Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy
Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy
Executive Summary RPS Australia East (RPS) was commissioned by Wambo Coal Pty Ltd (Wambo) to undertake the annual ecological monitoring program for their Remnant Woodland Enhancement Program (RWEP). The RWEP was established to offset land disturbed by open cut coal mining. HLA-Envirosciences Pty Ltd initially established the annual flora and fauna monitoring program in 2006 (HLA 2007a, b). RPS has undertaken the monitoring program in 2007 (RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan 2007), 2008 (RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan 2009), 2009 (RPS 2010), 2010 (RPS 2011) and 2011 (this report). Flora monitoring identified 266 flora species across 34 flora quadrats. Based on these observations, the current management practices within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine is appropriate for the conservation of flora species. Variation evident in the results from the six years of monitoring is most likely related to natural variation in species distribution, natural variation in species abundance and variation inherent in the sampling design, and not due to current management practices. There was no evidence to suggest that current management practices or mining activity was having any effect on the flora species within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine. While no Swift Parrots (Lathamus discolor) or Regent Honeyeaters (Anthochaera phrygia) were identified during targeted winter bird surveys, annual surveys for these species should continue into the future, particularly during years of heavy eucalypt blossom when either or both species may occur on Wambo Coal land. Diurnal bird monitoring identified a total of 126 bird species across 26 survey sites and opportunistically, including nine threatened species. Current management practises within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine appear to be appropriate for the conservation of bird species. Variation evident in the results across the years of monitoring is most likely related to natural variation in species diversity, natural variation in species abundance and variation inherent in the sampling design, and not to current management practises. One Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), which is listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act), responded during call playback surveys. Owl species targeted by call playback also included Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae), Barking Owl (Ninox connivens) and Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa). Due to the large home range area of the target owl species, which each have a home range in the vicinity of or greater than 1000 hectares and the relatively few (four) call playback sessions undertaken each year it is not unexpected that threatened owls species are rarely detected. Spotlighting surveys identified the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) as the most common arboreal mammal species in RWEP areas of the Wambo Coal Mine. Across five years of annual monitoring only four arboreal mammal species have been identified. The Common Brushtail Possum was identified each year and the Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps) was recorded for the first time in 2011. The threatened Yellow- 2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page i
ellied Glider (P. australis) and Squirrel Glider (P. norfolcensis) were recorded for the first time in 2010. Both species are listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act. Amphibian species were recorded at their highest abundance to date with 13 species being identified. Three species of reptile were recorded which is the lowest abundance from all survey years. Ten microbat species were positively identified with four being listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act, namely the Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), Little Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus australis), Eastern Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) and Yellow-Bellied Sheathtail-bat (Saccolarimus flaviventris). There is no evidence to suggest that current management practices or mining activities are having any negative impact on fauna species within the RWEP areas. Riparian monitoring identified Stoney Creek as being in good condition, and North Wambo and South Wambo Creeks in moderate condition. Current bank erosion problem areas are a result of historic land management practises, however, in the absence of current management will continue to degrade. Subsidence from mining practices was detected along North Wambo Creek during riparian assessments. Recommendations have been made to address problem erosion areas and to undertake other management actions that would lead to increased condition scores for all three creeks. 2011 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May 2012 Page ii
- Page 186: East - west ground monitor (“tran
- Page 189 and 190: Channel 1: Channel 2: Channel 3:
- Page 191 and 192: Appendix 2F Noise Monitoring Result
- Page 193 and 194: Wambo Coal Mine Annual Report 2011/
- Page 195 and 196: Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION...
- Page 197 and 198: The survey purpose is to quantify a
- Page 199 and 200: 1.3 Terminology Some definitions of
- Page 201 and 202: 1.5 Wambo Coal Rail Spur Developmen
- Page 203 and 204: 2 METHODOLOGY 2.1 Assessment Method
- Page 205 and 206: Table 3.2 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERAT
- Page 207 and 208: Table 3.4 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERAT
- Page 209 and 210: Table 3.6 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERAT
- Page 211 and 212: Table 3.8 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERAT
- Page 213 and 214: Table 3.10L A1(1 minute) dB GENERAT
- Page 215 and 216: Table 3.12 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERA
- Page 217 and 218: Table 3.14 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERA
- Page 219 and 220: Table 3.16 L A1(1 minute) dB GENERA
- Page 221 and 222: A P P E N D I X A . D EVELOPMENT CO
- Page 223 and 224: Land Acquisition Criteria 7. If the
- Page 225 and 226: Table 1: Noise Impact Assessment Cr
- Page 227 and 228: 27 July 2012 Wambo Coal Pty Ltd GPO
- Page 229 and 230: Appendix 2G Flora & Fauna Monitorin
- Page 231 and 232: Results The onsite population of A.
- Page 233 and 234: We trust this report proves useful
- Page 235: Document Status Review Format Issue
- Page 239 and 240: 3.3.4 Spotlighting 26 3.3.5 Herpeto
- Page 241: 1 Introduction RPS Australia East (
- Page 244 and 245: 2 Flora 2.1 Methods In 2011, a tota
- Page 246 and 247: WARNING No part of this plan should
- Page 248 and 249: similar to the results obtained in
- Page 250 and 251: Figure 2-3: Percentage of Native Di
- Page 252 and 253: 2.3 Discussion 2.3.1 Species Divers
- Page 254 and 255: » Due to the low density of Scarle
- Page 256 and 257: WARNING No part of this plan should
- Page 258 and 259: 3.1.6 Bat Surveys Nocturnal bat sur
- Page 260 and 261: WARNING No part of this plan should
- Page 262 and 263: Figure 3-3: Number of Sites per Spe
- Page 264 and 265: An additional species, namely the W
- Page 266 and 267: 3.3.3 Owl Call Playback No threaten
- Page 268 and 269: 3.4 Conclusion While no Swift Parro
- Page 270 and 271: • Ground cover characteristics;
- Page 273 and 274: 4.2.1 South Wambo Creek South Wambo
- Page 275 and 276: Sections Stoney Creek sections scor
- Page 277 and 278: 5 References Braun-Blanquet, J. (19
- Page 279 and 280: Appendix A Flora Diversity Results
- Page 281 and 282: Table 2: Number of Flora Species Re
- Page 283 and 284: Table 4: Percentage Change in Intro
- Page 285 and 286: Plot: V1-A1 Flora Species Braun Bla
ellied Glider (P. australis) and Squirrel Glider (P. norfolcensis) were recorded for the first<br />
time in 2010. Both species are listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act.<br />
Amphibian species were recorded at their highest abundance to date with 13 species<br />
being identified. Three species of reptile were recorded which is the lowest abundance<br />
from all survey years.<br />
Ten microbat species were positively identified with four being listed as Vulnerable under<br />
the TSC Act, namely the Large-eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), Little Bentwing Bat<br />
(Miniopterus australis), Eastern Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) and<br />
Yellow-Bellied Sheathtail-bat (Saccolarimus flaviventris).<br />
There is no evidence to suggest that current management practices or mining activities<br />
are having any negative impact on fauna species within the RWEP areas.<br />
Riparian monitoring identified Stoney Creek as being in good condition, and North <strong>Wambo</strong><br />
and South <strong>Wambo</strong> Creeks in moderate condition. Current bank erosion problem areas are<br />
a result of historic land management practises, however, in the absence of current<br />
management will continue to degrade. Subsidence from mining practices was detected<br />
along North <strong>Wambo</strong> Creek during riparian assessments. Recommendations have been<br />
made to address problem erosion areas and to undertake other management actions that<br />
would lead to increased condition scores for all three creeks.<br />
<strong>2011</strong> Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Final Report, May <strong>2012</strong> Page ii
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