Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

Executive SummaryRPS Australia East (RPS) was commissioned by Wambo Coal Pty Limited (Wambo) toundertake the 2010 annual ecological monitoring program (monitoring program) for theirRemnant Woodland Enhancement Program (RWEP) in accordance with Wambo’sapproved Flora and Flora Management Plan, a consent condtion requirement for DA 305-7-2003, DA 177-8-2004 and EPBC 2003/1138 . The RWEP was established to offset landdisturbed by open cut coal mining. HLA-Envirosciences Pty Ltd initially established theannual flora and fauna monitoring program in 2006 (HLA 2007a, b). RPS commenced themonitoring program in 2007 (RPS Harper Somers O’Sullivan 2007), 2008 (RPS HarperSomers O’Sullivan 2009), 2009 (RPS 2010) and 2010 (this report).Flora monitoring identified 275 flora species across 34 flora quadrats. Currentmanagement practises within the RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine appear to beappropriate for the conservation of flora species. Variation evident in the results from thefive years of monitoring is most likely related to natural variation in species distribution,natural variation in species abundance and variation inherent in the sampling design, andnot to current management practises. There was no evidence to suggest that currentmanagement practices or mining activity was having any effect on the flora species withinthe RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine.While no Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters were identified during targeted winter birdsurveys, annual surveys for these species should continue into the future, particularlyduring years of heavy eucalypt blossom when either or both species may occur onWambo Coal land.Diurnal bird monitoring identified 78 bird species across 26 survey sites, including seventhreatened species. Current management practises within the RWEP areas of WamboCoal Mine appear to be appropriate for the conservation of bird species. Variation evidentin the results across the years of monitoring is most likely related to natural variation inspecies diversity, natural variation in species abundance and variation inherent in thesampling design, and not to current management practises.No threatened owl species responded to call playback surveys. Due to the large homerange area of the target owl species and the relatively few (four) call playback sessionsundertaken each year, it is not unexpected that threatened owls species are rarelydetected.Spotlighting surveys identified the Common Brushtail Possum as the most commonarboreal mammal species in RWEP areas of Wambo Coal Mine. Across four years ofannual monitoring only three arboreal mammal species have been identified. TheCommon Brushtail Possum was identified each year and the threatened Yellow-belliedGlider and Squirrel Glider were recorded for the first time in 2010.There is no evidence to suggest that current management practices or mining activitiesare having any negative impact on fauna species.2010 Annual Ecological Monitoring Report, Draft Report, January 2011 Page i