ACCIÓN TUTORIAL (POAT).

B.3.2.1 Weed Management

Weed management needs to commence before any work on the site, to ensure that existing site weeds are not spread during works and to make follow-up control easier and more effective.

A plan for managing weeds should be prepared. It should include:

• pre-works control of existing weeds on the site and stockpile areas;

• implementation of safeguards to ensure that weeds are not spread either to, from or within the site; and

• follow-up weed control until plantings are well established and ground is covered, so there is limited opportunity for weed invasion.

Refer to sections C.1.3 and C.4 for further information about weed management.

Weeds with multiple reproductive methods (e.g. seed + roots) are the most difficult to control. They require long-term treatment.

Weed Management Resources

y

http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/weeds

y

y

y

control.

Refer to Appendix 19 for full details of all of these references.

B.3.2.2 Protection of Natural and Cultural Values

Undertaking works, even where their ultimate aim is to protect environmental values, has the potential to impact on these values. For example, rehabilitation works could result in introduction of weeds or impact on surrounding areas through spreading of soil, rubbish or trampling. In order to minimise the potential for impact to occur, safeguards are necessary.

Normally the environmental impact assessment (SEE or REF) for the works will have identified natural and cultural values associated with the site and the potential impacts that might occur. From this information, safeguards would usually have been developed. These would be detailed in the environmental assessment and should be reiterated in the SEMP and Rehabilitation Plan. If safeguards for the rehabilitation stage have not been adequately covered, additional safeguards may need to be included in the Rehabilitation Plan.

B.3.2.3 Designated Access

To minimise the extent of the impact of the works, access routes for vehicles and machinery should be clearly defined. In particularly sensitive areas, foot access may also need to be delineated to ensure that potential impacts on vegetation are minimised. The same access route should generally be used for rehabilitation as for other work. Normally access would be defined in the SEMP so reference can be made to this. If possible, disturbed areas should be used for access. In areas where there is no existing disturbed access route, a route should be chosen that avoids impacting on the most sensitive areas. Preference should be given to accessing the site via the following alternatives (in order of preference):

• Rocky, well drained, gently sloping ground; • Areas dominated by grasses; or

• Herb fields or shrubby areas.

If access through sensitive areas cannot be avoided, use temporary bridges or crossings and/or equipment that can avoid or reduce impact.

Access through bogs, wet areas, snow patch areas, steep slopes and any other areas of fragile or sensitive vegetation should be avoided. These

areas are expensive and difficult to rehabilitate.

B.3.2.4 Designated Storage/Stockpile Areas

The SEMP or rehabilitation plan for your project should delineate or cross reference areas suitable for storage or stockpiling of materials such as excavated soils, sods and materials that will be used in all stages of the works (e.g. plants, mulch, fibre matting etc.). The aim of using clearly defined stockpile areas is to minimise the spread of impacts resulting from the works and ensure that material isn’t stockpiled in sensitive areas.

Generally, stockpile areas should make use of existing disturbed, weed free areas. If this is not possible, the principles for choosing access routes should be followed (refer to section B.3.2.3). It is important that stockpile areas are weed free, otherwise the materials that you store in the area will become contaminated.

Stockpiles should be placed on geotextile to prevent contamination. Stockpile areas should be bunded and covered (to reduce dehydration, loss of materials and impact on surrounding areas).

B.3.2.5 Earthworks

For efficiency and convenience, it is useful to detail in the SEMP or construction plans earthworks such as ripping, shaping, grading and drainage required for rehabilitation. Soil management such as separation of topsoil and subsoils and protection from contamination or erosion should also be included.

Including earthworks in the SEMP or construction plans allows such work to be completed during or immediately after construction, as appropriate, so that once construction is completed and most heavy machinery is removed from the site, it is

B.3.2.6 Waste Management

The SEMP and/or Rehabilitation Plan should detail/cross reference how waste will be managed. Rehabilitation waste that will need to be appropriately disposed of includes (but is not limited to) excess soils, weeds, wrapping materials, plant pots/tubes, disused sediment and erosion control materials and plant protectors.