Protecting the township of Latrobe from devastating floods could carry a hefty cost - an endangered species of crayfish found only between the Mersey River and Port Sorrell. That's according to a multi-million dollar proposal for the Latrobe Levee, which was yesterday referred to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for public feedback. The central north burrowing crayfish reaches about 10 centimetres in length, and builds its burrows in seepages, wetlands and stream banks. RELATED: Gavin saved lives in the 2016 floods, he does not want to do it again It is only found in an area of less than 100 hectares, thanks to activities such as land clearing, according to the Tasmanian government. An environmental assessment found 46 active burrows within the proposed levee footprint of 6.41 hectares. The assessment also identified on threatened ecological community, 51 threatened species and 29 migratory species, or suitable habitat or foraging, feeding or related behaviour, occurring within 5 km of the centre of the proposed levee. Of these, the proposal said, only the crayfish is considered to be at risk of being significantly impacted. "The proposed levee will disturb burrows along the Kings Creek riverbanks and along the River Road spoon drains," the proposal said. "Where pre-fabricated panels are utilised along Kings Creek, disturbance will occur by clearing existing riparian vegetation and stripping topsoil along riverbanks, installing piles and posts, pre-cast pads and concrete by excavating riverbanks and back filling. "Where earth embankments are utilised along River Road, disturbance will occur by topsoil stripping, excavation to install embankment keys, construction of flood embankments and replacement of existing spoon drains by concrete kerbside drainage." The proposal outlined measures to avoid or reduce impacts, including: "Avoidance will be a key mitigating strategy to protect as many crayfish burrows as possible," the proposal read. A single aboriginal artefact was also found on the site, and the Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation has been given permission to recover and relocate it on to neighbouring council land. Latrobe mayor Peter Freshney said he was concerned about the environmental impact of the levee, but that his primary concern was people's lives and property. "Of course any environmental impact needs to be assessed and we need to go through the correct approvals," he said. "But we're keen to get this project started in the next construction season." Why not pick up a subscription to The Advocate? Sign up here