GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 15078

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the implementation of the proposed development of irrigation scheme in Lower Sio, Busia County. The Proponent (National Irrigation Board) is proposing to develop irrigation schemes which will entail construction of intake structures, canals and drainage infrastructure in Lower Sio Basin covering Butula, Busia, Nambale and Samia Districts, all in Busia County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Air Pollution • Spray water on dry murram road surfaces to prevent fugitive dust emissions during dry weather. • Regularly service and maintain vehicles and mobile plants/machinery. Soil quality degradation • Carry out turfing of top soil and plantation of trees immediately completion of civil works and demobilization. • Implement measures at the design stage that will ensure canals and conveyance pipelines are sited in areas that limit soil quality degradation. • Use organic manure more frequently and limit reliance on agro-chemical fertilizers. Drainage & Irrigation • Establish salinity monitoring regime to be used in the project. • Design of intake structures to integrate alignment with river bank protection requirements. • Conduct periodic water quality monitoring to determine salinity status. River erosion and Siltation • Design of intake structures to integrate alignment with river bank protection requirements. • Carry out monitoring of civil works and enforce design standards. • Plant vegetation on disturbed grounds. Degradation of wetlands • Carry out survey to ensure design of canals and pipelines by-pass wetlands. Water pollution due to construction activities and use of agro- chemicals • Design planning should ensure that consideration is provided that prevents impediments to natural drainage. • Ensure there is proper construction and installation of intake structures as per design specifications. • Practice integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce over-reliance on agro- chemicals. • Conduct on-farm farmer training and extension services. • Conduct on-farm farmer training and extension services. Blocked or restricted access to fish migration • Location selection of the intake structures to factor migratory patterns of Labeo fish species. • Maintain uninterrupted water courses as much as practicable in all the construction sites. • Ensure there is proper maintenance of fish passes and regulators at the intake points. Disruption of flora, fauna, physical structures • Realign design of canals and pipelines to eschew built up physical structures. • Confirm sites and locations in order to avoid areas of existing vegetation and ensure correct interpretation of and adherence to design drawings. • Undertake tree planting after completion of construction works. Land acquisition and resettlement • Minimize need for land acquisition by designing canals and pipelines to pass on road reserves as much as possible. • Identify affected groups likely to lose land, consult and incorporate their views. • Prepare and implement an appropriate compensation package. Disruption of agricultural activities • Design in order to minimize disruption to existing agricultural activities and land uses through proper site selection. • Reinstate affected land areas after construction. • Provide compensation where temporary disruptions of subsistence farming takes places that may not necessary require resettlement. Safety of workers • Develop and communicate site safe work procedures and emergency procedures/protocols. • Designate HSE Officer to be in-charge of enforcing site compliance with HSE Requirements and Rules. • Provide construction plants and equipment that are mechanically sound and without patent defects. • Provide adequately stocked first aid kits and at least one trained first aider per site. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Busia County. 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 26th October, 2012 THE KENYA GAZETTE Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process of the plan. B. M. LANGWEN, for Director-General, MR//0910679 National Environment Management Authority.