The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released its recommendations to the Environment and Heritage Minister and set an Assessment on Referral Information level of assessment on a proposal by the Water Corporation to construct a Water Treatment Plant in Mundaring and Water Storage Tanks in Sawyers Valley to improve the quality of water supplied to the eastern metropolitan hills suburbs and the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply.

The proposal will involve the clearing of 20 hectares of forest for the Water Treatment Plant and storage tanks, and minor clearing will be undertaken for the upgrading of the access road and laying of pipeworks.

EPA Chairman Bernard Bowen said that the proposal described could be managed in an environmentally acceptable manner provided the proponent's commitments were made legally binding.

"The EPA has received commitments from the Water Corporation to mitigate the effects of clearing for this proposal," Mr Bowen said.

"The proponent has committed to the revegetation of land in the catchment for salinity mitigation.

"The proponent has also committed to expand the Cockatoo Care program for the protection of the Carnaby's, Baudin's and Forest Red Tailed Cockatoos.

"Part of the Water Corporation's Construction Environmental Management Plan will address  the protection of fauna and habitat trees.

"In addition, the proponent is establishing a Biodiversity Trust as a mechanism for providing offsets against this and other relevant proposals.

"The establishment of the Biodiversity Trust is a new initiative based on recognition by the Water Corporation that biodiversity is best protected by purchase of areas in good condition, rather than trying to rehabilitate areas which are degraded or where native biodiversity has been lost.

"The Construction EMP will also ensure that the impacts from blasting, noise and other impacts are minimised during removal of 180,000 cubic metres of laterite caprock from the site.

A commitment to a Communications Strategy will ensure that the proponent continues to liaise with the community and other stakeholders during the construction and operation of the plant.

The Assessment on Referral Information level of assessment and the EPA's report are subject to appeal until close of business Monday 28 October 2002.

The EPA's report is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au  The referral documentation can be viewed on the Water Corporation website, www.watercorporation.com.au.

Media contact: Charlie Maling ph 9222 7062 or mobile 0400 866 450.