Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386:body:0:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2007B00386
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 35899–39025

and that a management plan must not, or not be likely to, adversely affect the conservation status of a protected species or a population of a protected species. The Goshawk meets the definition of a protected species.

The plan should allow for the input of relevant landholders and decision makers, and provide more strategic and comprehensive protection of flora and fauna, while facilitating greater certainty for environmentally sensitive developments. The plan should also allow for adaptive management as better information becomes available on the Christmas Island Hawk-Owl and other threatened species, in particular greater definition of the areas of habitat which are critical to survival.

               Specific objective 2. Determine and maximise total population size and area of occupancy
               Performance Criteria  A continuing increase in suitable habitat through implementation of the Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation program.
               Action  6. Continue effective and long-term rainforest rehabilitation program managed by DOTARS & supported by PAN and the mining company.
The Christmas Island Rainforest Rehabilitation Program has been occurring over the last three decades. Currently, the main aim is to revegetate mined areas adjacent to Abbott's Booby nesting habitat to reduce wind turbulence caused by the clearings and implicated in reduced nesting success of the booby (Reville et al. 1990). There are approx. 70 clearings covering 3200ha or 24% of the island area (Carew-Reid 1987). It is not known how Christmas Island Goshawks use these areas and at what stage of rehabilitation this habitat become important for foraging and for nesting – this will be investigated as part of the monitoring program.

In 2002, the Government decided to redirect the payment of the conservation levy to the portfolio agency with responsibility for the mine lease (DOTARS).  A MOU between PAN and DOTARS was signed in February 2004 to allow PAN to continue the CIRRP within Christmas Island National Park. Rehabilitation is critical in terms of increasing rainforest habitat to further protect a range of species including the goshawk.  The CIRRP is funded through a conservation levy that forms part of Christmas Island Phosphate's lease.  Effective management of the lease by DOTARS will ensure optimal outcomes for rainforest rehabilitation.

               Specific objective 3. Implement threat abatement strategies
               Performance Criteria  Crazy Ants have a negligible impact on Christmas Island Goshawk
               Action 7. Implement the Invasive Ants on Christmas Island Action Plan.
PAN is currently implementing an Invasive Ants Action Plan, which aims to control and minimise the impact of Crazy Ants across the island. This program will require ongoing monitoring of Crazy Ant numbers and control of populations as detected. The recovery team must ensure that the control program does not have any negative impacts on Christmas Island Goshawks.

               Specific objective  3. Implement threat abatement strategies
               Performance Criteria