SCOPING REPORT Environmental Management Plan for Sangulungu

Home , Kabbe South, Kongola, Kongola Constituency, Luhonono, Zambezi Region

SCOPING REPORT

Environmental Management Plan for Sangulungu Project Name: Island Lodge

Kongola Constituency, Zambezi Region

Hakanza Tourism CC Proponent:

Date: February 2018

Matengu Sitali Email: [email protected] Consultant: 0813794552

Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 5 1.1 Purpose of the document ...... 5 1.2 Terms of Reference and Scope of Project ...... 5 1.3 The proponent ...... 5 1.4 Assumptions and Limitations ...... 6 1.5 The Development Opportunity ...... 6 1.6 Project location ...... 7 1.8 The EIA Process ...... 7 2. LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK ...... 8 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 19 3.1 Project Overview ...... 19 3.2 Development Components ...... 20 3.3 Operational Activities ...... 22 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES ...... 23 4.1 Water Supply and Storage ...... 23 4.2 Energy and Environmental Strategy ...... 24 4.3 Sanitary Drainage System ...... 24 4.4 Storm Water Management System ...... 25 4.5 Storage Tank ...... 25 4.6 Communication Systems ...... 25 5. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL ...... 25 5.1 Waste Management Plan ...... 25 5.2 Off-Site Landfill Disposal ...... 26 5.3 Kitchen and Landscaping Waste ...... 26 5.4 General Waste ...... 27 5.5 Hazardous Waste ...... 27 5.6 Sewage Treatment and Management ...... 28 5.6.1 Bio-filter Purification Plant Principles ...... 28 6. CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS...... 31 6.1 Qualification ...... 31 6.2 Design Statement ...... 31

6.3 Form ...... 32 6.4 Carbon Footprint ...... 32 6.5 Waste Factor ...... 32 7. CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION PHASE ...... 32 7.1 Construction Work force ...... 32 7.2 Operation Work force ...... 33 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT ...... 33 8.1 Socio-Economic Context ...... 33 8.2 Archaeological and Heritage Context ...... 38 8.3 Bio-Physical Environment ...... 39 8.4 Climate ...... 39 8.5 Topography, Geology and Hydrogeology ...... 41 8.6 Natural Environment ...... 42 8.7 The Kwando Conservancy ...... 43 9. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS ...... 44 9.1 Public Consultation Process Phase 1 ...... 44 10. ASSSESSMENT METHODOLGY ...... 44 11. MITIGATION HIERACHY ...... 47 12. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 48 12.1. Planning and Design Phase Impacts ...... 49 12.3 Surface and Ground Water Impacts ...... 50 12.4 Health, Safety and Security Impacts ...... 50 12.5 Air Quality ...... 50 12.6 Noise Impacts ...... 51 12.7 Traffic Impacts ...... 51 12.8 Solid Waste Management ...... 51 12.9. Storage and Utilisation of Hazardous Substances ...... 51 12.10 Social Impacts ...... 51 12.11 Operational Phase Impacts ...... 52 12.12. Surface and Ground Water Impacts ...... 52 13. SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS ...... 53 14. NO–GO ALTERNATIVE ...... 55

15. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 55 15.1 Construction Phase Impacts ...... 55 15.2 Operational Phase ...... 55 16 REFERENCES ...... 56

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the document

The proposed development is listed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations of the Environmental Management Act (Act 7 of 2007) and therefore requires an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be undertaken and submitted to the Competent Authority in this case the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) for a decision.

The purpose of this document is to preliminarily identify the key issues or concerns as highlighted by the relevant authorities, and professional judgement of the Environmental Assessment Practitioner. The Scoping Report allows for the identification of the anticipated impacts, particularly those, which require specialist investigations. The document further communicates the process and the project to all stakeholders and compliance organisations in an easily understandable manner. This document also provides all I&AP’s with a detailed project description which will provide them with a better understanding of what the proposed outcomes of the project are.

1.2 Terms of Reference and Scope of Project

The scope of this project is limited to conducting an environmental impact assessment and applying for an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the Establishment of the Sangulungu Island Lodge and associated infrastructure at the Sangulungu Islands in the Kongola Constituency.

1.3 The proponent

Hakanza Tourism CC is a tourism development company owned and managed by previously disadvantaged Namibians. The individuals that make up Hakanza CC combine extensive experience in construction, tourism development, accounting and business management. The members of the company own other businesses that have garnered good reputations in the Namibian business sector and have executed large scale projects.

It is therefore evident that they have experience in both the managing and marketing of an established business, as well as the experience of setting up and opening a new business. Furthermore, some of the team members have experience in Namibia’s conservation, tourism development and community based natural resource management. The success of this team can be attributed to the following skills, experiences and philosophies:

 Extensive knowledge of the area including the Bwabwata National Park, Kwando Conservancy and the community living in the area including their culture and livelihoods.  Experience in planning and construction of eco-friendly tourism facilities including the Fish River Canyon Viewpoint as well as the experience gained with the building, renovations, interior décor, staff training and systems implementation.  The knowledge gained through the successful completion of various field guiding and tour guiding courses, as well as the practical experience gained through actually tour guiding and working with tourists.

 The theoretical knowledge and practical experience gained through consultation work in the Namibian Conservation and Tourism Industry.  Senior Management experience with many years’ experience at management level.

The business will be run as a Close Corporation and will be 60% ownership by previously disadvantaged Namibians and managed in compliance with Namibian legislation. Hakanza will also appoint, train and support additional historical previously disadvantaged individuals by appointing them as staff and in management positions in order to expand on start-up services and make optimal use of the opportunities given to us. To further enhance our aims, we will set aside 6% of the shares for a staff incentive trust and for community/regional empowerment.

1.4 Assumptions and Limitations

In undertaking this investigation and compiling the Environmental Assessment, the following assumptions and limitations apply:

 Assumes the information provided by the proponent is accurate and discloses all information available.

 Various layout alternatives were initially considered by the proponent, having taken due regard of the natural and environmental constraints, and the unique character and appeal of the area. The current designs thus present the most feasible results.

1.5 The Development Opportunity

Hakanza saw an opportunity to provide a product across the Kwando River opposite the Bwabwata National Park for the following reasons:

Location: The facility is to be built on Sangulungu Island in Kongola Constituency opposite the Bwabwata National Park and this will be done according to the best environmental practices, as currently applies;

Existing Facilities: Guests would still essentially use the similar facilities in the vicinity, namely the lodges in the area as well as the Park for leisure,

Development Capacity: The area North of the B8 Road has only one tourism establishment and hence the capacity for development is largely still available

Diversification of product: Currently, visitors can either book the self-catering, basic and affordable accommodation or the ultra-luxurious private lodge accommodation.

Job creation & Stimulation of local economy: Local businesses will have the opportunity to supply produce and services to this lodge. The development will also increase total employment in the area. According this lodge will provide around 20 jobs to two very poor neighbouring communities. This excludes the workforce needed for the construction which will provide around 50 temporary jobs.

Increased revenue will aid conservation through payments to the conservancy and support of conservation activities within the Kwando Conservancy.

Hakanza has determined provisionally that the lodge can accommodate a maximum of 15 guest beds and onsite essential staff. The opportunity exists, therefore, for a larger lodge, as most staff and support infrastructure could easily be accommodated off site, outside the island boundary, and transported to the lodge on a daily basis. Hakanza has determined that the lodge will be accessed from the Bwabwata National Park Susuwe Gate. This will allow all guests to the lodge to store their private vehicles or busses at Susuwe and be transported by boat 7 days per week to and from the lodge. Hakanza will be responsible for the development, management and maintenance of the lodge. Activities at the lodge will include both day drives in open, 4x4 vehicles on existing tourist roads accompanied by a qualified guide. Accompanied walks with qualified guides are also possible in some areas, provided the Private Party fills an indemnity form.

1.6 Project location

The new lodge will be established on the Sangulungu Islands which forms part of the Kwando River wetland system in the Zambezi Region and is located in the Kwando Conservancy opposite the Susuwe area of the Bwabwata National Park. See locality below.

Figure 1: Project site in the Zambezi Region, Namibia

1.8 The EIA Process

This Scoping Report and Plan of Study will be made available to the Public. The comments and inputs received will be considered in amending the report before it is submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs for their consideration.

The scoping phase includes the relevant specialist studies required by the DEA and the actual Environmental Impact Assessment of the preferred alternative and all other alternatives identified in this Scoping Report.

The Final Report will be amended according to relevant comments received from I&AP’s where required. The final EIA Report will then be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs for the decision.

2. LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

The EIA process for the proposed development is being undertaken in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (Act no. 7 of 2007). The act provides for co-operative, environmental governance by establishing principles for decision-making on matters affecting the environment, institutions that will promote cooperative governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions exercised by organs of state; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

The EIA process is conducted in order to give effect to the general objectives of integrated environmental management laid down in this Section. The potential impact on:

 the environment;  socio-economic conditions: and  the cultural heritage, of activities that require authorisation or permission by law and which may significantly affect the environment, must be considered, investigated and assessed prior to their implementation and reported on to the organ of state charged by law with authorizing or permitting, or otherwise allowing the implementation of an activity.’

The EIA process is regulated by the EIA Regulations of 2012 which is promulgated in terms of the Environmental Management Act. The proposed development involves ‘listed activities’. These activities could impact significantly on the environment and therefore require Environmental Authorisation from the Competent Authority which is the DEA.

2.1 The Namibian Constitution

Article 95 of Namibia’s constitution states that:

“The State shall actively promote and maintain the welfare of the people by adopting, inter alia, policies aimed at the following: (l) management of ecosystems, essential ecological processes and biological diversity of Namibia and utilization of living natural resources on a sustainable basis for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future in particular the Government shall provide measures against the dumping or recycling of foreign nuclear and toxic waste on Namibian territory.”

This article recommends that a relatively high level of environmental protection is called for in respect of management of ecosystems, pollution control and waste management. Article 144 of the Namibian Constitution deals with environmental law and it states:

“Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or Act of Parliament, the general rules of public international agreements binding upon Namibia under this Constitution shall form part of the law of Namibia”

This article incorporates international law, if it conforms to the Constitution, automatically as “law of the land”. These include international agreements, conventions, protocols, covenants, charters, statutes, acts, declarations, concords, exchanges of notes, agreed minutes, memoranda of understanding, and agreements.

2.2 Environmental Management Act

In terms of section 58 of this Act it commenced on the 6th February 2012 as determined by the Minister of Environment and Tourism (Government Notice No. 28 of 2012). Under section 56 of the Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007), the Minister has made the regulations for Environmental Impact Assessment as set out in the Schedule of Government Notice No. 30 (2012). These regulations require that all projects, policies, programmes, and plans that have a detrimental effect on the environment must be accompanied by an EIA.

Under section 27 of the Environmental Management Act, 2007 (Act No. 7 of 2007), and after following the consultative process referred to in section 44 of that Act, the Minister lists in the Annexure to the above-mentioned Schedule, activities that may not be undertaken without an environmental clearance certificate (Government Notice No. 29 of 2012).

The development under assessment is listed as a project requiring an impact assessment as per the following points from section 9 in the Government Notice No. 29 (2012):  The construction of facilities for - the transmission and supply of electricity.  Any activity entailing a scheduled process referred to in the Atmospheric Pollution

Prevention Ordinance, 1976.  The clearance of forest areas, deforestation, afforestation, timber harvesting or any other  related activity that requires authorisation in term of the Forest Act, 2001 (Act No. 12 of 2001) or any other law.  Pest control.  The abstraction of ground or surface water for industrial or commercial purposes.  Any water abstraction from a river that forms an international boundary.  Irrigation schemes for agriculture excluding domestic irrigation.

The Act provides a definition to the term “environment” as follows:

“means the complex of natural and anthropogenic factors and elements that are mutually interrelated and affect the ecological equilibrium and the quality of life, including (a) the natural environment that is the land, water and air, all organic and inorganic material and all living organisms; and (b) the human environment that is the landscape and natural, cultural, historical, aesthetic, economic and social heritage and values”

Cumulative impacts associated with proposed developments must be included as well as public consultation. The Act further requires all major industries and mines to prepare waste management plans and present these to the local authorities for approval. The Act, Regulations, Procedures and Guidelines have integrated the following sustainability principles. They need to be given due consideration, particularly to achieve proper waste management and pollution control.

Figure 3: EIA Flowchart for Namibia (SELH, 2012)

2.3 Cradle to Grave Responsibility

This principle provides that those who manufacture potentially harmful products must be liable for their safe production, use and disposal and that those who initiate potentially polluting activities must be liable for their commissioning, operation and decommissioning.

2.4 Precautionary Principle

There are numerous versions of the precautionary principle. At its simplest it provides that if there is any doubt about the effects of a potentially polluting activity, a cautious approach must be adopted.

2.5 The Polluter Pays Principle

A person who generates waste or causes pollution must, in theory, pay the full costs of its treatment or of the harm, which it causes to the environment.

2.6 Public Participation and Access to Information

In the context of environmental management, citizens must have access to information and the right to participate in decisions making.

2.7 Forest Act, 2001 (Act 12 of 2001)

The Forest Act makes provision for the protection of the environment and the control and management of forest fires. Section 23 provides for control over afforestation and deforestation: “(1) unless approval has been given by the Director, no person shall:

(b) clear the vegetation on more than 15 hectares on any piece of land or several pieces of land situated in the same locality which has predominantly woody vegetation; or (c) cut or remove more than 500 cubic metres of forest produce from any piece of land in a period of one year. (2) The Director may require a person seeking authority required under subsection (1), to prepare an environmental impact assessment report and the report shall, in addition to the requirements imposed by any law for such reports, contain information and analysis which the Director requires.”

Further Part V: Use of Forests and Forest Produce, states under section 24, Control over Forests and Forest Produce, that “(1) Forests and forest produce shall, in Namibia, subject to the permission of the owner of the land or the management authority of a classified forest and to the terms of a licence issued under this Act, be used in accordance with an applicable management plan. (2) No person shall: (a) destroy or damage vegetation or harvest forest produce; (c) build a road, building or structure; (d) disturb or remove soil; or (e) carry out agricultural activities or graze animals, in a classified forest unless he or she has been authorised to do so by a management plan, a forest management agreement or a licence issued under this Act.”

The following sections apply to licencing in forested areas:

Section 27, Licence to Harvest “(1) A person who wishes to obtain a licence to cut or remove forest produce from a forest reserve shall, in the prescribed form and manner, apply for the licence to a licensing officer who has been designated or appointed for the area where the forest reserve is situated.”

Section 28, Licence to Graze or Carry on Agricultural Activity “(1) A person who wishes to obtain a licence to graze animals or to engage in agricultural activities in a forest reserve shall, in the prescribed form and manner, apply for the licence to a licensing officer who has been designated or appointed for the area where the forest reserve is situated.”

Section 30, Licence to Construct Roads or Buildings “(1) A person who wishes to obtain a licence to construct a road or a building in a forest reserve shall, in the prescribed form and manner, apply for the licence to a licensing officer who has been designated or appointed for the area where the forest reserve is situated.”

2.8 National Forest Policy

The Mission of the Directorate of Forestry is to “practise and promote the sustainable and participatory management of forest resources and other woody vegetation, to enhance socioeconomic development and environmental stability.” Its four aims are to: a) Reconcile rural development with biodiversity conservation by empowering farmers and local communities to manage forest resources on a sustainable basis. b) Increase the yield of benefits of the national woodlands through research and development, application of silvicultural practices, protection and promotion of requisite economic support projects. c) Create favourable conditions to attract investment in small and medium industry based on wood and non-wood forest raw materials. d) Implement innovative land-use strategies including multiple use conservation areas, protected areas, agro-forestry and a variety of other approaches designed to yield forestry global benefits. The Environmental Forestry Programme will manage designated forest areas for conservation to yield both national and global benefits.

2.9 National Policy on Human Wildlife Conflict Management (2009)

The objectives of the Policy are:

1. To develop future human-wildlife conflict management legislative framework. 2. To develop a standardised monitoring system for human-wildlife conflict management. 3. To establish best practice mitigation measures for human-wildlife conflict management. 4. To develop innovative mechanisms to reduce the level of human-wildlife conflict. 5. To provide clarity on the question of compensation with regard to damages caused by wildlife.

2.10 The Water Act, 1956 (Act No. 54 of 1956)

The Water Act remains in force until the new Water Resources Management Act (Act No. 24 of 2004) comes into force. Although the new Water Resources Management Act was approved by parliament in 2004 it has yet to be signed by the Minister and is currently being amended to take into account practical aspects of implementation. Thus, the Water Act of 1956, generally referred to as the Old Water Act, remains applicable until it is officially repealed. This Act gives the Minister the power to, amongst others, investigate water resources, plan water supply infrastructure, develop water schemes, control water pollution, protect, allocate and conserve water resources, inspect water works, levy water tariffs, in

certain respects make provision for the control of the use of sea water for certain purposes and advise on all matters related to the water environment in general. It further controls the disposal of effluent. It basically makes the Department of Water Affairs responsible for the use, allocation, control, and conservation of Namibia’s surface and groundwater resources. It clearly defines the interests of the state in protecting water resources.

2.11 Plant Quarantine Act, 2008 (Act No. 7 of 2008)

This act commenced in 2012 and provides for the preventing, monitoring, controlling and eradication of plant pests; to facilitate the movement of plants, plant products and other regulated articles within and into or out of Namibia; to provide for the certification of the phytosanitary standards of plants and plant products exported from Namibia; and to provide for incidental matters.

2.12 Soil Conservation Act, 1969 (Act No. 76 of 1969)

The Soil Conservation Act and its amendments contains the law relating to the combating and prevention of soil erosion, the conservation, improvement and manner of use of the soil and vegetation and the protection of the water sources Namibia; and to provide for matters incidental thereto.

2.13 Biosafety Act, 2006 (Act No7 of 2006)

The Biosafety Act provide for measures to regulate activities involving the research, development, production, marketing, transport, application and other uses of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and specified products derived from genetically modified organisms. Section 20 states that:

“(1) A person must not deal with a GMO or GMO product unless:

(a) the person is authorised by a permit issued under this Act to deal with the GMO or GMO product; or (b) dealing with the GMO or GMO product is exempted under section 21;” and

“(2) A permit holder must conduct dealings with a GMO or GMO product in accordance with any limitations or conditions to which the permit is subject.”

2.14 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Ordinance of Namibia (No. 11 of 1976)

Part 2 of the Ordinance governs the control of noxious or offensive gases. The Ordinance prohibits anyone from carrying on a scheduled process without a registration certificate in a controlled area. The registration certificate must be issued if it can be demonstrated that the best practical means are being adopted for preventing or reducing the escape into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive gases produced by the scheduled process.

2.15 Hazardous Substances Ordinance (No. 14 of 1974)

The Ordinance applies to the manufacture, sale, use, disposal and dumping of hazardous substances, as well as their import and export and is administered by the Minister of Health and Social

Services. Its primary purpose is to prevent hazardous substances from causing injury, ill health or the death of human beings.

2.16 Petroleum Products Regulations: Petroleum Products and Energy Act, 1990 (No. 13 of 1990)

The regulations of the Act stipulates that a consumer installation for petroleum products, with a volume of 600 litre or more (in areas outside of the control of local authorities), requires a certificate issued by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Furthermore, the Act prescribes the South African National Standards (SANS), as listed in section 4.22 as the criteria to which consumer installations must be constructed, operated and decommissioned.

2.17 Foreign Investment Act 27 of 1990 (as amended by Foreign Investment Amendment Act 24 of 1993)

This Act provides for the promotion of foreign investments in Namibia but has environmental relevance in the sense that the granting of preferential investment status, which carries with it certain foreign exchange control benefits, is influenced, inter alia, by the impact which the activities of the enterprise in which the proposed investment is to be made is likely to have on the environment. In issuing a certificate of Status Investment the Minister is obliged to have special regard to the impact which the activities of the enterprise in which the proposed investment is to be made likely to have on the environment and, where necessary, the measures proposed to deal with any adverse environmental consequences.

2.18 Public Health Act (No. 36 of 1919)

Under this act, in section 119:

“No person shall cause a nuisance or shall suffer to exist on any land or premises owned or occupied by him or of which he is in charge any nuisance or other condition liable to be injurious or dangerous to health.”

2.19 Labour Acts and Regulations

The Labour Act of 1992 (act 6), the New Labour Act of 2007 (act 11) and Government Notice 156 of 1997: Labour Act, 1992: Regulations Relating to the Health and Safety of Employees at Work, governs working conditions of employees. These regulations are prescribed for among others safety relating to hazardous substances, exposure limits and physical hazards. Special consideration must be given to:

 Section 3: Welfare and Facilities at Work-Places  Section 4: Safety of Machinery  Section 5: Hazardous Substances  Section 6: Physical Hazards and General Provisions

2.20 National Heritage Act of Namibia (No. 27 of 2004)

This Act provides for the protection and conservation of places and objects of heritage significance and the registration of such places and objects. The client should ensure that if any archaeological or palaeontological objects, as described in this Act, are found in the course of the development, that such findings be reported to the line Ministry immediately. If necessary, the relevant permits must be obtained before disturbing or destroying any heritage significance as envisaged by this Act.

The Act defines as protected: “1 (a) any remains of human habitation or occupation that are 50 or more years old found on or beneath the surface on land…” and considers the possible impacts of: “(a) any physical intervention, excavation or action that may result in a change to the nature, appearance or physical nature of a place…” Part VI, Section 55 of the Act makes provision for an archaeological impact assessment of activities or developments carried out where archaeological sites are believed to exist. Since the promulgation of the National Heritage Act, the mining industry has tended to adopt the precautionary principle and commissioned an archaeological impact assessment of large exploration and mining projects.

2.21 Pollution Control and Waste Management Bill (guideline only)

Of particular reference to the above, the stated project, Parts 2, 7 and 8 apply.

 Part 2 provides that no person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any pollutant to the air from a process except under and in accordance with the provisions of an air pollution licence issued under section 23.  Part 2 also further provides for procedures to be followed in licence application, fees to be paid and required terms of conditions for air pollution licences.  Part 7 states that any person who sells, stores, transports or uses any hazardous substances or products containing hazardous substances shall notify the competent authority, in accordance with sub-section (2), of the presence and quantity of those substances. The competent authority for the purposes of section74 shall maintain a register of substances notified in accordance with that section and the register shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions.  Part 8 provides for emergency preparedness by the person handling hazardous substances, through emergency response plans.

2.22 Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Namibia

The 2002 SADC Protocol on Forestry applies to all activities relating to development, conservation, sustainable management and utilisation of all types of forests and trees, and trade in forest products throughout the SADC Region. The objectives of this Protocol are to: a) promote the development, conservation, sustainable management and utilisation of all types of forests and trees; b) promote trade in forest products throughout the Region in order to alleviate poverty and generate economic opportunities for the peoples of the Region; and c) achieve effective protection of the environment, and safeguard the interests of both the present and future generations.

The Protocol is guided by the following principles:

1. In implementing this Protocol, State Parties shall co-operate in good faith and shall be guided by, and give effect to, the principles and approaches set out in this Article. 2. State Parties shall have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to use their forest resources to meet their environmental and sustainable development needs and a responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environments and forest resources of other states. 3. State Parties shall protect, conserve and develop their forests and ensure that forest resources are used in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term degradation of the forest, thereby maintaining the potential of forests to meet the needs of present and future generations. 4. State Parties shall facilitate, promote and continually improve policy and legal frameworks that promote sustainable forest management. 5. State Parties shall endeavour to protect and, where possible, restore natural forests, to maintain the essential ecological functions of these ecosystems. 6. State Parties may, upon request, give nationals of other State Parties access to forests for cultural or spiritual purposes with due regard to national laws. 7. State Parties shall not use lack of scientific certainty as a reason for postponing measures to prevent or minimise potentially serious or irreversible harm to forests. 8. State Parties shall take appropriate measures to anticipate, prevent or minimise the causes of deforestation and other damage to or destruction of forests. 9. State Parties shall facilitate public participation in decision-making regarding the sustainable management of forests and the use of forest resources. 10. State Parties shall recognise that communities are entitled to effective involvement in the sustainable management of forests and forest resources on which they depend and to share equitably in the benefits arising from their use. 11. State Parties shall ensure that the person or entity whose wilful or negligent action, inaction or authorisation causes direct or indirect damage to forests, shall bear the cost of the elimination of such condition, or of compensation for such damage, including costs of restoration. 12. State Parties shall be encouraged to operate in partnership with nongovernmental organisations, inter-governmental organisations and other entities and institutions. The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer aims to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting from modifications of the ozone layer. Parties undertake to cooperate in research concerning substances and processes that modify the ozone layer, on human health and environmental effects of such modifications, and on alternative substances and technologies; and in systematic observation of the State of the ozone layer. Furthermore, parties commit themselves to cooperate in formulation and implementation of measures to control activities that cause adverse effects through modification of the ozone layer, and, particularly, the development of protocols for such purposes, and to exchange scientific, technical, socio-economic, commercial and legal information relevant to the Convention, and cooperate in the development and transfer of technology and knowledge.

The Convention has two annexes: setting forth important issues for scientific research on and systematic observation of the ozone layer; and describing the kinds of information to be collected and shared under its terms.

The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted to regulate levels of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, so as to avoid the occurrence of climate change on a level that would impede sustainable economic development, or compromise initiatives in food production. The Parties are to protect the climate system for present and future generations. One commitment under this convention is to promote sustainable management, and promote and cooperate in the conservation and enhancement, as appropriate, of sinks and reservoirs of all greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol, including biomass, forests and oceans as well as other terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems.

The Convention recognises that developing countries should be accorded appropriate assistance to enable them to fulfil the terms of the Convention. The parties should work in cooperation so as to obtain maximum benefit from initiatives in the control of the climate systems. National inventories on greenhouse gas emissions have to be prepared by the parties and programmes for the control of climate change have to be formulated and implemented. It is further provided to undertake cooperation in technology for the control of change in the climate system; incorporate suitable policies for the control of climate change in national plans; and to undertake education and training policies that will enhance public awareness in relation to climate change. Also dealing with climate change is the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that came into force in Namibia in 2003.

In 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Namibia signed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and this was ratified in 1997. Under article 7 Namibia is obliged to: c) Regulate or manage biological resources important for the conservation of biological diversity whether within or outside protected areas, with a view to ensuring their conservation and sustainable use.

(d) Promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings.

Under article 14 of the convention EIAs must be conducted for projects that may negatively affect biological diversity. Being a member of the United Nations Forum on Forests Namibia and all other member countries agrees that, while taking national sovereignty, practices and conditions into account, should make all efforts to contribute to the following global objectives through the development or indication of voluntary national measures, policies, actions or specific goals:

 Reverse the loss of forest cover worldwide through sustainable forest management, including protection, restoration, afforestation and reforestation, and increase efforts to prevent forest degradation;  Enhance forest-based economic, social and environmental benefits, including by improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent people;  Increase significantly the area of sustainably managed forests, including protected forests, and increase the proportion of forest products derived from sustainably managed forests; and

 Reverse the decline in official development assistance for sustainable forest management and mobilize significantly-increased new and additional financial resources from all sources for the implementation of sustainable forest management.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought attention to land degradation in the drylands where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and people in the world exist. The 10-year strategic plan and framework adopted to enhance the implementation of the Convention for 2008-2018 include the strategic objective to generate global benefits through effective implementation of the UNCCD. The expected impact of this objective is that land management and combating desertification/land degradation will contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change. The Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment, Stockholm 1972. Namibia adopted the Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment on 28 August 1996. It recognizes the need for: “a common outlook and common principles to inspire and guide the people of the world in the preservation and enhancement of the human environment”. Among the proclamations are, in short:

 Natural resources must be protected  Wildlife must be protected  Pollution must not exceed the environment’s capacity to clean itself  Oceanic pollution that is damaging must be prevented  Rational Planning must prevent or resolve conflicts between environment and planning

South African National Standards (SANS) and Codes of Practice Mention is made here of the standards referring to the storage and dispensing of liquid fuels. These standards serve to make fuel installations safe with respect to health and the environment during construction, operations and decommissioning. Under Namibian law (Petroleum Products and Energy Act No 13, 1990) all consumer installations must abide to the relevant SANS standards.

 SANS 100131: Above-ground storage tanks for petroleum products  SANS 10089-3 (2010): The petroleum industry Part 3:

The installation, modification, and decommissioning of underground storage tanks, pumps/dispensers and pipework at service stations and consumer installations. To prevent pollution of the environment, spillage control procedures must be in place according to SANS 10089 and SANS 100131 standards, or better, including impounding around the loading areas by bunding with appropriate slopes of1:100, construction of bund walls and/or floors that are liquid tight and that are not prone to deterioration under the effects of any petroleum product.

2.23 Greenhouse gas emissions

The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has grown mainly as a result of human activity. Greenhouse gases trap heat that would otherwise escape into space and they radiate it back towards the earth’s surface: a phenomenon known as the ‘greenhouse effect’. The growth of greenhouse gas emissions may be linked to rising temperatures, otherwise referred to as ‘global warming’.

2.24 Namibia’s response to climate change

In the context of climate change, Namibia has committed itself to reducing its impact through two conventions: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC, 1992) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD, 1994). Namibian developed a National Climate Change Policy and has adopted legislation or policies specifically targeted at climate change, its constitution is obliged to support efforts to address climate change under its Environmental obligations. In keeping with the Department of Environment and Tourism, an indirect framework for Namibia’s adaption to climate change is also provided in several existing socio-economic and natural resource policies. As the country only contributes a minor portion of the world’s greenhouse gasses, focus is not placed on reduction but rather on the country’s adaption to change.

Namibia has accordingly taken an active role in international climate change negotiations and is part of the Africa group and G77+ China. Namibia compiles greenhouse inventories and reports its greenhouse gas emissions Formally to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The presence of large quantities of invasive vegetation act as a sink that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, annually off-setting

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

3.1 Project Overview

Application for environmental authorisation from DEA is being made for the establishment of a 15 bed Lodge with a 3-star rating within the Kongola Constituency. Product and service offering of the proposed lodge development is to include the following:

 Accommodation  Game Drives;  Main lodge with a place of refreshment and pool area;  Restaurant;  Wellness Centre / Spa;  Curio shop with locally sourced handicrafts and products;  Exposure to local culture through planned events (e.g. dancing, choirs, storytelling); and Cultural and Heritage education.

Figure 4: Site Plan for Sangulungu Island Lodge

3.2 Development Components

The components of the proposed lodge development include the following:

Main Lodge: The main lodge is the central facility of the lodge. All operational functions are located in the main lodge and the functional flow of the lodge is anchored from here. The main lodge consists of the following:

 Reception Area  Administration Area  Ablution Facilities  Bar Area  Dining Room  Kitchen  Lounge Area  swimming pool  Sundowners deck  Riverside walkway with viewpoints

Wellness Centre: The Wellness Centre of the proposed lodge will address the needs of modern day hotel visitors in terms of wellness and associated products.

Service Centre: The Service Centre is the ‘engine room’ of the facility where all operations and service activities are located. This facility includes the following:

 Male and Female Ablution Facilities  Solid waste facility with recycling depot  Wastewater treatment plant  Generator room  Council Switch room and Consumer switch room (Electricity)  Reservoir/Water Storage Facility  Manager’s House (Accommodation for manager)

Please see Appendix 3 for detailed layouts. Please note that these are draft layouts and are subject to change due to environmental parameters. The below graphic is a section of the Service Centre.

Family Units: Accommodation for families or groups of four people will be provided in the form of 2 family suites. These rooms are larger than the standard rooms and include the following:

 Double en-suite bedrooms with amenities  Inside lounge area  Patio with patio furniture  Each room will have a viewing deck

Standard Rooms: Accommodation for couples or single guest will be provided in the form of en-suite rooms. These rooms include the following:

 En-suite bedroom with amenities  Viewing deck/patio

Suspension Bridge and River Meander: A walkway will be constructed from the main lodge along the Kwando River to viewing decks for guests to experience the outdoors. This will be a low impact pedestrian walkway only.

Pathways: Internal walkways will be developed in a manner which ensures minimal impact and takes the sensitivities of the associated site into consideration. Pathways will be wooden and will be 1.2 m wide.

Landscaping: Landscaping in general will be kept to a minimum to ensure the site is left as natural as possible.

Park and Ride Facility: Hakanza will request traversing rights in the Bwabwata National Park for a Park and Ride Facility. A Park and Ride facility will service both the guests of the lodge and day visitors to the Bwabwata National Park.

3.3 Operational Activities

Operational activities of the lodge include the following:

Reception Service and Shuttle to and from the Park and Ride Facility: A reception service will be provided at the Park and Ride Facility. Guests will be allowed to arrive and leave between 07:00 am and 07:00 pm in or out of the lodge. A shuttle service in the form of open boats will shuttle guests to and from the Lodge and Park and Ride Facility. Shuttles can also potentially be provided between relevant airports and the lodge, this could include internal airports at Katima Mulilo or landing strips within the area. Tours and transfers may also be provided to tourist sites within the area.

Game Drives and Guided Walks: Game drives and guided walks will be provided by the lodge and no self-drive game viewing activities will be allowed. Fully qualified field guides will lead game viewing activities. Special interest activities will also be provided. The lodge will not have an exclusive use game viewing area/concession to take guests on activities. Public park roads will be utilised for this purpose. The lodge will be limited to a certain number of game drives/guided walks per day. The number of game drive vehicles to be allowed per day will be determined during the application for a Traversing Rights Concession from MET.

Hospitality Services: Hospitality services to be provided by the lodge will be to the standard associated with a lodge. These services include the following:

 Serviced Accommodation;  Restaurant Services and Bar Facility;  Wellness Centre and Associated Services;  Reception area and lounge;  First Aid Facility;  Disabled assistance;  Laundry services;  Cultural and environmental education  Room service;  Housekeeping services

Management Services: Management Services will also be included in day-to-day operations. Management services will include waste management activities and recycling functions, deliveries of supplies, water management, electrical management, maintenance management and security in an around the lodge area. Security will be for the purposes of keeping visitors safe in an area with 4 of the big 5. A fence will surround the periphery of the lodge and the park and ride facility. Security issues relating to criminal activities will also be managed appropriately.

Environmental Management: Environmental Management will be undertaken on an ongoing basis according to the Environmental Management Plan for the Lodge. The Environmental Management Plan

will take into consideration all sensitivities and mitigatory measures identified during the Environmental Impact Assessment Process. An Environmental Control Officer will be appointed to conduct compliance assessments in terms of the Environmental Management Act.

Environmental Interpretation: Environmental Interpretation will be provided at the lodge in the form of tree identification, booklets describing the surrounding ecosystems, signage around the lodge to ensure guests find their way around easily and general environmental information.

4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND UTILITIES

In order to effectively develop the lodge, the following bulk services will be provided:

 The lodge will utilize solar power backed up by a Diesel Generator  Water will be sourced from the Kwando River and purified by a purification plant. Water will be stored in a water storage tank.  Sewage will be treated on-site by a Bio-filter Rotating Biological Contactor Package Plant.

4.1 Water Supply and Storage

Water will be sourced from the Kwando River. The following water piped services shall be designed and installed to service the Lodge:

 Domestic water system, (hot and cold water internally)  Domestic water reticulation  Grey water drainage system  Sanitary drainage system.

The plumbing and drainage system is the subject of a rational design by a professional engineer employed by the employer. The above-mentioned services shall be designed on a rational basis to render the most appropriate, cost effective and fit for purpose systems. One of the main objectives of the rational design is to contribute towards sustainable development by means of utilising rainwater and grey water on site.

Pressure boosting pumps will provide and guarantee the necessary pressure to operate the water reticulation system. The selection of materials and plant shall be appropriate to suit the level of comfort required by the owner and shall be of a suitable quality to last for a design life span of between 20 and 25 years without major refurbishment during this period. The proposed materials of pipes fittings and plant shall be of a high quality, durable and require low maintenance.

4.1.1 Pressure

Pressure shall be maintained by means of 3 boosting pumps. The system pressure shall not exceed 600kPa (unless otherwise noted) and the pressure at the furthest point shall be not less than 300 kPa. This pressure shall be made available to the Domestic Hot Water System.

The pipes shall be designed in accordance with SANS 10252 and the manufacturer’s technical information. Pipes will also be sized to suite the operational requirements of the chosen brassware and sanitary ware fixtures. No flow velocity shall exceed 1.5m/s inside buildings. The contractor shall strictly adhere to the diameters indicated on plan to achieve the desired flow rates.

4.1.2 Domestic Hot Water System

The proposed system is a conventional domestic solar geyser installation. This system will comprise locally installed geysers that will generate hot water. Geysers will be installed either vertically or horizontally, with all the required components as per SANS 10254.

The primary source of energy shall be solar panels with an approved solar system and the secondary or back-up system will be electricity from the town supply grid. The geyser shall generate hot water at a temperature of 55° C. All piping shall be lagged to prevent heat loss, as per the pipe material section further in this document. The system shall be complete with all electrical controls.

4.1.3 Flow Rate to Fixtures

4.2 Energy and Environmental Strategy

The Wet Services design approach is to design and construct buildings that feature many sustainable systems. With this in mind the design of the building for the Wet Services scope of works has taking into account energy efficient system and to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. With regards to the Wet Services installation the following has been taken into account that will contribute to the sustainability of the building and energy efficiency of the building:

 Dual flush WC mechanisms  Automatic pulse meters for water management and leak detection.  Low flow electronic taps and water using fixtures.

4.3 Sanitary Drainage System

The drainage system shall be a 1-pipe system with 110mm common stacks for soil and waste water. The various types of fittings such as WCs, WHBs, Baths and Sinks, etc, shall all discharge into the 110mm diameter horizontal branch pipes by means of 110mm diameter branch pipes with "floor drains “and in some cases, “stub stacks" and in some cases smaller diameter pipes all as shown on the drawings and details.

Floor outlets shall be installed in all bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, plant rooms, garbage disposal areas, water features, flower boxes and landscaped areas, etc, as shown on the drawings. The contractor shall

be responsible for the “construction engineering” of the works and for the secondary co-ordination on site. The piping, where possible and appropriate, shall be recessed in the walls.

4.4 Storm Water Management System

The rainwater system shall be a conventional gravity system, relying on cast-iron full-bore outlets and rain water down pipes (where necessary). The contractor shall also adhere to the manufacturer’s installation requirements. This system shall discharge into the non-potable cold-water storage tanks or to the retention pond. A suitable overflow pipe shall be provided for the storage tanks that connect to the bulk storm water pipe.

4.5 Storage Tank

Where possible, the 50 000l storage tank shall be installed in such a manner that it could be dismantled and repaired if necessary without disturbing the operation of the system. Where possible, the pipe arrangements of the tank shall be installed in such a manner to allow the above-mentioned maintenance to take place without disturbing or disrupting the normal operation of the system. The tank shall be complete with concrete plinths, inspection manholes, air, electronic water level indicator connected to the BMS and water level control valve. The storage tank shall also have a scour valve, overflow pipe, inlet and outlet connections and be complete in all respects as per SANS 10252-1.

4.6 Communication Systems

The VSAT system is the best communication tool for the proposed lodge given its remoteness. VSAT dishes or any such structures may only be installed around the island if they don’t impinge on any view or skyline.

5. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL

5.1 Waste Management Plan

As part of the duty of care requirements of both the EMA (No. 7 of 2007) and the Kwando Conservancy Management Plan, Sangulungu Island Lodge is obligated to develop a waste management strategy and implement appropriate solutions for the cradle to grave management of the waste streams that are generated during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases of the Lodge. The EMA and Kwando Conservancy Management Plan further recommend the identification of opportunities to reduce the creation and disposal of the waste generated at the lodge.

A comprehensive Waste Management Plan has been developed for the lodge. This Waste Management Plan (WMP) is therefore a key management tool that will contribute towards achieving sustainable waste management throughout the operation of the lodge. The WMP focuses primarily on the operational aspects of the lodge, however as required by the legislation, the construction and decommissioning phases are also addressed. The objectives of the Waste Management Plan include the following:

 Formalise waste handling, transfer and disposal activities associated with waste from the lodge;  To prevent inappropriate management of waste and associated risk of pollution of the environment;  To facilitate waste minimisation entailing avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling or treatment before disposal;  To streamline waste segregation, storage, and disposal and promote resource recovery from waste;  To contain, control and dispose of waste in accordance with the required waste management practices (e.g. waste segregation);  To define responsibility for waste management at the various levels of operation associated with lodge;  To provide a framework for the selection of waste management service providers in line with cradle to grave principles.

5.2 Off-Site Landfill Disposal

Even though the WMP recommends efficient drivers in order to reduce and recover maximum value the amount of waste materials produced, a portion of the waste generated at the Lodge will still require to be disposed at a permitted landfill. The closest landfill to the lodge is the Kongola Disposal Site. This facility currently receives solid waste, commercial/non-hazardous industrial wastes, and construction waste generated in the Kongola Settlement.

It is suggested that the lodge obtains consent/confirmation from Local Authority to dispose their waste at the facility; this is considered to be the most economical option until all the available permitted airspace at the facility has been filled, thereafter other disposal sites used by tourism establishments in the area should be investigated. The following waste disposal principles should be adhered to:

 The legal requirements of cradle-to-grave principles (duty of care obligations) should be adopted and enforced by the lodge–this means ensuring that only reputable waste transport companies and permitted waste disposal facilities are used.

 Recordkeeping of the waste types and quantities must be as accurate as possible, as it is important for planning and reporting purposes. It is suggested that landfill waybills must be obtained and appropriately filled by the lodge’s management.

5.3 Kitchen and Landscaping Waste

Good management practises suggest that the solid wastes from the kitchen and landscaping activities, be macerated and the options of in-situ composting (recycling) should be investigated. Not all kitchens wastes are permitted to be used for the purpose of composting, it must be noted that meats, dairy products, eggs and cooking oils cannot be composted. It is suggested that in order to effectively manage the organic waste stream, that the lodge operator develop and implement a comprehensive system for organic waste separation, recycling, and composting in consultation with Organic Waste Management Guidelines included in the Waste Management Plan.

5.4 General Waste

All solid waste will be stored safely before being removed off site to accredited waste processing sites. Based on this, it is suggested that the inorganic waste should be segregated (into recyclable / non- recyclable components) onsite and transported to an approved re-cycling depot or to an approved landfill site outside the lodge. In order to effectively manage the general waste streams generated at the Lodge, it is suggested that the Hakanza should apply waste management techniques that aim to avoid and reduce the volume of waste generated at the lodge including the following:

 The lodge should adopt waste reduction procurement philosophy, also known as "Greener purchasing”, “Precycling”, or “eco/green procurement”. This outlook involves integrating environmental considerations into purchasing policies, programs and actions.

 The lodge should separate viable recyclable components from the general waste stream prior to disposal. The types of waste separation practices that should be considered should be based on the availability of an end-user or purpose. These options would typically be explored in conjunction with a private waste management contractor. Recyclables that are typically recovered from general waste include metals, plastics, glass, and paper / cardboard.

 In order to facilitate recycling, it will be necessary to employ waste segregation practices; using different skips / receptacles where possible. Waste storage receptacles must be covered or lidded to prevent scavenging by wild animals and vermin, and to prevent waste from being windblown into the adjacent sensitive areas; furthermore, these skips / receptacles should be emptied on a weekly basis to prevent the formation of odour.

5.5 Hazardous Waste

Considering the sensitivity of the area, the hazardous waste generated at the lodge will require stringent control and management to prevent harm or damage and hence liabilities to this end a guideline has been included in the Waste Management Plan, in consultation with these guidelines, the following should be adhered to:

 As a minimum requirement, hazardous waste must be separated at source from the general waste stream. This will ensure that non-confirming waste does not enter the landfill site, as well as preventing cross contamination and potential risks to personnel and the environment.

 In addition to the hazardous wastes identified in this EIA, the lodge will be responsible for the identification of potential additional hazardous wastes associated with new practices, and the implantation of systems for their safe disposal.

 The generation of hazardous waste should be avoided wherever possible. This would typically be implemented through procurement processes e.g. purchasing of less toxic / environmentally friendly products for use at the lodge.

 Unavoidable hazardous waste is to be handled, stored and disposed of / recovered in a manner that does not result in environmental pollution or health and safety hazards to personnel.

 Only suitably qualified waste service providers should be used for the management of hazardous waste. This entails ensuring that all transportation and disposal/recovery permits and licenses are held by the service provider.

 All hazardous waste transported from the lodge must be reconciled with safe disposal certificates to be issued by the waste management service provider. These should be kept on file for inspection by the environmental authorities if required.

 The disposal of hazardous waste is required to comply with all relevant Regulations, Norms and Standards pertaining to waste classification in order to ensure disposal at the correct landfill class.

5.6 Sewage Treatment and Management

For preliminary selection, a Bio-filter Rotating Biological Contactor Package Plant has been proposed as the preferred sewage treatment plant for the proposed lodge. The requirements established for the sewage treatment plant for the lodge include reliability and simple to operate and maintain, while producing a high-quality effluent. The Bio-Filter rotary disc unit fulfils these pre-requisites and has a great ability for treating the domestic waste from the proposed lodge.

5.6.1 Bio-filter Purification Plant Principles

The Bio-Filter Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) plant lay-out for the treatment of wastewater comprises of the following elements:

 Primary treatment, usually by means of a septic tank or primary settlement tank.  Biological treatment of primary effluent by means of the Bio-Filter rotating disc units.  Humus removal by means of a secondary settlement tank.  Disinfection of final effluent by means of a chlorine contact tank–Phosphate removal where required.

5.6.2 Operation of the Bio Filter RBC Unit

The rotating disc process may be considered a high rate biological stage of a conventional sewage treatment plant (would replace the trickling filter). The disc unit is normally preceded and followed by sedimentation and clarification tanks of a design appropriate to the size of the plant.

In the Bio-Filter design, the biological stage takes the form of a series of closely spaced parallel flat self- cleaning discs manufactured from high density polyurethane which are mounted on a shaft at closely spaced intervals to form a unit rotor construction.

The rotor assembly is then submerged almost to shaft level in a trough through which the effluent is passed. The shaft is slowly rotated at approximately 4 r.p.m. in the direction of the effluent flow from the inlet to the outlet of the rotor. In the bottom half of the rotational cycle the bacteria on the discs absorb

the “food” in the wastewater and during the top half of the cycle the bacteria on the discs absorb oxygen from the air, thereby sustaining the metabolic action of the biological process.

Biological growth similar to that found in percolating filters, grows on the surface of the discs. A living aerobic freely circulating bio-mass is also found in the plant trough and this also contributes to the biological treatment of the wastewater. The turbulence created in the flow through the plant by the rotors, keeps the bio-mass within the trough liquid in constant motion, and is eventually carried out with the treated effluent for subsequent settling in the humus tank.

Bio-degradable organic are therefore treated by both the intermittently submerged part of the bio-mass grown on the discs as well as the bio-mass present in the plant troughs. Depending on the loading of the plant, these wastes are either transformed into harmless substances, oxidized, or merely absorbed by the plant.

Owing to the rotating action, contact between the waste and the microbial film is not limited to a single pass between adjacent surfaces; instead, wastes re-circulate rapidly many times over several quadrants of the discs before leaving the system. The sheared turbulence at the solid liquid interfaces is even better than that obtained by re-circulating high rate filtration or in the activated sludge process.

The oxygen required for oxidation within the plant is absorbed into the wet upper surface of the bio-mass growing on the discs during its passage through the air above the wastewater. Full oxygen absorption into the bio-mass is immediately achieved owing to the very large surface area of the bio-mass growing on the discs as well as the full partial pressure of oxygen within the open atmosphere over the plant.

The bio-mass’s increasing concentration of oxygen allows it to penetrate quickly to the deepest parts of the bio-mass, primarily by diffusion. The submersion of the rotating oxygen-saturated bio-mass which immediately follows causes part of the absorbed oxygen to be re-absorbed away from the bio-mass growing on the disc, into the free bio-mass in the trough. Therefore, the introduction of oxygen into the plant process takes place not by the direct absorption of air into the waste water, but almost exclusively by the absorption of oxygen into the waste water via the wet surface of the bio-mass growing on the discs.

This absorption takes place in such quantities that despite the uptake of oxygen by both the disc bio- mass and that present in the troughs, over 4mg/l of oxygen is to be found in the wastewater leaving the disc stage.

A high concentration of active micro-organisms forms on the surface of the disc, producing a low food to micro-organism (F/M) ratio of 0,02-0,05 compared to the ratio of 0,3 achieved with the conventional activated sludge process. This low ratio enables the system to absorb shock loads. As the micro- organisms are attached to the discs, cell loss during periods of light loading is eliminated without the problem of blocking, provided the discs are spaced far enough apart. Also during periods of high flow or under flash flood conditions the bio-mass cannot be washed out of the system as the micro-organisms are stuck to the disc filters.

Since the waste substances present in the plant are being constantly converted into harmless substances, the bio-mass both on the discs and in the troughs is being constantly added to, and the

excess on the disc surfaces is removed on submersion into the waste water in the troughs and is carried out from the disc treatment stage by the flow of the waste water through the plant.

A sludge is therefore, produced which is removed from the treated water by sedimentation in clarifier which follows the disc treatment sage.

Disinfection by conventional methods is finally undertaken for effluent to comply with the standards as laid down in the Water Act in all respects.

Figure 6: Biofilter RBC Flow Diagram

5.6.3 Advantages of the Bio Filter RBC Treatment Plant

The advantages of the Bio-Filter RBC Treatment plant include the following aspects:

 Small Bio-Filter plants usually require no bar screens or detritus removal. This is a great advantage, as a full-time attendant is usually required to rake the bar screens, and in addition, this causes odours and attract flies.

 The plant is not affected by shock loads, as bacteria grown on the rotary disc units, cannot be washed out of the system by shock loads or flash floods, as opposed to activated sludge plants or extended aeration plants, where bacteria are suspended in the actual liquid and can therefore be washed out of the system, causing total system failure.

 The effect of sudden shock loadings on rotating disc plants has been extensively researched. Shock loadings of 400% of a plant’s design capacity over a period of 3 hours have resulted in a threefold increase in the reduction performance of the plant. This is evidence that the bio-mass of a rotating disc plant can absorb additional wastes from shock loadings over considerable periods of time and still achieve the design performance.

 Rotating disc plants are not affected in their operation when the influent falls to very low rates, or over periods or weeks or months when only part of the designed capacity is handled by the plant.

 When the normal load is re-applied, full capacity will be achieved almost immediately. Rotating disc plants are therefore, particularly suited for treating the wastewaters where the population is liable to fluctuate considerably.

 The Bio-Filter system operates satisfactory off septic tank effluent and can therefore be connected directly to existing septic tank systems.

 The Bio-Filter system needs desludging every 8-12 months and not daily as required with activated sludge plants. It is normal procedure that desludging is undertaken by the local authority and sludge carted away by vacuum tanker. Continuous sludge odours are therefore eliminated with this system.

 The Bio-Filter plant usually comprises of a number of disc rotors which are individually powered by separate drives. In the unlikely event of one drive becoming defective, the balance of the rotors will continue to operate thereby ensuring that the plant remains operational at all times.

 Bio-Filter rotors rotate at approximately 4 r.p.m. and extremely low power consumption is experienced in these plants. They are therefore most economical to operate.

 Due to the simplicity of the Bio-Filter plant, and due to the fact that the plant is self-compensating to flow variations, no full-time attendant is required for this plant, thus running costs are therefore further reduced.

 As the plant operates at very low speed, the plant is noise free, and therefore creates no noise pollution.

 The proposed Bio-Filter plants accommodate standard RBC units and are therefore modular. This means that additional units can be added to the plants at a later stage if required to extend the plants.

6. CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS

6.1 Qualification

Sangulungu Island Lodge will be adopting an environmentally friendly design philosophy for the development. It is important to note that the final ‘green’ design philosophy can only be fully measured and committed to once all the designs have been finalized and approved by the relevant professionals. Hence, it may be subject to change. Nonetheless, this section outlines the intention and records the design philosophy as it currently stands.

Meaningful steps are being taken to minimize, where feasible, all possible impacts on the development site and surrounding region. The entire professional team is dedicated to green design principles and is mindful of environmental sensitivity in its design approach, as well as its building construction and operational application. The items discussed below are by no means exhaustive, and more items may well appear as the project progresses to the detailed design development.

6.2 Design Statement

The design approach follows the idea of minimal visual, ecological and environmental impact wherever viable. The objective is to create structures that merge with the natural surroundings to allow the occupants to feel part of the surrounding environment. The bush is to dominate, and the buildings are to be subtle and not make an architectural statement, but rather to blend in form and colour. The structures

are to tread lightly on the soil, and the footprint is minimized by separating structures and allowing the bush to infiltrate and exist side by side with the structures.

6.3 Form

Buildings are simple in form and deliberately separated to lessen any impact on the environment. The design is like “fingers in the bush”. Elevated platforms and walkways between buildings connect without overpowering. Exposure to the elements heightens the bush experience when walking from building to building. Main gathering areas mimic the bush in that the roofs can be likened to tree canopies providing shelter and shade while allowing cool breezes to circulate in the open well-ventilated areas below. The building is to respond to the beauty of the surrounds, and to interact and co-exist.

6.4 Carbon Footprint

The entire product is made locally in Namibia and an extensive network of logistical warehouses exists throughout the country. Transport costs and logistics will be hugely reduced, as transporting this system versus brick and mortar, requires 88% fewer truck loads. This will greatly reduce traffic and congestion on the roads.

6.5 Waste Factor

The waste factor using the LWWS will be minimal relative to conventional building practices, as materials are pre-designed in the factory and delivered exactly to size. In addition, much of the system is recyclable. Ultimately the waste factor will be influenced by the final design.

7. CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION PHASE

Hakanza Tourism Park will be responsible for the construction of all components of the lodge and associated park and ride facility. This includes all services and infrastructure, accommodation and utilities. Ultimately, the initiation of the construction phase of the project is dependent on the timing of the decision to be made by the DEA. Assuming all processes follow due process, a decision could be issued by November 2018, giving due regard to review periods and submission requirements.

Hakanza will be obliged to begin construction of the lodge within a specified period and will be required to choose from a pre-approved panel of contractors. These contractors will in turn be contractually bound to adhere to an environmental management plan for the lodge.

7.1 Construction Work force

Construction Camp: The scale of the development and the expected duration of construction require that a construction camp be demarcated prior to the commencement of works and maintained throughout the construction period. This construction camp will be primarily a material lay down area and will need to be securely fenced. The locations of the construction camp will have to as a rule; be located in disturbed areas, well away from any drainage line or pristine/sensitive vegetation area.

Accommodation: No accommodation for construction workers will be available on-site, as local labour from the region can commute to the island on a daily basis. In this situation, only potable water, basic wash facilities, and site toilets will be required within the construction camp.

Skills Development: As far as possible, workers will be sourced from the local communities to ensure direct benefits are provided by the lodge as soon as possible. Skills transfer and development will be requisite for contractors to be appointed and local labour will be capacitated.

7.2 Operation Work force

Operation workforce will be managed by the operator. Staff will be sourced from the local communities and capacity building will take place. Certain management staff will need to be brought in from outside the region. Only two management staff will be accommodated on-site in the manager’s house, all other staff will reside off site and will be shuttled to the lodge on a daily basis.

Field guides will be employed by the lodge to undertake guided activities. These include game drives and guided walks. A proposed outsourced joint venture company with the Community to manage the guest activities and services is being considered, but no official decisions have been made in this regard.

8. DESCRIPTION OF THE RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT

8.1 Socio-Economic Context

The population of the Zambezi Region has grown from 79,826 in 2011 to 90,596 in 2011. This is an annual growth rate of 1.3% which is slightly lower than the national average of 1.4% (NSA, 2014). The region has seen some fluctuations in its population numbers in the past two decades as shown in Figure 22. There are most likely attributed to a combination of regional boundary change, political conflict / uprising, return to stability (people moving back), and out-migration towards perceived better employment opportunities elsewhere in the country.

100000 904 2 90596 79 2 2 80000 8 6 62234 60000 Zambezi

40000 Urba 2 36 n 8 2 Rura 20000 l

0 199 200 201 1 1 1 Figure 7: Population variations in the Zambezi Region (1991-2011) Source: NSA, 2018

In 2011, there were a significant number of non-Namibians (10%) living in the Zambezi Region. The majority originate from Zambia (70%) while 15% were Angolans (NSA, 2014). The people from the Zambezi Region are descendants of Zambian kingdoms (Harring & Odendaal, 2012) and therefore their traditional linkages to Zambia are much stronger than to the other neighbouring countries.

The population density of the region was 6.1 persons per km² in 2011, which is much higher than the national average of 2.6 persons per km², indicating possible land use pressures (NSA, 2014). Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency had the highest density amongst the constituencies with 631 persons per km². Katima Mulilo is the only major urban area and its population has increased from 22,134 people in 2001 to 28,362 in 2011; the majority of the population (69%) still live in the rural areas. Rural to urban migration is happening across the country as people move to seek job opportunities and improved infrastructure and services.

The constituencies with the next highest population densities were Katima Mulilo Rural and Kabbe North, both with 8 persons/km2, and this is largely due to their proximity to Katima Mulilo and Zambia where trade takes place (Figure 23).

Figure 8: Population Density of Rural Constituencies in the Zambezi Region of Namibia.

Note: Kongola and Judea Lyaboloma Constituencies had the lowest population densities (1.4 and 3.2 persons per km² respectively) as much of the land comprises of National Parks and the State Forest where only a limited number of people are permitted to live. The proposed lodge site is in Kongola Constituency.

With 69% of the Zambezi Regions’ population living in the rural areas, the main source of income and livelihood support is from subsistence farming. Approximately 26.3% of the rural population depend on livestock farming and 52.9% depend on crop cultivation (NSA, 2012). The long history of subsistence farming for both livestock and crop cultivation is also further enforced by the strict regulations for export of meat from the region due to the existence of foot and mouth disease. There have been recent investigations and studies to find means to improve the livestock sector and to stimulate the commercialisation of the sector in the region. These will be further discussed in later sections. There

are two quarantine camps at Katima and Kopano. The quarantine camps have been established to improve the marketing of cattle. Since the Zambezi Region is communal land the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry provides certain services to the communal farmers such as agriculture development, extension services, veterinary services and agriculture planning. These services are further supported by various NGO’s operating within the region. In the Zambezi Region, crop cultivation is dryland cropping that is dependent on the rainfall for water. Typically, households plant between one and four hectares of mostly mahangu, sorghum and maize.

The Zambezi Region is a popular tourist destination, especially for wildlife viewing, trophy hunting and fishing activities. However apart from trophy hunting, the tourism sector is still very much undeveloped in spite of its vast potential. A unique selling point for the region is the ever-growing conservation efforts, the vast amount of wildlife (particularly elephants, buffalos and aquatic species that near endemic to the region) and the beautiful scenery along the river.There are about 15 tourism establishments not directly in the landscape area. The surrounding area has a number of tourism attractions including wildlife and big rivers.

Even though the majority of the Zambezi population live in the rural areas (69%), the main source of household income across the region are from wages and salaries (30%), 25% from non-farming business activities, and 21% from farming activities. This varies quite significantly between constituencies as shown in Figure 31, which gives the percentage of households which obtain their main income from farming. Households in Linyanti are the most reliant on farming, but farming also contributes significantly to households in Sibbinda, Kongola and Judea Lyaboloma.

Figure 9: Household sources of income by constituency. (Source: NSA, 2014)

In Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency, wages and salaries are the main source of income to 57% of households while income from business makes up 28%. In its neighbouring constituencies of Kabbe North and South and Katima Mulilo Rural, income from non-farming business is the most common main source of household income for 31%, 42% and 28% of households respectively.

The economically inactive population comprises students, homemakers and income recipients, while the economically active population is divided into the unemployed and employed population. Figure 32 shows that approximately 62% of the economically active people aged over 15 years are in some form of employment and the census includes subsistence farming in this category.

Figure 10: Percentage of the economically active population who are employed Source: NSA, 2014

Figure 11: Subsistence farming as a main job of the employed population aged 15 and above years.

Overall crop farming was the dominant agriculture activity within all the constituencies in the region with livestock farming being the second largest agricultural activity in the region (Figure 34).

Figure 12: Percentage of all households which engage in crop and livestock farming (Source: NSA, 2014b)

Many communities are fortunate to have additional livelihood activities coming from the life sustaining river and floodplain systems which surround the region to the west, south and east. For the communities living in proximity to water, fishing and home based industries such as collection of reeds from the rivers are important, while inland communities focus mainly on dry-crop and livestock farming for their livelihoods. Combined, communities in the region have the following livelihood activities, depending on locality: • fishing • river – field crops • dry-land crops • livestock farming • horticulture • home based industries (wild fruit, collection of wood, reeds, poles etc.) wildlife/ tourism.

Figure 35 shows that between 94-98% of households in the rural constituencies depend on wood or charcoal as their main source of fuel for cooking. Compared with Katima Mulilo Urban Constituency, only 54% use wood products and 41% cook with mains electricity. There is more variation among rural constituencies in the use of thatching grass for the roof of the main house. Households in the west of

the region are more likely to use thatching grass than households in the east. More than half the households in Kabbe South are reliant on river water as their main source of water for cooking and drinking and, to a lesser extent it is important for many households in Kabbe North and Judea Lyaboloma.

Figure 13: Percentage of households using some natural resources (Source: NSA, 2014b)

8.2 Archaeological and Heritage Context

The Zambezi Region has a relatively short archaeological sequence representing the introduction of agricultural resettlements to the area within the past two thousand years. Research coverage to identify archaeological sites in the region has been poor. Some studies have been done during environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for developments such as power lines. In some areas, remains from burials are found, but not recognised as formal graveyards. This is since funerals in the rural areas are often not done formally. Such sites could be disturbed or destroyed during future construction projects (Kinahan, 2004).

An archaeological survey was done for the 400-kV power line running from Zambia, through the Zambezi Region (Kinahan, 2004). The assessment identified two sites which have significance to the archaeological record. On the west bank of the Kwando River at Kongola, the dune cover overlies a calcareous tufa-like deposit with a dense hump of root casts from what appear to be reeds and sedges. The upper surface of the tufa-like deposit represents the former water level of the adjacent wetland.

The second site is of recent alluvial deposits north of Kasheshe, near Katima Mulilo. They indicate shifts in the course of the middle Zambezi River in the Quaternary Period. A few artefacts including sub-fossil bones and freshwater molluscan shells were found.

Historically, the Zambezi Region has a few monuments of Namibia’s colonial past. A building at Luhonono (former Schuckmansburg) still stands, that served as an ammunition storage during the German period (Otto et al., 2014). Schuckmansburg served as the administrative centre for the region at that time. From more recently, there is a monument to the Singalamwe massacre, where people were tortured and killed for supporting the freedom struggle. Today there is a graveyard in Masida village for them (Figure 36).

It is unlikely that the development site will have any significant archaeological resources, however an accidental find procedure will be required.

8.3 Bio-Physical Environment

The Northern Kalahari Sandveld predominates the Zambezi Region and the including the Sangulungu Island Lodge physiographically and constitutes mainly an Aeolian sand mantle of about 50m in thickness covering a landscape consisting of tertiary calcretes and sediments. Prior to deposition, the sands were most probably eroded and partially reworked by wind and water. This resulted in the creation of flat plains and ancient longitudinal dunes presently covered by vegetation.

8.4 Climate

The Zambezi Region has ‘a higher rainfall, less evaporation and a warmer winter than the rest of Namibia, providing a home to many tropical plants that are unable to survive elsewhere in Namibia’ (Mendelsohn & Roberts, 1997).

Rainfall averages about 700 mm per year in the wetter north-east, and about 500 mm in the southern Zambezi Region. The climate can be divided into two main seasons – a dry season between April and November, and a shorter wet season which stretches from November to early April. Rainfall, as in the rest of Namibia, is highly variable, with standard deviation values from 30–40% (Mendelsohn & Roberts, 1997). For example, the long-term rainfall record from Katima Mulilo (1945–present, with a 9-year gap in the 70s-80s) shows annual totals over 1,000 mm in four of the years and falls less than 400 mm in three years. This variability directly affects the livelihoods of farmers, exposing them to the risk of crop failure and poor grazing in some years, and floods in others.

Figure 14: Median annual rainfall for the Zambezi Region (Mendelsohn and Roberts 1997)

Climate variability and climate change are concepts that are closely linked, but clearly, we cannot blame the present high variability on climate change. Climate change (see below) is expected to increase the variability, adding even more uncertainty and extreme weather for Zambezi farmers. Temperatures are moderate during summer months in the Zambezi Region mostly due to cloudy conditions in these months. The highest temperatures are between September to November when there is less cloud cover and average daily maximums of 32-35oC can be reached. In the winter months, the region has a more moderate winter than the rest of Namibia with maximum daily temperature of between 18 -25 oC and minimum temperatures of 5 oC. Frost is unusual in the Zambezi Region, but may occur in some years in low-lying river valleys, especially in the western part of the region (Mendelsohn & Roberts, 1997).

The highest rate of evaporation takes place during September to October when it is hot, dry and clouds are sparse. The potential evaporation of 2,500mm is over four times the volume of water normally provided by rain (Mendelsohn & Roberts, 1997).

Figure 15: Average hours of sunshine for Zambezi (Mendelsohn and Roberts, 1997)

8.5 Topography, Geology and Hydrogeology

The topography of the study area is characterised by extreme flatness. There is no significant drainage system to either the Kwando or Linyanti rivers. The flat topography excludes the potential for deep erosion by water, as well as the possibility of major dams. The whole Region has a mean annual rainfall of 348 – 871mm that can be expected 90% of the time. However, the lowest rainfall recorded was only 288mm and the highest was 1,005mm – an indication of the high variability of the region’s rainfall. Average potential evaporation for the region is estimated at more than 2,500mm per year. Evapo- transpiration (loss of water from vegetation) is also very high, further reducing the amount of water stored in the soil.

Groundwater quality in much of the region is generally good, especially within 5–20 km from the rivers, which recharge the aquifers. But the quality can be variable and tends to deteriorate rapidly away from the rivers and with increasing depth (Christelis & Struckmeier, 2001). There are some large areas where it is unpalatable and unfit for human consumption, mainly in the area north of the Linyanti Swamps (Mendelsohn & Roberts, 1997).

Over the years, boreholes have been drilled in the region to provide water for people and livestock. These are concentrated along the main access roads and serve as focal areas for increased settlement. Varying water quality and unreliable yields from these have resulted in water being supplied via pipelines. A pipeline supplies water along the Kongola-Katima Mulilo road, and another is under construction from Katima to Ngoma.

The capacity of the few boreholes in the study area range between 1-5m3/hr, with a few boreholes with yields less than 1m3/hr. The depths of the above boreholes range between 20-50 meters. Average yields from boreholes in the study area can be expected to be 4m3/hour at depths ranging from 22m to 61m.

8.6 Natural Environment

The area has a high number of large mammal and bird species that are nationally rare. The omurambas and their associated grasslands are habitat for the roan, sable and tsessebe. Typical trees are Zambezi Teak (Baikiaea plurijuga), Teak (Pterocarpus angolensis), Burkea, Mangetti (Schinziophyton rautanenii) and several others, including several Monkey Orange species (Strychnos spp.) Plant species composition varies greatly between grassland, woodland on deep sands and woodland on the loamier soils of the alluvial floodplains of the Kwando River.

The primary driver of ecological patterns is soil types. Infertile deep sands are contained in paleo dunes interspersed with more fertile clays in broad interdunal valleys (omurambas). In general, the dunes carry broadleaved large trees (such as Zambezi Teak), while Acacia species and Leadwood (Combretum imberbe) dominate the interdunal clayey omurambas. The Mahango Core Area contains a large discrete area of highly erodible soils (possibly sodic) that support a distinct plant community.

Apart from the strong influence of soil types, dominance, and hence structure of vegetation, is often determined by the relative frequency and intensity of fires experienced over the last decade or more, as well as by impacts associated with elephant. Humans, both resident in Bwabwata and transient, are probably the cause of most of the fires. The MET follows a management policy of controlled burning, with the aim of burning at least a third of the park’s surface area each year, emphasising early cool burns, to prevent the build-up of combustible material.

Elephant populations have apparently increased over the last few years to a decade, with high densities often occurring in the Buffalo Core area and along the Kwando woodlands, where they regularly move between Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Angola. Disturbances by fire and elephant are both part of the natural ecological dynamics of these woodlands. As long as water is seasonally available in the veldt away from the rivers, and providing elephant are allowed to freely move into Zambia, Angola and Botswana and not encouraged to stay in the area by provision of artificial water, they are unlikely to have irreversible impacts on the vegetation (at least at their current population levels).

Traditional fire management included early dry season burns to provide out-of-season grazing to cattle and wildlife, and to protect valuable natural resources (veldt food, medicinal plants) from destructive fires late in the dry season. Under European influence this approach changed to a suppression of all fires, which led to thicket formation over a number of years and increases in combustible material after several good rainy seasons. Nevertheless, the vegetation of Bwabwata is relatively intact, notwithstanding the effects of several decades of fire suppression and the resultant occurrence of exceptionally destructive hot wildfires.

Seasonal movements by several game species to and from both rivers are more prominent in the omuramba systems of Bwabwata than elsewhere in the BMM Parks. These game species, which include elephant, buffalo, zebra (Equus burchelli), wildebeest and (to a lesser extent) roan, tend to cluster at the rivers during the dry season and move inland during the wet season. This natural seasonal cycle is an important mechanism that maintains vegetation structure, as most vegetation experiences a resting period during some part of the year. This is a key process, both because it represents one of the last large-scale intact biotic ecological processes in southern Africa, and because it will be sensitive to poorly planned and implemented developments, including the provision of artificial water for tourism.

Many of the riparian woodlands and thickets in Bwabwata are still intact. These areas and the rivers themselves are the habitat for highly prized (by birdwatchers) bird species such as Souza’s shrike (Lanius souzae), Rock Pratincole (Glareola nuchalis) and White-backed Night-heron (Gorsachius leuconotus). The main river channel of the Kwando River is supplemented by several smaller channels and oxbow lakes, leading to a constantly changing arrangement of dry and wet areas and the presence of some permanent islands. Permanently wet areas are home to several aquatic and semi-aquatic species, amongst which are some healthy populations of hippo and crocodile. Floodplain grasslands form important habitat for wetlands mammals such as lechwe and reedbuck.

Bwabwata is bisected by the high order B8, which carries large volumes of transit traffic (including heavy freight trucks). A high number of car accidents involving wild animals take place on this road, and these result in numerous human casualties and road kills – including rare and endangered species such African Wild Dogs.

8.7 The Kwando Conservancy

The Sangulungu Island is within the Kwando Conservancy. The Kwando Conservancy is within the Kongola Constituency, just east of the Kwando River and west of the State Forest. The conservancy was registered in 1999 and comprises an area of 190km² in which approximately 4,300 people reside. The Conservancy has the following land use zones:

 Multiple Use: livestock priority, situated directly adjacent the State Forest;  Settlement and Cropping Area: in the centre of the conservancy and making up the largest part of the conservancy  Exclusive Wildlife: no disturbance, situated adjacent to the Kwando River

The Conservancy together with Mayuni; Mashi and Sobbe Conservancy forms part of the Mudumu North Complex.

9. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

9.1 Public Consultation Process Phase 1 In terms of Section 21 of the EIA Regulations a call for public consultation with all I&APs during the EIA process is required. This entails consultation with members of the public and providing them an opportunity to comment on the proposed project. The Public Participation Process not only incorporates the requirements of Namibia’s legislation, but also takes account of national and international best practises. A detailed Public Participation process will be undertaken which will include site meetings, stakeholder consultations, site notices and newspaper adverts. The Project BID has already been circulated to IAPs. The IAP database will be broadened as the Public Participation process intensifies.

The second phase of the Public Consultation Process will involve lodging of the Environmental Scoping Report (DESR) to all registered I&AP for comment. Registered and potential I&APs will be informed of the availability of the DESR for public comment.

10. ASSSESSMENT METHODOLGY

Impact assessments depend on the nature and magnitude of the proposed activity, as well as the type of environmental control envisaged for the particular project. Given the nature of the proposed activity, i.e. a construction project, the identification and assessment of the potential impacts will be based on the type and scale of the various activities associated with the project.

Assessment of the predicted significance of impacts for a proposed development is by its nature, inherently uncertain. To deal with such uncertainty in a uniform manner, standardised and internationally recognised methodologies have been developed. One such accepted methodology is applied in this study to assess the significance of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed development, outlined as follows in Table 4. Table 4: Impact Assessment Criteria CRITERIA CATEGORY Impact Description of the expected impact Nature Positive: The activity will have a social / economical / environmental Describe type of effect benefit. Neutral: The activity will have no effect Negative: The activity will have a social / economical / environmental harmful effect Extent Site Specific: Expanding only as far as the activity itself (onsite) Small: Describe the scale of the impact restricted to the site’s immediate environment within 1 km of the site (limited) Medium: Within 5 km of the site (local) Large: Beyond 5 km of the site (regional)

Duration Temporary: < 1 year (not including construction) Predicts the lifetime of the Short-term: 1 – 5 years impact. Medium term: 5 – 15 years Long-term: >15 years (Impact will stop after the operational or running life of the activity, either due to natural course or by human interference) Permanent: Impact will be where mitigation or moderation by natural course or by human interference will not occur in a particular means or in a particular time period that the impact can

CRITERIA CATEGORY be considered temporary

Intensity Zero: Social and/or natural functions and/ or processes remain Describe the magnitude unaltered (scale/size) of the Impact Very low: Affects the environment in such a way that natural and/or social functions/processes are not affected Low: Natural and/or social functions/processes are slightly altered Medium: Natural and/or social functions/processes are notably altered in a modified way High: Natural and/or social functions/processes are severely altered and may temporarily or permanently cease Probability of occurrence Improbable: Not at all likely Describe the probability of the Probable: Distinctive possibility Impact actually occurring Highly probable: Most likely to happen Definite: Impact will occur regardless of any prevention measures Degree of Confidence in Unsure/Low: Little confidence regarding information available (<40%) Predictions: State the degree Probable/Med: Moderate confidence regarding information available of confidence in predictions (40-80%) based on availability of Definite/High: Great confidence regarding information available information and specialist (>80%) knowledge

Significance Rating: The Neutral: A potential concern which was found to have no impact when impact on each component is evaluated determined by a combination of Very low: Impacts will be site specific and temporary with no mitigation the above criteria. necessary. Low: The impacts will have a minor influence on the proposed development and/or environment. These impacts require some thought to adjustment of the project design where achievable, or alternative mitigation measures Medium: Impacts will be experienced in the local and surrounding areas for the life span of the development and may result in long term changes. The impact can be lessened or improved by an amendment in the project design or implementation of effective mitigation measures. High: Impacts have a high magnitude and will be experienced regionally for at least the life span of the development or will be irreversible. The impacts could have the no-go proposition on portions of the development in spite of any mitigation measures that could be implemented.

*NOTE: Where applicable, the magnitude of the impact has to be related to the relevant standard (threshold value specified and source referenced). The magnitude of impact is based on specialist knowledge of that particular field.

For each impact, the EXTENT (spatial scale), MAGNITUDE (size or degree scale) and DURATION (time scale) are described. These criteria are used to ascertain the SIGNIFICANCE of the impact, firstly in the case of no mitigation and then with the most effective mitigation measure(s) in place. The decision as to which combination of alternatives and mitigation measures to apply lies with the proponent, and their acceptance and approval ultimately with the relevant environmental authority.

The SIGNIFICANCE of an impact is derived by taking into account the temporal and spatial scales and magnitude. Such significance is also informed by the context of the impact, i.e. the character and identity of the receptor of the impact.

11. MITIGATION HIERACHY

The mitigation hierarchy is a tool aimed at helping to manage biodiversity risk and is commonly applied in Environmental Impact Assessments. The most common reference point for banks providing project finance is mitigation measures; this provides the financial institutions with information on how environmental and social risks will be managed (See Figure 16 below). These cover avoidance, minimization, restoration and compensation amongst other things. It is possible and considered sought after to enhance the environment by ensuring that positive gains are included in the proposed activity or project. If negative impacts occur, then the hierarchy indicates further steps.

Impact avoidance: This step is most effective when applied at an early stage of project planning. It can be achieved by: • not undertaking certain projects or elements that could

result in adverse impacts; • avoiding areas that are environmentally sensitive; and • putting in place preventative measures to stop adverse impacts from occurring.

Impact minimization: This step is usually taken during impact identification and prediction to limit or reduce the degree, extent, magnitude, or duration of adverse impacts. It can be achieved by: • scaling down or relocating the proposal; • redesigning elements of the project; and • taking supplementary measures to manage the impacts

Restoration: This step is taken to improve degraded or removed ecosystems following exposure to impacts that cannot be completely avoided or minimised. Restoration tries to return an area to the original ecosystem that occurred before impacts. Restoration is frequently needed towards the end of a project’s life-cycle, but may be possible in some areas during operation.

Impact compensation: This step is usually applied to remedy unavoidable residual adverse impacts. It can be achieved by: • rehabilitation of the affected site or environment, for example, by habitat enhancement; • restoration of the affected site or environment to its previous state or better; and • replacement of the same resource values at another location (off-set), for example, by wetland engineering to provide an equivalent area to that lost to drainage or infill. Offsets are often complex and expensive; it is therefore preferable to pay attention to earlier steps in the mitigation hierarchy. Figure 16: Mitigation Hierarchy

12. POTENTIAL IMPACTS

This Section describes the potential impacts on the biophysical and socio-economic environments, which may occur due to the proposed activities. These include potential impacts, which may arise during the planning and design phase, potential construction related impacts (i.e. short to medium term) as well as the operational impacts of the proposed development (i.e. long-term impacts).

The assessment of potential impacts will help to inform and confirm the selection of the preferred project plan and design to be submitted to MET: DEA for consideration. In turn, MET: DEA’s decision on the environmental acceptability of the proposed project and the setting of conditions of authorisation (should the project be authorised) will be informed by this Section, amongst other information contained in this EA Report.

The baseline and potential impacts that could result from the proposed development are described and assessed with potential mitigation measures recommended. Finally, comment is provided on the potential cumulative impacts which could result should this development, and others like it in the area, be approved.

12.1. Planning and Design Phase Impacts

During the planning and design phase consideration should be given to aspects such as flooding; fauna and flora; existing infrastructure; and traffic.

12.1.1. Impacts of Flooding

The proposed development site is located on the embankments of the Kwando River, this puts the planned structures at risk during flood events. The developments will take place in the middle of the embankments as it slopes down to the river. The river is not perennial and last experienced flows in 2002. The water hardly reaches the river due to the dams upstream (Pers. Comm. vd Westhuizen, 2016).

12.1.2. Fauna and Flora (Biodiversity) The proposed site is sparsely populated with flora, and not much riparian vegetation visible. The existing vegetation is more characteristic with a shoreline and typical coastal flora is found in the general area. The proposed development areas and associated infrastructure would be relatively small and thus only have localised negative implications on the environment and associated fauna and flora.

12.1.3. Existing Service Infrastructure Impacts There will not be any major impact on the existing infrastructure as far as water, sewerage, electricity etc. are concerned. The new development is expected to enhance the existing infrastructure through the construction of service infrastructure, that are professionally designed and constructed, this would include the upgrading of the existing septic tanks that are exposed and should be enclosed. It is important to note that the country in general is constrained and faced with a crisis in terms of water and electricity availability; and an increased demand for these amenities will further add to the predicament.

12.1.4. Traffic Impacts Traffic is expected to increase during the operational phase of the project especially during peak times. Due to the nature of the development and the land use various types of vehicles will frequent the area, these would mostly consist of vehicles used by tourist and visitors to the camping site as well as delivery vehicles. Access to the site is currently obtained from an existing gravel road that is used for the adjacent sand mining operations. The proponent in consultation with the Roads Authority will initiate an on-site investigation to determine the suitability of this access road.

12.2. Construction Phase Impacts

During the construction phase the following potential impacts have been identified: fauna and flora; pressure on the existing infrastructure; surface and ground water; noise pollution, traffic; solid waste management; hazardous substances; and social impact.

12.2.1. Flora and Fauna There are no protected or red data listed plants or animal species found on the site however care should be taken that no risk is posed to the adjacent marine ecosystem, including seabirds, that may be found in the area during the construction phase.

12.2.2. Pressure on existing infrastructure During the construction phase there will be an additional demand for basic municipal services such as water, electricity and sewer. The service will be used for both human consumption and for construction purposes. These impacts will however only be limited to the construction phase and will thus have minimal short-term impact.

12.3 Surface and Ground Water Impacts

The risk of contaminating water sources can be increased by accidental spillage of oils and fuels and any other equipment used during construction; chemical contamination from construction materials such as cement, paint and mechanical fluids; and increased siltation due to surface runoff. This risk is minimised by the fact that the construction period will be a short-term activity.

12.4 Health, Safety and Security Impacts

Due to a high demand of construction workers the deployment of a temporary migrant workforce in the area may be necessary. These types of projects, where construction workers have the opportunity to interact with the local community, create a significant risk for the development of social conditions and behaviours that contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has initiated a programme aimed at mainstreaming HIV and gender issues into environmental impact assessments.

12.5 Air Quality

During the construction phase fugitive and exhaust gases dust generated has a potential impact on the air quality of the area and its surroundings. Dust is a major component of air pollution and could negatively affect the surrounding area. These are however short-term impacts. Dust is generated mainly from the following activities:

 Excavations and stockpiles during site clearance;  Use of heavy vehicles, machinery and equipment;  Procurement and transport of construction materials to the site.

12.6 Noise Impacts

Noise is perceived as one of the most undesirable consequences of a construction activity. The most common reported impacts are interference in oral communication and sleep disturbance. The construction of the services, buildings and other structures will result in associated noise impacts. These noise impacts will mainly be associated with construction machinery and vehicles, concrete and mixing; and excavation for foundations. The impact is however limited to the construction period only.

12.7 Traffic Impacts

Traffic is expected to increase during the construction phase of the project. A number of trucks and other heavy machinery will be required to deliver, handle and position construction materials as well as to remove spoil material. Not only will the increase in traffic result in associated noise impacts, it will also impact on the roads in the area. The safety of road users’ needs to be considered, especially those using the B8 road. The use of slow moving heavy trucks has the potential to cause traffic jams.

12.8 Solid Waste Management

The construction activities will lead to the generation of significant amounts of solid waste mainly in the form of construction building rubble. This could have a negative environmental impact if not managed well. Litter may end up in the ocean, and much has been documented about the problem of plastics ending up in the ocean and their impact on the marine ecosystem. Therefore, enough waste bins and skip containers should be availed to manage the solid waste. The waste containers should be kept closed when not in use at all times to prevent birds and animals from scavenging. All solid waste should be disposed off at the designated landfill site at Kongola or Katima Mulilo as approved by the local authority.

12.9. Storage and Utilisation of Hazardous Substances

Hazardous substances are regarded by the Hazardous Substance Ordinance (No. 14 of 1974) as those substances which may cause injury or ill-health to or death of human beings by reason of their toxic, corrosive, irritant, strongly sensitizing or flammable nature or the generation of pressure thereby in certain circumstances. It covers manufacture, sale, use, disposal and dumping as well as import and export. During the construction period, the use and storage of these types of hazardous substances, such as shutter oil, curing compounds, types of solvents, primers and adhesives and diesel, on-site could have negative impact on the surrounding environment, if these substances spill and enter the environment.

12.10 Social Impacts

The project will result in long-term positive impacts as far as the social welfare of the affected community is concerned. There is potential of an influx of migrant workers to the town during the construction phase, this would boost the local economic development of the town as a result of an increase in demand for

consumer goods. The local community will benefit through preferential recruitment of local labour as far as possible.

12.11 Operational Phase Impacts

The operational phase impacts that have been identified are: surface and ground water; air quality; noise; waste management; infrastructure development; quality of life; visual impact.

12.12. Surface and Ground Water Impacts

Surface water impacts on the nearby ocean may be encountered during the operational phase. There is also a risk of groundwater contamination. The provision of properly designed and constructed municipal services, which are regularly monitored and maintained, to the development will minimise the potential pollution of water sources.

12.12.1. Air Quality Various types of activities within the development will result in increased dust and emission impacts, if not managed correctly. Dust and emissions associated with the proposed new development will mostly be generated by vehicle movement.

12.12.2. Noise Impacts Operational noise associated with the proposed development is likely to come from the users of the facilities, which has a potential to present a nuisance to those in close proximity especially the student population and staff at UNAM. It is therefore important that mitigation measures are applied to bring these noise levels to acceptable limits.

12.12.3. Waste Management The operational activities will likely generate a reasonable amount of solid waste and will increase during peak times such as long weekends and the festive season when it expected that more people will visit the facilities. An adequate number of refuse receptacles should be placed on site for the collection of waste, which should then be taken to the designated landfill site frequently. These waste receptacles should be kept closed when not in use always.

12.12.4. Infrastructure Development The development will feature a lot of amenities such as a restaurant, fishing and boat trips, excursions and sundowners etc. These facilities will augment and raise the physical profile of the area as well as improving the general aesthetics of the area.

12.12.5. Quality of Life The development will serve as an important economic activity that provides jobs. It may also serve as a critical factor that attracts people including professionals and investors to migrate to and invest in the

town. These factors will in turn also have a positive impact on the quality of life of the residents in terms of household incomes.

12.12.6. Visual and Sense of Place Impacts The new development will be visually prominent from many angles as well as from the Kwando River. While there are some existing structures in the surrounding area, the additional buildings and infrastructure to be erected on site will cause a higher visual impact to the natural area. The development will have an impact on the sense of place of the local community. Therefore, the aesthetics quality of the new structures has to pleasing and designed to blend in with the natural surrounds.

13. SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

A summary of the significance of the potential impacts from the proposed project assessed above is included in Table 5 below:

Table 5: Overview of potential impacts Impacts Negative Positive No Impact Short Term Long Short Long Term Term Term Planning and Design Phase

2. Flooding X

4. Fauna and flora X

5. Existing infrastructure X

6. Traffic X

Construction Phase

7. Fauna and flora X

8. Pressure on existing infrastructure X

9. Surface and groundwater X

10. Health, safety and security X

11. Air quality X

12. Noise X

13. Traffic X

14. Waste management X

15. Hazardous substances X

16. Social

Operational Phase

16. Surface and ground water X

17. Air Quality X

18. Noise X

19. Waste management X

20. Infrastructure development X

21. Quality of life X

22. Visual X

14. NO–GO ALTERNATIVE

The no-go alternative would essentially entail maintaining the current situation, whereby residents of Kwando Conservancy and the visitors or tourists will not have access to the variety of recreational activities offered by the new development. This will inhibit added growth within the town and limit the additional commercial activities triggered by this development. In addition, the potential job opportunities both during the construction and operational phases of the proposed development will not be realised.

15. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

15.1 Construction Phase Impacts

With reference to the table, most of the construction phase impacts were deemed to have a negative impact without mitigation. However, these were mostly short-term and can be significantly reduced with the mitigation measures proposed.

15.2 Operational Phase

During the operational phase the impacts of surface and ground water; air quality; noise; and waste management were assessed to have a long-term negative effect without mitigation. The impacts will however be significantly reduced when the recommended mitigation measures in the scoping report and environmental management plan (EMP) are implemented (See Annexure A).

The impacts on the quality of life of the residents and on the infrastructure, development is deemed to be high positive. This development is not only important to provide recreational amenities to the community, but it also promotes local economic development. This will in turn have a positive impact on the quality of life of the residents in terms of increased household incomes. The development also holds potential for collaboration with the adjacent Bwabwata National Park.

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