Fauna Assessment
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Terrestrial Fauna Survey (Level 1) of Marillana Iron Ore Project Camp, Road and Airstrip Option B October 2011 Version 2 On behalf of: Brockman Resources Ltd c/- Botanica Consulting PO Box 2027 BOULDER WA 6432 T: 08 9093 0024 F: 08 9093 1381 E: [email protected] Prepared by: Greg Harewood B.Sc. A.B.N. 95 536 627 336 PO Box 755 BUNBURY WA 6231 M: 0402 141 197 T/F: (08) 9725 0982 E: [email protected] MARILLANA IRON ORE PROJECT - CAMP, ROAD AND AIRSTRIP (OPT B) – L 1 FAUNA SURVEY – OCT ‘11 – V2 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 1 2. SCOPE OF WORKS ................................................................................ 1 3. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL SETTING .............................................................. 1 4. METHODOLOGY..................................................................................... 2 4.1 POTENTIAL FAUNA INVENTORY - DESKTOP STUDY.......................... 2 4.1.1 Database Searches........................................................................ 2 4.1.2 Previous Fauna Surveys in the Area............................................... 3 4.1.3 Existing Publications....................................................................... 4 4.1.4 Fauna of Conservation Significance ............................................... 5 4.1.5 Invertebrates................................................................................... 6 4.1.6 Taxonomy and Nomenclature......................................................... 6 4.2 SITE SURVEYS ....................................................................................... 6 4.2.1 Fauna Habitat Assessment............................................................. 6 4.2.2 Opportunistic Fauna Observations.................................................. 7 5. SURVEY CONSTRAINTS ........................................................................ 7 6. RESULTS................................................................................................. 8 6.1 POTENTIAL FAUNA INVENTORY - DESKTOP STUDY.......................... 8 6.2 SITE SURVEYS ....................................................................................... 8 6.2.1 Fauna Habitat Assessment............................................................. 8 6.2.2 Opportunistic Fauna Surveys.......................................................... 9 6.3 FAUNA INVENTORY – SUMMARY ......................................................... 9 6.3.1 Vertebrate Fauna............................................................................ 9 6.3.2 Invertebrate Fauna ....................................................................... 13 MARILLANA IRON ORE PROJECT - CAMP, ROAD AND AIRSTRIP (OPT B) – L 1 FAUNA SURVEY – OCT ‘11 – V2 7. ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS AND MANAGEMENT..................................... 13 7.1 POTENTIAL IMPACTS........................................................................... 13 7.2 MINIMISING IMPACTS .......................................................................... 15 8. LEGISLATIVE OBLIGATIONS ............................................................... 16 8.1 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACT 1950................................................. 16 8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986........................................ 17 8.3 COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION & BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ACT 1999.................................................................. 18 9. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 21 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................... 23 FIGURES FIGURE 1: Study Area & Surrounds FIGURE 2: Study Area - Air Photo FIGURE 3: Fauna Habitats TABLES TABLE 1: Summary of Potential Vertebrate Fauna Species TABLE 2: Likelihood of Occurrence and Degree of Potential Impact – Fauna Species of Conservation Significance MARILLANA IRON ORE PROJECT - CAMP, ROAD AND AIRSTRIP (OPT B) – L 1 FAUNA SURVEY – OCT ‘11 – V2 PLATES PLATE 1: Open Low Woodland (Acacia pteraneura) over Grassland (Triodia basedowii) PLATE 2: Very Open Shrub Mallee (Euclayptus odontocarpa/Hakea lorea) over Grassland (Triodia basedowii) PLATE 3: Open Low Woodland (Acacia ptetraneura) over Sparse Scrub (Acacia bivenosa) PLATE 4: Open Low Shrub (Acacia victoriae) over Open Dwarf Scrub (Frankenia ambita) APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Conservation Categories APPENDIX B: Fauna Observed or Potentially in Region of Study Area APPENDIX C: DEC NatureMap & Protected Matters Database Search Results APPENDIX D: Significant Species Profiles MARILLANA IRON ORE PROJECT - CAMP, ROAD AND AIRSTRIP (OPT B) – L 1 FAUNA SURVEY – OCT ‘11 – V2 DISCLAIMER This fauna assessment report (“the report”) has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services set out in the contract, or as otherwise agreed, between the Client and Greg Harewood (“the Author”). In some circumstances the scope of services may have been limited by a range of factors such as time, budget, access and/or site disturbance constraints. In accordance with the scope of services, the Author has relied upon the data and has conducted environmental field monitoring and/or testing in the preparation of the report. The nature and extent of monitoring and/or testing conducted is described in the report. The conclusions are based upon field data and the environmental monitoring and/or testing carried out over a limited period of time and are therefore merely indicative of the environmental condition of the site at the time of preparing the report. Also it should be recognised that site conditions, can change with time. Within the limitations imposed by the scope of services, the field assessment and preparation of this report have been undertaken and performed in a professional manner, in accordance with generally accepted practices and using a degree of skill and care ordinarily exercised by reputable environmental consultants under similar circumstances. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made. In preparing the report, the Author has relied upon data, surveys, analyses, designs, plans and other information provided by the Client and other individuals and organisations, most of which are referred to in the report (“the data”). Except as otherwise stated in the report, the Author has not verified the accuracy of completeness of the data. To the extent that the statements, opinions, facts, information, conclusions and/or recommendations in the report (“conclusions”) are based in whole or part on the data, those conclusions are contingent upon the accuracy and completeness of the data. The Author will not be liable in relation to incorrect conclusions should any data, information or condition be incorrect or have been concealed, withheld, misrepresented or otherwise not fully disclosed to the Author. The report has been prepared for the benefit of the Client and no other party. The Author assumes no responsibility and will not be liable to any other person or organisation for or in relation to any matter dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report, or for any loss or damage suffered by any other person or organisation arising from matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report (including without limitation matters arising from any negligent act or omission of the Author or for any loss or damage suffered by any other party relying upon the matters dealt with or conclusions expressed in the report). Other parties should not rely upon the report or the accuracy or completeness of any conclusions and should make their own enquiries and obtain independent advice in relation to such matters. The Author will not be liable to update or revise the report to take into account any events or emergent circumstances or facts occurring or becoming apparent after the date of the report. Page i MARILLANA IRON ORE PROJECT - CAMP, ROAD AND AIRSTRIP (OPT B) – L 1 FAUNA SURVEY – OCT ‘11 – V2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report details the results of a Level 1 fauna assessment of Brockman Resources Limited proposed camp, road and airstrip (Option B) situated near their Marillana Iron Ore Project area, about 50km east of Auski Roadhouse (Munjina) in the Pilbara, Western Australia (Figure 1). The Option B area that required survey totalled about 200 ha and was comprised of the airstrip (~170 ha - 2km long and 150m wide), camp areas (~18 ha) and the road corridor (~14 ha – 4.5km long and 35m wide). The assessment has included a desktop study, which included a review of available fauna related data for the area and a field reconnaissance survey. Field survey work was carried out by Greg Harewood (B.Sc. Zoology) during a two day period on the 26th and 27th September, 2011. The broad scale fauna habitats within the study area are based on vegetation structure as identified during the flora and vegetation survey (Botanica 2011). The location and approximate extent of each identified unit is shown in Figure 3 with a description below. More detail on the vegetation units present can be found in the flora and vegetation report (Botanica 2011). x Open Low Woodland (Acacia pteraneura) over Grassland (Triodia basedowii). x Very Open Shrub Mallee (Euclayptus odontocarpa/Hakea lorea)over Grassland (Triodia basedowii). x Open Low Woodland (Acacia ptetraneura) over Sparse Scrub (Acacia bivenosa). x Open Low Shrub (Acacia victoriae) over Open Dwarf Scrub (Frankenia ambita) Plates 1 to 4 illustrate the nature of the main fauna