[Environmental outcome-based
model template]
condition
[Title of Condition
Environmental Management
Plan]
(Example: Key environmental factor - Hydrological Processes)
[Organisation]
[Title of proposal]
[Date]
[Document reference number (if used)]
FOREWORD
This template for a Condition Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) provides the basic
format that the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) requires for outcome-based
CEMPs.
Although not every CEMP needs to address every provision, a CEMP needs to address
requirements set out in the Ministerial condition. Proponents should also have regard for the
EPA’s Environmental Assessment Guideline for Preparation of Management Plans under
Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EAG 17).
This template has been developed for a case where a CEMP is being prepared as a
requirement of an implementation condition. It can also be used as a base in case of
preparing a CEMP as part of the assessment process having regard for the EPA’s EAG on
Preparation of Management Plans.
CONTENTS UPDATE THE TOC
1
Summary ................................................................................................................. 1
2
Context, Scope and Rationale ............................................................................... 2
3
2.1
What is the Proposal? ................................................................................ 2
2.2
What Key Environmental Factor/s does this Condition EMP address? ...... 2
2.3
Requirements of the condition.................................................................... 2
2.4
Rationale and approach in meeting the Environmental Outcome .............. 3
2.4.1
Results of (baseline surveys/modelling/scientific studies/tests)
conducted .................................................................................................. 3
2.4.2
Key assumptions and uncertainties ............................................................. 3
2.4.3
Management approach ................................................................................ 3
2.4.4
Rationale for choice of environmental criteria .............................................. 3
2.4.5
Rationale for choice of trigger level actions and threshold contingency
actions ........................................................................................................ 4
Condition EMP Provisions ..................................................................................... 5
3.1
Environmental criteria ................................................................................ 5
3.2
Monitoring .................................................................................................. 5
3.3
Implementation of Trigger Level Actions .................................................... 5
3.4
Implementation of Threshold Contingency Actions .................................... 6
3.5
Reporting provisions ................................................................................ 10
3.5.1
Annual reporting ........................................................................................ 10
3.5.2
Reporting on exceedance of trigger criteria and threshold criteria ............. 10
4
Adaptive management and review of the Condition EMP ................................. 12
5
Stakeholder Consultation..................................................................................... 12
6
Appendices............................................................................................................ 14
TABLES
Table 3–2 Monitoring to measure the environmental outcome against Trigger
Criteria for [Hydrological Impact e.g. Groundwater Drawdown] ................................ 7
Table 3–3 Monitoring to measure the environmental outcome against Threshold
Criteria for [Hydrological Impact e.g. Groundwater Drawdown] ................................ 8
i
Table 3-4
Condition Environmental Management Plan Reporting Table .................. 11
Table 5-1
Stakeholders consulted, comments and responses ................................. 13
FIGURES
Figure xx:
Location of proposal and monitoring sites/areas in relation to [indicate
environmental value/sensitive component of the key environmental factor/etc.] ....... 9
ii
1
SUMMARY
This Condition Environmental Management Plan (Condition EMP) is submitted in
accordance with Ministerial Statement No.X Conditions x-y for the [____________]
Project by [Company name].
The table below presents the environmental criteria to measure achievement of the
conditioned environmental outcome that must be met through implementation of this
Condition EMP.
Title of proposal
[Title from Ministerial Statement or Proposal Name in Scoping
Document]
Proponent
[The same name as the proponent for the Ministerial Statement
or Scoping Document]
Ministerial Statement
number
Purpose of this
Condition EMP
The [______] Management Plan is submitted to fulfill the
requirements of condition/s [number/s] of the above Statement.
EPA’s environmental
objective for the key
environmental factor/s
To maintain the hydrological regimes of groundwater and surface
water so that existing and potential uses, including ecosystem
maintenance, are protected.
Condition
environmental outcome
or proposed
measurable outcome
Environmental criteria
Trigger criteria
(proposal-specific)
Trigger criterion 1:
Trigger criterion 2: (if more than one)
Threshold criteria
(proposal-specific)
Threshold criterion 1:
Threshold criterion 2: (if more than one)
Corporate endorsement
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the Condition EMP provisions within this
[Title] Management Plan are true and correct and address the legal requirements of
condition [xx] of Ministerial Statement No. [X].
[Signature of duly authorised proponent representative]
Name:
Signed:
Designation:
Date:
1
2
CONTEXT, SCOPE AND RATIONALE
2.1
What is the Proposal?
Briefly describe here the scope of the Project addressed by this Condition EMP.
2.2
What Key Environmental Factor/s1 does this Condition EMP
address?
This [Title of Condition EMP] specifically addresses the [Hydrologic Processes]
environmental factor, which is part of the overall water theme.
State why hydrological processes are a key environmental factor for this proposal.
The statement should include:
o the environmental aspects of the proposal which would affect the key environmental
factor; and
o the site-specific environmental value, existing and/or potential uses, ecosystem
health condition or sensitive component of the key environmental factor which will be
affected.
2.3
Requirements of the condition
Specifically, this Condition EMP is submitted in accordance with Ministerial Statement [xyz],
Conditions [___] to [___] for the [______] Project:[____]-. The requirements of these
conditions are addressed in the following sections of the Condition EMP:
Condition
1-1
Section in Condition EMP
(list specific conditions here)
1-2
1
Refer to Environmental Assessment Guideline for Environmental principles, factors and objectives
(EAG 8), available on the EPA’s website www.epa.wa.gov.au
2
2.4
Rationale and approach in meeting the Environmental
Outcome
Results of baseline surveys and a number of assumptions and uncertainties inform the
management approach for meeting the environmental outcome stated in Section 1.3. The
identified trigger criteria, threshold criteria, trigger level actions and threshold contingency
actions are aligned with the overall management approach.
2.4.1
Results of (baseline surveys/modelling/scientific studies/tests)
conducted
Provide a summary.
2.4.2
Key assumptions and uncertainties
Describe the main assumptions and uncertainties.
Example: Permeability value for shale between orebody and aquifer employed in
groundwater modeling, based on available data. Describe the expected changes to the
impact on the key environmental factor and CEMP provisions should the permeability value
be very different.
2.4.3
Management approach
Describe the overarching management approach informed by the above. The management
approach may include, for instance:
o
o
o
2.4.4
risk and the internal use of early response indicators and criteria (if used),
single or multiple performance indicators to track impacts;
a regional approach, if employed; and/or
the body of scientific information/site/regional information available.
Rationale for choice of environmental criteria
Provide the motivation for the identified site-specific trigger criteria and threshold criteria for
the proposal, as appropriate. A few examples are (Note that these are suggestions only):






3
Explain the environmental criteria within the context of baseline information, the
causal relationship between relevant proposal aspects and impacts on the sitespecific key environmental factor;
Rationale for choice of parameters such as location, time period, scale and relative
benchmark (e.g. reference site) included in the identified environmental criteria;
Scientific credibility i.e. there is an evidence base;
Projected/expected time after trigger criteria reached to implement trigger level
actions to avoid reaching threshold criteria;
Accepted regulatory measure in ________ ; and/or
Consistent with monitoring programs in area/state, including _______ .
2.4.5
Rationale for choice of trigger level actions and threshold
contingency actions
Provide the motivation for the identified trigger level actions and threshold contingency
actions, for instance:




4
Expected changes in the intensity, duration, magnitude or geographic footprint of the
impact on implementation of the identified trigger level actions and threshold
contingency actions;
Changes and rate of changes in environment expected when implemented;
Possible effects of issues external to the proposal e.g. rainfall, recharge, aquifers,
other users, etc.
Expected timeframe for mitigation to take effect (on-site in relation to environmental
value/ecosystem health condition/sensitive component of the environment, etc.) and
monitoring of the effectiveness of trigger level actions and threshold contingency
actions.
3
CONDITION EMP PROVISIONS
This section of the Condition EMP identifies the legal provisions that [Company name]
proposes to implement to [state condition environmental outcome]. It identifies the
environmental criteria that [Company name] will use to measure performance and
monitoring that will be undertaken in relation to these environmental criteria. Finally, it
defines the trigger level actions and threshold contingency actions that [Company name] will
undertake if the environmental criteria are exceeded. These Condition EMP provisions aim
to fulfil the requirements of condition [x-x] of Ministerial Statement No [x].
3.1
Environmental criteria
Two levels of criteria were considered during development of this Condition EMP. They are
trigger criteria and threshold criteria, which will vary in function. The trigger criteria were set
at a conservative level to ensure trigger level actions are implemented well in advance of the
environmental outcome being compromised. The threshold criteria were framed to measure
achievement of the environmental outcome. A failure to meet threshold criteria signals the
environmental outcome is not being met and implies non-compliance.
Trigger criterion
(measureable,
proposal-specific)
1
Trigger criterion
(measureable,
proposal-specific)
2
[Note: Environmental criteria include a quantitative level for a
performance indicator and proposal-specific parameters such as
location, time period, scale and a relative benchmark (e.g. baseline
or reference).]
Threshold
criterion
(measureable,
proposal-specific)
3.2
Monitoring
The purpose of monitoring is to inform, through the environmental criteria, if the condition
environmental outcome is being achieved and when trigger level actions or threshold
contingency actions will be implemented. This section describes how [Company name]___
will undertake monitoring to determine the performance against the environmental criteria.
Refer to Tables 3-2 and 3-3 and Figure 1 for monitoring provisions.
3.3
Implementation of Trigger Level Actions
[Company name]___ has developed trigger level actions that would be implemented if the
associated trigger criterion signals the need for increased mitigation or protection (Table 3–
2). These trigger level actions will be implemented by [Company name] to mitigate and
manage impacts so they once again will meet trigger criteria and safeguard threshold
criteria.
5
3.4
Implementation of Threshold Contingency Actions
[Company name] has developed a number of threshold contingency actions that would be
implemented if the associated threshold criterion signals that the environmental outcome is
exceeded (Table 3–3). The threshold contingency actions will be implemented to manage
aspects of the proposal and achieve the condition environmental outcome and manage the
impact to below threshold and trigger criteria again and hence bring [Company name] back
into compliance.
6
Table 3–2
Drawdown]
Monitoring to measure the environmental outcome against Trigger Criteria for [Hydrological Impact e.g. Groundwater
Trigger criterion: __(State trigger criterion)____________________________________________________________
Indicator
Method
Location
Monitoring
locations/areas are
shown in Figure xx
Frequency
Trigger Level Actions and timing to implement



7
Table 3–3
Monitoring to measure the environmental outcome against Threshold Criteria for [Hydrological Impact e.g.
Groundwater Drawdown]
Threshold criterion:_(State threshold criterion)____________________________________________________________________________________
Indicator
Method
Location
Monitoring
locations/areas are
shown in Figure xx
Frequency
Threshold Contingency Actions and timing to implement



8
Figure xx:
Location of proposal and monitoring sites/areas in relation to [indicate
environmental value/sensitive component of the key environmental factor/etc.]
9
3.5
3.5.1
Reporting provisions
Annual reporting
The environmental outcome will be reported against trigger and threshold criteria (Table 3-4)
for [dd/mm/yyy] to [dd/mm/yyyy] by [dd/mm/yyy] in an annual report.
In the event that trigger criteria or trigger and threshold criteria were exceeded during the
reporting period, the annual report will include a description of the effectiveness of trigger
level actions, and threshold contingency actions that have been implemented to manage the
impact, as well as an analysis of trends.
3.5.2
Reporting on exceedance of trigger criteria and threshold criteria
In the event of exceedance of any trigger or threshold criteria, [Company name] will notify
the OEPA in writing within [state number of days] days.
10
Table 3-4
Condition Environmental Management Plan Reporting Table
Key environmental factor: Hydrological processes (Ministerial Statement xyz, conditions [x-x] to [x-y])
Condition environmental outcome and threshold and trigger criteria
set in the Condition EMP
Reporting on the environmental outcome, threshold and trigger
criteria for [Month 20xx] to [Month 20yy]
Condition environmental outcome:[Example: The groundwater regime is
maintained such that the groundwater-dependent ecosystem al location XX
is not adversely affected.]
[The groundwater regime was maintained / not maintained such that
the groundwater-dependent ecosystem at location XX is not
adversely affected as a result of proposal implementation.]
Trigger criteria:
Trigger criteria:
1.
____; and
1.
_________; and
2.
____.
2.
_________.
Threshold criteria:
1.
____; and
Threshold criteria:
2.
____.
1.
________; and
2.
________.
Notes:
1.
The status of achievement of environmental outcome is indicated by the following symbols:
Environmental outcome achieved
Environmental outcome not achieved
11
Status1
or
or
4
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND
REVIEW OF THE CONDITION EMP
[Company name] will also implement adaptive management to learn from the
implementation of mitigation measures, monitoring and evaluation against trigger and
threshold criteria, to more effectively meet the condition environmental outcome. The
following approach will be followed:
A list of issues that may be considered in the formulation of the approach is suggested
below. Please expand and add to the list.






12
Monitoring data will be systematically evaluated and compared to baseline and
reference site data on a [time period depending on frequency of monitoring] basis
in a process of adaptive management to verify whether hydrological responses to
the impact are the same or similar to predictions;
How will assumptions and uncertainties listed in section 2.1 be addressed?
When trigger level actions do not have the outcome anticipated or required;
Increased understanding of the hydrological regime;
External changes during the life of the proposal (e.g. changes to the sensitivity of the
key environmental factor, implementation of other activities in the area, etc.);
Review of Condition EMP – changes to Condition EMP
provisions required by a condition; timeframe, etc.
5
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Consistent with the EPA’s expectations for this Condition EMP to align with the principles of
EIA, [Company name] consulted with stakeholders while developing this Condition EMP.
This section provides a summary of consultation that occurred. The comments raised during
consultations with stakeholders were considered in the development of the Condition EMP.
The following sections present stakeholders’ comments and [Example Company’s]
responses to those comments.
Table 5-1
Stakeholders consulted, comments and responses
Organisation(s)
13
Comments
[ Company name] Response to
Comments/Concerns
6
APPENDICES
The following appendices provide technical information that was used in developing this
Condition EMP.
This information may include baseline survey reports, supplementary modelling reports or
scientific studies, supplementary scientific studies, a risk assessment, and other relevant
information to support the approach to implementation described in the ‘Context, scope and
rationale’ section of the Condition EMP.
14