W a i h i N o r t h P r o j e c t : A s s e s s m e n t o f T e r r e s t r i a l E c o l o g i c a l V a l u e s & E f f e c t s 62138 WNP AEE 77 10 RECOMMENDATIONS The loss of 25.7 ha of native and exotic (planted and naturally occurring) vegetation proposed within the components of the WNP assessed here would result in moderate to very low levels of effects. In many of the areas this effect would be reduced to temporary (Roper-Lyndsey 2018) because it is proposed that vegetation removed be replaced with plantings. Those plantings would provide for a net gain, where they enhance ecological values in the surrounding landscape by providing buffer, connectivity and improved diversity which is more representative of the historical vegetation cover. We also recommend that additional habitat enhancement (long-term pest control and ‘tailored’ habitat plantings) be undertaken to improve habitat values for moko skink, which represent an important ecological feature within the immediate landscape, but would not be directly affected by the components of the WNP. Such planting should be undertaken within the WNP area, where it could provide ecological buffers and connectivity, or reduce edge effects for other ecological values. Restoration and enhancement actions should include weed control and animal pest control (particularly targeting native lizard habitats), fencing and enrichment plantings to improve the SNA (166). The following recommendations would ensure that the terrestrial ecological effects of the assessed components of the WNP would be effectively managed to achieve a net ecological benefit for the local area: 1. Measures to avoid or minimise vegetation and habitat loss through onsite management. This would include avoidance of unnecessary vegetation clearance through the physical delineation of the footprint boundary. 2. Avoidance of large-scale removal of native vegetation during peak bird breeding season (September to December inclusive) or to be preceded by a native bird nesting survey and avoidance of any identified active native bird nests until fledging confirmed; 3. Adoption of tree-felling protocols to protect bats at pine areas within GOP, NRS and TSF3 to avoid or minimise the potential for direct harm to potentially roosting bats; 4. A vegetation replacement, enhancement and offset plan should be prepared using best practice methods for the establishment and enhancement of ecological vegetation and systems. The plan should cover the following: a. Within SNA 166: Pine removal and revegetation, long-term pest animal and weed control as calculated using a biodiversity offset accounting system, for the loss of 8.3 ha of SNA and 1.2 ha of Western Fragment. The resulting revegetation and enhancement should: i. Be contiguous with SNA166 where possible, or within the within the immediate landscape where it enhances ecological integrity through buffering and connecting existing biodiversity values; ii. Where practicable, enhance significant values of SNA, such as kauri trees and moko skink. b. Replacement planting: Replacement of 16.2 ha of unprotected planted and other low to moderate value vegetation that would be removed. Planting should be undertaken within the immediate landscape where it enhances ecological integrity through buffering and connecting existing biodiversity values. c. Buffer planting in and adjacent to SNA 166 to minimise newly created edge effects along the southern edge of SNA 166 (Southern Fragment). d. Legal protection of all replanted areas
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