The Environmental Protection Authority has assessed a proposal to grant exploration licences 74/123,74/124 and 74/126. The licence area is along the south coast, near Munglinup, west of Esperance. The application impinges on a proposed nature reserve, as described in the Environmental Protection Authority's Red Book Recommendation 3.10, and other existing nature reserves.

Exploration licence 74/123 covers a flora and fauna conservation reserve (C32339), two recreation reserves (C32337, C32338), and a park vested in the Shires of Ravensthorpe and Esperance (A31759) which are included in the proposed nature reserve, Red Book Recommendation 3.10, The South Coast. The licence also covers a flora and fauna conservation reserve (C28168).

Exploration licence 74/124 includes Stokes National Park (A32590) which incorporates two "park and protection of river and foreshore" reserves (A31763, A31761) and a reserve for preservation of historic buildings (C32601). These reserves are included in the proposed nature reserve, Red Book Recommendation 3.10.

Exploration licence 74/126 impinges on a reserve for conservation of flora and fauna (A40156) a recreation reserve (C40157) and two rabbit department reserves (C9393, C7580). These reserves are included in the proposed nature reserve, Red Book Recommendation 3.10.