GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 12280

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environment Management Authority, (NEMA) has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed Lower Kuja irrigation development project. The proposed project involves delineation of suitable areas for surface irrigation with the adopted option 2 of having a net irrigation area of 7,717ha. The main project components include: Intake at God Orango; Head works (weir, retaining walls, intake, protection works); Canals (Mains and tertiary)/ structures; Drains (mains and tertiary)/ structures; Canal and drain structures (drops, culverts, turnouts, division boxes, cross drainage structures, flumes, etc.) Access and farm roads; and Flood protection dykes. The proposed project is located in Nyatike district, Nyanza province close to the shores of Lake Victoria within the Lower Kuja River Basin. The project area covers seven (7) locations and twelve (12) sub-locations in Nyatike and Karungu divisions. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Environmental issue Mitigation Measures Permanent and temporary loss of land and structures The National Irrigation Board will compensate the project affected persons (PAPs) before construction begins so as to ensure acquired land and property lost is compensated for. Economically displaced people Valuation report will be produced during the full RAP study which will detail the extent of economic loss by the PAPs for compensation purposes. Measures should be put in place to reduce instances of loss of income or livelihoods during the transition period to the new system. Flooding Strive to construct most of the canals to completion during the dry season. Regularize checks and inspection of the canals to avert blockages or leaks. Vegetation loss The clearing of vegetation and trees should be strictly controlled and only done if it is absolutely necessary. Disturbed areas adjacent to the canals should be re-vegetated with indigenous grasses and trees after construction. Loss of habitat Avoid all construction activities within key habitats, especially within the two identified wetlands. Wetlands which are of high ecological importance should be buffered by a minimum of 50m. Loss of migratory routes The vegetation within the migratory routes should be left intact so as not to interfere with the free movement of animals; No construction wastes should be dumped along the hippopotamus THE KENYA GAZETTE 30th September, 2011 3794 3794 migratory corridors. Soil erosion The contractor must implement erosion control measures to avoid erosion in areas that are prone to erosion. All excavation works must be properly backfilled and compacted. Rivers and wetland pollution and introduction of invasive species Implement standard operating procedures for working in water, including checks on equipment condition, refueling at safe location, availability of spill kits and knowledge of their use, and emergency spill procedures. Apply standard best practice site sediment control procedures to minimize sediment loads in drainage waters returning to the river. Construction wastes - solid wastes The contractor should enforce the appropriate management methods based on the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle). The disposal site needs to be more than 100 meters from watercourses and in a position that will facilitate the prevention of storm-water runoff from the site from entering the watercourse. Construction wastes - wastewater and effluents All grey water runoff or uncontrolled discharges from the site/working areas should be contained and properly channelled. Water containing pollutants such as cement, concrete, lime, chemicals and fuels shall be discharged into a holding tank for removal from site. Oil spills Vehicle maintenance should be done on purpose-built impervious concrete platforms with oil and grease traps. Standard operating practices for refueling mobile equipment such as a minimum 15m from any water channel should be practiced. Air quality and dust Vehicles delivering soil materials should be covered to reduce dust. The contractor should provide dust masks to all personnel on dust-prone work sites. The removal of vegetation shall be avoided until such time as clearance is required and exposed surfaces shall be re-vegetated as soon as possible. Noise Noise levels should be kept within acceptable limits as stipulated within the Environmental Management and Coordination (Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution) Regulations, 2009. Equipment should be maintained regularly to reduce noise resulting from friction. Occupational health & safety Contractor to establish a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy. Ensure compliance with all standards and legally required health and safety regulations. Implement H&S programme and compliance and possibly including a training task for the Employer's staff. Destruction of water catchment areas Develop an Integrated Watershed Management Plan. Management of the project must involve all relevant agencies concerned with restoration of water towers, especially the Mau Forest water catchment area. Hydrology- low flow regime There should be due adherence to the safest maximum abstractable irrigation water quantities of 8.701 m3/s from Got Orango intake. Alternate release volumes of water from the intake during Low River flow seasons to optimize usage without interference with aquatic life and downstream users. Flood regime leading to downstream flooding Strict adherence to regulated intervals for discharge releases. The riverbanks, up to 30m must be vegetated appropriately to protect the banks from perennial erosion. Degradation of water quality All wetlands in the area must be conserved to provide natural filtration to the contaminated water. Encourage rainwater storage to reduce dependance on river water. Public health and sanitation Educate the farmers and all other actors on public health and sanitation. All land owners must cater for sanitationary issues within their properties. Soil erosion and sedimentation Sediment extruders/extractors at the head works be put in place to mitigate the effect of sedimentation; Design and implement watershed management measures upstream, along Kuja and Migori Rivers and their tributaries. Soil salinization Use of the fertilizers and pesticides should be regulated, and should not exceed 250kg/ha as per the soil report. Organic manure should be used as much as possible in place of the chemical fertilizers. Drainage of swamps (wetlands) The proposed irrigation project will use existing roads for operational access wherever possible, thereby avoiding critical aquatic habitats. Manage the lakeshore wetland as a buffer zone between the lake and the project area, with restricted access and controlled utilisation. Destruction of wildlife habitat Retain habitat diversity and quality by protecting existing wetlands. No cultivation on lakeshore riparian vegetation as it is inhabited by a variety of animals. Risk of increase in invasive species Ensure that all equipment required for the irrigation project operations and maintenance is clean and completely free of plant parts and mud, before entering the Basin. Existing alien species like the water hyacinth should be removed. Reduction of conveyance of canals and increase in disease vectors and aquatic weeds Use of linings, shade and intermittent drying out to compliment traditional techniques of mechanical removal, careful herbicide application and the introduction of weed eating fish and insects. Clearance of woody vegetation from inundation zone prior to irrigation. Increase in irrigation related diseases and Regular spraying of homes and houses within the project area to rid them of 30th September, 2011 THE KENYA GAZETTE subsequent decrease in quality of labour mosquitoes; Return waters should be treated before discharge into the river. The community should be educated on importance and how to domestic water. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) Provincial Director of Environment, Nyanza Province. (d) District Environment Officer, Migori District. The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice to the Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the approval process of the project. Z. O. OUMA, for Director-General, MR8054730 National Environment Management Authority.