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Environmental Protection Bulletins
EPA policy and guidance contained in Bulletins remains current until superseded or otherwise advised.

Environmental Protection Bulletin No 8 - South West Regional Ecological Linkages Summary: The EPA strongly supports a state wide comprehensive, adequate and representative (CAR) reserve system to protect Western Australia's biodiversity values. The EPA recognises this reserve system would be strengthened by the retention and restoration of well-planned and managed ecological linkages. Such linkages would ameliorate the threatening impacts on flora and fauna of habitat fragmentation and promote the maintenance of ecosystem function and the conservation of many native species in the south west region of Western Australia. Status: Final Release Date: 2 October 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 2.2 Mb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin 7 - Risk-based Approach to EIA - update Summary: The EPA endorsed, in principle, a risk-based approach to EIA. The EPA is now trialling the approach with a view to refining and confirming the methodology and informing the implementation strategy, including training and communication programs. The EPA has not as yet confirmed the risk-based approach to be used in EIA and is therefore asking proponents to prepare their documents consistent with the existing approach. Some proponents may choose to use their organisation's internal risk management system to inform themselves, particularly as to whether all key issues have been identified and addressed. However, use of inconsistent terminology and methodology in proponent documents will cause confusion. The information included in proponent documents should be presented in the traditional format using established terminology. Status: Final Release Date: 17 August 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 60.9 Kb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 6 - The Natural Values of the Whicher Scarp Summary: The EPA will, as required under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, continue to consider proposed developments for this area on an individual basis, however, the EPA recognises the significance of the natural values of the Whicher Scarp across a range of biodiversity characteristics at the genetic, species and community levels, and the small overall extent of the Whicher Scarp environments. Where the EPA considers a proposal is likely to pose significant risk to the outstanding natural values of the Whicher Scarp, it will be formally assessed, and/or may be considered environmentally unacceptable. Status: Final Release Date: 10 August 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 1.8 Mb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 5 - Deep Drainage in the Wheatbelt Summary: The State of the Environment Report 2007 highlighted land and inland waters salinisation as a major issue with some 1.08m hectares of land in the South West salt affected. Status: Final Release Date: 29 June 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 78.8 Kb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 4 - Strategic Advice - Dawesville to Binningup Summary: The EPA is undertaking a review to clarify the environmental values of the region and the state of current knowledge and scientific data about these values. This information is necessary to identify additional areas of conservation significance, and areas that may have potential for development and land use that are compatible with the environmental values. This review will result in strategic advice from the EPA to guide future directions for both environmental protection and planning for development in the area. Comments close 8 June 2009 Status: Final Release Date: 4 May 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 224.1 Kb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 3 - EIA Review - Interim Assessment Procedures Summary: An important aspect of the Review process has been the progressive implementation of specific outcomes agreed and endorsed during the Review. Implementation of Review outcomes will continue beyond the Review as they are refined and the supporting implementation requirements confirmed. Status: Final Release Date: 30 March 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 74 Kb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 2 - Port Hedland Dust and Noise Summary: In the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) Report 1311 (released concurrently with this Bulletin) the EPA noted in the 'Other Advice' section that while the Utah Point Berth Project (Stage B) proposal would lead to some local improvement in air quality and reduction in noise levels in the west end of Port Hedland, it would not result in improvements in the overall area of Port Hedland where dust and noise impacts are already of concern. As a new facility, the proposal would result in an incremental increase in dust and noise emissions to the overall air-shed of Port Hedland. Status: Final Release Date: 12 January 2009 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 30.4 Kb)
Environmental Protection Bulletin No. 1 - Environmental Offsets - Biodiversity Summary: Western Australia's growing society and strong economy pose many challenges to protecting and conserving our natural environment. In the past, some adverse environmental impacts may have been regarded as an acceptable consequence of economic and social growth. Today, we must find a way to ensure the protection and improvement of the environment while allowing for development. Environmental offsets are one management tool that can help achieve sustainable outcomes. Status: Final Release Date: 8 September 2008 Download this document (file type: Acrobat PDF file size: 36.9 Kb)