Table of Content TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................................................................................... 1 LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 PURPOSE OF THE EIA ............................................................................................................... 7 1.3 SCOPE OF THE EIA ....................................................................................................................... 7 2. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ............................................................................................ 8 2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF ZAMBIA ....................................................................................... 8 2.2 DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS. .............................................................................................. 9 2.3 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ............................................................................................................ 9 2.4 DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ...................................................................................... 9 2.5 DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY......................................................................................................... 9 2.6 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ................................................................................................................. 10 2.7 NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICES .............................................................................. 10 2.8 DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES ....................................................................................................... 10 2.9 MINISTRY OF LANDS .................................................................................................................. 10 2.10 MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT .................................................................. 10 2.11 NATIONAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION COMMISSION ................................................................. 11 2.12 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION AND PROTOCOLS ....................................................................... 11 3. NEED FOR PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................................ 11 3.1 IMPORTANCE OF THE HYDROPOWER PROJECT ............................................................................ 11 3.3 ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT .............................................................................. 13 3.4 THE DO-NOTHING OPTION ......................................................................................................... 15 3.5 POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT ....................................................................................... 15 3.6 STUDY AREA .............................................................................................................................. 15 4. SCOPING OF THE PUBLIC HEARING MEETINGS ................................................................ 17 4.1 CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN MUSUNGWA AND KAINGO VILLAGES ...... 17 4.2 CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH INSTITUTIONS OPERATING IN ITEZHI – TEZHI .......................... 18 5. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................. 19 5.1 ITEZHI TEZHI DAM ..................................................................................................................... 19 5.2 INTAKE AND HEADRACE TUNNEL MODIFICATION. ..................................................................... 21 5.3 POWERHOUSE ............................................................................................................................. 21 5.4 MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ......................................................................................................... 21 5.5 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................................... 22 5.6 SWITCHING AND TRANSMISSION LINES ...................................................................................... 23 5.7 WORK FORCE AND HOUSING...................................................................................................... 23 5.8 OPERATING MODE ..................................................................................................................... 23 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................. 24 6.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 24 6.1.1 Geology ................................................................................................................................. 24 6.1.2 Seismicity ................................................................................................................................... 25 6.1.3 Topography ........................................................................................................................... 26 6.1.4 Soils ...................................................................................................................................... 27 6.1.5 Climate ................................................................................................................................. 27 1 6.1.6 Hydrology ............................................................................................................................. 27 6.1.7 Significant pollutant sources ................................................................................................ 28 6.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................... 29 6.2.1 Flora ..................................................................................................................................... 29 6.2.1.1 Dry Deciduous Forest ............................................................................................................. 29 6.2.1.2 Riparian Woodland ................................................................................................................. 30 6.2.1.3 Open Forest with Grass .......................................................................................................... 31 6.2.1.4 Termitaria ............................................................................................................................... 34 6.2.1.5 Grassland ................................................................................................................................ 35 6.2.2 Fauna .................................................................................................................................... 36 6.2.2.1 Mammals ................................................................................................................................. 36 6.2.3 Birds ........................................................................................................................................... 38 6.2.4 Reptiles ................................................................................................................................. 38 6.2.5 Rodents ................................................................................................................................. 38 6.2.6 Fish ....................................................................................................................................... 39 6.3 SOCIAL-CULTURAL RESOURCES ................................................................................................ 42 6.3.1 General Characteristics of Reservoir Population ................................................................ 42 6.3.2 Settlement Pattern ................................................................................................................. 43 6.3.4 Demography ......................................................................................................................... 44 6.3.4 Economy ............................................................................................................................... 45 6.3.5 Land Tenure .......................................................................................................................... 45 6.3.6 Land Use ............................................................................................................................... 45 6.3.6.1 Agriculture ....................................................................................................................... 45 6.3.6.2 Fisheries .......................................................................................................................... 46 6.3.6.3 Mining .............................................................................................................................. 46 6.3.6.4 Tourism ...........................................................................................................................