Davidson Creek Flora FINAL - EPA WA€¦ · ecologia) to carry out a survey for Declared Rare and Priority Flora species along 16 drill lines. Approximately 32.6 km of drill lines

FerrAus Ltd

DAVIDSON CREEK TARGETED PRIORITY AND RARE FLORA SURVEY.

1025 Wellington Street WEST PERTH WA 6005 ･

phone: 9322 1944 ･

fax: 9322 1599 ･

ACN 088 821 425 ･

ABN 63 088 821 425

www.ecologia.com.au

18th Decebmber 2007

December 2007

FerrAus Limited Davidson Creek – Targeted Rare

and Priority Flora Survey

FerrAus Limited Davidson Creek - Targeted Rare and Priority Flora Survey

i

Document Status Approved for Issue Rev

No. Author Reviewer/s Date

Name Distributed To Date FINAL R. Graham &

M. Hay Christina Cox 18/12/07 C. Cox John Berry,

FerrAus 18/12/07

© ecologia Environment (2007). 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 ecologia Environment and/or FerrAus Pty Ltd. Restrictions on Use This report has been prepared specifically for FerrAus. 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 ecologia Environment and/or FerrAus. ecologia Environment 1025 Wellington Street WEST PERTH WA 6005 Phone (08) 9322 1944 Fax (08) 9322 1599 [email protected]


ii

Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY......................................................................................................iv 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................1 1.1 BACKGROUND 1 1.2 LOCATION 1 2.0 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................3 2.1 DECLARED RARE AND PRIORITY FLORA SURVEY 3 3.0 VEGETATION ...........................................................................................................5 3.1 REGIONAL VEGETATION 5 3.2 VEGETATION OF THE DAVIDSON CREEK SURVEY AREA 5 4.0 FLORA ......................................................................................................................9 4.1 FLORA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE RECORDED IN THE CURRENT

SURVEY AREA 9 4.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 ..................9 4.1.2 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 ......................................................................9 4.1.3 Priority Flora recorded within the survey area................................................9

4.2 INTRODUCED SPECIES WITHIN THE CURRENT SURVEY AREA 10 5.0 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE .........................................................................12 5.1 DECLARED RARE FLORA 12 5.2 PRIORITY FLORA 12 6.0 CLEARING PRINCIPLES AND THE EPA ACT, 1986............................................13 7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ...........................................................................................15 8.0 STUDY TEAM .........................................................................................................16 9.0 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................17 Appendix A: Complete Species List for the Area Surveyed..........................................18 Appendix B: Explanation of Conservation Codes..........................................................24 Appendix C: Priority Flora Recorded at the Davidson Creek Project Area..................27 Appendix D: Introduced Flora Recorded at the Davidson Creek Project Area............30 Appendix E: Rare Flora Report Forms Lodged with DEC..............................................33 Appendix F: Proposed Drill line and Access Track Coordinates..................................35


iii

Tables Table 3-1: Vegetation types recorded at Davidson Creek...........................................6 Table 4-1: Rare and Priority Flora occurring within 200 km of Davidson Creek........10 Table 6-1: Clearing permit requirements and the Davidson Creek survey area. ......13 Table A-1: Complete species list for the Davidson Creek Project Area.....................19 Table B-1: Definition of categories described under the EPBC Act...........................25 Table B-2: Definition of Declared Rare and Priority categories. ................................25 Table B-3: Explanation of codes for Declared Weeds in Western Australia..............26 Table C-1: Locations of Priority Flora recorded at the Davidson Creek Project Area....

.................................................................................................................28 Table D-1: Locations of introduced flora recorded at the Davidson Creek project

area ..........................................................................................................31 Table F-1: Proposed drill line and access track coordinates .....................................36

Figures Figure 1-1: Location of the Davidson Creek survey area within the IBRA boundaries..2 Figure 2-1: Overview of the Davidson Creek survey area.............................................4 Figure C-1: Approximate location of Goodenia nuda recorded at Davidson Creek

project area. ..............................................................................................29 Figure D-1: Locations of introduced flora taxa recorded at Davidson Creek. ..............32

Plate Plate 3-1: Plain vegetation type 1................................................................................7 Plate 3-2: Plain vegetation type 2................................................................................7 Plate 3-3: Plain vegetation type 3................................................................................7 Plate 3-4: Plain vegetation type 4................................................................................7 Plate 3-5: Plain vegetation type 5................................................................................7 Plate 3-6: Floodplain vegetation type 6. ......................................................................7 Plate 3-7: Floodplain vegetation type 7. ......................................................................8 Plate 3-8: Rocky hillslope vegetation type 8................................................................8 Plate 3-9: Rocky hillslope vegetation type 9................................................................8 Plate 3-10: Rocky hillslope vegetation type 10..............................................................8 Plate 3-11: Rocky hillslope vegetation type 11..............................................................8 Plate 5-1: Goodenia nuda (P3)..................................................................................12


iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FerrAus Limited (FerrAus) proposes to carry out an exploration drilling program at tenement E 52/1658 at its Davidson Creek exploration area. FerrAus commissioned ecologia Environment Pty Ltd (ecologia) to carry out a survey for Declared Rare and Priority Flora species along proposed tracks and drill lines at the Davidson Creek exploration area.

FerrAus is required to identify and minimise impacts of the exploration effort on flora species of conservation significance, and the results of this survey are to be used to support a Programme of Works application (PoW) to be submitted to the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR).

This report details the outcomes of a Declared Rare and Priority Flora survey undertaken by ecologia in September 2007. Approximately 32.6 km of drill lines were surveyed, along with 5.2 km of access track.

To ensure that all potential habitats were assessed, the survey comprised foot traverses (the three botanists covering a combined band width of 50 m) along the 16 proposed drill lines and two access tracks, linking the drill lines.

One hundred and ninety seven taxa from 43 families and 105 genera were recorded during the survey, of these taxa five were introduced (weed) species.

Flora species are protected at a National level under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 1999 Act). The Act contains a list of species that are considered Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Extinct or Extinct in the Wild. One species listed under this Act as Endangered, Pityrodia augustensis, is known from 12 collections in the Pilbara region. This species was not recorded during this survey.

Under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, the Minister for the Environment may declare species of protected flora to be Declared Rare Flora (DRF) if they are considered to be in danger of extinction, rare or otherwise in need of special protection. These taxa are legally protected and removal or impact to their surroundings cannot be conducted without ministerial approval obtained specifically on each occasion for each population. Currently, three DRF taxa are listed as potentially occurring in the Pilbara and Gascoyne IBRA regions; Pityrodia augustensis, Thryptomene wittweri and Lepidium catapycnon; these DRF species were not recorded during the survey at Davidson Creek.

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) maintains a list of Priority Flora taxa, which may be rare or threatened but for which there are insufficient survey data to accurately determine their status, or are regarded as rare but not currently threatened. Presently, 94 Priority Flora species occur within the IBRA Pilbara botanical region and 59 species occur in the IBRA Gascoyne botanical region (Western Australian Herbarium FloraBase, 2007). Of these taxa, one Priority Flora species was recorded, Goodenia nuda (Priority 3).


v

It is recommended that FerrAus implements the following strategies:

1. Impact to the Priority 3 taxon, Goodenia nuda, should be avoided during the exploration drilling program.

2. Clearing should be restricted to within the 50 m band of vegetation that was surveyed by the botanists along each drill line and tracks linking between drill lines.

3. Before clearing takes place the location of the access track should be amended to ensure that minimal impact occurs to the Priority Flora located in the area. A botanist capable of recognising the Priority taxa recorded in the area should make sure that the plants are clearly identified and a report detailing any losses should be submitted to DEC should impact to this taxon be unavoidable.

4. Vegetation clearing should be restricted to that which is absolutely necessary and raised blade procedures should be used wherever possible.

5. Previously disturbed areas should be used wherever possible.

6. To avoid the introduction and spread of weed species, FerrAus should adhere to weed control procedures. Particular care should be taken around the creek as this is where all of the introduced flora species were found.


1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

FerrAus Limited (FerrAus) proposes to carry out an exploration drilling program at the Davidson Creek project area on tenement E 52/1658 approximately 80 km south-east of Newman, Western Australia.

FerrAus commissioned ecologia Environment Pty Ltd (ecologia) to carry out a survey for Declared Rare and Priority Flora species along 16 drill lines. Approximately 32.6 km of drill lines and 5.2 km of access track were traversed during the survey.

The proponents are required to identify and minimise impacts of the exploration effort to flora species of conservation significance, and the results of this survey are to be used to support a Programme of Works application (PoW) which is to be submitted to the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR).

1.2 LOCATION The Davidson Creek project area is located approximately 80 km south-east of Newman and 20 km west of Jigalong Aboriginal Mission. The project area lies on the boundary of the Gascoyne and Pilbara biogeographic regions of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) (Environment Australia, 2000). The Pilbara IBRA region is further subdivided into the Hamersley, Fortescue Plains, Chichester and Roebourne subregions while the Gascoyne is subdivided into the Ashburton, Augustus and Carnegie subregions. These biogeographic regions are defined on the basis of climate, geology, landforms, vegetation and fauna as detailed in the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) (Thackway and Cresswell, 1995). The project area is situated on the boundary of the Augustus subregion (GAS3) of the Gascoyne biogeographic region, and the Fortescue Plains subregion (PIL2) of the Pilbara Bioregion.

The location of the Davidson Creek project area is shown in Figure 1-1.


2

Figure 1-1: Location of the Davidson Creek survey area within the IBRA boundaries.


3

2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 DECLARED RARE AND PRIORITY FLORA SURVEY A floristic survey targeting Declared Rare and Priority Flora was undertaken from the 9th to the 12th of September 2007. The survey targeted disturbance areas specified by FerrAus (Figure 2-1).

FerrAus commissioned ecologia Environment Pty Ltd (ecologia) to carry out a survey for Declared Rare and Priority Flora species at Davidson Creek at specific locations proposed to be cleared for drill lines. Approximately 32.6 km of drill lines and 5.2 km of access track were traversed in 50 m widths using a grid system search.

Voucher collections were made of any known conservation significant species and all species not readily identifiable in the field. These were identified subsequently using current taxonomic keys and the resources of the Western Australian Herbarium. The following information was documented for each species recorded:

• Height;

• Density/Coverage; and

• Location.


5

3.0 VEGETATION

3.1 REGIONAL VEGETATION The Davidson Creek project area is situated at the junction of the Ashburton Botanical District of the Gascoyne Region, and the Fortescue Plains district of the Pilbara. These biogeographic regions are defined on the basis of climate, geology, landforms, vegetation and fauna as detailed by the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) (Thackway and Cresswell, 1995). The Gascoyne – Augustus subregion, is characterised by rugged, low, Proterozoic sedimentary and granite ranges divided by broad flat valleys, containing the headwaters of the Ashburton and Fortescue Rivers; extensive areas of alluvial valley-fill deposits occur in this subregion. Vegetation typical of the Gascoyne includes;

• Eucalyptus gamophylla over spinifex; • Mulga low woodland with spinifex on rises; • Mulga trees in patches or groves (Desmond et al., 2003).

The Pilbara – Fortescue Plains subregion, is characterised by alluvial plains and river frontage. Extensive salt marshes occur in the east and deeply incised gorge systems in the lower west. Vegetation typical of the Pilbara includes;

• River gum woodlands on drainage lines; • Scattered Eucalyptus gamophylla over hard spinifex on flat plains; and, • Sparse discontinued and scattered low woodland of Acacia aneura (mulga)

(Kendrick, 2001).

The vegetation of the Davidson Creek survey area is composed of vegetation communities typical of both the Gascoyne and Pilbara regions. The vegetation types typical of the Davidson Creek survey area are described below.

3.2 VEGETATION OF THE DAVIDSON CREEK SURVEY AREA

Eleven vegetation types associated with three landscape features - floodplain, rocky hill slopes and ridges and flat / plain areas - were encountered across the survey area. These vegetation types are described in Table 3-1, and shown in Plates 3-1 to 3-11.


6

Table 3-1: Vegetation types recorded at Davidson Creek.

Vegetation Descriptions

Plain

1 Very scattered outcropping Corymbia aspera low trees, over sparse Hakea lorea subsp. lorea tall shrubs, over sparse to moderately dense mixed low to medium shrubs, with moderately dense mixed soft grasses and hummock grasses.

2 Dense Acacia aneura var.? medium trees, over scattered Corymbia aspera / Acacia distans medium to low trees, over sparse mixed soft grasses.

3 Open mixed Acacia aneura low trees, occasionally over mixed scattered tall shrubs, over scattered Eremophila fraseri medium shrubs over scattered Aristida contorta soft grasses.

4 Open Grevillea eriostachya tall shrubland, over moderately dense Triodia epactia hummock grass.

5 Isolated to open mixed tall mallees, dominated by Corymbia deserticola subsp. deserticola, over scattered Acacia trudgeniana / Grevillea berryana tall shrubs, over moderately dense mixed Triodia basedowii and sometimes Triodia epactia hummock grasses.

River bank / floodplain

6 Open Corymbia aspera, sometimes with scattered Acacia paraneura low trees, over dense mixed Themeda triandra / Eriachne aristidea soft grasses, with mixed open herbs.

7 Open to moderately dense Corymbia aspera / Acacia aneura low trees, over dense mixed soft grasses, dominated by Eriachne aristidea / Themeda triandra, with mixed open herbs.

Rocky hillslope

8 Moderately dense Acacia hilliana low shrubs, with moderately dense Triodia basedowii hummock grass.

9 Open Acacia maitlandii medium shrubs, over open Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus for low shrubs, with sparse Triodia basedowii hummock grass.

10 Open mixed Acacia spp. (Acacia aneura / Acacia bivenosa / Acacia ancistrocarpa), over open mixed low shrubs, with open to moderately dense Triodia basedowii hummock grasses.

11 Open to moderately dense mixed Ptilotus calostachyus / Eremophila sp. low shrubs / herbs, over open mixed Aristida contorta soft grass and Triodia basedowii hummock grass.


7

Plate 3-1: Plain vegetation type 1.





Plate 3-6: Floodplain vegetation type 6.


8

Plate 3-7: Floodplain vegetation type 7.

Plate 3-8: Rocky hillslope vegetation type 8.





9

4.0 FLORA One hundred and ninety seven taxa from 43 families and 105 genera were recorded during the survey, of these taxa five were naturalised (weeds) species (Appendix A).

4.1 FLORA OF CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE RECORDED IN THE CURRENT SURVEY AREA

4.1.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Flora species are protected at a National level under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 1999 Act). The Act contains a list of species that are considered Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Extinct or Extinct in the Wild (for definitions of categories, see Appendix B). One vulnerable species, Pityrodia augustensis, is listed as possibly occurring within a 50 km buffer of the Davidson Creek project area; however, it was not recorded during the survey.

4.1.2 Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 In Western Australia conservation significance is determined under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and under this Act flora taxa of conservation significance are protected. Declared Rare Flora (DRF) taxa are listed in the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice of the above Act (currently 2006(2)). This notice lists flora taxa that are extant and considered likely to become extinct or rare. They are defined as “taxa which have been adequately searched for and deemed to be either rare, in danger of extinction, or otherwise in need of special protection in the wild”. These taxa are legally protected and removal or impact to their surroundings cannot be conducted without ministerial approval obtained specifically on each occasion for each population (see Appendix B for a definition of the categories).

Currently, three DRF taxa are listed as occurring in the Pilbara and Gascoyne, Lepidium catapycnon, Thryptomene wittweri, and Pityrodia augustensis (Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice 2006(2)). None of these DRF species was recorded during the survey at Davidson Creek.

4.1.3 Priority Flora recorded within the survey area

Ninety-four Priority Flora species occur within the IBRA Pilbara botanical region and 59 species occur in the IBRA Gascoyne botanical region (Western Australian Herbarium, 2007). Based on known habitat preferences and currently recorded distributions within 200 km of the project area (Atkins, 2006), it is considered that one Declared Rare and eight Priority Flora taxa potentially could occur at Davidson Creek and these are shown in Table 4-1 below.


10

Table 4-1: Rare and Priority Flora occurring within 200 km of Davidson Creek.

Species Areas Recorded At Conservation Codes*

Lepidium catapycnon Wittenoom Gorge, Hamersley Range, Weeli Wolli, Newman R

Eremophila pilosa ms Roy Hill, Jigalong Community P1

Goodenia lyrata Hamersley Ranges, Newman, Marandoo P1

Goodenia sp. East Pilbara (AA Mitchell PRP 727)

Weeli Wolli, Mulga Downs, Nullagine, NW of Newman P1

Gonocarpus ephemerus Mt Augustus, Jigalong, Newman P2

Olearia fluvialis Hamersley Range, Karijini N.P. West Angelas, Newman P2

Eremophila magnifica subsp. velutina ms Hamersley Range, Newman, Marandoo P3

Goodenia nuda Roy Hill, Mardie Station, Marillana Creek P3

Tephrosia sp. Cathedral Gorge Fortescue Valley, Hamersley Range, Newman P3 * Conservation codes 1, 2, and 3 denote Priority levels and R signifies Declared Rare Flora taxon.

One Priority Flora taxon was recorded during the survey, Goodenia nuda, a Priority 3 species. Its location is detailed and mapped in Appendix C.

4.2 INTRODUCED SPECIES WITHIN THE CURRENT SURVEY AREA

Weeds that are, or have the potential to become, pests to agriculture can formally be declared under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act, 1976. Declared plants listed under the Act are listed with a coded definition of the requirements for their control. Five Priority groupings are used, and more than one Priority may be placed on a weed species.

A search was conducted of the list of Declared Plants under the ARRP Act, 1976 for any declared weed species that potentially could be found within the Davidson Creek project area (Department of Agriculture and Food, 2007). The search identified two Declared Plants that could potentially occur in the Pilbara; *Parkinsonia aculeata and *Salvinia molesta; a search of the WA Herbarium database for weeds occurring in the East Pilbara region confirmed that these taxa have been recorded in the area (FloraBase, 2007); however, no Declared Weeds were recorded at the area surveyed.

In addition, 80 general weed species are currently known to occur in the East Pilbara Region (Department of Agriculture and Food, 2007). Five general/environmental weeds were recorded near the Davidson Creek survey area and brief descriptions of these weeds are given below. Locations of the introduced flora are detailed and mapped in Appendix D.

*Bidens bipinnata (Bipinnate beggartick) is an erect, annual herb growing to 0.9 m high. Its yellow flowers are produced between March and September, and are followed by the production of thin black seeds with two-spiked tips. *B. bipinnata is found along rivers and


11

creeks, coastal areas and rocky hillsides (Western Australian Herbarium, 2007), and has been recorded at Kalbarri, Newman and in the Kimberley (Hussey et al. 1997).

*Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) is a perennial grass that grows in small dense clumps to 1 m in height, with purplish flowers produced for much of the year (Western Australian Herbarium, 2007). Native to Africa and India, *C. ciliaris is widely planted in pastoral regions of Western Australia for cattle fodder. This species has become a widespread weed along roadsides, creeklines, river edges, and occurs in most vegetation types from Shark Bay to the Pilbara (Hussey et al. 1997). *Citrullus sp. (Melon) is a trailing annual, herb or climber. The melon-like fruits range from 5–15 cm in diameter and are fleshy without spines. Flowers are yellow and occur from February – June and September – October (FloraBase, 2007). *Malvastrum americanum (Spiked Malvastrum) is an erect, hairy, perennial herb or shrub between 0.5 and 1.3 m in height. Flowers are arranged in inflorescences or spikes, with only one yellow flower at a time opening on each head. Native to America, M. americanum is a weed of river and creek margins, wastelands, and many arid zone habitats from the Nullabor to the Pilbara and Kimberley Regions of Western Australia. M. americanum is inedible to herbivores (FloraBase, 2007) (Hussey et. al., 1997). *Sonchus oleraceus (Sow thistle) is widespread on disturbed ground, including roadsides, gardens, market gardens and wasteland from Wittenoom to the Nullarbor. It is an erect annual herb or short-lived perennial, growing to 1.5 m in height. The leaves are generally flaccid and are weakly prickly or have no prickles at all. Flowers are yellow, occurring from January to December. It is native to Eurasia and North Africa FloraBase, 2007) (Hussey et. al., 1997).


12

5.0 CONSERVATION SIGNIFICANCE

5.1 DECLARED RARE FLORA No Declared Rare Flora was found during the survey.

5.2 PRIORITY FLORA The regional conservation significance of the Priority Flora recorded is considered below in the context of the current survey’s records.

One Priority Flora species was recorded at Davidson Creek during this survey, Goodenia nuda (P3). The species is an erect to ascending herb, growing to 0.5 m in height. It produces yellow flowers from April to August. G. nuda is usually found in dry, scoured river beds, spinifex grassland or mulga scrub (FloraBase, 2007).

Goodenia nuda is known from 12 records at the Western Australian Herbarium. These collections are from areas in the Pilbara including from Weeli Wolli Creek, Lake Auld, Roy Hill, Marillana Creek, Mardie Station and Yandi (FloraBase, 2007). This collection will represent the first collection of G. nuda for the Gascoyne region.

During this survey the taxon was recorded at one location along a proposed access track linking between drill lines (Appendix C). The Rare Flora Report Form submitted to the DEC is included as Appendix E.

Plate 5-1: Goodenia nuda (P3)


13

6.0 CLEARING PRINCIPLES AND THE EPA ACT, 1986 Under regulations gazetted in 2004 as an amendment to Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, clearing not classified as exempt requires a Vegetation Clearing Permit. However, Item 25 of Regulation 5 of the Native Vegetation Clearing Regulations allows clearing for prospecting or exploration activities approved under the mining act. As of 30th March 2007 clearing of native vegetation for mineral and petroleum exploration (items 24 and 25 of Regulation 5 of the Clearing Regulations) outside of Environmentally Sensitive Areas is permanently exempt from the need for a Clearing Permit.

An exemption for other mineral or petroleum activities is defined in Clause 2(2) of Schedule 1, and allows clearing of up to 10 hectares per financial year for clearing authorised under the Mining Act 1978 in an authority area.

Schedule 5 of the Act provides the following set of principles on which to evaluate whether clearing should or should not be permitted. While mineral exploration activities are now exempt from requiring a Clearing Permit, the vegetation surveyed has been assessed within this context.

Table 6-1: Clearing permit requirements and the Davidson Creek survey area.

Principle Requirements Assessment based on current survey:

a) It comprises a high level of biological diversity.

The area is of moderate diversity. The number of species present is comparable with similarly sized areas surveyed elsewhere in the area.

b) It comprises the whole, or a part of, or is necessary for the maintenance of, a significant habitat for fauna indigenous to Western Australia.

Fauna habitats not assessed.

c) It includes, or is necessary for the continued existence of, rare flora.

The Priority taxon Goodenia nuda is found throughout the Pilbara. If the species was to be impacted it is considered unlikely that this would affect its continued existence. However, FerrAus will avoid impact to the taxon.

d) It comprises the whole or a part of, or is necessary for the maintenance of, a threatened ecological community.

No threatened ecological communities are present.

e) It is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared.

Not significant at present as the area is largely uncleared.

f) It is growing in, or in association with, an environment associated with a watercourse or wetland.

A major creekline runs along the western edge of the survey area.

g) The clearing of the land is likely to cause appreciable land degradation.

Not applicable.


14

Principle Requirements Assessment based on current survey:

h) The clearing of the vegetation is likely to have an impact on the environmental values of any adjacent or nearby conservation area.

No conservation areas exist in the vicinity of the area proposed to be cleared for exploration purposes.

i) The clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause deterioration in the quality of surface or underground water.

Vegetation clearing considered unlikely to affect the quality of surface water. The impact of clearing on underground water beyond the scope of this assessment.

j) The clearing of the vegetation is likely to cause, or exacerbate, the incidence or intensity of flooding.

Considered unlikely.


15

7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that FerrAus implements the following strategies:

1. Impact to the Priority 3 taxon, Goodenia nuda, should be avoided during the exploration drilling program.

2. Clearing should be restricted to within the 50 m band of vegetation that was surveyed by the botanists along each drill line and tracks linking between drill lines.

3. Before clearing takes place the location of the access track should be amended to ensure that minimal impact occurs to the Priority Flora located in the area. A botanist capable of recognising the Priority taxa recorded in the area should make sure that the plants are clearly identified and a report detailing any losses should be submitted to DEC should impact to this taxon be unavoidable.

4. Vegetation clearing should be restricted to that which is absolutely necessary and raised blade procedures should be used wherever possible.

5. Previously disturbed areas should be used wherever possible.

6. To avoid the introduction and spread of weed species, FerrAus should adhere to weed control procedures. Particular care should be taken around the creek as this is where all of the introduced flora species were found.


16

8.0 STUDY TEAM The Davidson Creek survey described in this document was planned, coordinated and executed by:

ecologia Environment

1025 Wellington Street

WEST PERTH

WA 6005

Project Staff

Christina Cox PhD Project Manager, Manager Biological Sciences

Melissa Hay BSc. (Env Biol) (Honours) Botanist Caroline McCormick BSc. (Env Mgmt), Post Grad. Dip. Sc. Botanist Rebecca Graham BSc. (Env Biol) (Honours) Botanist Sharnya Thompson BSc. (Honours) Plant Taxonomist

Licences - “Licence to take flora for scientific purposes” The Davidson Creek flora survey was conducted under the authorisation of the following licences issued by the Department of Environment and Conservation:

Permit Number Valid Until

Melissa Hay SL007712 December 21st 2007 Caroline McCormick SL007817 April 30th 2008 Rebecca Graham SL007797 April 30th 2008


17

9.0 REFERENCES Atkins, K. J. (2006). Declared Rare and Priority Flora List December 2006, Department of

Environment and Conservation, Perth.

Beard, J.S. (1981). The Vegetation of Western Australia at 1:1,000,000 Vegetation Series

Map and Explanatory notes: Perth, University of Western Australia Press. Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999),

Canberra. Department of Agriculture and Food (2007). Website [online] available:

http://agwdsrv02.agric.wa.gov.au/dps/version02/01_plantsearch.asp Department of the Environment and Water Resources (2007). Website [online] available:

http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=flora Desmond, A., Kendrick, P. and Chant, A. (2003). Gascoyne 3 (GAS3 Augustus subregion).

In: A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographical Subregions in 2002 (eds J.E. May & N.L. McKenzie). Department of Conservation and Land Management, pp. 240-251.

Environment Australia (2000). Revision of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for

Australia (IBRA) and development of version 5.1 Summary Report. Hussey, B. M. J., Keighery, G. J., Cousens, R. D., Dodd, J. and Lloyd, S. G. (1997). Western

Weeds. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park. Kendrick, P. (2001). Pilbara 2 (PIL2 – Fortescue Plains subregion) IN: A Biodiversity Audit

of Western Australia's 53 Biogeographic Subregions in 2002. Available at www.naturebase.net/pdf/science/bio_audit/pilbara02_p559-567.pdf

Thackway, R. and Cresswell, I.D. (1995). An Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for

Australia. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra. Western Australian Herbarium (2007). FloraBase Website [online] available:

http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/ Western Australian Wildlife Conservation (Rare Flora) Notice of the Wildlife Conservation

Act 1950, Perth.


18

Appendix A: Complete Species List for the Area Surveyed


19

Table A-1: Complete species list for the Davidson Creek project area.

Family Species Adiantaceae Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi Aizoaceae Trianthema glossostigma Amaranthaceae Alternanthera nana Gomphrena kanisii Ptilotus astrolasius var. astrolasius Ptilotus axillaris Ptilotus calostachyus Ptilotus exaltatus var. exaltatus Ptilotus helipteroides var. helipteroides Ptilotus macrocephalus Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus Ptilotus polystachyus Ptilotus rotundifolius Ptilotus schwartzii Ptilotus schwartzii var. schwartzii Asclepiadaceae Rhyncharrhena linearis Asteraceae Asteraceae sp. *Bidens bipinnata Brachyscome sp. Wanna Munna Flats (S. van Leeuwen 4662) Calocephalus knappii Calotis multicaulis Centipeda sp. Centipeda minima subsp. macrocephala Helichrysum luteoalbum Pluchea dentex Pluchea dunlopii Pterocaulon sphacelatum Pterocaulon sphaeranthoides Rhodanthe charsleyae Rutidosis helichrysoides *Sonchus oleraceus Streptoglossa macrocephala Boraginaceae Halgania gustafsenii var. gustafsenii Heliotropium pachyphyllum Trichodesma zeylanicum Brassicaceae Lepidium echinatum Lepidium pedicellosum Caesalpiniaceae Petalostylis cassioides Senna artemisioides subsp. filifolia


20

Family Species Senna artemisioides subsp. helmsii Senna artemisioides subsp. oligophylla Senna glaucifolia Senna glutinosa subsp. glutinosa Senna glutinosa subsp. pruinosa Senna notabilis Senna sericea Senna stricta Senna symonii Campanulaceae Wahlenbergia tumidifructa Caryophyllaceae Polycarpaea corymbosa Chenopodiaceae Dysphania rhadinostachya subsp. rhadinostachya Maireana villosa Rhagodia eremaea Salsola australis Sclerolaena cornishiana Sclerolaena densiflora Chloanthaceae Dicrastylis georgei Newcastelia hexarrhena Spartothamnella teucriiflora Clusiaceae Hypericum gramineum Convolvulaceae Bonamia rosea Convolvulus angustissimus subsp. angustissimus Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx Ipomoea muelleri Cucurbitaceae *Citrullus sp. Mukia maderaspatana Cyperaceae Cyperus concinnus Cyperus ixiocarpus Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia australis Euphorbia boophthona Euphorbia coghlanii Euphorbia tannensis Goodeniaceae Brunonia australis Dampiera candicans Dampiera dentata Goodenia armitiana Goodenia azurea subsp. hesperia Goodenia lamprosperma Goodenia muelleriana


21

Family Species Goodenia nuda (P3) Goodenia sp. Goodenia stobbsiana Goodenia triodiophila Scaevola parvifolia Scaevola spinescens Velleia connata Velleia glabrata Gyrostemonaceae Codonocarpus cotinifolius Haloragaceae Haloragis gossei var. gossei Lauraceae Cassytha capillaris Lobeliaceae Lobelia heterophylla Loranthaceae Amyema hilliana Malvaceae Abutilon cryptopetalum Abutilon macrum Abutilon otocarpum Gossypium australe Gossypium robinsonii Hibiscus sturtii var. platychlamys *Malvastrum americanum Sida aff fibulifera Sida cardiophylla Marsileaceae Marsilea drummondii Mimosaceae Acacia acradenia Acacia adsurgens Acacia ancistrocarpa Acacia aneura var ? microcarpa Acacia aneura var. conifera Acacia aneura var. intermedia Acacia aneura var. tenuis Acacia bivenosa Acacia coriacea subsp. pendens Acacia dictyophleba Acacia distans Acacia hilliana Acacia maitlandii Acacia marramamba Acacia pachyacra Acacia paraneura Acacia pruinocarpa


22

Family Species Acacia ? ptychophylla Acacia rhodophloia Acacia ? sabulosa Acacia tetragonophylla Acacia trudgeniana Myoporaceae Eremophila exilifolia Eremophila forrestii subsp. forrestii Eremophila fraseri Eremophila jucunda subsp. pulcherrima Eremophila lanceolata Eremophila latrobei subsp. filiformis Eremophila latrobei subsp. latrobei Eremophila longifolia Eremophila sp. Myrtaceae Calytrix carinata Corymbia aspera Corymbia deserticola subsp. deserticola Corymbia opaca Eucalyptus gamophylla Eucalyptus victrix Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia sp. Papilionaceae Aeschynomene indica Crotalaria smithiana Gompholobium karijini Gompholobium polyzygum Indigofera georgei Indigofera monophylla Isotropis atropurpurea Isotropis forrestii Kennedia prorepens Leptosema chambersii Lotus cruentus Swainsona oroboides Poaceae Amphipogon sericeus Aristida contorta Aristida holathera var. holathera Aristida inaequiglumis *Cenchrus ciliaris Chrysopogon fallax Cymbopogon obtectus


23

Family Species Dactyloctenium radulans Enneapogon caerulescens Eragrostis cumingii Eragrostis eriopoda Eriachne aristidea Eriachne flaccida Eriachne mucronata Eriachne sp. Eulalia aurea Panicum decompositum Setaria dielsii Sporobolus australasicus Themeda triandra Triodia basedowii Triodia epactia Portulacaceae Calandrinia ptychosperma Calandrinia schistorhiza Portulaca pilosa Proteaceae Grevillea berryana Grevillea eriostachya Grevillea wickhamii subsp. hispidula Hakea lorea subsp. lorea Rubiaceae Psydrax latifolia Psydrax suaveolens Santalaceae Anthobolus leptomerioides Sapindaceae Dodonaea coriacea Scrophulariaceae Peplidium muelleri Stemodia grossa Stemodia viscosa Solanaceae Nicotiana occidentalis subsp. obliqua Solanum lasiophyllum Solanum sturtianum Stackhousiaceae Stackhousia muricata Sterculiaceae Keraudrenia velutina subsp. elliptica Rulingia loxophylla Stylidiaceae Stylidium sp. Violaceae Hybanthus aurantiacus Zygophyllaceae Tribulus suberosus

Classification and nomenclature according to the Western Australian Herbarium Key: = Priority Flora * = Introduced Flora


24

Appendix B: Explanation of Conservation Codes


25

Explanation of Conservation Codes Table B-1: Definition of categories described under the 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 B-2: Definition of Declared Rare and Priority 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.

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 Dec. 2006, DEC)


26

Table B-3: Explanation of codes for Declared Weeds in Western Australia.

Priority Requirements P1 Prohibits movement

The movement of plants or their seeds is prohibited within the State. This prohibits the movement of contaminated machinery and produce, including livestock and fodder.

P2 Aim is to eradicate infestation

Treat all plants to destroy and prevent propagation each year until no plants remain. The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant parts on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery.

P3 Aims to control infestation by reducing area and/or density of infestation

The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant parts within and from the property, on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery. Treat to destroy and prevent seed set for all plants:

• within 100 metres inside of the boundaries of the infestation.

• within 50 metres of roads and high-water marks on waterways.

• within 50 metres of sheds, stock yards and houses. Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year. Of the remaining infested area:

• Where plant density is 1-10 per hectare, treat 100% of infestation.



Properties with less than two hectares of infestation must treat the entire infestation. Additional areas may be ordered to be treated.

P4 Aims to prevent infestation spreading beyond existing boundaries of infestation

The infested area must be managed in such a way that prevents the spread of seed or plant parts within and from the property, on or in livestock, fodder, grain, vehicles and/or machinery. Treat to destroy and prevent seed set for all plants:

• within 100 metres inside of the boundaries of the infested property.

• within 50 metres of roads and high-water marks on waterways.

• within 50 metres of sheds, stock yards and houses. • Treatment must be done prior to seed set each year.

Properties with less than two hectares of infestation must treat the entire infestation.

Additional areas may be ordered to be treated. Special considerations: In the case of P4 infestations where they continue across property boundaries, there is no requirement to treat the relevant part of the property boundaries as long as the boundaries of the infestation as a whole are treated. There must be agreement between neighbours in relation to the treatment of these areas.

P5

Infestations on public lands must be controlled.


27

Appendix C: Priority Flora Recorded at the Davidson Creek Project Area


28

One Priority Flora taxon, Goodenia nuda (P3), was recorded at the location provided below.

(N.B. this information is not to be released to the public).

Table C-1: Locations of Priority Flora recorded at the Davidson Creek project area.

Species Priority Status Locations Zone Easting

(mE) Northing (mN)

Goodenia nuda P3

In the creek line on a drill line access track in the western section of the area surveyed

51K 246110 7408316

GPS coordinates are listed in Datum WGS84/GDA94 with an average of +/- 4.5 m error.


30

Appendix D: Introduced Flora Recorded at the Davidson Creek Project Area


31

Table D-1: Locations of Introduced Flora recorded at the Davidson Creek project area.

Species Common Name Zone Easting (mE)

Northing (mN)

% or number

51K 246146 7408315 < 2% *Bidens bipinnata Bipinnate beggartick

51K 246223 7408944 < 10%

51K 245818 7409399 < 2%

51K 246209 7409172 2

51K 246214 7408801 2

51K 246225 7408977 2

51K 246223 7408944 2

*Malvastrum americanum Spiked malvastrum

51K 246108 7408309 100 + plants

*Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel grass 51K 246610 7407102 < 10%

*Cucumis sp. Melon 51K 245821 7409740 < 10 plants

51K 245818 7409399 < 10 plants

51K 246110 7408316 < 10 plants

51K 246223 7408944 < 10 plants

* Sonchus oleraceus Sow thistle

51K 246218 7408691 < 10 plants

GPS coordinates are listed in Datum WGS84/GDA94 with an average of +/- 4.5 m error.


33

Appendix E: Rare Flora Report Forms Lodged with DEC


34

R A R E F L O R A R E P O R T F O R M

TAXON: Goodenia nuda DEFL POPULATION No.: ______________ DRF Priority Species: P3 Partial Survey Full Survey New Population FROM: ecologia (MH-850-01) TITLE: ______________ SURVEY DATE: 15 / 11 / 07 REGION: Pilbara / Northern Gascoyne DISTRICT: SHIRE: LOCATION: _____100km south-east of Newman, 20 km west of Jiggalong Aboriginal Mission _________________________________________________________________________________________Reserve No: _________ LATITUDE: UTM: 51K 246110 mE 7408316 mN Map Used: __________________________ GPS DATUM: AGD84 GDA94 GDA94-Compatible (e.g. WGS84) Unknown None

LAND STATUS: Nature Reserve Private Gravel Res. MRD Rail Reserve National Park Pastoral Lease Gravel Res. Shire Rd. Verge Shire State Forest UCL Other Shire Res. Rd. Verge MRD Water Reserve Other Specify: Mining Lease Landowner/manager present during inspection:

LANDFORM: Hilltop Cliff Slope Valley Swamp Outcrop Breakaway Low Plain Gully Riverbank Ridge Sand Dune Flat Drainageline Lake Edge Firebreak Other Specify: ________Creek floodplain____________________________

ROCK TYPE: Laterite Granite Dolerite Limestone Other:_________________________ ROCK FORM: Sheet Boulder Fluviatile Gravel Concretionary Gravel SOIL TYPE: Sand Loam Clay Peat Gravel SOIL COLOUR: Red Orange Yellow White Grey SOIL CONDITION: Moist Inundated Dry Saline Other: __________________________ VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION (Muir's): Open to moderately dense Corymbia aspera medium trees over Acacia aneura var. intermedia low trees, over sparse mixed tall shrubs over moderately dense mixed Themeda triandra and open Eriachne aristidea soft grass, with open to moderately dense (in patches) mixed herbs. ASSOCIATED SPECIES:_______________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ No. of PLANTS: Mature: __1 ___ Seedlings: ________ Dead: _______ Actual Estimate Area Occupied: __________ (Leave blank if unable to observe, or no attempt made to count plants) REPRODUCTIVE STATE: Clonal Flower bud Flower Immat. fruit Fruit Old Fruit Vegetative POLLINATORS: Native bees Honey bees Other insects Birds Mammals Other observations: ________________________________________________________________________________________ CONDITION OF POPULATION: Healthy Moderate Poor Disturbed Comment: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ POTENTIAL THREATS: Firebreaks Mining Recreation Roadworks Grazing Weeds Salinity Disease Prescribed Burning Other Comment:____________________________________ FIRE HISTORY: Not known Burnt in ____ Summer Autumn Winter Spring FENCING: Not Required Fenced Required Replace/Repair ROADSIDE MARKERS: Not Required Present Required Replace Reposition

OTHER COMMENTS (include action taken/required):_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ VOUCHER SPECIMEN: Regional Herb. District Herb. WA Herb. Other ATTACHED: Map Mudmap Illustration Photo Field Notes COPY SENT TO: Regional Office District Office Other Specify: __________________________

Signed: Melissa Hay, Rebecca Graham, Caroline McCormick Date: 15 / 11 / 2007

NOTE: Map or further information may be attached or given on the back of this form. Please return completed form to Director General, DEC, Locked Bag 104, BENTLEY DELIVERY CENTRE WA 6983

RECORDS: PLEASE FORWARD TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, FLORA, SPECIES AND COMMUNITIES BRANCH


35

Appendix F: Proposed Drill line and Access Track Coordinates


36

Table F-1: Proposed Drill line and Access Track Coordinates

Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 1 51K 246220 7409900 51 51K 247200 7408041 2 51K 246220 7408300 52 51K 247400 7408057 3 51K 245820 7409900 53 51K 247589 7408050 4 51K 245820 7408300 54 51K 247991 7408050 5 51K 246600 7409900 55 51K 248400 7408049 6 51K 246600 7408300 56 51K 248800 7408057 7 51K 245460 7409900 57 51K 249200 7408041 8 51K 245460 7408300 58 51K 249599 7408050 9 51K 246600 7408050 59 51K 250008 7408050

10 51K 250400 7408050 60 51K 247000 7407710 11 51K 246600 7406900 61 51K 247200 7407710 12 51K 246600 7408300 62 51K 247400 7407710 13 51K 246800 7406900 63 51K 247600 7407710 14 51K 246800 7408300 64 51K 248000 7407710 15 51K 247000 7406900 65 51K 248400 7407710 16 51K 247000 7408300 66 51K 248800 7407702 17 51K 247200 7406900 67 51K 249200 7407686 18 51K 247200 7408300 68 51K 249600 7407686 19 51K 247600 7406900 69 51K 250000 7407678 20 51K 247600 7408300 70 51K 250400 7407663 21 51K 247400 7406900 71 51K 247000 7407292 22 51K 247400 7409900 72 51K 247200 7407308 23 51K 248400 7406900 73 51K 247400 7407308 24 51K 248400 7408300 74 51K 247600 7407300 25 51K 249200 7406900 75 51K 248000 7407292 26 51K 249200 7408300 76 51K 248400 7407300 27 51K 250000 7406900 77 51K 248800 7407308 28 51K 250000 7408300 78 51K 249200 7407324 29 51K 248000 7406900 79 51K 249600 7407308 30 51K 248000 7409900 80 51K 250000 7407300 31 51K 248800 7406900 81 51K 250400 7407300 32 51K 248800 7409900 82 51K 247400 7408923 33 51K 249600 7406900 83 51K 247400 7409443 34 51K 249600 7409900 84 51K 248000 7409428 35 51K 250400 7406900 85 51K 248000 7408931 36 51K 250400 7409900 86 51K 248800 7408908 37 51K 245460 7409467 87 51K 248800 7409443 38 51K 245820 7409467 88 51K 249600 7409451 39 51K 246220 7409467 89 51K 249600 7408915 40 51K 246600 7409459 90 51K 250400 7409483 41 51K 245460 7408931 91 51K 250400 7408915 42 51K 245820 7408900 43 51K 246220 7408915 44 51K 246600 7408908 45 51K 246600 7407678 46 51K 246600 7407285 47 51K 246800 7407710 48 51K 246800 7407300 49 51K 246802 7408050

Note: These Coordinates correspond with the ‘drill line waypoints’ on Figure 2-1. Datum = GDA94

50 51K 247006 7408050

Davidson Creek Flora FINAL - EPA WA€¦ · ecologia) to carry out a survey for Declared Rare and Priority Flora species along 16 drill lines. Approximately 32.6 km of drill lines

Documents