Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.2
Slurry Pipeline
Fauna
Ambatovy Project
109
January 2006
Site Clearing
The environmental consequence of direct mortality is predicted to be greatest for
wide-ranging species. Even though the magnitude of impacts is low and the
effects temporary, the geographic extent is regional for populations that extend
beyond the LSA. For all other species, including rare and slow-moving or sessile
species, residual impacts are predicted to be negligible as the magnitude of the
effects are predicted to be low and local to the LSA, the duration will be short-
term during the construction phase and the effects will be reversible if remaining
populations can compensate for losses. Mitigation, including avoidance of
primary habitats and pre-construction collection and translocation of key species
in the few undisturbed areas crossed, will reduce impacts.
Nuisance Fauna
It is estimated that the magnitude of this impact on faunal populations will be low
since the camps will be temporary. With effective mitigation, the environmental
consequence of these impacts should be negligible.
Vehicle-Fauna Collisions
Vehicle-fauna collisions are expected to occur on all roads and be greatest during
the construction phase and in the small areas of high value habitat. In addition,
vehicle traffic will increase in the surrounding area, outside the LSA, due to the
project (Volume C, Section 5.5), but these roads are largely constructed through
previously disturbed habitats (i.e., tavy and agriculture).
Impacts are predicted to be greatest for wide-ranging species because, although
the magnitude of impacts is predicted to be low, the effects are regional for
populations that extend outside the LSA. Slow-moving terrestrial species, rare
species or species with low fecundity, are groups that could be most at risk. For
the latter two groups, losses of individuals can potentially affect populations. For
all affected species, the impact duration will be long-term in areas where roads
are not decommissioned, but the effects are reversible if remaining populations
can compensate for losses and the frequency is medium as losses will occur
intermittently. Worker education, speed limits and signage will help reduce the
magnitude of these impacts (i.e., collision rates).
Hunting and Collecting
In tavy and agricultural areas and where there is no new access to primary
habitats, impacts should be low. However, in areas where the roads will not be
decommissioned, increased or improved access to new areas will increase risks to
hunted and collected species that will continue beyond the life of the project. As
most of these roads will occur in previously disturbed areas, such as tavy and
agriculture, where density of people is already high, the impact from project-
induced access is predicted to be low. Therefore, although the magnitude of
