ENVM3103 7123 Week8 Answers PDF

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Blackboard FAQ - https://learn.uq.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContentEditable.jsp? content_id=_6214035_1&course_id=_139085_1&mode=reset

Under the EPBC Act an action will require approval from the minister if the action: has, will have, or is likely to have, a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance (MNES) How to research/assess this for the supporting report? 1. First, find the relevant MNES and document how you do this (The 10 kinds of MNES are: i. world heritage properties ii. national heritage places iii. wetlands of international importance (often called ‘Ramsar’ wetlands after the international treaty under iv. which such wetlands are listed) v. nationally threatened species and ecological communities vi. migratory species vii. Commonwealth marine areas viii. the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ix. nuclear actions (including uranium mining) x. a water resource, in relation to coal seam gas development and large coal mining development.)

a. What are the sources you can use to do this? i. Protected Matters Search Tool (PMST) - search by coordinates or region ii.

Previous surveys done in the area - Part 1 and Part 2 1. (Double check if the species are still protected!)

iii.

Other reports, surveys, or literature, if required

iv.

Describe what you did in a Methods section of your supporting report (e.g. area/location searched in the PMST)

2. Find out if these MNES are likely to be significantly impacted by the development a. How do you find the impacts of groundwater extraction on the environment? Background research into environment (rainforest ecosystem and species, i. rainfall) and potential impacts of draining groundwater ● Literature, reports, etc... b. How do you know if the MNES are really present/likely to be present? Can be especially important when doing desktop surveys instead of field surveys Use Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT) for protected species i. ii. Protected areas have defined boundaries, so their presence is confirmed simply with a PMST search iii. Other reports, surveys, or literature searches may be needed in some cases. It is also possible to mention that limited information is available for more elusive species/ecosystems c.

How do you know what is classified as a “significant impact” for each kind of MNES? i. See the MNES significant impact guidelines ii. For World Heritage and National Heritage areas, find and address the relevant values for the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia in your report ● E.g. One significant impact criteria for a World Heritage property with natural heritage values (like the Gondwana Rainforests) is if there is: “a real chance or possibility that the action will fragment, isolate or substantially damage habitat important for the conservation of biological diversity” (page 16)

d. For each kind of MNES found (each protected species, World heritage area…) are there any significant impacts? i. Use Species Profile and Threats Database (SPRAT) for protected species to find their specific needs and threatened factors ii. Background research into each kind of MNES present and their values/threats ● Literature, reports, etc... iii. There is no right answer… but all arguments should be supported by evidence, e.g. references iv. For example…. One way to summarise this might be: MNES

Type

Presence/Absence

Significant Impacts

Protected Frogs

Species 1...

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Species 2...

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Great example for protected species impacts: Purling Brook Falls suspension bridge project (EPBC Act Referral - Number 2014/7290): http://epbcnotices.environment.gov.au/_entity/annotation/e656449d-c568-e511-b93f005056ba00a7/a71d58ad-4cba-48b6-8dab-f3091fc31cd5?t=1618969969548 v. Take a look at Appendix 7, 8 and 9...