Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 2 The potential and expected low-level adverse effects associated with GOP and NRS would be managed and mitigated, including: • Precautionary preclearance bat surveys of large trees, including pines, would be undertaken to determine the presence of long tailed bats. If present, DOC guidelines will inform careful management; • Vegetation removal would occur outside the bird breeding season, or be preceded by native nesting bird surveys to ensure native birds or their eggs are not destroyed during vegetation removal; • Implementation of a lizard management plan will inform capture, habitat enhancement and relocation of any native lizards; • Replacement of vegetation and habitats that would be removed as a permitted baseline. Tailings Storage Facility 3 The ecological values of the areas affected by the proposed TSF3 include 8.3 ha of naturally regenerating native and exotic vegetation (and including some open ground) within SNA 166; and a further 1.8 ha of low value native regenerating and planted vegetation associated with three small fragments (blocks) The level of direct effects on moderate value SNA 166 avoid all of the important features that qualify it as an SNA, (namely a kauri stand and moko skink habitat). The vegetation and habitats within the impacted parts of SNA 166 are considered to be of low value, however the WNP is considered to have an overall moderate level effect, (due to the moderate overall value and moderate magnitude). Complete loss of low value vegetation blocks outside of SNA 166 are considered to have a very low level of effect. Indirect and operational effects are also considered to be very low, although it is considered that there may be some overall positive indirect effects of the operation of TSF3 on ‘At Risk’ New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus) and New Zealand pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae). Construction effects would be temporary, and once complete noise is expected to be negligible. The moderate-low to very low levels of effect of vegetation and habitat removal at TSF3 is proposed to be addressed in accordance with best practice for biodiversity offsetting in New Zealand, so that it demonstrably achieves positive indigenous biodiversity outcomes. The potential and expected moderate-level adverse effects associated with TSF3 would be managed, mitigated and offset, including: • Precautionary preclearance bat surveys of large trees, including pines, would be undertaken to determine the presence of long tailed bats. If present, DOC guidelines will inform careful management; • Vegetation removal would occur outside the bird breeding season, or preceded by native nesting bird surveys to ensure native birds or their eggs are not destroyed during vegetation removal; • Implementation of a lizard management plan will inform capture, habitat enhancement and relocation of any native lizards; • Biodiversity Offset via planting and restoration for the loss of 8.3 ha SNA vegetation and 1.2 ha western vegetation block to provide a net gain. Net gains would include protection and enhancement of ‘At Risk-relict’ moko skink habitat, which occurs beyond the WNP footprint. Overall Effects
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