Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
During 2008 the FFMP was reviewed internally and
audited externally by an ecologist. The revised
FFMP was submitted to the DP&I in April 2008, and
approved by the DP&I in June 2008. A further
review of the FFMP was completed in early 2010
and subsequently re-submitted into the DP&I. At the
end of the reporting period, WCPL were awaiting
notification from DP&I regarding the latest revision
of the FFMP.
At the time of writing the 2011-2012 AEMR, WCPL
were finalising another revision of the FFMP for
submitting to the DP&I and NOW. The revision of
the FFMP was in response to an action item in the
2011 Environmental Independent Audit.
The WRD FFMP includes the requirements for the
protection and maintenance of the rail loop
woodland areas as part of the RWEP.
The key components of the Vegetation Clearance
Protocol include the delineation of areas to be
cleared of remnant vegetation, pre-clearance
surveys, fauna management strategies, vegetation
clearance procedures, seed collection, and salvage
reuse of materials.
The key components of the Threatened Species
Management Protocol are site observations and
surveys, threatened species management
strategies, consultation and reporting.
3.7.2 Environmental Performance
During the reporting period WCPL engaged a
specialist ecologist to undertake the annual
ecological monitoring Remnant Woodland Areas
and Riparian Bend and Bank Stability Monitoring, in
accordance with the FFMP. A summary of the
monitoring is in Section 3.7.2.3. In addition to this,
WCPL completed Swift Parrot and Regent
Honeyeater and winter bird surveys. The results of
the winter bird survey are incorporated into the
annual Ecological Monitoring Report, included in
Appendix 2G.
3.7.2.1 Pre-Clearance Surveys
During the reporting period, several pre-clearance
surveys were undertaken in consultation with
ecological specialists, for mining and exploration
related activities, including the advancing open cut
into the area known as the Montrose Pit . Under the
FFMP, pre-clearance surveys identify requirements
for additional flora and fauna management
measures.
3.7.2.2 Acacia Species
During the development of the EIS in 2003, a stand
of an Acacia species was found to the west of North
Wambo Creek, which was initially identified as
Acacia anuera. In 2004 Terry Tame (Acacia expert)
and Travis Peake (then of the Hunter Catchment
Management Trust) concluded this stand to be
Acacia pendula. However, the lack of flowering
plants meant that confirmation could not be
attained.
The NSW Scientific Committee has made a final
determination to list the population of the tree
Acacia pendula in the Hunter catchment as an
Endangered Population in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of
the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
An Acacia management plan was developed in
2006. During the development of this management
plan site investigations were undertaken of the
Acacia sp. on site and the known stands of Acacia
pendula in Jerry’s Plains cemetery. These
investigations raised questions over the correct
identification of the large stand of Acacia sp at
WCPL. Due to the lack of flowering it is thought that
perhaps this plant is a sterile hybrid of Acacia
pendula and Acacia homalophylla. Conclusively
identified Acacia pendula and these hybrid Acacia
have been found at Jerry’s Plains cemetery and
across WCPL’s site.
Further detailed investigations, which included a site
inspection in April 2007 to determine the correct
identification of these Acacia species was
undertaken by HLA Envirosciences. Although the
findings to date have been inconclusive, WCPL
continued to monitor these plants for signs of
flowering during 2010-2011 so that correct
identification may be made.
In 2008, investigations were undertaken with an
expert botanist during the reporting period to verify if
the strand is actually Acacia pendula. It was
determined that insufficient information exists (i.e.
did not flower during the reporting period again) with
respect to the genetic characteristic of this species.
In accordance with Condition 16 of the Wambo Coal
SMP, WCPL prepared the Acacia pendula
Management Plan for LW Panel 4. The Acacia
pendula Management Plan for LW Panel 4 was
approved by the DTIRIS on the 13 January 2011.
In accordance with WCPL’s Acacia pendula
Management Plan for LW Panel 4 an inspection
was completed on 15 June 2011 by an ecologist.
These investigations were conducted as a due
diligence precaution to determine the current
condition of the population with regards to the
health, recruitment, extent and habitat attributes
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