❓ Dr. Pettitt questions DBCA about prescribed burns near organic-rich soils and peatlands, seeking information on mapping and protection strategies. DBCA acknowledges the presence of such soils but declines to table maps due to resource constraints, highlighting ongoing mapping efforts and adherence to protection guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 1608Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the prescribed burns the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) may conduct over the next 12 months in Blue Holes (FRK_074), Clear Hills (FRK_086), Sheepwash North (FRK_094), Thames (FRK_096) and Isle Road (FRK_098), and I ask, for each separate block: (a) is DBCA aware of any organic-rich soils and peatlands; and (b) if yes to (a): (i) has DBCA mapped the areas of organic-rich soils and peatlands; (ii) if yes to (i), will the Minister table the maps and, if not, why not; and (iii) what steps will DBCA take to protect the biodiversity and substrate of these organic-rich soils and peatlands from the effects of a prescribed burn?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 October 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment
Response time
6 days
(a) Yes.
(b)
(i) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) maintains spatial records of known organic-rich soils and peatlands on DBCA-managed lands.
(ii) DBCA does not have a central repository for this information, and it is not readily available for tabling. Given the level of agency resourcing required to source and provide the requested information, it is not considered to be a reasonable use of government resources.
DBCA is working in a partnership led by The University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University to develop a peat mapping process that will assist with determining the location of these environments across the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(iii) DBCA will undertake strategies to protect organic rich soils before, during and after prescribed burning in accordance with the Fire Management Information Note on organic-rich soils (peatlands).
(b)
(i) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) maintains spatial records of known organic-rich soils and peatlands on DBCA-managed lands.
(ii) DBCA does not have a central repository for this information, and it is not readily available for tabling. Given the level of agency resourcing required to source and provide the requested information, it is not considered to be a reasonable use of government resources.
DBCA is working in a partnership led by The University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University to develop a peat mapping process that will assist with determining the location of these environments across the Walpole Wilderness Area.
(iii) DBCA will undertake strategies to protect organic rich soils before, during and after prescribed burning in accordance with the Fire Management Information Note on organic-rich soils (peatlands).
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