Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...

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a core zone of 150 - 200 ha. Once 17,500 ha is reached, any new sites are to be assessed for habitat quality and the SMA system adjusted so that in lesser priority sites the core zone is protected, and 17,500 ha is not exceeded. 17,500 ha of SMAs was reached several years ago and new sites found since then have generated the adjustment process. In this case any SMA would include the two proposed coupes on either side of Brown Mountain Creek. The Action Statement is currently under review. Under the proposed revised Action Statement, a record such as this would generate a 150 ha Special Management Zone of which a minimum of 50 ha of the best Long-footed Potoroo habitat would be protected from disturbance. DSE undertook extensive flora and fauna surveys across East Gippsland from 1983-1993. Brown Mountain Creek catchment is in Brodribb Forest Block which received a prelogging survey in 1986 (report no 19). This particular site was not surveyed for LFP. It was not identified as a Site of Significance. There have been extensive systematic and ad hoc targeted surveys for Longfooted Potoroos in East Gippsland since 1985. The Brown Mountain area west of Legge Road was surveyed in 2001 and a Long-footed Potoroo was confirmed. Long-footed Potoroos have also been detected at two sites along Errinundra Rd since 2000. No surveys for these animals have been undertaken by DSE in this area since. Environment East Gippsland reported to DSE on 3 February 2009 that a Longfooted Potoroos had been detected (using hairtubing). The hair sample was identified as Long-footed Potoroos by an expert in this field (Barbara Triggs). The sample was reported as collected within 100m of Brown Mountain Creek at approx grid ref 6560 E 58744. This is on the western side of Brown Mountain Ck on the edge of proposed coupe 840-502-0019. Orbost Spiny Crayfish Orbost Spiny Crayfish is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. 4
No invertebrates are listed in Advisory List Of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna In Victoria (DSE 2007). An action statement (no 128) has been prepared for the Orbost Spiny Crayfish. The action statement prescription is “Linear Reserves consisting of an undisturbed buffer of approximately 100m on each bank of the stream for one kilometre upstream and downstream of the detection site will be established at all sites on public land where Orbost Spiny Crayfish are recorded … These measures will be reviewed once 20 sites have been located.” Surveys for freshwater crayfish in the presumed distribution of the OSC have occurred periodically between 1986 and the present. The species is recorded from 12 sites in the upper Brodribb River catchment and 1 site in Yandown Creek in the Queensborough River catchment. There are no records of previous surveys in Brown Mountain Creek. The Spiny Crayfish genus comprises many closely related species which are difficult to tell apart. Three species occur in East Gippsland and the Orbost Spiny Crayfish is very similar to one of these, Bidwalls Spiny Crayfish. Identification of these species requires the animal to be in-hand or high quality photographs of the appropriate features. The taxonomy of this group is apparently under review at present. Environment East Gippsland reported the collection of an Orbost Spiny Crayfish on 6 January 2009. The specimen linked to this report was identified by DSE on 13/1/09 as a Bidawal Spiny Crayfish (Euastacus bidawalus). Environment East Gippsland reported record of 2 nd suspected Orbost Spiny Crayfish specimen on 10 th January. EEG was to provide photographs to DSE and return specimen to stream. DSE did not receive photographs. DSE received advice from EEG on 27 January 2009 that a 3 rd Orbost Spiny Crayfish specimen had been located. Photographs of the specimen were provided to DSE, however, the photos were not adequate to accurately determine the identity of the species. 5
Page 1 and 2: Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-
Page 3 and 4: SURVEYS FOR ARBOREAL MAMMALS, LONG-
Page 5: DSE undertook extensive flora and f
Page 9 and 10: Results Summary of animals detected
Page 11 and 12: Results The remote cameras were act
Page 13: Given the relatively short amount o

Surveys for arboreal mammals, Long-Footed Potoroo and Spiny ...

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