Impala Consulting cc 1 Hahnemann Street Windhoek West, 061301936 / 0856630598 [email protected] www.impalac.com 1 EIA FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF TENTED LODGES WITHIN THE DAURES CONSTITUENCY AREA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview The proponent, !U-#Gab Ams Investment cc, intends to set up luxury tented campsites on different sites as shown in the figure below. The proposed campsites will consist of eco-friendly structures such as a reception area, staff kitchen, a restaurant area, swimming pool facilities, a fitness centre, shaded parkings, a traditional homestead, an information centre, a waterhole, employee housing, a mini solar power plant, 4 x 10 000 litre water tanks and other necessary infrastructure. Impala consulting cc was appointed by the proponent to undertake an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the tourism development project. 1.2 Location The proposed sites are located 50-80 km northwest of UIS and covers farm De Rust 532. The closest town to the project area is Uis. 1.3 Environmental Assessment Requirements The Environmental Regulations procedure (GN 30 of 2012) stipulates that no tourism development activities (The construction of resorts, lodges, hotels or other tourism and hospitality facilities) may be undertaken without an environmental clearance certificate. As such, an environmental clearance certificate must be applied for in accordance with regulation 6 of the 2012 environmental regulations. 1.4 Project Alternatives The area surrounding the Ugab River is rich in rare fauna. The only other possible income generating activity is small scale farming with goats and sheep. Although small scale farming may generate revenue for the communal farmers and provide employment to a few individuals, it may not have a significant impact on the surrounding community in comparison to the proposed tourism development project. 2 EIA FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF TENTED LODGES WITHIN THE DAURES CONSTITUENCY AREA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF TENTED LODGES WITHIN THE DAURES CONSTITUENCY AREA, CENTRAL NAMIBIA FINAL SCOPING REPORT Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 1 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Location ......................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Environmental Assessment Requirements .................................................... 1 1.4 Project Alternatives ........................................................................................ 1 1. Project Background ................................................................................................ 7 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Project Location ................................................................................................ 9 1.3 Environmental Impact Assessment Requirements ............................................ 9 1.4 Purpose of the Scoping Report ....................................................................... 10 1.5 Project Need and Alternatives ......................................................................... 10 1.6 Land Rights and Ownership Structure ............................................................ 11 1.7 Benefit Sharing ............................................................................................... 11 2. Summary of applicable legislation ........................................................................ 13 2.1 Environmental Management Act of 2007 ........................................................ 13 2.2 Nature Conversation Amendment Act, 1996 ................................................... 13 2.3 Water Resources Management Act of 2004 ................................................... 13 2.4 Nature conservation ordinance, ordinance No. 4 of 1975 ............................... 13 2.5 National Heritage Act, 2004 (Act No. 27 of 2004) ........................................... 14 2.6 Petroleum Products and Energy Act No. 13 of 1990 ....................................... 14 2.7 Forest Act, No. 12 of 2001 .............................................................................. 15 2.8 Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Ordinance (1976) ...................................... 15 2.9 Hazardous Substance Ordinance, No. 14 of 1974 .......................................... 16 2.10 Namibian Water Corporation (Act 12 of 1997) .............................................. 16 3 EIA FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF TENTED LODGES WITHIN THE DAURES CONSTITUENCY AREA 3. Description of Proposed Tourism development Project ........................................ 17 3.1 Background of the Luxury Tented Lodge & Campsite Area ............................ 17 3.2 Location of Luxury Tented Campsites ............................................................. 17 3.2.1 Site One .................................................................................................... 18 3.2.2 Site Two .................................................................................................... 19 3.2.3 Site Three ................................................................................................. 20 3.3 Labour Requirements...................................................................................... 21 3.4 Waste Dumps ................................................................................................. 21 3.5 Services .......................................................................................................... 22 3.5.1 Electricity requirements............................................................................. 22 3.5.2 Water Supply ............................................................................................ 22 3.6 Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 22 3.6.1 Refuse and waste removal ....................................................................... 22 3.6.2 IT Systems and communication ................................................................ 23 3.6.3 Security and Fencing ................................................................................ 23 3.6.4 Roads ....................................................................................................... 23 3.6.5 Mobile Equipment ..................................................................................... 24 3.6.6 Fuel Distribution, storage and supply ........................................................ 24 3.6.7 Storage of Lubrication and consumables .................................................. 24 3.6.8 Fire Fighting Provision .............................................................................. 24 4. Description of the Current Environment ............................................................... 25 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 25 4.2 Climatic Conditions ......................................................................................... 25 4.2.1 Temperature ............................................................................................. 25 4.2.2 Precipitation .............................................................................................. 26 4.2.3 Wind ......................................................................................................... 27 4.2.4 Humidity .................................................................................................... 28 4.3 Geology ........................................................................................................... 29 4.3.1 Geological setting ..................................................................................... 29 4.4 Hydrogeology and Water Resources .............................................................. 31 4.5 Flora ................................................................................................................ 32 4.6 Fauna .............................................................................................................. 34 4.6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 34 4.6.2 Amphibians ............................................................................................... 35 4 EIA FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF TENTED LODGES WITHIN THE DAURES CONSTITUENCY AREA 4.6.3 Mammals .................................................................................................. 36 4.6.4 Reptiles ..................................................................................................... 38 4.7 Avifauna (Birds) .............................................................................................. 38 4.8 Archaeology .................................................................................................... 39 4.9 Socio-Economic Environment ......................................................................... 39 4.9.1 Overview of the surrounding settlements .................................................. 39 4.9.2 Social Economic Impact...........................................................................