ERMANZ Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational … · · 2017-11-16Arawhata Valley Possum...

ERMANZ Report: Verified Source: Pestlink

Operational Report for Possum Control in the Arawhata Valley Possum Control 2008

20 Dec 2007 - 20 Jan 2008

Department of Conservation South Westland - Weheka

Contents

1. Operation Summary ...................................................................................................22. Introduction................................................................................................................4

2.1 TREATMENT AREA .........................................................................................42.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY...............................................................................7

3 Outcomes and Targets .................................................................................................73.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES........................................................................73.2 TARGETS ............................................................................................................7

3.2.1 Result Targets .................................................................................................73.2.2 Outcome Targets ............................................................................................7

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications .......................................................................74.1 CONSULTATION ...............................................................................................74.2 CONSENTS .........................................................................................................84.3 NOTIFICATION.................................................................................................8

5 Methods .......................................................................................................................85.1 TARGET SPECIES..............................................................................................85.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS .......................................................................17

5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species .....................................................................175.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality.................................................................175.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems..................................................................................185.2.4 Effects on Human Health.............................................................................18

6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes .............................................................................186.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES ..............................................186.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS..........................206.3 OUTCOME MONITORING ............................................................................21

7 References..................................................................................................................22......................................................................................................................................22

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1. Operation Summary Possum in Arawhata Valley Possum Control 2008 Operation Name 20 Dec 2007 - 20 Jan 2008 Operation Date

South Westland - Weheka Conservancy: West Coast Tai Poutini Area Office

0708SWS13 Pestlink Reference

Treatment Area Size (ha)

Arawhata Valley Possum Control 2008 31065.00 Conservation Unit Name(s) Conservation Unit Number(s) Arawata Conservation Area 70095 Arawata Conservation Area E39051 Mount Aspiring National Park F38500 Treatment Block Details

Treatment Blocks Size (ha) Grid Ref GIS Ref Arawhata 4 2010.00 Arawhata 5 6510.00 Arawhata 2 5130.00 Arawhata 1 2190.00 Arawhata 3 6545.00 Contractor Name Helicopters Otago Ltd Treatment Dates Start Completion Arawhata 1 09 Jan 2008 19 Jan 2008 Arawhata 2 09 Jan 2008 19 Jan 2008 Arawhata 3 20 Dec 2007 20 Jan 2008 Arawhata 4 09 Jan 2008 19 Jan 2008 Arawhata 5 09 Jan 2008 19 Jan 2008 Target Pest Details

Treatment Blocks

Target Pests Control Method

Name

Arawhata 1 Pesticide Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Arawhata 1-(2)



Arawhata 3 Pesticide Bait Station

Pesticide - Bait Station in Arawhata 3-(1)


Pestlink Ref: 0708SWS13 Date Printed: 23 Jul 2008

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Conservation Outcome(s)

To maintain the forest ecosystem (podocarp/beech/hardwood forest) , including common forest bird populations and species palatable to possums such as Fuchsia and beech mistletoes. Result Target(s) Treatment Area/Block What we got

• Reduce possum numbers to a RTCI of 5 percent or less.

Arawhata 1 3.54 ± 2.46%


Arawhata 2 5.00 ± 2.92%


Arawhata 3 3.9 ± 4.2%


Arawhata 4 4.0 ± 4.06%


Arawhata 5 4.03 ± 3.72%

Outcome Targets What we got

• To maintain a healthy mixed beech forest ecosystem indicated by: Fuchsia excorticata with a foliage cover of 50% or greater.

Results due 2012.


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2. Introduction 2.1 TREATMENT AREA

Non-target species

Common Name Scientific Name Kea Nestor notabilis

Blue Duck, Whio Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos

New Zealand Pigeon, Kereru Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae Bush falcon Falco novaeseelandiae "bush"

Nestor meridionalis meridionalis South Island Kaka

Haast tokoeka Apteryx "Haast tokoeka" South Island Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa South Island Fernbird Bowdleria punctata punctata South Island Rifleman Acanthisitta chloris chloris Brown Creeper Mohoua novaeseelandiae Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura

Tui Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae

Morepork Ninox novaeseelandiae subsp. novaeseelandiae

Target benefit species

Common Name Scientific Name - Fuchsia excorticata pate Schefflera digitata - Raukaua simplex var. simplex kamahi Weinmannia racemosa - Pseudopanax colensoi Scarlet mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi - Fuchsia excorticata - Metrosideros umbellata - Podocarpus totara k amahi Weinmannia racemosa Threatened species

Common Name Scientific Name Haast tokoeka Apteryx "Haast tokoeka"

South Island Kaka Nestor meridionalis meridionalis

Blue Duck, Whio Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos


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Rock Wren Xenicus gilviventris Scarlet mistletoe Peraxilla colensoi Red mistletoe, pikirangi,

irirangi, pikiraki, pirita p Peraxilla tetrapetala

Geographical location

The Arawhata Valley Possum Control 2008 is situated 40 km NE of Haast. TREATMENT BLOCK DETAILS:

Treatment block Arawhata 4 Vegetation type Mixed beech forest Bioclimatic zone lowland

sub-montane montane sub-alpine

Climate characteristics:

Rainfall 6000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0 Average Winter 5.0 Snow level - m Altitude 80-1200 m

Community and Iwi interests

Hunting, off trail hiking

Historic sites n.a

Treatment block Arawhata 5 Vegetation type Mixed Beech Forest Bioclimatic zone lowland



Rainfall 6000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0 Average Winter 5.0 Snow level 1500 m Altitude 100-1200 m


Hunting, Off-track Hiking

Historic sites n/a


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Hunting, Off-trail Hiking

Historic sites n/a

Treatment block Arawhata 1 Vegetation type Mixed beech forest Bioclimatic zone lowland






Historic sites n/a




Rainfall 6000 mm Temperature: Average Summer 15.0


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Average Winter 5.0 Snow level 1500 m Altitude 200-1200 m



Historic sites n/a

2.2 MANAGEMENT HISTORY

Management history was not chosen to be shown in this operational report. This history is, however, available via Pestlink

3 Outcomes and Targets 3.1 CONSERVATION OUTCOMES

To maintain the forest ecosystem (podocarp/beech/hardwood forest) , including common forest bird populations and species palatable to possums such as Fuchsia and beech mistletoes. 3.2 TARGETS

3.2.1 Result Targets

The result targets for the treatment area were: • Reduce possum numbers to a RTCI of 5 percent or less.

3.2.2 Outcome Targets

The outcome targets for the treatment area were: • To maintain a healthy mixed beech forest ecosystem indicated by: Fuchsia

excorticata with a foliage cover of 50% or greater.

4 Consultation, Consents & Notifications 4.1 CONSULTATION

XXX was visited and he had had no concerns with the operation and will muster in his cattle after the pre feeding phase of the operation has been completed.

Key fact packs were hand delivered to the people identified in the communication plan.


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Any visits were recorded in the operation log book.

Local Iwi XXX were consulted at a meeting in Whataroa on the 7th May 2007. Consultation outcomes

n/a Lessons learned

n/a 4.2 CONSENTS

Consent Consent date File/DME reference Medical Officer of Health 23/04/2007 2007VTA-95

West Coast Regional Council 15/12/2006 RC06199/1 & RC06199/2

D epartment of Conservation 30/06/2007 Lessons learned

n/a 4.3 NOTIFICATION

Notification carried out as detailed in Arawhata Communication Plan 07/08 DOCDM-202980 Lessons learned

n/a

5 Methods 5.1 TARGET SPECIES

Treatment Block Arawhata 5 Control method Name Target pest species

Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Arawhata 5-(5) Possum

Treatment Block Control Method Name Target Pest Species

Arawhata 5 Pesticide - Aerial Pesticide - Aerial in Arawhata 5-(5)

Possum

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets


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Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Pollard/pellet Cereal pellet Lure/mask/deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/mask/deterrent 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic

Date Rate(kg/ha) Wind Speed

Direction

0 9/01/2008 1.00 Unknown Nil

Date Rate(kg/ha)Wind Speed

Direction

18/01/2008 3.50 Light NE 19/01/2008 3.50 Light NE

Time between pre-feed and toxic

9

End of Caution Period Date

19/05/2008

Aircraft type Hughes 500NT LongRanger Jet Ranger

Number of Aircraft 7 Sowing gear details

Description Capacity Underslung sowing hopper with petrol ngine driven spinner e

300 kg

Type of navigational uidance system used g

Trimble Trim Flight 2 DGPS

Loading Method Doc staff emptied 12 bags into purpose built bucket on a mini loader. Loader then emptied bucket into helicopter hopper.

Complaints and Incidents Nil Other Details about this method Pre-feed was not sown over all the treatment area. It was applied only to the lower slopes (below approx. 700 m asl.) in the Arawhata Valley treatment area (approx 2800ha). The pre-feed area was subsequently sown with 1080


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bait at 4 kg/ha, the higher altitude forested slopes were sown with 1080 bait at 3 kg/ha. Wanganui RS 7 baits. Deviations from planned operation The LongRanger had a bait capacity of 600kg, requiring two loads from the loader. Lessons Learned -





Possum

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Pollard/pellet Cereal pellet Lure/mask/deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/mask/deterrent 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic


Direction

0 9/01/2008 1.00 Unknown Nil


Direction

18/01/2008 3.50 Light NE 19/01/2008 3.50 Light NE


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9


19/05/2008

Aircraft type Hughes 500NT Jet Ranger LongRanger



300 kg




Complaints and Incidents Nil Other Details about this method Pre-feed was not sown over all the treatment area. It was applied only to the lower slopes (below approx. 700 m asl.) in the Arawhata Valley treatment area (approx 2800ha). The pre-feed area was subsequently sown with 1080 bait at 4 kg/ha, the higher altitude forested slopes were sown with 1080 bait at 3 kg/ha. Wanganui RS 7 baits. Deviations from planned operation The LongRanger had a bait capacity of 600kg, requiring two loads from the loader. Lessons Learned -



Pesticide - Bait Station Pesticide - Bait Station in Arawhata 3-(1) Possum


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Possum



Direction

0 9/01/2008 1.00 Unknown Nil


Direction

18/01/2008 3.50 Light NE 19/01/2008 3.50 Light NE


9


19/05/2008

Aircraft type Hughes 500NT Jet Ranger LongRanger



300 kg




Complaints and Incidents


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Nil Other Details about this method Pre-feed was not sown over all the treatment area. It was applied only to the lower slopes (below approx. 700 m asl.) in the Arawhata Valley treatment area (approx 2800ha). The pre-feed area was subsequently sown with 1080 bait at 4 kg/ha, the higher altitude forested slopes were sown with 1080 bait at 3 kg/ha. Wanganui RS 7 baits. Deviations from planned operation The LongRanger had a bait capacity of 600kg, requiring two loads from the loader. Lessons Learned -


Arawhata 3 Pesticide - Bait Station Pesticide - Bait Station in Arawhata 3-(1)

Possum

Trade name of pesticide Cyanide Paste for Possum Destruction Name of pesticide Cyanide Type of bait Paste Toxic loading 550 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Paste Paste Lure/mask/deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/mask/deterrent 0% 0% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 2.0g 2.0g Treatment details Pre-feed Toxic Dates 20/12/2007

09/01/2008 19/01/2008

No. of fills 2 1 How long to fill 1.00 1.00 Average fill frequency 20 0 Quantity when filled 2 2


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10

Date Bait Removed 20/01/2008 End of Caution Period Date

19/05/2008

Pattern of bait stations Ring

Bait station spacing 50m between lines X 20m between bait stations

Total number of bait stations

108

Bait station density 0.0165 B ait station type Romark Other Details about this method Two lines of bait stations were established around the Flats on the true left of the Waipara River where JJ Nolan had his cattle holding paddocks. This area was not treated with 1080 as stock was being held there during the sowing operation. Area treated was approximately 68ha. Deviations from planned operation - Lessons Learned -





Possum

Trade name of pesticide 0.15% 1080 Pellets Name of pesticide Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) Type of bait Cereal pellet Toxic loading 1.5 g/kg Bait quality sampling Not Conducted


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Bait Details Pre-feed Toxic Bait type Pollard/pellet Cereal pellet Lure/mask/deterrent Cinnamon Cinnamon Lure/mask/deterrent 0.15% 0.30% Dye None Green Individual Bait Weight 6.0g 12.0g Sowing Rate Details Pre-feed Toxic


Direction

0 9/01/2008 1.00 Unknown Nil


Direction

18/01/2008 3.50 Light NE 19/01/2008 3.50 Light NE


9


19/05/2008

Aircraft type Iroquois Number of Aircraft 1 Sowing gear details


900 kg



Loading Method Doc staff emptied 36 bags into purpose built bucket on tractor. Tractor then emptied bucket into helicopter hopper.

Complaints and Incidents Nil Other Details about this method Pre-feed was not sown over all the treatment area. It was applied only to the lower slopes (below approx. 700 m asl.) in the Arawhata Valley treatment area. The pre-feed area was subsequently sown with 1080 bait at 4 kg/ha, the higher altitude forested slopes were sown with 1080 bait at 3 kg/ha. Wanganui RS 7 baits. Deviations from planned operation Due to the size of the hopper only 900kg of bait would fit per load instead of the planned 1200kg. This reduced capacity meant sowing took longer than planned. Consequently some of this block was sown by other


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helicopters. Lessons Learned -





Possum



Direction

0 9/01/2008 1.00 Unknown Nil


Direction

18/01/2008 3.50 Unknown Nil 19/01/2008 3.50 Unknown Nil


9


19/05/2008

Aircraft type Jet Ranger


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Hughes 500NT LongRanger



300 kg



Loading Method DoC Staff tipped 12 bags into purpose built buckets on a mini loader. Loaders then emptied bucket into helicopter hopper.

Complaints and Incidents Nil Other Details about this method Pre-feed was not sown over all the treatment area. It was applied only to the lower slopes (below approx. 700 m asl.) in the Arawhata Valley treatment area. The pre-feed area was subsequently sown with 1080 bait at 4 kg/ha, the higher altitude forested slopes were sown with 1080 bait at 3 kg/ha. Wanganui RS 7 baits. Deviations from planned operation Long Ranger bait capacity was 600kg, which required 2 buckets of bait from loaders. Lessons Learned -

5.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

5.2.1 Effects on Non-Target Species

10 kea were radio collared before the aerial operation to see if there was any adverse effects . Performance standard(s) Followed ? Monitored ? Monitoring kea for 1080 mortality Yes Yes 5.2.2 Effects on Soil and Water Quality

- Effects on Soil and Water Quality Not Applicable


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5.2.3 Effects on Ecosystems

- Effects on Ecosystems Not Applicable 5.2.4 Effects on Human Health

- Effects on Human Health Not Applicable

6 Monitoring Results and Outcomes 6.1 RESULT MONITORING - TARGET SPECIES

Result target(s)

R educe possum numbers to a RTCI of 5 percent or less.

6.1.1 Target Species Monitoring Method:

Residual trap-catch index (RTCI)

Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Arawhata 1 Monitor method details RTCI followed NPCA protocol (Sept 2005). 10 monitoring lines per block. Due to the presence of Kiwi, blocks 1, 4 and 5 were raised sets (running boards).

Deviations Block 3, only 9 lines were completed due to difficult terrain. Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates Oct 2004 Feb/March 2008 Results 8.6 ± 2.8% 3.54 ± 2.46% Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Ensure contractors are made aware that if terrain makes line placement dangerous, then they should move line to a safer location. 6.1.2 Target Species Monitoring Method:



Deviations Block 3, only 9 lines were completed due to difficult terrain.


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Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates N/A 18-22 February 2008 Results N/A 5.00 ± 2.92% Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Ensure contractors are made aware that if terrain makes line placement dangerous, then they should move line to a safer location. 6.1.3 Target Species Monitoring Method:



Deviations Block 3, only 9 lines were completed due to difficult terrain. Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates Oct 2004 - Jan 05 Feb - March 2008 Results 10.0 ± 2.8% 3.9 ± 4.2% Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Ensure contractors are made aware that if terrain makes line placement dangerous, then they should move line to a safer location. 6.1.4 Target Species Monitoring Method:



Deviations Block 3, only 9 lines were completed due to difficult terrain. Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates Jan/Feb 2005 10-17 March 2008


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Results 7.5 ± 3.2% 4.0 ± 4.06% Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Ensure contractors are made aware that if terrain makes line placement dangerous, then they should move line to a safer location. 6.1.5 Target Species Monitoring Method:


Species monitored Possum - Trichosurus vulpecula in Arawhata 5 Monitor method details RTCI followed NPCA protocol (Sept 2005). 10 monitoring lines per block. Due to the prescence of Kiwi, blocks 1, 4 and 5 were raised sets (running boards).

Deviations Block 3, only 9 lines were completed due to difficult terrain. Target pest result details Pre During/Post Monitoring dates May - June 2005 20-23 February 2008 Results 7.9 ± 3.2% 4.03 ± 3.72% Result target met? Yes Lessons Learned Ensure contractors are made aware that if terrain makes line placement dangerous, then they should move line to a safer location. 6.2 RESULT MONITORING - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

6.2.1 Non Target Species

Monitoring of: Kea mortality

Monitor Method details

10 kea were caught prior to the aerial operation in the Arawhata Valley. Each kea caught was sexed, aged and fitted with a radio transmitter. The radio transmitter was a two stage Sirtrack model fitted with a mortality switch. Following the operation the radio signals were monitored on a regular basis to see if the mortality switch had activated. Deviations

n/a Monitoring dates Jan-Feb 2008 Results All 10 kea were alive nine days after the operation.

Monitoring has shown 9 kea to be still alive as at 6th March 2008. The other kea disappeared nine days after the operation and has not been located since. It is assumed the transmitter has failed or the bird has moved into another catchment.


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Lessons Learned

More field trips were needed to enable more kea to be captured and increase the sample size. Effectiveness of performance standards

n/a 6.2.2 Soil and Water Quality

No monitoring of soil and water quality was undertaken. 6.2.3 Ecosystems

No monitoring of ecosystems was undertaken. 6.2.4 Human Health

No monitoring of human health was u ndertaken. 6.3 OUTCOME MONITORING

Outcome targets To maintain a healthy mixed beech forest ecosystem indicated by: Fuchsia excorticata

ith a foliage cover of 50% or greater. w

6.3.1 Outcome monitoring : Fuchsia excorticata Pseudopanax colensoi Raukaua simplex var. simplex kamahi - Weinmannia racemosa pate - Schefflera digitata Scarlet mistletoe - Peraxilla colensoi

Monitoring Method(s) Foliar browse index (FBI)

Monitoring information due date

June 2012

Monitoring contact name Phil Knightbridge, West Coast Tai Poutini Method details FBI - Foliar Browse Index. 1 FBI line in Arawhata

2 (Waipara) and 1 line in Arawhata 3 (10 hour Gorge). Lines consists of a left, top and right transect. Also 1 FBI line at non-treatment site in Waiatoto (Bonar Flats).

Monitoring dates 1997, 2002, 2007 Outcome Results

Results due 2012. Outcome target met? Monitoring ongoing Lessons Learned

No information has been entered into this field


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7 References Work Plan

See Appendix 2 for a list of documents associated with this operation. AEE

South Westland AEE. Docdm-23599 Application for DOC consent to use pesticide

Application form for Possum Control in the Copland & Arawhata Valley 2007/08. Docdm-134099 Communication record

Arawhata Communication Plan 07/08 DOCDM-202980 Result monitoring details

Arawhata Post Aerial 07/08. Docdm-277857. SWAO file no. NHT-02-16-55. Outcome monitoring report

Monitoring ongoing. Report due 2012. Other references

No information has been entered into this field


ERMANZ Report: Verified Source: Pestlink Operational … · · 2017-11-16Arawhata Valley Possum...

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