Environmental Assessment
Volume B-4.2
Mine
Fauna
Ambatovy Project
206
January 2006
Table 4.2-1 Impact Description Criteria for Fauna
Direction
(a)
Magnitude
(b)
Geographic
Extent
(c)
Duration
(d)
Reversibility
(e)
Frequency
(f)
positive
,
negative
or
neutral
for the
measurement
endpoints
negligible
: no
measurable effect on
the measurement
endpoint
low
: <10% change in
measurement
endpoint
moderate
: 10 to 20%
change in
measurement
endpoint
high
: >20% change
in measurement
endpoint
local
: effect
restricted to the
LSA
regional
: effect
extends beyond
the LSA into the
RSA
(g)
beyond
regional
:
effect extends
beyond the RSA
short-term
:
<3 years
medium-
term
: 3 to
30 years
long-term
:
>30 years
reversible
or
irreversible
low
: occurs
once
medium
:
occurs
intermittently
high
: occurs
continuously
(a)
Direction: positive or negative effect for measurement endpoints, as defined for the specific component.
(b)
Magnitude: degree of change to analysis endpoint.
(c)
Geographic Extent: area affected by the impact.
(d)
Duration: length of time over which the environmental effect occurs. Considers a 3-year construction period and a
27-year operations period.
(e)
Reversibility: effect on the resource (or resource capability) can or cannot be reversed.
(f)
Frequency: how often the environmental effect occurs.
(g)
RSA = regional study area.
Mitigation
Mitigations that will reduce the effects of habitat loss and alteration from site
clearing and changes in hydrology in the mine LSA to wildlife include:
Design Elements
•
Modification of footprint to reduce impacts including designation of on-
site conservation areas.
•
Mine plan to incorporate viable buffer zone, including azonal and
transitional habitat (which will be specifically protected), to maintain
connectivity between large habitat areas and permit recolonization of
reclaimed sites.
•
Mitigate effects on the Torotorofotsy Wetlands, through site design and
water management plan (see hydrology and water quality sections:
Volume B, Sections 3.8 and 3.9).
Mitigation Techniques
•
Areas will be progressively mined and reclaimed during operations.
•
Translocation of some key local endemic wildlife species to azonal or
other similar habitats either on-site (within the mine LSA) or other
identified off-site areas (outside the LSA). Species will be selected
based on our ability to capture and move individuals that otherwise
