Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.3
Slurry Pipeline
Fish and Aquatic Resources
Ambatovy Project
132
January 2006
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Limiting right-of-way (RoW) clearance and width at watercourse
crossings, use of minimum setbacks from watercourses for
equipment, maintain vegetative buffer (no stripping) and selective
hand-clearing to minimize potential for erosion, sedimentation or
other water quality effects.
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Implementating “silt traps” on small streams and “sediment
containment ponds” on large streams to reduce TSS levels and
ensure released water meet water quality guidelines for the
protection of aquatic life.
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Construction sediment monitoring (TSS levels) and implementation
of shut-down levels for exceedences.
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Controling water withdrawal locations, withdrawal amounts and
discharge from hydrostatic tests to protect fish and aquatic habitat
conditions.
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Implementing pre-construction field assessments at each crossing
location on the pipeline route to identify sensitive and endemic
aquatic biota, critical life stages and habitat, and classify biota and
important habitat features as to the level and timing of protection
required, including possible fish salvage.
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Implementing fish salvage or avoidance procedures at crossings
containing communities of endemic, rare, or locally important
(artisanal fisheries) fish, where instream crossings may potentially
result in mortality or severe impact to local habitats.
•
Developing an aquatic environmental emergency response and clean-up
plan for potential spills or release of contaminants during construction,
and / or in the event of pipeline breaks during operation.
Reclamation
Use of physical and vegetative reclamation at all watercourse crossings or
approaches to protect aquatic resources from increased TSS levels from the
pipeline and service/access roads. This will include:
•
Immediate revegetation of all disturbed riparian habitats at pipeline
and/or access road watercourse crossings.
•
On-site drainage management and erosion control programs at slopes
and approaches to watercourses.
•
Protection of bank and instream channel features from high flow
erosion.
