HSE
HSEP09017 - Vegetation Management (Wind
Operations)
Table of Content
1
2
3
SCOPE and OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................... 2
PROCESS OUTPUTS ............................................................................................................ 2
PROCESS DETAIL................................................................................................................. 2
3.1 Overview
2
3.2 Flora
3
3.3 Fauna
3
3.4 Geomorphology
3
3.5 Cultural Heritage
4
3.6 Landscape
4
3.7 Soils and Water
4
3.8 Operational Considerations
5
3.9 Monitoring
6
3.10 Records and Reporting
6
3.11 Training
6
4 KEY STEPS OF THE VEGETATION CLEARING PROCESS ....................................................... 7
5 DEFINITIONS....................................................................................................................... 8
6 RELATED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES ............................................................................... 9
7 REVISION HISTORY ............................................................................................................. 9
Appendix A - Vegetation Management Guidance
1 OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT ........................................................................................ 10
2 MANAGEMENT OF FUELS, OILS, RUBBISH AND EMISSIONS ............................................ 11
3 WATERCOURSE MANAGEMENT ...................................................................................... 11
4 FLORA & FAUNA MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................... 12
5 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................... 13-26
Hydro Tasmania Document
Owner(s): OH&S Manager;
Environment Manager
Approver: Manager – Sustainability and Safety
Revision 1
Revision Date:
17th May 2012
HSEP0917 – Vegetation Management (Wind Ooperations)
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SCOPE and OBJECTIVES
Scope:
This procedure applies to HT Wind Operations staff, contractors, sites, and activities where vegetation clearing
for transmission line construction and maintenance may be required.
Objectives:
To describe the management of potential environmental impacts associated with clearing and maintenance of
vegetation for transmission line easements. Including specific guidance on how to manage vegetation clearing
operations (including maintenance) within transmission line easements, to ensure that risk to HT Wind
Operations employees, other persons, and the environment is minimised.
2
PROCESS OUTPUTS
(HSEF0917.1) = HSEPL0917.1 - Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment and Plan
3
PROCESS DETAIL
Procedure:
3.1
Overview
Description
Responsibility
Vegetation clearing operations must be managed to minimise the
likelihood of harm to natural and cultural heritage values.
Anyone
undertaking
work within the
scope of this
procedure.
The key steps of the vegetation clearing process to be managed are:
a) Initial desktop assessment;
b) Pre-operational field surveys;
c) Management during operations;
d) Site rehabilitation;
e) Ongoing maintenance; and
f) Reporting.
Attachment A provides a summary of these key steps.
During the above process, the following values are assessed and
where applicable, management measures are implemented to
minimise the risk of potential impacts:
1. Flora (native vegetation, weeds and disease)
2. Fauna
3. Geomorphology (landforms)
4. Cultural heritage (historic and Aboriginal)
5. Landscape (visual amenity)
6. Soils and water
Management of these values is detailed below.
Prior to clearing or maintenance operations, the person supervising
the operation is provided with Appendix A - Vegetation
Management Guidance for Clearing and Maintenance which
describes prescriptions and minimum standards to be followed
during all operations. EF1202 Easement Clearing Environmental
Assessment and Operational Plan is also completed to provide
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3.2
Flora
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Description
detailed prescriptions to be followed during the operation.
Responsibility
Management plan/s addressing flora values, such as a Vegetation
Management Plan and a Weed and Disease Management Plan or
similar are prepared prior to commencement of transmission line
vegetation clearing operations.
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager
These management plan/s detail and identify flora values within, and
adjacent to the clearing area during desktop assessment and preoperational field surveys, and describe strategies and actions to
minimise the risk of potential impacts during clearing operations, site
rehabilitation and maintenance phases.
Specifically, these management plan/s address:
a)Measures to avoid, minimise and/or offset clearing of
threatened native vegetation communities, remnant
vegetation patches and significant fauna habitat;
b) Rare, vulnerable and endangered plant species;
c) Existing and potential Phytophthora cinnamomi issues
where applicable;
d) Existing and potential weeds issues.
This procedure may be used in conjunction with any relevant
regulatory requirements or management plan/s applicable for each
transmission line project.
3.3
Fauna
Management plan/s addressing fauna values, such as a Threatened
Species Management Plan or similar, are prepared prior to
commencement of transmission line vegetation clearing operations.
These management plan/s identify and detail fauna values within,
and adjacent to the clearing area during desktop assessment and preoperational field surveys, and describe strategies and actions to
minimise risk of potential impacts during clearing operations, site
rehabilitation and maintenance phases.
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager
Specifically, these management plan/s address:
a)
Rare, vulnerable and endangered fauna species;
b) Known sites for significant fauna species;
c)
Potential habitat for significant fauna species;
This procedure may be used in conjunction with any relevant
regulatory requirements or management plan/s applicable for each
transmission line project.
3.4
Geomorphology
Assessment of significant landforms within and adjacent to the
clearing area is conducted prior to commencement of transmission
line vegetation clearing operations.
This assessment considers both known/recorded features identified
during desktop assessment and any sites found during pre-
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
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Description
operational field surveys.
Responsibility
Supervisor
If any significant landforms are present within, or adjacent to
operational areas, potential impacts of vegetation clearing
operations on these sites are assessed by HT Wind Operations or a
suitably qualified delegate. Operations are conducted to avoid or
minimise risk of potential impacts on significant landforms as far as
practicable.
3.5
Cultural
Heritage
Assessment of cultural heritage values within, and adjacent to the
clearing area is conducted prior to commencement of transmission
line vegetation clearing operations.
This assessment considers both Aboriginal and historic (nonAboriginal) cultural heritage sites or artefacts, including
known/recorded sites identified during desktop assessment and any
sites found during field surveys.
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
Supervisor
For any cultural heritage sites identified within, or adjacent to the
operational area, strategies are developed and actions implemented
to avoid or minimise risk of potential impacts during clearing
operations, site rehabilitation and maintenance phases.
Any previously unidentified sites discovered during operational
phases are appropriately managed as per the documents identified
below.
This procedure may be used in conjunction with:
a)
any relevant regulatory requirements or management
plan/s developed for each transmission line project
b) HSEP0912 - Cultural Heritage Management
Sites identified within the transmission line easement are
documented and held in a dedicated register (as per HSEP0912).
3.6
Landscape
During the transmission line design phase:
a)
Project Manager
Consideration is given to landscape and visual effects of
transmission line alignment;
b) Significant visual effects are managed to the extent
practicable given the constraints of locating a long linear
structure.
During clearing or maintenance operations: Any relevant landscape
management strategies or actions developed during the transmission
line design phase are implemented.
3.7
Soils and
Water
Assessment of soils and water values and potential impacts within,
and adjacent to the clearing area is conducted prior to
commencement of transmission line vegetation clearing operations.
Values and potential impacts are identified during desktop
assessment and pre-operational field surveys. Strategies and actions
are developed, describing measures to minimize risk of potential
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
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Description
impacts during clearing operations, site rehabilitation and
maintenance phases.
Responsibility
Supervisor
Specifically, this assessment considers:
a)
Erosion risk (determined from soil type and slope);
b) Landslide hazard (determined from geology, soil type and
slope);
c)
Town water supply intakes, domestic water supply
intakes, and/or freshwater aquaculture facilities
downstream from operations;
d) Watercourse classes, drainage depressions, streamside
reserves and/or other stream management measures.
This procedure may be used in conjunction with any relevant
regulatory requirements or management plan/s applicable for each
transmission line project.
3.8
Operational
Considerations
In addition to management of natural and cultural values, the
following operational factors are considered prior to commencement
of transmission line vegetation clearing operations (including
maintenance operations):
a)
Identification and demarcation of operational boundaries
in documentation;
b) Accurate mapping and demarcation of transmission line
alignment, operational boundaries and special
management zones;
c)
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
Supervisor
Wet weather operational limitations;
d) Safety of operations, particularly tree-felling and
machinery operation;
e)
Design and restoration of machinery access (within and
adjacent to operational area) such as track drainage;
f)
Management of any ongoing maintenance required for
permanent access tracks;
g)
Design, use and restoration of any landings required and
waste vegetation heaps;
h) Management of cleared vegetation, timber and/or waste
vegetation (‘slash’) during and after operations;
i)
Management considerations during the fire permit period
and declared total fire ban days;
j)
Management of fuels, oils, rubbish, smoke, noise and/or
dust as applicable;
k)
The volume of timber is documented;
l)
The area of the operation and area of clearing (including
individual vegetation communities) is documented.
An operational briefing, outlining project requirements, is
conducted by a suitable qualified person/s prior to
commencement of any vegetation clearing or maintenance
activities.
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Description
Responsibility
HSEF0917.1 - Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment
and Operational Plan is used.
Management of the above points is in accordance with Appendix A Vegetation Management Guidance for Clearing and Maintenance
3.9
Monitoring
Monitoring is required both during and after operations to assist the
detection of any issues that may arise regarding actual or potential
impacts on natural or cultural values. If any such issues arise, the
level of risk is assessed and, where necessary, corrective actions are
planned and undertaken.
Monitoring is planned, considering actions and timing, and then
conducted per plan. Audit forms are completed during and after any
vegetation clearing and maintenance activities.
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
Supervisor
Calibrated or verified monitoring and measuring equipment are used
when necessary.
3.10 Records
and Reporting
Records are kept regarding assessment and management of natural
or cultural values undertaken during each of the following steps:
a)
Initial desktop assessment;
b) Pre-operational field surveys;
c)
Management during operations;
d) Site rehabilitation;
e)
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
Supervisor
Ongoing maintenance.
HSEF0917.1 - Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment and
Operational Plan is used to document the vegetation clearing or
management operation and is endorsed by the landowner. It may
contain prescriptions relating to the management of natural and
cultural values or may refer to other documents in the HSE
Management System.
If applicable, (see section 4), HT Wind Operations reports to the
Forest Practices Authority (FPA) on vegetation clearing and/or
maintenance operations by forwarding page 1 of HSEF0917.1 Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment and Operational Plan
on completion of the plan preparation.
HT Wind Operations provides the FPA with an annual summary of the
area, type and bioregion of any threatened community/s subject to
conversion as a result of transmission line clearing (including)
maintenance operations.
3.11
Training
Employees with potential for involvement in the process of
vegetation clearing for transmission line easements and their
supervisors are adequately inducted and trained. The training is
suitable and adequate to provide necessary competencies, and must
include familiarisation with this procedure.
Project
Manager, Asset
Manager,
Environmental
Manager,
Operational
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Procedure:
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Description
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Responsibility
Supervisor
KEY STEPS OF THE VEGETATION CLEARING PROCESS
The following provides a summary of the key steps to be managed:
a)
Initial desktop assessment
1.
Involves collation of information relevant to management of natural and cultural values within, and
adjacent to the operational area from sources such as maps, geographic information systems, databases
and reports on relevant previous studies.
2.
Desktop assessment should include identification and classification of any watercourse/s within, or
adjacent to the operational area by catchment area using maps, as described in Appendix A - Vegetation
Management Guidance for Clearing and Maintenance.
b) Pre-operational field surveys
c)
1.
Field surveys may be conducted prior to operational commencement; in order to verify desktop
information gathered or to fill relevant information gaps.
2.
This includes on-site assessment of relevant minor streams within, or adjacent to the operational area
for erosion hazard features.
Management during operations
1.
Information gathered in steps a) and b) is used to inform management strategies and actions.
2.
Standard management prescriptions as per this procedure.
3.
Additional management actions may be implemented where required for specific natural or cultural
values.
d) Site rehabilitation
1.
Site rehabilitation may include restoration of tracks and/or landing where applicable, management of
waste vegetation and management of rubbish.
2.
Standard site restoration prescriptions as per Appendix A - Vegetation Management Guidance for
Clearing and Maintenance.
e) Ongoing maintenance
1.
Ongoing maintenance of vegetation may be required in order to maintain compliance with the
Vegetation Clearance Standard for transmission line easements. Refer to Appendix A - Vegetation
Management Guidance for Clearing and Maintenance.
2.
Maintenance of permanent tracks may be required to ensure that drainage structures remain
operational to prevent soil/water management issues.
3.
Any such maintenance activities comply with this procedure.
4.
As a minimum, HSEF0917.1 - Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment and Operational Plan is
completed prior to commencement of maintenance activities.
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f)
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Reporting
1.
2.
5
Revision 1
Page 1 of HSEF0917.1 is provided to the FPA on completion of the form unless:
i.
The clearing is small (<1 hectare, timber volume removed or cleared is <100 tonne per
property) and the associated land is not classified as ‘Vulnerable Landi’.
ii.
Clearing of selected trees to provide a reasonable buffer for existing infrastructure (e.g.
dwellings, fences) or for public safety.
iii.
Clearing native vegetation regrowth (containing no more than 20 eucalypts more than 2 metres
tall within a 0.5 hectare area) on previously cleared and converted land (i.e. land that has not
contained trees or threatened native vegetation for a period of at least 5 years since 1985).
An annual summary of the area, type and bioregion of any threatened community/s subject to
conversion is complied and provided to the FPA and recorded internally.
DEFINITIONS
ACCOUNTABLE PERSON: Any person who has control of a workplace or has a responsibility or an
obligation for the health and safety of any person(s) in a workplace or for environmental impacts of
the activities undertaken.
Access track: An unsurfaced track for short term or occasional use designed for vehicular access.
Cartage is permitted in dry weather only.
Drainage depression: A depression without the features of a stream, which only carries water during
or shortly after rainfall (See also Reference D: Watercourse classification)
Erosion hazard: Exists if one or more of the following is present at a particular site:
1. Erosion features are present (e.g. signs of sheet or gully erosion, or near-vertical stream banks
>1m high);
2. Steep riparian slope (15 degrees or greater);
3. Soil Erodibility Class ‘high’ or ‘very high’ (e.g. sandy soils).
GEOMORPHOLOGY: the study of landforms and the processes that shape them
Grip – i.e. Cross drain: a ditch and earth bank constructed at approximately right angles to a track,
preventing water from building up speed along the track and allowing redirection of running water
into surrounding areas. A track is ‘gripped’ once grips have been constructed on it.
Hazardous forest activities: Any work involving chainsaws, machinery, vehicles or tools in contact
with or close to forest, scrub or pasture fuels.
HISTORIC CULTURAL HERITAGE: May include any non-Aboriginal cultural heritage sites or artefacts,
including European heritage.
KARST – A landscape resulting from highly soluble bedrock. Features may include underground
drainage, sinkholes and/or caves.
LANDING – An area to which logs are pulled and where loaded onto trucks.
Vegetation Clearance Standard: Standard safety clearance dimensions for 110kV transmission line
corridors are a managed vegetation zone 40m wide, within which the height of mature vegetation
should be no more than 3m tall (see also Appendix B).
Reserves: Include formal reserves such as National Parks, Forest Reserves, etc, as well as informal
reserves such as streamside reserves
Snig track: Track along which logs are pulled from the felling point to a landing using machinery.
VULNERABLE LAND – means land that:
a) is within a streamside reserve or a machinery exclusion zone as defined in the Forest
Practices Code (streamside reserves vary from 10 metres from the streambanks for a Class 4
stream to 40 metres for a Class 1 river); or
b) has steep slopes in excess of the limits prescribed in Table 7 (page 54) of the Forest Practices
Code (these limits range from 11-19 degrees depending on the rock type); or
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c) is within the high or very high soil erodibility class within the meaning of the Forest Practices
Code (see page 52 and Appendix 6 of the Forest Practices Code); or
d) consists of, or contains, a threatened native vegetation community; or
e) is inhabited by a threatened species; or
f) contains vulnerable karst soils (see page 101 of the Forest Practices Code); or
g) contains an area of trees reserved from harvesting or clearing under an expired Forest
Practices Plan.
Water supply intake – includes town water supply and freshwater aquaculture facility intakes as
defined by the Forest Practices Code, as well as domestic water intakes.
6
RELATED DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES



7
HSEP0913 - Land Management
HSEP0201 - Legal and Other Requirements
HSEF0917.1 - Easement Clearing Environmental Assessment and Operational Plan
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
number
1
Revision
date
10th May
2012
Detailed revision description
New document has content from ESMS documents
EP12a and EG12a
Reviewed by
B. Lunstedt
Approved by
Sustainability
and Safety
Manager
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Appendix A
1
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Vegetation Management Guidance for
Clearing and Maintenance
OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
1.1
Boundary marking
a)
Operational boundaries including all reserve boundaries are marked by BLUE flagging tape prior to
commencement of operations in a given section of the easement.
b) Any relevant property boundaries are marked with PINK flagging tape prior to commencing
operations in the vicinity, if relevant.
c) Centreline of the transmission line alignment and access tracks are marked with RED flagging tape
prior to commencement of operations if necessary.
1.2
Landings
Where landings are required, the number of these is minimised. Landings should be kept as small as practicable
and do not exceed 0.2 hectares in area. Landings are located:
a) On well drained sites preferably on gently sloping elevated areas;
b) So that any sediment runoff from them does not enter watercourses;
c) As far as practical, away from watercourses and not within 40m of any reserves unless
unavoidable. If unavoidable, specific measures are implemented to protect the watercourse and
streamside reserve.
1.3
Access tracks and snig tracks
a) The number of access tracks and snig tracks (where required) are minimised.
b) Tracks are not established along watercourses or drainage depressions.
c) When a particular track section is no longer required, it is drained and gripped progressively with
grip spacing as per Reference A: Maximum spacing between grips on tracks.
d) When a stream crossing is no longer required, approaches to crossings are gripped to divert water
flow from tracks into vegetation, before reaching the watercourse.
1.4
Wet Weather Limitations
Operation of ground-based machinery ceases when one or more of the following occur:
a) Soils are saturated; OR
b) A section of track 20m or longer has either of:
i)soils rutted to a depth of more than 300mm below the original ground level;
ii)soils puddled forming mud along a track to a depth of more than 200mm; OR
c) Turbid water is flowing from snig track into a watercourse or water body (in which case immediate
action is also taken to divert water flow away from the water body).
1.5
Clearing
a) Map/s show clearing areas.
b) Clearing complies with the Vegetation Clearance Standard (Reference B).
c) No trees are felled across defined operational boundaries unless authorised by a supervisor for
safety reasons. Where a tree accidentally falls over a boundary the supervisor makes a decision
whether the tree is pulled out or left in place.
1.6
Site restoration
a)
On completion of operations, restoration of landing sites includes lifting bark and waste wood
debris and drainage of the site.
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b) Bark waste is placed in tee pee style heaps (no greater than 3m*3m*3m) on well-drained sites
near the edge of the easement. Bark heaps are isolated from adjacent flammable material by a
5m wide firebreak cleared to mineral earth. Heaps are burnt outside of the declared fire permit
period.
c) Other waste vegetation and waste wood is spread within the easement area upon completion of
operations to assist in rehabilitation.
1.7
Fire protection
a)
From a risk management perspective, clearing operations ensure the following fire fighting
equipment is on site and functional at all times when it may be needed such as during the fire
permit period or at the discretion of a HT Wind Operations supervisor (see Reference C: Fire
Prevention at Forest Operations for more detail):
i) A tank of at least 300L capacity full of water and designed to be transported within the
operational area;
ii) A self-priming centrifugal pump producing a pressure of at least 400kPa at shut off, equipped
with appropriate fittings and hoses (at least 60m of hose);
iii) Two (2) rake-hoes;
iv) To be carried on each machine: Either 1 knapsack pump containing at least 9L of water OR 1
charged air-water extinguisher;
v) One (1) set of approved Fire Weather Observers’ instruments and log book.
b) Fire weather monitoring and shutdown procedures for all hazardous forest activities will be
adhered to as per Reference C: Fire Prevention at Forest Operations.
c) Any wildfire which occurs in the operation area is dealt with as directed by the Tasmania Fire
Service.
2
MANAGEMENT OF FUELS, OILS, RUBBISH AND EMISSIONS
Management of fuels, oils and rubbish
a) All rubbish on site is stored in appropriate watertight containers and is removed on a regular basis
to an approved refuse disposal site
b) Placement of temporary fuel and oil storage is:
i)
As far as practical, from stream reserves and not within 40m;
ii)
Bunded (earthen or portable), and take into consideration natural ground features
that may assist in containing any spillage.
c) ALL fuel or oil spills are contained as soon as possible and clean up procedures promptly
implemented where necessary. HT Wind Operations is notified of all fuel or oil spills.
d) Fuel or oil spills that cause or threaten to cause environmental harm (>20L) are reported to HT
Wind Operations Project Manager/Supervisor as soon as practicable but within 24 hours of the
event. In the event HT Wind Operations cannot be reached then DEPHA is contacted by telephone
1800 005 171.
3
3.1
WATERCOURSE MANAGEMENT
General
Streamside reserves and drainage depression reserves are marked with BLUE flagging tape prior to
commencement of operations in the relevant section of the operational area.
No trees are felled into or out of reserves. Class 3 or 4 streams and drainage depressions are crossed at
designated crossing points only. There must be no mechanical disturbance to stream beds at all stages of the
operation except at designated crossing points. Every effort must be made to minimise disturbance and
sediment input to streams at these points.
Sites for refuelling need to be located at least 40 m from any watercourse to avoid any contamination due to
spillage.
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3.2
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Watercourses
Prior to commencement of works, the class of streams within or adjacent to the operational area are
determined by an appropriately skilled person. Refer Reference D: Watercourse Classification. If additional
watercourses are located during operations that were not previously mapped, then the contractor avoids any
work within 40m until they can consult with HT Wind Operations as to their management requirements.
The following streamside reserves (SSR) apply as minimum horizontal width either side of the stream from the
stream bank:
Class 1 stream 40m SSR
Class 2 stream 30m SSR
Class 3 stream 20m SSR
Class 4 stream 10m SSR (from the stream bank OR change of riparian slope). However, this is
increased to 20m if there is an erosion hazard at a particular stream section OR if
there is a water supply intake within 5km downstream.
Within the SSRs defined above:
a) Vegetation with actual or potential height over 3m may be cleared in order to comply with the
Vegetation Clearance Standard (see Reference B), but all shorter vegetation is retained where
practicable and damage to understorey vegetation is minimised.
b) Machinery may enter to within 10m of stream banks for clearing if necessary, provided that machinery
moves in and out of the SSR by the same path without slewing the machine’s tracks. Otherwise no
machinery may enter within 10m of a streambank except at designated crossing points.
c) Within and adjacent to streamside reserves, wherever practicable directional falling is implemented to
direct trees away from watercourses.
d) Trees felled in SSRs are lifted out of the SSR (rather than dragged out). If necessary to avoid excessive
damage to existing vegetation, such trees are trimmed into manageable lengths in place before lifting
out.
3.3
Drainage depressions
Vegetation in, and adjacent to drainage depressions with actual or potential height over 3m may be cleared as
above. All shorter vegetation is retained where practicable within at least 5m either side of the drainage
depression.
4
FLORA & FAUNA MANAGEMENT
4.1
Reserves
a) Any reserve boundaries are clearly marked before operations commence.
b) No trees are to be felled into or out of reserves.
c) Waste wood or vegetation heaps to be burnt (if applicable) should be constructed at least 30m from
any reserve boundaries.
d) Apply Washdown Guidelines to protect reserve values (see Reference E)
4.2
Weeds and disease
a)
In areas with existing or potential Phytophthora cinnamomi issues and/or weed issues, all vegetation
clearing machinery is washed down as per the Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines (Reference E) prior to
entering the site and leaving the operational area. Washdown is to be done either at the point of
departure from the previous operation, or at a designated washdown facility with a well-drained hard
surface.
b) The contractor must inspect machinery for cleanliness prior to entering the works area. If the
machinery does not meet the minimum standard of cleanliness outlined in the Washdown Guidelines,
the contractor must remove the machinery from site immediately to a suitable site away from the
works area for further cleaning (e.g. car washing facility).
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4.3
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Eagle management
If suitable habitat for Wedge-tailed Eagles or White-bellied Sea Eagles is present within 500m of the operational
area, this is searched for nests prior to operations commencing. If any nests are found appropriate
management prescriptions are implemented.
If any nests are discovered in the vicinity during the operation:
a) If a nest is discovered during the breeding season (August – January inclusive) immediately cease all
operations within 500m of the nest or within 1km if in line-of-site of the nest;
b) If a nest is discovered outside the breeding season (February – July inclusive) cease all operations
within 500m of the nest;
c) In either case, contact the HT Wind Operations Environmental Manager immediately. The nest site
needs to be inspected by the DPIW specialist, and advice on appropriate further action obtained.
5
REFERENCES
REFERENCE A
Maximum spacing between grips on tracks
REFERENCE B
Vegetation Clearance Standard
REFERENCE C
Fire Prevention at Forest Operations
REFERENCE D
Watercourse classification
REFERENCE E
Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines
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REFERENCE A - Maximum spacing between grips on tracks
Soil Erodibility Class
Gradient of
Snig Tracks
Low
Moderate
ModerateHigh
High
Very High
0-3°
Nil
Nil
Nil
100m
40m
4-14°
120m
100m
80m
60m
30m
15-19°
80m
70m
60m
40m
20m
20-26°
40m
35m
30m
20m
NH
over 26°
20m
20m
NH
NH
NH
Note:
NH = generally no harvesting
Apply cross drain standards for high erodibility soils on all karst soils. Sediment traps may be required
Use drain spacings corresponding to the nest highest soil erodibility class for the following situations:
− Tracks diagonally across contours;
− Areas subject to periods of high rainfall intensities, e.g. eastern parts of Tasmania;
− Karst catchments.
(Source: Forest Practices Board, 2000. Forest Practices Code. Page 40: Table 6.)
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REFERENCE B - Vegetation Clearance Standard
Figure 1: Safety clearance dimensions from transmission line conductors
The following measurements (Table 1) detail the necessary safety clearances required between vegetation and
transmission line conductors, at the design limits of sag and sway. Reference letters A – F refer to Figure 1
above. Reference letters G and H refer to Figure 2. These measurements apply to single circuit, 110kV
transmission lines.
Table 1: Safety clearances to vegetation required from transmission line conductors
Ref Description
A
Managed vegetation zone
Clearance measured horizontally from outermost conductor when at maximum
B
sway
Clearance measured horizontally from the outermost conductor in its normal
C
operating position (no wind) and includes allowance for maximum sway.
D
Clearance measured vertically from the lowest conductor when at maximum sag
Clearance measured vertically from the lowest conductor in its normal operating
E
position and includes allowance for maximum sag.
F
Maximum height of mature vegetation within zone ‘A’.
Clearance measured horizontally from the still air position of the outermost
G
conductor
H
Clearance measured horizontally from the centre of the tower
Dimension 1
Up to 40 m 2
3.5 m
12 m
3
2.5 m
7.0 m
Up to 3.0 m
9.0 m
15 m
Notes on Table 1:
1. Dimensions given are for transmission line spans up to 400m in length. Most spans are between 150m
– 350m, with an average of 250m length.
2. Dimension ‘A’ is nominal, and may be varied (±) depending on span length and vegetation type.
3. For spans longer than 400m, especially in hilly terrain, dimension ‘C’ applies to the centre 2/3 of the
span. This clearance may be reduced appropriately within the end 1/6 of the span (at either end).
Further Details
a) Within the managed vegetation zone ‘A’ (nominally 40m total width), all vegetation including
understorey species may be cleared if required, preferably retaining some groundcover and scattered
trees/shrubs up to 3m mature height (see Figure 2). Exceptions are as per the following point.
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b) Within streamside reserves, drainage depression reserves, and any Special Management Zones where
applicable, trees and shrubs with potential to grow taller than 3m is selectively felled as required. All
shorter vegetation should be retained and damage minimised as per EG20 Vegetation Management
(Clearing and Maintenance) Guideline. This also applies to the area beyond zone ‘A’, regarding any
trees of a height sufficient to potentially fall onto the transmission line.
c)
Within the managed vegetation zone, the area immediately around each tower may be kept clear of
vegetation to enable access (see Figure 2). These cleared areas may be up to 30m along the line
conductors (15m either side of the tower, ‘H’) by approximately 20m across the conductors (9m either
side of the conductors, ‘G’, plus 1.2m width between the outermost conductors). Suitable species of
limited height and density may be allowed or retained within this cleared area as agreed with the Asset
Manager.
Figure 2: Plan view of managed vegetation zone (‘A’) for typical span (up to 400m)
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Figure 3: Guidelines for clearing near tower sites and road crossings
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Figure 4: Guidelines for clearing near watercourses and gullies
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Figure 5: Guidelines for clearing on steep slopes and near watercourses
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REFERENCE C - Fire Prevention at Forest Operations
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(Source: Forestry Tasmania, 2004. Severe Weather Closure Prescriptions.
http://www.forestrytas.com.au/uploads/File/fire_management_documents/policy_and_guidlines/severe_weat
her_closure_prescriptions.pdf ; Accessed December 2008)
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REFERENCE D - Watercourse classification
Class 1.
Class 2.
Class 3.
Class 4.
1.
2.
3.
Rivers, lakes, artificial storages (other than farm dams) and tidal waters 1.
Creeks, streams and other watercourses from the point where their catchment exceeds 100
ha 2.
Watercourses carrying running water most of the year between the points where their
catchment is from 50 to 100 ha.
All other watercourses carrying water for part or all of the year for most years 3.
Taken to be within 40m of the high tide mark of tidal waters.
All catchment areas are to be confirmed on a 1:25,000 map prior to classifying watercourses.
A class 4 watercourse is differentiated from a drainage depression (see Definitions) by having at least
one of the following features:
a) a gravely, pebbly, rocky or sandy bed, indicative of flowing water;
b) an obvious gully;
c) a short steep section of streambank adjacent to the watercourse bed.
d) a change in understorey vegetation from the streambank to the surrounding forest.
(Source: Forest Practices Board, 2000. Forest Practices Code. Page 56: Table 8.)
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REFERENCE E - Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines
Basic machinery washdown prescriptions:
a) All earthmoving and forest harvesting machinery must be washed down prior to entering the
operational area.
b) The washdown should follow the procedures detailed in the Washdown Guidelines (DPIWE, 2004) and
be done either at the point of departure from the previous operation, or at a designated washdown
facility with a well-drained hard surface.
c) The contractor should inspect machinery for cleanliness prior to entering the operational area:
1) If machinery meets the standards of cleanliness outlines in the Washdown Guidelines, the
contractor must sign-off to authorise the entry of the machinery into the area. The minimum
standards are:
i) No clods of dirt or loose soil should be present after washdown;
ii) Smeared soil stains and soil firmly lodged in difficult to access areas are acceptable.
2) If the machinery does not meet the minimum standard of cleanliness, the contractor must direct
that it be moved to a suitable site away from the operational area for further cleaning.
Further details are available in the following document:
Tasmanian Washdown Guidelines for Weed and Disease Control. Edition 1. 2004.
Rudman, T. (Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment); Tucker, D. (Forestry Tasmania);
French, D (Agricultural Contractors Association of Tasmania).
This document is available in the HT Wind Operations Document Management System:
http://LEADERS1/Documents/ADMIN-19250
OR
Online on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water website (link correct as at December
2008):
http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/LJEM5ZM43C/$FILE/Washdown%20Guidelines%20Edition%201.pdf
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