Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project DRAFT Public Environment Report EPBC 2016/7703
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Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project DRAFT Public Environment Report EPBC 2016/7703 Lord Howe Island Board, 2016 “This project is jointly funded through the Lord Howe Island Board, the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and the New South Wales Government’s Environmental Trust.” LHIB Rodent Eradication Project Public Environment Report Quality Information Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project Document DRAFT Public Environment Report EPBC 2016/7703 Date 19 October 2016 Revision History Authorised Revision Revision Details Authors Date Name/Position Signature 00 7 October Draft for DOEE 2016 adequacy review 01 19 October Final Draft for Public See Appendix C Andrew Walsh 2016 Comment Project Manager Rodent Eradication LHIB The Lord Howe Island Board is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Any representation, statement, opinion, advice, information or data, expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith but on the basis that the State of New South Wales, its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason or negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation, statement, advice, information or data referred to above. Requests for information or comments regarding this Report are best directed to: Project Manager - Rodent Eradication Lord Howe Island Board Bowker Avenue (PO Box 5) Lord Howe Island NSW 2898 Phone: (02) 6563 2066 Fax: (02) 6563 2127 Email: [email protected] This Plan should be cited as follows: Lord Howe Island Board, (2016). Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project – Draft Public Environment Report, Lord Howe Island Board, Lord Howe Island. October 2016 October 2016 i LHIB Rodent Eradication Project Public Environment Report October 2016 ii LHIB Rodent Eradication Project Public Environment Report Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ ix Glossary and Abbreviations ............................................................................................ xvii 1 General Information ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Summary ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Proponent Details ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Project Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.5 Project Location ........................................................................................................................ 2 1.5.1 Local Government Area .................................................................................................... 6 1.5.2 Land Use ........................................................................................................................... 6 1.5.3 Climate .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.6 Project Background .................................................................................................................. 8 1.7 Related Actions ......................................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Project Status ......................................................................................................................... 11 1.9 Consequences of Not Proceeding with the Project ................................................................ 14 1.9.1 Failure to Mitigate Rodent Impacts to Biodiversity .......................................................... 14 1.9.2 Failure to Mitigate Impacts of Ongoing use of Poison..................................................... 17 1.9.3 Failure to Mitigate Rodent Impacts to World Heritage Values ........................................ 17 1.9.4 Failure to Mitigate Socio-Economic Impacts of Rodents ................................................ 18 1.10 Compliance with the EPBC Act ....................................................................................... 18 1.10.1 Compliance with the Objects of the EPBC Act ................................................................ 18 1.10.2 Compliance with the Principles of ESD ........................................................................... 19 2 Description of the Action .............................................................................................. 21 2.1 Removal of Livestock.............................................................................................................. 21 2.2 Captive Management.............................................................................................................. 21 2.2.1 Bird capture ..................................................................................................................... 22 2.2.2 Captive Housing Design and Location ............................................................................ 22 2.2.3 Captive Husbandry and Disease Management ............................................................... 25 2.2.4 Mainland Populations ...................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Bait Application ....................................................................................................................... 26 2.3.1 Baiting Protocol ............................................................................................................... 26 2.3.2 Area to be baited ............................................................................................................. 26 2.3.3 Number of bait drops ....................................................................................................... 26 2.3.4 Timing .............................................................................................................................. 26 2.3.5 Aerial baiting .................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.6 Hand broadcasting of bait ............................................................................................... 28 2.3.7 Bait stations ..................................................................................................................... 28 2.3.8 Property Management Plans ........................................................................................... 32 2.3.9 Product storage ............................................................................................................... 32 2.3.10 Accidental Release .......................................................................................................... 32 2.4 Environmental and Impact Monitoring .................................................................................... 32 2.5 Masked Owl Eradication ......................................................................................................... 33 2.5.1 Pre- and Post-REP Population Estimates ....................................................................... 33 2.5.2 Masked Owl Eradication Methods ................................................................................... 34 2.6 Rodent Detection Monitoring .................................................................................................. 35 2.6.1 Initial Follow up Monitoring .............................................................................................. 35 October 2016 iii LHIB Rodent Eradication Project Public Environment Report 2.6.2 Declaring Eradication Success........................................................................................ 36 2.6.3 Ongoing Rodent Detection Monitoring ............................................................................ 36 2.6.4 Detection Response ........................................................................................................ 36 2.6.5 Detection Tools................................................................................................................ 37 2.6.6 Implementation ................................................................................................................ 40 2.7 Improved Biosecurity .............................................................................................................. 41 2.8 Biodiversity Benefits Monitoring ............................................................................................. 41 2.8.1 LH Pied Currawong ......................................................................................................... 42 2.8.2 Land birds ........................................................................................................................ 42 2.8.3 Seabirds .........................................................................................................................