coordinate recovery program 8. Communicate with the community and stakeholders. This plan is consistent with two actions in the Draft Tasmanian Devil Recovery Plan (2010): Action 3: Monitor Tasmanian devils and Action 5: Manage other threats in the wild. The plan satisfies State approval conditions in company with the Devil Management Plan (Appendix H of SDTSF Supplementary Report to the submitted DPEMP) which mitigates impact risk. The Draft Recovery Plan for the Spotted-tailed quoll (Long & Nelson 2008) identified Specific Objectives as necessary to guide the recovery of the Spotted-tailed Quoll : 1. Determine the distribution and status of Spotted-tailed Quoll populations throughout the range. 2. Increase knowledge of the biology and ecology of the Spotted-tailed Quoll throughout its range to refine management of the species and its habitat. 3. Reduce the rate of habitat loss and fragmentation on private land. 4. Evaluate and manage the risk posed by silvicultural practices. 5. Determine and manage the threat posed by introduced predators (foxes, cats, wild dogs) and of predator control practices on Spotted-tailed Quoll populations. 6. Determine and manage the impact of fire regimes on Spotted-tailed Quoll populations. 7. Reduce deliberate killings of Spotted-tailed Quolls. 8. Reduce the frequency of Spotted-tailed Quoll road mortality. 9. Assess the threat Cane Toads pose to Spotted-tailed Quolls and develop threat abatement actions if necessary. 10. Determine the likely impact of climate change on Spotted-tailed Quoll populations. 11. Increase community awareness of the Spotted-tailed Quoll and involvement in the Recovery Program. This plan is consistent with two objectives in the Draft Spotted-tailed Quoll Recovery Plan (2008): Objective 1: 1. Determine the distribution and status of Spotted-tailed Quoll populations throughout the range and Objective 2 : 2. Increase knowledge of the biology and ecology of the Spotted-tailed Quoll throughout its range to refine management of the species and its habitat. 3

7 2.4 TIMING OF SURVEY The survey of potential denning areas within the construction footprint was undertaken in early March 2014, prior to the commencement of operations. At this time, the monitoring cameras were placed in the field. The survey of potential denning areas within the inundation footprint will be undertaken within 6 months of the predicted inundation of the area. 2.5 MEASURES IMP LEMENTED I F A POTENTIAL DEN IS FOU ND Where a potential den sites is detected during surveying then remote action cameras will be deployed to monitor animal usage of the den for a period of at least 7 consecutive days. Consistent with DPIPWE protocols if no activity is detected over the 7 days survey period then the den will be determined as inactive. If active then the footage will be viewed to determine the species using the den (most likely to be a devil, quoll or wombat). Where a devil has been found to visit a den more than once within the seven day period then, consistent with DPIPWE guidelines it will be assumed that the den is being currently used for breeding (in other words it is an active maternal den). Once a den has been detected and the remote action cameras deployment completed then PCAB will be contacted to discuss permitting. A temporary exclusion zone (extending 50 m radius from the den) will be put in place until such time permitting and appropriate management approach has been agreed with DPIPWE. 2.6 PERSON RESPONSIBLE FO R SURVEY Staff of North Barker Ecosystem Services undertook the survey. All have experience with locating Tasmanian devil dens and identifying tracks and scats. The personnel nominated to undertake the March 2014 survey include: Andrew North, Dave Sayers, Chris Obst and Grant Daniels. Recent projects in which targeted den searches have been conducted by these personnel include: Van Diemen s Land Dairy Project, Woolnorth Tarkine Forest Road Venture Minerals access road and mining sites Department of Defence properties including Buckland, Stony Head and Pontville Burns Peak Mine 3 Camera Monitoring Plan Long term infra-red camera monitoring will be conducted at a number of preset locations. The purpose of the monitoring will be to confirm an ongoing presence of the Tasmanian devil and spotted-tailed quoll. It will also be used to look out for early signs of devil facial tumour disease in the area by analysing the images of Tasmanian devils caught in the camera. 3.1 CAMERA LOCATI ONS Five remote sensor cameras were set up at separate locations. Locations were predetermined based on areas considered more likely to have an increased level of devil activity and hence obtain positive results. Locations chosen in the field are all accessible by light vehicle (4WD) or by walking along vehicle tracks. All cameras were set up to maximise the capture of wildlife, with the field of view focused on a vehicle track or walking track, which are more likely to be utilised regularly by fauna, including devils and quolls. All cameras are fixed to trees at a suitable height to ensure ground level activity is captured (Figure 4). 4

8 Error! Reference source not found. identifies the approximate location for each camera, Figure 4 denotes the camera numbers on the map. There may be reason to relocate some cameras as new areas become accessible and are deemed suitable for monitoring. Table 2 Remote Camera Locations Camera Easting Northing MONITORING ME THOD The cameras were set up by a suitably qualified ecologist with experience in utilising cameras for remote monitoring (See Section 2.6). The cameras were placed at a suitable height above the ground for single person servicing. The cameras are of a make and model that is recognised as suitable for the task. Cameras are operational and have been downloaded on a fortnightly basis since installation. Grange will employ personnel to undertake the camera servicing. These persons will be trained by an NBES ecologist to service the cameras and review images and look for possible signs of DFTD. Cameras will be downloaded once every fortnight. Batteries and data cards will be replaced as necessary. The data collected will be reviewed within 4 weeks of downloading. A record of all fauna species will be documented with particular consideration of Tasmanian devils and spotted-tailed quolls. The monitoring will be conducted for a 2 year period or until 6 months after completion of construction of the SDTSF whichever is longest. 3.3 REPORTING Any facial images of Tasmanian devils will be carefully inspected. Any suspected evidence of DFTD will be provided to DoE within 2 weeks of sighting. At the completion of Year 1 and Year 2 a report will be provided to the Department of Environment. This will include a description of the survey method, and summary of results including data quantifying observations and evidence of DFTD. All fauna observations will be logged onto the Natural Values Atlas on an annual basis. In accordance with condition 8 of approval EPBC 2012/6393 Grange environmental staff record all sightings of MNES species captured by the cameras on Grange's online EPBC species register. 5

9 4 RESULTS 4.1 PRE- CLEARANCE SURVEYS The survey area was comprised of two separate areas as identified in the (DPEMP). These areas were chosen because they have been identified as supporting potentially high and medium quality habitat either within the footprint of the operations or within a buffer of 50m. The two survey areas are identified in Figure 4. The survey method was a stratified area search technique involving two observers traversing transects separated by approximately 15-20m. Visual site was maintained by the observers, although at times visibility was obscured due to dense vegetation or steep terrain. Whilst walking transects all potential den structures were noted and recorded, and likely structures were inspected in more detail with torch light. The presence of variables including spider webs, delicate fungi, wear marks, hairs, scats and footprints at potential den entrances were noted as indicators of devil (or quoll) activity within a den. Any evidence of other mammal activity including scats, footprints, tracks and lay-ups was recorded. The most likely structures that could be used as dens include dry hollow logs or boulders, dense clumps of vegetation where wombats may burrow, rock outcrops, burrows and holes. A potential den is one that meets at least one of the criteria: A cavity that appears to be in use (absence of cobwebs etc) that is also in a well drained location and receives some sunshine on the ground close to the entrance An obvious animal burrow excavated in the ground A cave or entrance beneath or within exposed rocky outcrop Both the western and the eastern survey areas are dominated by Nothofagus cunninghamii rainforest, of similar structurally in many aspects (see Plate 1). The following description applies to both the western and eastern survey areas (see Figure 4). No dens, natal or otherwise were recorded within the study area. Within the uncleared parts of the survey area, numerous structural features including hollow tree bases (particularly myrtles), hollow logs on the ground, burrows in the soil and log piles were recorded. Hollow tree bases were by far the most common of these features. None of these features had the ideal characteristics (see description in method) suitable to be classified as a likely natal den. Signs of use of these structures including a lack of spider webs, absence of delicate fungi, wear marks, hairs, scats and footprints were not observed. Plates 2 and 3 show examples of some of the structural features recorded. Both sites are generally steep and dense with horizontal (Anodopetalum biglandulosum) and or dense regrowth from previous disturbances restricting access. However, in smaller parts callidendrous rainforest with a relatively open understorey occurs. The canopy is predominantly closed resulting in a dark and cool microclimate at ground level, with little direct sunlight reaching the ground. Rocky outcrops are generally not present, except in a few small patches, however crevices and caves suitable for denning opportunities were not observed. 6

10 Plate 1 - Typical rainforest vegetation in survey area Plate 2 - Example of structural feature recorded - hollow myrtle base 7

11 Plate 3 - Example of structural feature recorded - hollow log (with water at bottom) Structural features recorded in each of the survey areas are indicated in Figures 1 and 2, along with the transects recorded by the two surveyors. It should be noted that the transects shown are as recorded by non-differential GPS and are subject to an average error of +/- 10m. Additionally under a dense rainforest canopy, coverage can drop in and out and is often subject to errors of much larger magnitudes. Consequently the tracks indicated should be considered to be indicative only and potentially subject to a large degree of fluctuation or error. 8

12 Figure 1 Preclearance survey area West 9

13 Figure 2 Preclearance survey area East 10

14 5 CONCLUSION Whilst numerous structures were observed within the two survey areas, no signs of devil or quoll activity were recorded. Furthermore, the structures themselves were generally not considered large enough or with a large enough entrance to be considered suitable to be used as a den. Many had other characteristics, such as being flooded that made them unsuitable. The structures that may have been large enough to accommodate devils or quolls are more likely to be used as lay up sites or temporary shelter. Additionally, the site characteristics within the survey areas are not considered ideal to be used by devils for denning and in particular for natal dens. The steep terrain, generally dense vegetation, and lack of sunny areas are indicative of an area that is not ideally suited for denning. In conclusion, denning opportunities are considered to be very limited and the site characteristics are not considered to be favourable as a denning location even if there were suitable structural formations. 6 Funding Grange is committed to funding the monitoring plan during the construction of the SDTSF and will include funding for the monitoring to be conducted for a 2 year period or until 6 months after completion of construction of the SDTSF whichever is longest. This funding will include the employment of dedicated environmental staff to oversee and co-ordinate the project, environmental consultants to provide specialist environmental technical assistance as required and training for operational staff, contractors and visitors to endure that the project's objectives are met throughout its life. Grange's budget estimates for the next three years includes $1.5M for direct and indirect environmental expenditure. This includes a range of environmental commitments because Grange does not split its budget cost codes into MNES areas alone. 11

15 Figure 3 SDTSF development area 12

16 Figure 4 Preclearance survey areas and remote operational camera locations 13