GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 16434

PURSUANT to section 59 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The proponent, State Department for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Blue Economy proposes to establish a modern aquaculture training center and a laboratory to encourage fresh water fish production which will comprise of water inlet and outlet channel with flood gates, pump station, storage ponds, broodfish and growing ponds, hatchery, laboratory, storage facilities, staff facilities associated amenities and facilities on Plot L.R. No. Kisumu/Kadhiambo/540 in Kabonyo Village, Kanyagwal Ward, Nyando Sub-county, Kisumu County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Occupational health and safety of workers • Workers should be provided with full personal protective equipment (PPE) to beef up their health and safety standards. • Well stocked first aid boxes should be availed in case of any incidents or accidents and a general register should be available to record such occurrences. • The area should be fenced off to keep away unwanted persons. Solid waste generation • The soil generated will be used to level the area of land around the ponds as well as landscaping some areas in the farm. • Waste bins need to be provided for collection of wastes such as cement packaging bags. • Extra soil excavated can be used in construction of dykes. Noise pollution • Such noise emissions should be minimized as much as possible from the source point while workers should be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment especially if the levels exceed 85dB for a continuous eight hours exposure. • Ensure that machines are switched off when not in use. Exhaust emissions • Proper and prompt maintenance of construction plants and equipment to control emission of hazardous fumes and noise emanating from machines. • Ensure that machines are switched off when not in use. Storm water and backflow from the lake victoria • Drainage channels should be dug on the area lying on the upper side if the dam to ensure storm water does not enter the excavated area in case of rain. • Construction of a strong dyke along the lake shoreline to protect ponds and project infrastructure from lake’s backflow flooding. Soil erosion • Have soil erosion prevention mechanisms in place, such as compaction of soil on the base of the reservoir and its embankment to reduce chances of erosion. Fish feeding • Only high-quality aquaculture feeds must be purchased from recognized feed producers; Information on the nutrient makeup, primary ingredients and production techniques, e.g. extrusion, should be available. • Feeding rates must be correlated to water quality sampling to allow detection and alteration of over-feeding. This will be done by the water quality monitoring programme to be implemented. • Correct feed pellet size must be used to ensure low levels of feed wastage. Chemical and drug treatments • The handler must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment. • Dosages, application methods and resultant outcome must be known and recorded in a treatment register. • Expired chemicals must be disposed of at a suitable hazardous waste disposal site. • The advice of a recognized fish pathologists or aquaculturists must be sought where the application of chemicals is uncertain. • All mortalities must be recorded and the associated behavior of the remainder of the organisms monitored. • A database must be kept of the numbers of dead organisms and the behavioral patterns of the population. • No traps may be used to injure any predators of aquaculture organisms. Ensure no poisons is left out for aquaculture predators. • The main aquaculture predators and their control methods include cover netting for birds. • All involved personnel need to have adequate floatation safety gear and need to be fully trained in health and safety codes related to water borne activities. • Skippers need to be licensed. • The waste generated in the primary processing of the harvested fish (heads, gills and intestines) and the mortalities experienced from production must be ensiled to produce a stable and odour free high protein supplement for animal feeds through breeding of Black Soldier Flies. • Excess waste should also be composted at the company’s licensed organic waste facility located at Kinyasaga. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, NHIF Building, 12th Floor, Ragati Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 30126–00100, Nairobi. (b) Director-General, NEMA, Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Kisumu County. A copy of the report can be downloaded at www.nema.go.ke 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 decision making process regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/6485847 National Environment Management. THE KENYA GAZETTE 13th December, 2024