Fremantle Port Inner Harbour and Channel ... - Fremantle Ports

o The extent and position of the visible dredge plume in relation to the affected
site(s);
o The weather conditions, sea state and tides at the time of the exceedance;
and,
o The spatial distribution of affected sites in relation to unaffected sites and the
position of the dredge.
• In the event that it is considered that dredging or spoil disposal has not contributed to
the exceedance/s, then the exceedance/s, together with reasons as to why the
dredging or spoil disposal were not responsible, will be noted in fortnightly reporting
(by the Environmental Monitoring Contractor) to Fremantle Ports and the Office of the
EPA.
• In the event that it is considered that dredging or spoil disposal has contributed to the
exceedance, the following management and monitoring strategies will be
implemented, related to each level of exceedance and management response.
Level 1 Management Response:
• Where LAC is determined to be above the “No exceedance” trigger levels, but below
Level 2 trigger levels, then the exceedance will be noted in fortnightly reporting (by
the Environmental Monitoring Contractor) to Fremantle Ports and the Office of the
EPA;
• The exceedance will be investigated and management strategies will be developed
(e.g. additional silt curtains, raising of weir box to lower flow rate of return water) to
be implemented if Level 2 triggers are exceeded; and,
• Coral/seagrass monitoring teams will be informed of the exceedance and the potential
need for upcoming monitoring.
Level 2 Management Response:
• Where LAC is determined to be above the Level 2 trigger levels, but below Level 3
trigger levels, then the exceedance will be noted in fortnightly reporting (by the
Environmental Monitoring Contractor) to Fremantle Ports and the Office of the EPA;
• The exceedance will be investigated and management strategies will be developed
(e.g. additional silt curtains, raising of weir box to lower flow rate of return water) to
be implemented as soon as practically possible if water quality does not improve;
• Where LAC is determined to be above the Level 2 trigger level, then:
o the CEO of the Office of the EPA will be informed of the exceedance and
proposed management strategies (see below) as soon as practicable and no
later than within 72 hours of detection of the exceedance (i.e. subsequent to
processing of LAC data);
o if applicable, any management actions already implemented within 72 hours
shall also be reported; and
o all management strategies will be implemented as soon as practicable.
• LAC monitoring and dredge and disposal activities shall continue; and
• Coral/seagrass monitoring teams will be informed of the exceedance and the potential
need for upcoming monitoring.
Level 3 Management Response:
• Where LAC is determined to be above the Level 3 trigger levels, but below Level 4
trigger levels, then the exceedance will be noted in fortnightly reporting (by the
Environmental Monitoring Contractor) to Fremantle Ports and the Office of the EPA;
• The exceedance will be investigated and management strategies will be developed
(e.g. additional silt curtains, raising of weir box to lower flow rate of return water) to
be implemented as soon as practically possible, if water quality does not improve;
• Where LAC is determined to be above the Level 3 trigger level, then:
o the CEO of the Office of the EPA will be informed of the exceedance and
proposed management strategies (see below) as soon as practicable and no
later than within 72 hours of detection of the exceedance (i.e. subsequent to
processing of LAC data);
o if applicable, any management actions already implemented within 72 hours
shall also be reported; and
o all management strategies will be implemented as soon as practicable.
• LAC monitoring and dredge and disposal activities shall continue; and,
20 Oceanica: Fremantle Ports: Inner Harbour and Channel Deepening - Water Quality Monitoring Program