72 EMROP: Waihi North Project WAI-985-000-PLN-LC-0001_Rev0 clean and Environmental Manager, within one hour of reviewing the data or of observing the roost, that the affected tree(s) cannot be felled until further investigations of the trees have been undertaken. 2) If deemed appropriate and safe, the suspect roost tree(s) will be climbed by an arborist trained to identify bat roosts (e.g. arborist with competency level D certification; Table 21). The arborist must take care when climbing so as not to harm or disturb any roosting bats. The arborist will take photographs of any roosts or roost evidence found. If necessary, an endoscope and hand-held bat detector will be used to examine potential roost features suspected of housing bats. 3) If climbing is not considered safe or appropriate by the arborist and bat ecologist(s), the likely roost tree or trees may be observed by bat ecologists with hand-held heterodyne bat detectors over the first two hours following dusk and the four hours prior to dawn on the next two consecutive suitable nights, to observe bats leaving or entering a roost within the tree or group of trees. If the observations over the two consecutive nights reveal no bats roosting in the tree(s) at the present time, the Site Manager and Environmental Manager will be informed that the tree(s) can be felled immediately (i.e. on the morning after the second night of observation). 7.2.4.2.3.3 Bat(s) confirmed to be roosting within a tree 1) The tree will not be removed until further acoustic monitoring (for seven nights) confirms that the bats have abandoned the roost. 2) Trees should be clearly marked, and all relevant staff briefed to ensure the tree is not removed. The immediate area will be cordoned off with safety fencing and signage erected in a 10 m radius around the suspected roost, alerting any person approaching the area that a bat roost is present and to stay clear. 3) All adjacent construction and vegetation removal activities wil be assessed for noise and vibration and where, in the opinion of the bat ecologist, the method of construction may disturb the roost, steps will be taken to eliminate, isolate or minimise the disturbance where possible. 4) Representatives of DOC, Hauraki District Council and WRC will be informed by email with relevant information and photos if applicable and the Project bat ecologist will agree with DOC and WRC on options for next steps in the event a bat(s) is still roosting after seven nights. 5) If bats are still roosting in the tree after seven nights, the bat ecologist will contact the Site Manager, Environmental Manager and representatives of DOC and WRC to arrange a meeting to be held within three days to decide an appropriate way forward. 6) Immediately after tree felling, all ‘High risk’ trees will be inspected for bats and evidence of bat roosts by the Project bat ecologist(s).
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