Environmental Scoping Assessment Report (ESAR) for the Proposed Rezoning of Portions and Remainders of Ongwediva Town and Townland No. 881 from 'Undetermined' to 'Business' into an Erven of Ongwediva Extension 13, Oshana Region Proponent: Stantoll Propoerties CC Prepared by: Mafuta Environmental Consultants CC Authors: Fredrika N. Shagama and Martha L. Hangula December 2019 Stantoll Properties CC Rezoning: Portions and Remainders Executive Summary Stantoll Properties cc (The Proponent) intends to formalize and rezone some portions, Erven and reminders from ‘Residential’ and 'Undetermined' to Business' with a Bulk of 2.0 and Incorporation of Portions X, Y and Z of Ongwediva Town and Townlands No. 881 as Erven into the Ongwediva Township. The portions and remainders of land to be rezoned are; Portions F/5776, Portion G/5785, Portion K/5789, Portion X, Portion Y, Portion Z, Remainder 5775, Remainder 5786 and Remainder 5788. The proposed rezoning sites (portions and remainders) are located in Ongwediva's Extension 13, behind the existing Oshana Mall in Ongwediva, Oshana Region. The combined surface area covered by the rezoning sites is approximately 142 962 m2 (14. 2962 ha). Public Consultation Communications with the I&APs: First Round As per Regulation 21 to 24 of the EIA Regulations on Public Consultations, the following activities were undertaken for this EA in order to satisfy the requirements of the Regulations: A pre-identified list of I&APs was developed and updated throughout the EA study; A Background Information Document (BID) containing brief information on the proposed activity was compiled; Project Environmental Assessment notices were placed in The Namibian and New Era newspapers dated 05 September and 12 September 2019, briefly explaining the activity and inviting members of the public to register as I&APs and submit comments. The adverts also contained the information on the scheduled public meeting. The first comments period lasted for 33 days, i.e. from 06 September 2019 to 08 October 2019; Additionally, information sharing/EA notification letters and meeting invitations were compiled in Oshiwambo language and hand delivered with BID copies to the neighbouring homestead owners (affected parties) bordering the site. Ongwediva Rezoning Page i Stantoll Properties CC Rezoning: Portions and Remainders A public meeting was scheduled and held on Monday, 02 December 2019 in Ongwediva, close to the site. The meeting was mainly attended by the neighbouring home owners. The meeting minutes were taken and attendance register was signed by attendees; and A2 size public notices were placed at the Ongwediva Town Council and Existing Oshana Mall fence (near the proposed site). These notices contained brief information on the proposed project, EA process and how members of the public can register as I&APs and submit comments and concerns. Issues Raised by Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) The main issues raised by the directly affected parties are: dust, safety and noise. Identified Potential Negative Impacts The potential negative impacts identified and assessed for this project were as follow: Dust (air quality)and noise; Safety, health and security; Waste generation; Water resources and soil pollution; Vehicle traffic safety; and Pressure on local services (water, electricity and roads) and loss of biodiversity. Recommendations and Conclusions After careful research, public consultation and assessment done for the proposed portions and remainders, the environmental consultants have come up with and to the following recommendations and conclusions, respectively. Recommendations The potential negative impacts stemming from the proposed rezoning in Ongwediva have been identified, described and assessed. The impacts have been identified and assessed for the construction and operational phase of the project. Ongwediva Rezoning Page ii Stantoll Properties CC Rezoning: Portions and Remainders All impacts were assessed and found to have impacts of medium significance rating. These impacts were assessed for both pre-mitigation and post-mitigation. Pre- mitigation means the significance rating of an impact before any mitigation measure is implemented to avoid or minimize it. Post-mitigation means the significance rating of the impact after implementing measures. Mitigation measures have been recommended and discussed on the respective Sections of the scoping report as well as management action plans in the EMP. Some of the project activities will have significant impacts on the biophysical and social environments. However, if the project is conducted in a sustainable manner and by effectively implementing the applicable management action plans listed in the EMP, the project impacts will be of minimal (low) significance. However, in order to maintain “low significance status”, a bi-annual monitoring will have to be done for the project site throughout the project life cycle. With that being done, the positive impacts of the rezoning project will be able to overweigh the negatives for socio-economic development, in terms of job creations and business opportunities. Conclusions Given the recommendations in this scoping assessment report and management action plans in the EMP, Mafuta are confident that the potential impacts associated with the proposed project activities, can be adequately mitigated by implementing the recommended mitigation measures and management action plans. Therefore, it is recommended that the project be issued with an Environmental Clearance Certificate. The ECC is to be issued on condition that the EMP is implemented and actions contained therein are monitored in order to maintain low significance and ensure medium rating impacts get to a low rating. This is also to ensure that all potential negative impacts identified in this report and other impacts that might arise during project implementation are properly identified in time and addressed. Furthermore, the main condition to the ECC is also that the Proponent complies with the legal requirements governing this development and its associated activities. Ongwediva Rezoning Page iii Stantoll Properties CC Rezoning: Portions and Remainders TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... I TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... IV LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... V LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................... V LIST OF APPENDICES........................................................................................................... VI 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 APPOINTED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PRACTITIONERS (EAPS) ......................................... 5 1.3 REGISTRATION OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE ..................... 5 1.4 DETAILS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT ................................................................................... 6 1.5 PROJECT NEED AND DESIRABILITY .......................................................................................... 6 1.6 LAND OWNERSHIP AND CURRENT LAND USE .......................................................................... 8 1.7 PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK ................................................................................................... 8 1.8 OBJECTIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS ................................................... 9 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................... 10 2.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE: EXTENSION TO THE EXISTING OSHANA MALL ..................................... 10 2.2 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PHASE .............................................................................. 10 2.3 SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE: CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION & MAINTENANCE ................... 12 3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................................. 14 3.1 THE NO-GO ALTERNATIVE ................................................................................................... 14 3.2 ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITY AND LOCATION ................................................................................ 15 3.3 SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE .................................................................................................. 15 3.4 CONCLUSIONS AND SUMMARY OF THE CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES ...................................... 15 4 LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ..................................................... 16 4.1 THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT NO. 7 OF 2007 ................................................... 16 4.2 OTHER APPLICABLE REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, GUIDELINES AND POLICIES ........................... 16 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE OF THE PROJECT AREA................................................... 24 5.1 BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL ............................................................................................ 24 5.1.1 Climate and Topography ...........................................................................