240116002672 - The operation of the existing Shametu River Lodge situated on townlands portion No. 1362 in the local authority area of Divundu, Kavango East Region, Namibia

The application is for the tourism-related activities at the existing and operational Shametu River Lodge situated on townlands portion No. 1362 in the local authority area of Divundu, Kavango East Region, Namibia. For this project, ECC proposes to only develop a comprehensive environmental management plan (EMP) for the following reason. Shametu River Lodge is situated in the Divundu townlands and is on a portion of land which is only 4.7 hectares in size. Small lodges by nature have limited environmental footprints and low potential for significant adverse impacts on their surroundings. Thus, subjecting them to a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) could be excessively resource-intensive, furthermore this is a pre-established lodge. Listed activities triggered by the project include: LISTED ACTIVITY EIA SCREENING FINDING WASTE MANAGEMENT, TREATMENT, HANDLING AND DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (2.3) The import, processing, use and recycling, temporary storage, transit or export of waste. This Project involves the temporary storage of general waste. The lodge has 4x bins for glass, paper, plastic and cans (metal). The plastic and Paper are burned on-site. The glass is disposed of at the municipal dumping site. The cans are sold to the staff or dumped with the glass at the municipal dumping site. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (6.) The construction of resorts, lodges, hotels or other tourism and hospitality facilities. - The following infrastructure has been constructed on site: 2 swimming pools, Restaurant, Bar, Spa, 20 double rooms, 3 family rooms, 3 guide rooms, 4 management/owner houses, 1 self-catering house, 7 campsites, and 1 long-term rental house. WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS (8.1) The abstraction of ground or surface water for industrial or commercial purposes. (8.3) Any water abstraction from a river that forms an international boundary. - Water is abstracted from the Kavango River. The daily usage of the lodge is approximately 6 m3 to 10 m3. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE TREATMENT, HANDLING AND STORAGE (9.1) The manufacturing, storage, handling or processing of a hazardous substance defined in the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, 1974. (9.2) Any process or activity which requires a permit, licence or other form of authorisation, or the modification of or changes to existing facilities for any process or activity which requires an amendment of an existing permit, licence or authorisation or which requires a new permit, licence or authorisation in terms of a law governing the generation or release of emissions, pollution, effluent or waste. - Septic tank, French drain and grey water recycling systems have been installed on-site. - The following fuel is used on site: 6 x 20 L petrol jerricans for boats and 7 x 25 L plastic cans for diesel for generator use. OTHER ACTIVITIES (11.2) Construction of cemeteries, camping, leisure and recreation sites. - The lodge does have campsites and provides leisure and recreation activities, like Boat Cruises, Fishing trips and Spa treatments.   2. Details of the activity(s) covered by the environmental clearance certificate: Title of Activity: The operation of the existing Shametu River Lodge situated on townlands portion No. 1362 in the local authority area of Divundu, Kavango East Region, Namibia. Nature of Activity: The operation of an existing tourism lodge. Scale and Scope of Activity: All infrastructure falls within the boundaries of portion No. 1362 in the local authority area of Divundu, which is 4.7 ha in size. The following infrastructure is currently on site: - 2 swimming pools, - Restaurant, - Bar, - Spa, - 20 double rooms, - 3 family rooms, - 3 guide rooms, - 4 management/owner houses, - 1 self-catering house, - 7 campsites, and - 1 long-term rental house.