Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.3
Slurry Pipeline
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
130
January 2006
water bodies and disposal of sewage effluents is also a water quality concern that
may directly impact aquatic habitat.
4.3.5.2 Assessment Methods
Riparian Disturbance
Pipeline and service road potential watercourse crossing locations were assessed
from Landsat images, aerial reconnaissance survey data, mapped data and project
execution plans. A habitat integrity assessment, which included riparian and
instream criteria (described in Volume J, Appendix 3.1, Attachments 1 and 2),
was used to classify existing conditions and sensitivity to disturbance.
Instream Alteration
Habitat types and integrity, fish species and associated invertebrate species as
determined in the baseline were identified and impacts discussed based on
extrapolation of data at field sample sites. Disturbance and alteration of aquatic
habitat along the slurry pipeline, service road and access roads was assessed from
map data, enumeration of watercourse crossings and the habitat integrity
assessment, and qualitative estimates of potential bank and littoral disturbance at
the watercourses.
Changes in Water Quality
Predicted changes in water quality (Volume C, Section 3.7) were examined for
potential watercourses along the access roads and slurry pipeline. Impacts on
aquatic habitats, fish communities and aquatic invertebrate species identified
during the baseline survey were discussed qualitatively.
4.3.5.3 Assessment Criteria
The impact description criteria used to evaluate fish and aquatic resources for all
Key Questions are presented in Table 4.3-5.
