Resilient Environmental Solutions cc P. O. Box 90709, Windhoek 76 Dr Frans Indongo St, Windhoek West Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Development of a Lodge near Kongola, Zambezi Region Final Scoping Report 18 June 2019 Proponent: Kwando Lodges (Pty) Ltd PO Box 86491 Eros Windhoek Environmental Assessment – Proposed Lodge near Kongola, Zambezi Region Final Scoping Report – June 2019 Executive Summary Introduction Kwando Lodges (Pty) Ltd (the Proponent) intends to construct and operate a lodge near Kongola in the Zambezi Region. The tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in Namibia. The tourism sector provides a significant number of jobs nationally addressing a key Namibian developmental challenge – unemployment. The Proponent, based on market research, has identified the need for increased accommodation capacity for the upper-middle and up-market segments of the market. It is therefore necessary and desirable to develop the proposed lodge. Public Consultation The first round of public consultation took place from 7 March 2019 to 28 March 2019. The main issues raised during the first round of public consultation are as follows: • Procedures for recruitment of labour during construction and operation. • Liability for injuries sustained by the Proponent’s employees while on duty. The second round of public consultation took place from 27 May 2019 to 10 June 2019 One concern was raised – i.e. that there may be archaeological or historical heritage materials at the proposed site. Based on the outcome of the public meeting and emails received during the first and second rounds of public consultation, it can be concluded that no issues with “red flag” implications were raised/identified. Conclusions and Recommendations The positive impacts arising from establishment of the proposed lodge are beneficial to the local economy and Namibia’s tourism industry. The negative impacts from the development are significant enough to warrant mitigation, but none of them are likely to seriously damage or degrade any local resources. All negative impacts can be reduced to manageable levels by implementation of the mitigation measures as laid out in the Environmental Management Plan. The mitigation recommendations for the proposed lodge are based on accepted good practices in the tourism industry (Eco Awards, 2005), and can be implemented without incurring significant costs. The proposed development of the lodge near Kongola is unlikely to have significant negative impacts on the environment (social and biophysical), and there are no reasons to withhold an Environmental Clearance Certificate. The mitigation measures proposed in this report and the Environmental Management Plan should be carried out and monitored. ii Environmental Assessment – Proposed Lodge near Kongola, Zambezi Region Final Scoping Report – June 2019 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................................... v List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ......................................................................................... vii List of Appendices ................................................................................................................... viii Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... ix 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Background ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Need and Desirability ...................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Terms of Reference ......................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Environmental Assessment Process ................................................................................ 2 1.4.1 Registration of Application for Environmental Clearance Certification .............. 2 1.4.2 The Scoping Phase ................................................................................................ 3 1.4.3 Specialist Input ..................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Assumptions .................................................................................................................... 4 2 Project Team ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 John Pallett ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Sheldon Husselmann ....................................................................................................... 5 3 Project Description ............................................................................................................. 6 3.1 Project Location ............................................................................................................... 6 3.2 Project Overview ............................................................................................................. 6 3.3 Electrical Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 7 3.3.1 Power Line Infrastructure .................................................................................... 7 3.3.2 Solar Power Plant ............................................................................................... 10 3.4 Construction Phase ....................................................................................................... 14 3.4.1 Construction Workforce and Duration............................................................... 14 3.4.2 Construction Services and Utilities .................................................................... 14 3.5 Operation Phase ............................................................................................................ 14 iii Environmental Assessment – Proposed Lodge near Kongola, Zambezi Region Final Scoping Report – June 2019 3.5.1 Operation Phase Activities ................................................................................. 14 3.5.2 Operation Workforce ......................................................................................... 15 3.5.3 Operation Phase Services and Utilities .............................................................. 15 3.6 No Action Alternative .................................................................................................... 15 4 Legislation Relevant to the Project .................................................................................. 16 4.1 The Environmental Management Act (7 of 2007) and Regulations (2012) .................. 16 4.2 The Water Act (54 of 1956) ........................................................................................... 16 4.3 The Water Resources Management Act (11 of 2013) ................................................... 17 4.4 Labour Act (11 of 2007) ................................................................................................. 17 4.5 Namibia Tourism Board Act (21 of 2000) ...................................................................... 17 4.6 Forest Act (12 of 2001) .................................................................................................. 17 4.7 Nature Conservation Ordinance (No. 4 of 1975) .......................................................... 18 4.8 Roads Ordinance (No. 17 of 1972) ................................................................................ 18 4.9 National Heritage Act (No. 27 of 2004) ......................................................................... 18 5 Description of the Receiving Environment ...................................................................... 19 5.1 Biophysical Environment ............................................................................................... 19 5.1.1 Climate ............................................................................................................... 19 5.1.2 Geology, Topography and Soils .......................................................................... 19 5.1.3 Hydrogeology ..................................................................................................... 20 5.1.4 Biodiversity ......................................................................................................... 20 5.2 Socio-Economic Environment ....................................................................................... 21 5.2.1 Kongola Constituency and Project Site .............................................................. 21 5.2.2 Archaeology and Heritage Resources ................................................................ 22 5.2.3 Visual Characteristics ......................................................................................... 23 6 Public Consultation........................................................................................................... 24 6.1 First Round of Public Consultation ................................................................................ 24 6.1.1