Environmental Monitoring & Management Plans

Transcription

1 Environmental Monitoring & Management Plans Trans-Tasman Resources Ltd Iron Sand Extraction Project South Taranaki Bight Summary of Evidence: Daniel Govier 1

2 Environmental Monitoring Overview Evidence provides an overview of Pre-Commencement Environmental Monitoring Plan (PCEMP) and Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan (EMMP). PCEMP and EMMP designed to capture spatial and temporal aspects of Project and to confirm predictions made within Impact Assessment. Removal of benthic organisms, operationally derived sediments and sediment plumes are predicted to be key project-related effects. Focus of monitoring programmes is on potential effects of SSC. The development of PCEMP and EMMP based on best available information and expert conferencing. 2

3 Monitoring & Management Components The environmental monitoring programmes include: Suspended sediment concentrations Sediment quality Optical water quality Physico-chemical parameters Heavy metals Subtidal and intertidal biology Oceanography Primary producer biomass Subtidal and intertidal biology Marine mammals Underwater noise Recreational fishing Biosecurity Beach profiles Seafood resources Marine Mammal Management Plan; Seabird Effects Mitigation and Management Plan; and Biosecurity Management Plan. 3

4 Pre-Commencement Environmental Monitoring Plan The PCEMP will collect environmental data that will: Establish environmental data set that identifies natural background levels temporal and spatial scale Ground truth effects predicted within Impact Assessment Validate OSPM Confirm current understanding of seasonality and natural variability of environmental parameters in STB Sampling will be undertaken monthly and/or quarterly. 4

5 Environmental Monitoring & Management Plan EMMP will ensure mitigation measures identified can and will be implemented throughout life of Project. Purpose of EMMP includes: Ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and guidelines; Implementation of environmental monitoring programme (i.e. sample design, methodology, frequency, duration and monitoring locations); Description of how PCEMP results have been incorporated into EMMP; The process for on-going validation of the OSPM including calibration and validation of the model; Procedures for comparing monitoring data against background data; Identification of TRG membership and their evaluation process; Identification of operational responses if unanticipated adverse effects occur; Identification of limits contained in Interim Sediment Quality Guideline-High values; and Establishing protocol for data analysis, processing and reporting for all parameters. 5

6 Monitoring Design A Before After Gradient (BAG) sample design will be utilised. Sample stations allocated at intervals of variable distances from Project Area. A BAG design is more powerful than a control/impact sample design in detecting changes due to anthropogenic disturbances. BAG design will enable chemical, physical and biological changes to be assessed as a function of distance from disturbed area. Modelling used to predict primary concentration gradients of sediment plume. 6

7 7 Environmental Monitoring Locations

8 Telemetry of SSC SSC monitored continuously. ADCP will measure reflection of an acoustic signal from particulate matter in water - calculated into SSC readings. High levels of confidence associated with this technique. ADCPs will be calibrated. Vertical profiling and water samples 1m from seabed and 5 m below surface. Water samples tested for SSC, calibrate relationship of SSC (mg/l) and turbidity (NTU). Will be incorporated into OSPM validation process. Telemetered results will be sent back hourly. 8

9 Joint Witness Caucusing & Updates to Plans Metals testing will be undertaken for sediments, water column, biological indicators and tailings slurry (includes cadmium, copper, nickel, mercury, lead, chromium, zinc, tributyltin, arsenic, antimony, manganese, selenium, iron and silver). Will include dissolved and suspended particulate fractions including deposited sediments. Biological indicators for metals green lipped mussels 1 km and the Traps. Ecotoxicology ecotoxicity testing performed in lab using relevant local species (larval and adult stages) to assess lethal and sub-lethal endpoints. Species exposed to dilute-acid extracted metals derived from elutriate tests of the fine fraction of the de-oredsediment, as would be released in the plume. Chronic ecotoxicity on locally relevant species to determine sensitivity to dissolved and particulate nickel and copper. To address potential long term effects of these metals on sensitive life stages. Benthic fauna identified to lowest practicable taxonomic level (genus or species). 9

10 Joint Witness Caucusing & Updates to Plans Acid volatile sulphides sampled from tailings slurry to provide measure of bioavailability potential for organisms inhabiting the seabed. Metals in pore water analysis to detect potential metals in sediment pore water. Beach profiles Eight intertidal sites between Kai Iwi and Ohawe. Measure rates of erosion/accretion and associated changes in beach volume. Marine mammal monitoring EMMP includes vessel strike and post-mortems. Fur seals now included in incidental sightings during PCEMP and fur seal counts from the IMV and FSO during EMMP. Marine mammal acoustic surveys will now specifically include bottlenose dolphins through use of broad spectrum monitoring devices. Resalinatedwater will be tested for metals every six months. Kupe WHP monitoring locations will be incorporated around WHP, pipeline and umbilical route 10

11 Joint Witness Caucusing & Updates to Plans Biosecurity monitoring plan surveillance for marine pests in and surrounding Project Area. Primary productivity and subtidal benthos monitoring programmes. Operational monitoring now includes six stations within Operational Area. Nine stations placed along first strip of mined seabed and monitored for term of consent. 15 stations monitored quarterly in triplicate to assess recovery. Initial six monitoring stations will show near-field effects from mining activity. 11

12 Clarifications Marine mammal acoustic surveys described in PCEMP and EMMP are for explaining marine mammal distribution and are completely separate from underwater noise monitoring. A suitably qualified marine acoustician will be engaged to design marine mammalacoustic survey. Placement of three acoustic loggers for underwater noise monitoring is to establish benchmark sound levels around permit area not to define what marine mammals are in/using the area. Page 182 of my evidence should read 2004 not State of the Environment Rocky Shore Monitoring Report

13 Conclusions Extensive monitoring programme developed for STB to capture spatial and temporal effects. PCEMP will gather an environmental dataset for all parameters monitored and ground-truth predictions made in Impact Assessment. Monitoring design incorporated best available information, recommendations from government departments (i.e. DOC) and agreed recommendations from experts during conferencing. Proposed monitoring approach will ensure compliance is achieved with consent conditions. 13

14 Response to Submitters Questions Please confirm whether FSO vessel (height above water level) has also been included in the BPIP-PRIME simulation? Question was also referred to Mr Shawn Thompson Why has sufficient baseline data to quantify the sensitivity of the receiving environment not been undertaken as part of the impact assessment process? How does this lack of baseline data affect the level of certainty in the predicted level of environmental effects? I consider there is sufficient baseline data and this is based on the marine consent application supporting information and evidence of the experts that have provided evidence in the hearing process. "What happens if the BEMP identifies sensitive areas or additional endangered species within and outside the proposed mining area, and as a result that mining should not proceed? How is this scenario addressed under the proposed consent conditions and what reviews will be put in place to ensure transparency of results and findings from the proposed BEMP programme? If any sensitive reefs are identified it will be assessed as to what is there. The results will be shared with the TRG and any additional monitoring required will be implemented. Likewise any sensitive sites that are known (i.e. the Crack) can be included within the monitoring programme if there are concerns from submitters. 14

15 Response to Submitters Questions Your evidence at paragraph [60] states that cadmium (Cd) mercury (Hg), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) are to be tested for in water. Appendix 1 of your evidence does not specify which contaminants are to be tested for in sediments. This potentially leaves a gap in the understanding of any linkages between sediment resuspension and changes in water quality. Do you consider along with Cd, Hg, Cu and Ni that lead (Pb), chromium (Cr VI & CrIII) and zinc (Zn) along with tributyltin (TBT) and arsenic (As) should also be screened for in water and sediment in order to determine if sand mining is having any influence on the ambient concentrations in the PPA and surrounding areas? This has been included within PCEMP and EMMP. TTRL do not intend to measure primary production or use a modelling approach to assess the impact of the plume on primary producers. Is the proposed monitoring adequate for detecting impacts on primary producers from a food web perspective? This was also referred to Dr Cahoon 15

16 Response to M34 Decision Making Committee From a planning perspective, what are the key attributes of conditions that amount or contribute to an adaptive management approach? Can you suggest any set of principles or guidance for drafting conditions that do not amount or contribute to an adaptive management approach? It is acknowledged that there will be suite of conditions that are not able to be divided between the marine consents and the marine discharge consents, but some are going to be amenable to such a separation. Please give your views on this approach. Can you suggest any set of principles or guidance for dividing up conditions between the marine consents and the marine discharge consents, including examples? I was involved in the planning and conditions expert conferencing due to the overlap with the monitoring programmes and management plans. The above questions are outside of my area of expertise, so I will refer these questions to Dr Mitchell who is presenting later this afternoon. 16