250313005520 - The renovation and operation of the high-end Susuwe Island Lodge, Zambezi Region, Namibia.

For this Project, ECC proposes to only develop a comprehensive environmental management plan (EMP) for the following reason: Susuwe Island Lodge was already constructed in 2003, thus predating the promulgation of the Environmental Management Act (EMA), No. 7 of 2007. The lodge will only cover an area of approximately 3.1 ha and small lodges by nature have limited environmental footprints and low potential for significant adverse impacts on their surroundings. This is a pre-established lodge. A fire that occurred in 2015 severely damaged the facilities, which now need extensive renovations. The application is for the for the renovation and operation of the high-end Susuwe Island Lodge, Zambezi Region, Namibia. Listed activities triggered by the Project include: LISTED ACTIVITY ESIA SCREENING FINDING ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE ACTIVITIES (1.a) The construction of facilities for the generation of electricity; - A 150 kW solar plant will form part of the Project to produce electricity for the lodge. 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 will recycle waste and general waste will be disposed of at the nearest registered landfill site. LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (5.3) Construction of veterinary protected area or game proof and international boundary fences. - There is the possibility of constructing a fence around the lodge for security purposes. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES (6.) The construction of resorts, lodges, hotels or other tourism and hospitality facilities. - The following infrastructure will form part of the Project: 2 main dining areas, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a conference room, 6 luxury tented units, guide rooms, a laundry area, a manager's house, solar installation, a workshop, 5 staff houses and a garden. WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTS (8.1) The abstraction of ground or surface water for industrial or commercial purposes. - Water will be abstracted from a borehole. The daily usage of the lodge is approximately 3 m3 to 5 m3. - An abstraction licence will be applied for from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA). 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. - French drain systems have been installed on-site. This will be replaced with new systems. - A wastewater disposal license will be for from the DWA (if applicable with new systems). - Approximately 100l of Diesel will be stored on-site for generator use. OTHER ACTIVITIES (11.2) Construction of cemeteries, camping, leisure and recreation sites. - The lodge will provide leisure and recreation activities, like boat cruises, game drives, nature walks/hiking and cultural activities. Title of Activity: The renovation and operation of the high-end Susuwe Island Lodge, Zambezi Region, Namibia. Nature of Activity: The renovation and operation of an existing tourism lodge. Scale and Scope of Activity: The Susuwe Island Lodge will feature six luxurious tented units, elevated 2.5 meters (m) above the ground on walkways. There will be two dining areas: one at the current waterfront location of the main building and another raised on a wooden deck offering panoramic views of the Babwata National Park plains, as depicted in Figure 1. Each spacious 75 m² tent will include a deck with a view of the park and a private hot tub. The waterfront area will have a rim-flow swimming pool positioned at the edge of the Kwando River. These tented units will be constructed from canvas, wood, and glass, and connected by elevated wooden walkways. Additionally, the construction of an operations hub at Susuwe is planned, which will include: – 5 staff houses; – Laundry; – Workshop; – Managers house; – Solar installation; – Garden of Eden (small garden for crops, fruits and vegetables); and – Guide accommodation.

Commenting of the public on this project will expire at 12h00 on the 2025-06-27

Projects Documents

• EMP
• Confirmation of screening notice received (through email) in terms of assessment procedures (Section 35 (1)(a)(b) of the Environmental Management Act, No 7 of 2007)
• Preliminary Site Map with coordinates (decimal degrees) and a Legend
• CV of Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP)
• Declaration for the Submission of Assessment Reports and other Support Documents (upload Declaration Form from www.eia.meft.gov.na (downloads)

Please provide your comments below.