Metropolitan Coal Project Independent ... - Peabody Energy

METROPOLITAN COAL PROJECT INDEPENDENT ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT
Assessing potential impacts to nearby Aboriginal heritage site(s) based on the results
of the preclearance surveys and determining the most appropriate location for
required surface infrastructure.
Where practicable, surface infrastructure will be located so as to avoid or minimise
impacts to Aboriginal heritage sites. If impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate
management and/or mitigation measures will be undertaken in accordance with the
Heritage Management Plan.
Where Aboriginal heritage sites are located close to required surface disturbance works, the surface
disturbance protocol will be implemented.
4.10.3 Surface Disturbance Protocol
The surface disturbance protocol aims to avoid accidental damage to Aboriginal heritage sites located
close to surface disturbance works. The pre-clearance survey identifies the most appropriate location
for required infrastructure and the surface disturbance protocol is then applied to all work locations
(e.g. exploration, installation/operation/maintenance of surface infrastructure, construction/
maintenance of access tracks, monitoring and stream restoration, etc) proposed to be located close to
any known Aboriginal heritage site(s).
Surface disturbance works will only be undertaken after consideration of the following:
Avoidance of impact to Aboriginal heritage sites where practicable ;
Avoidance of accidental damage to Aboriginal heritage sites located close to surface
disturbance works, by implementing appropriate demarcation (e.g. fencing, sign-posting or
temporary flagging), prior to commencement of works; or
Where avoidance is not practicable, a comprehensive baseline record will be prepared and
consideration of salvage will occur in consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders prior to
disturbance.
(Any previously unrecorded Aboriginal heritage sites identified during fieldwork (e.g. pre-clearance
surveys) will be recorded and the information submitted to the OEH for registration on the Aboriginal
Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) database).
4.10.4 Aboriginal Heritage
Aboriginal heritage data and information for known sites recorded in the Project Underground Mining
Area and surrounds were presented in the Metropolitan Coal Project Environmental Assessment
(HCPL, 2008) Appendix H.
Locations of Aboriginal heritage sites recorded in the underground mining area and surrounds
include:
Sandstone overhangs containing art and/or artefacts;
Sandstone overhangs containing potential archaeological deposits;
Grinding groove sites; and
Rock engravings.
4.10.5 Aboriginal Heritage Site Monitoring
In accordance with the Aboriginal site monitoring program, the following tasks are undertaken during
monitoring of Aboriginal heritage sites:
Inspection of all sites to identify changes to their physical characteristics since previous
monitoring and against the baseline record;
Assessment of rock art motifs and panels for any damage or deterioration since the previous
monitoring and against the baseline record;
26 trevor brown & associates
applied environmental management consultants
aemc