Environmental Assessment
Volume C-4.1
Slurry Pipeline
Flora
Ambatovy Project
81
January 2006
importance of maintaining species diversity and avoiding species loss, this issue
was addressed through elements of project design (routing), rather than through
post-construction mitigation. Much of the work involved to reduce or eliminate
potential environmental impacts along the pipeline route are outlined in
Volume B, Section 1, which describes the various project alternatives considered.
This consideration included focused consultation sessions with non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) and government in 2004 (Volume A,
Section 6). The key element in addressing the issue of species loss was in
selecting a suitable route that not only met environmental criteria, but also
accommodated socioeconomic, engineering and financial criteria. After more
than 10 routes through the corridor were considered and analyzed, the final route
was chosen to minimize native habitat loss. This habitat avoidance approach to
mitigation eliminated the need to analyze impacts at the plant species-level. All
vulnerable or endangered species found within the slurry pipeline LSA are also
found in other areas of the region; therefore, these species are not threatened with
extirpation or extinction. During the construction phase there will be additional
opportunities to refine the route even further and reduce the amount of native
habitat loss to an absolute minimum. The impact analysis below, therefore,
focuses in community (habitat) level impacts.
For each potential effect associated with project-related activities of the slurry
pipeline, a linkage analysis is provided, followed by assessment methods and
criteria, mitigation, impact analysis, residual impact classification and
monitoring. A linkage diagram for flora issues is shown in Volume H,
Appendix 9.
4.1.5
Key Question FL-1 What Effect Will the Slurry Pipeline
Have on the Loss or Alteration of Plant Communities?
During the construction phase, flora will be directly disturbed through the
clearing of vegetation.
4.1.5.1 Assessment Methods
Impacts of the project on the loss or alteration of flora is assessed through
changes in the total area of vegetation types due to clearing activities for
installation of the slurry pipeline.
Impact assessments were conducted for the period of construction through
operation and the closure phase. It is assumed that maximum impacts will occur
during the construction period.
