Environmental Impact Assesment

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1.0 Introduction

Knox community college is a co-educational institution located in Spalding, Jamaica It operates four campuses, namely, Spalding, Cobbla, May Pen and Mandeville. The College started with three academic programs: Pre-university Arts and Sciences, Secretarial Studies and Farm Management. Today, there are over fifty (50) programs in a variety of subject areas such as Continuing Education, Pre-University, Paraprofessional, Vocational, and offering Certificates, Diplomas, associate and Bachelors Degrees.

There are thirty departments and sections with closely structured teams. Each team has a department or Sectional head. The Vice –principal is the Academic dean. Knox Community College is the fastest growing community College in Central Jamaica, and probably one of the fastest growing in the island. The Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture accorded Knox Class A. Knox is regarded as a student – centered institution which is geared to meet the educational needs of all students regardless of academic or socio-economic status.

Spalding Campus is the original site of Knox Community College. It was founded in 1975 as part of the Knox Complex of Schools, and culminated the vision of the late Rev. Lewis Davidson, founder of Knox to provide education for the people of the surrounding communities and parishes "from the cradle to the grave".

The campus has a cafeteria which is used by the sporting department for a number of events such as table tennis, badminton etc. this however impedes on the dinning area as student are at an inconvenience. With this in mind it was proposed that a gym no thorium be established adjacent to the cafeteria to exuviate the problem. The board sought the advice of the National Environmental and Planning Agency which advised that an Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A) was needed. Upon this notion the services of Henry’s Environmental Impact Limited was sought to study and report the finding to the Board and NEPA for their approval.

  1. Description of Project

The project to be undertaken is that of a Gym-no-thorium which is to be constructed on the grounds of the Knox Community College (Spalding Campus). The erection of a 73.8 square meters with two bathrooms and changing area, the hall is to be marked for badminton, volleyball and netball. The seating capacity is to accommodate approximately 300 student’s maximum. A well manicured lawn at the front with exotic and erotic flora to decorate the area and serve as a welcome and inviting venture for those who will be using the facility for it designated reason/s.

 

1.2 Purpose and Rationale

An EIA is a study which outlines the impacts of a proposed project is likely to have on the area in which the physical development of this project will be carried out. An EIA seeks to demonstrate sustainable development which is not just limited to the physical and biological but also the social components as well. It also outlines mitigation measures necessary to reduce the negative impact of the project. NEPA’s rules and regulations are adhered to with respect to EIA’s.

The board of the Knox Community College has proposed a project for a gym no thorium to be established at the Knox Community College (Spalding Campus). This researcher’s team was selected to conduct an EIA to indicate if the suggested project will be undertaken at the proposed location. Of importance to this project is whether or not the physical, biological and social environment will be impacted throughout the development.

The erection of the proposed project is seen as a potential asset to the College as it seeks to provide adequate and efficient spacing and resources for the training and playing of sporting activities such as Table Tennis, Badminton and even an indoor netball court. The sub division will include two bathrooms both male and female with shower installations. A gym room will also be established for work out.

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1.3 Terms of Reference

The terms of reference as approved by the National Conservation Authority are as follows;

  1. Provide a complete description of the existing site proposed for development
  2. Provide an Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed development
  3. Provide a layout of the proposed development
  4. Identify the major environmental issues of concern and provide guidelines for the utilization of existing environmental attributes for optimum development
  5. Prepare guidelines for avoiding adverse impacts due to proposed usage and/or recommendations for monitoring unavoidable negative impacts
  6. Prepare guidelines for a follow-up monitoring program.

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