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b.
Non-conformance and issue
Hydrology
During construction, this project is expected to result in a temporary loss of vegetation and a section of the fishpond will need to be backfilled, and roughly 50 trees growing on the pond bunds will need to be removed to facilitate the proposed extension works. This will cause decreasing in rain interception and surface rain water retention. Water runoff exacerbates soil erosion caused by tree clearance. The level of runoff will increase as a result of these direct effects, while the time it takes for rainwater to accumulate in catchments would decrease. Furthermore, site clearing and land disturbance activities may result in degraded materials being carried and deposited within rivers thus reducing their conveyance capacity.
The catchment areas, water quality, and stream ecology will all be affected by uncontrolled and untreated runoff from developing areas. In addition, the removal of trees that shade streams boosts water temperature and reduces oxygen levels, which is harmful to fish and other aquatic life. For example, streamflow will be increased as the amount of runoff from impervious surfaces increases. Increased surface runoff and less infiltration of precipitation into the earth will result from more impermeable surfaces.
Loss of vegetation can result erosion of soil where the gradual erosion of soil generates sedimentation, a process by which rocks and minerals in the soil separate from the soil and deposit elsewhere, commonly lodging in streams and rivers. Pollutants in the soil, such as fertilisers and pesticides used to protect crops, end up in rivers and streams. If pollutants aren't eliminated before consumption, water quality suffers, including drinking water. Moreover, sedimentation increases the growth of algae as sunlight can get through the sediment. According to the World Wildlife Fund, high levels of algae remove too much oxygen from the water, resulting in the death of aquatic species and a reduction in fish numbers. c. Proposed corrective action plan
Hydrology
The main cause of uncontrolled hydrology from this project is loss of vegetation at the construction site area. In this regard, mitigation measures have been recommended to minimize the potential impact to hydrology during the construction stage. The proposed mitigation measures and good practices to minimize this impact include the following:
1. Wherever possible, surface runoff will be directed around or away from areas of land disturbance, stockpiles, embankments, or sensitive areas. 2. Surface water management infrastructure will gather runoff that comes into touch with construction zones and route it to sedimentation dams. Water treatment with alum, gypsum, or hydrated lime will be employed if necessary to reduce suspended sediment levels in stormwater. 3. Primary and secondary sediment traps will be placed at appropriate areas to control erosion within gullies. 4. To reduce water flow velocity and erosion, all site drains will be planned and profiled. 5. Surface water management infrastructure that captures runoff and eroded sediments will be kept in place until vegetation is developed enough to control landscape erosion. 6. To distribute flow energy and reduce the risk of soil erosion, appropriate outlet scour protection will be installed on all stormwater outlets, chutes, spillways, and slope drains. 7. To mitigate potential water quality impacts from the release of mine contact water, aquatic and riparian vegetation will be planted in minor rivers between water control dams and major receiving waterways. 8. The open spaces will be gradually filled with sand tailings and clay or silt tailings, which will be covered with overburden, subsoil, and topsoil in places other than Grassy Woodland revegetation. Where necessary, revegetation with crop or pasture or native vegetation shall be carried out.
The potential impacts on hydrology are expected to be well controlled with the implementation of above measures and this project is not expected to cause any environmental issues. References
Kalbar Operations Pty Ltd. (n.d.). Risk treatment plan: Water quality and hydrology. Retrieved from KALBAR: https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/hdp.au.prod.app.vic-engage.files/ 6116/1942/4237/202a._Kalbar_- _Updated_Risk_treatment_plan_Water_Quality_and_Hydrology_RevC_- _12_03_2021_-_clean_version.pdf Whitmer, P. (2019, November 22). Negative Effects of Clear-Cutting. Retrieved from SCIENCING: https://sciencing.com/effects-of-land-clearing-13406919.html
