GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 7726

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received an Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the above proposed project. The Proponent, Godavari Enterprises Limited, Subsidiary of Farmlands Africa Inc. USA is proposing to undertake organic farming (rice and pulses) on about 6000acres piece of land in Yala Swamp, Siaya County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Potential Negative Impacts Recommended Mitigation Measures Noise and vibration • Sensitise farm machinery operators/motor vehicle drivers to switch off engines of vehicles or machinery not being used. • Sensitise farm machinery operators/motor vehicle drivers to avoid running of vehicle engines or hooting. • Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce noise generation. • Ensure that all generators and heavy duty equipment are insulated or placed in enclosures (containers) to minimize ambient noise levels. • Trees to be planted around the site to provide some buffer against noise propagation. • The noisy farm machinery works will entirely be planned to be during day time when most of the potential neighbours will be at work. • Provide necessary PPE to workers who may be exposed to high levels of noise and ensure proper and constant use. • All farm equipment and machinery to be used must be tested to verify if they are compliant with Kenya and the internationally acceptable standards of noise. • 9. PPE to be provided to employees and ensure proper and constant use. Exhaust emission • Sensitise truck drivers and machine operators to switch off engines when not in use. • Regular servicing of engines and machine parts to reduce exhaust emission generation. • Alternative non-fuel construction equipment shall be used where feasible. Increased solid waste generation • Use of an integrated solid waste management system i.e. the 3 R’s: 1. Reduction at source 2. Reuse 3. Recycle • Accurate estimation of the dimensions and quantities of materials required. • Use of durable, long-lasting materials that will not need to be replaced as often, thereby reducing the amount of waste generated over time. Generation of wastewater • Provide means for handling sewage generated at the farm. • Conduct regular checks for sewage pipe blockages or damages since such vices can lead to release of the effluent into the land and water bodies. • Monitor effluent quality regularly to ensure that the stipulated discharge rules and standards are not violated. Oil spills Hazards • Install oil trapping equipment in areas where there is a likelihood of oil spillage e.g. during maintenance of vehicles/farm machinery. • In case of an oil spill, immediate clean up measures will be instituted. • Maintenance of farm machinery should be done in designated garages with well cemented floor to avoid soil contamination. • Oil spillages should be directed to an interceptor. • and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process material solvents and wastes should be designed with secondary containment to prevent spills and the contamination of soil, ground and surface water. • A written farm response plan should be prepared and retained on the site and the workers should be trained to follow specific procedures in the event of a spill. • Collected used oils should be re-used, disposed of appropriately by licenced waste handlers, or be sold for reuse to licensed firms. Increased Water Demand • Harness rainwater and storm-water whenever possible for use in gardening, washing farm house and in the wash room. • Install water conserving taps that turn- off automatically when water is not being used. • Promote recycling and reuse of water as much as possible. • Promptly detect and repair water pipe and tank leaks. • Sensitise construction workers to conserve water by avoiding unnecessary use. • Ensure taps are not running when not in use. Demand of Raw material • Ensure accurate budgeting and estimation of actual farm inputs requirements to ensure that the least amount of material necessary is ordered. • Ensure that damage or loss of farm inputs within the farm is kept to a minimum through proper storage and use. • Encourage material recycling i.e. water reuse (for irrigation). Impacts on workers’ and community health and safety • Ensure strict compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007. • Prohibit access by unauthorized personnel into the farm. • Train all employees and regularly sensitize them on safe working procedures. • Periodic community sensitization of the dangers posed by the project. • Place warning signs where necessary. • Provide necessary PPEs to workers. • Erect a perimeter fence to enclose the farm. Soil erosion and storm- water runoff • Surface runoff and roof water shall be harvested and stored in tanks so that it can be used for irrigation and cleaning purposes. • A storm water management plan that minimizes impervious area infiltration by use of recharge areas and use of detention and/or retention with graduated outlet control structure will be designed. • Apply soil erosion control measures such contour cultivation, constructing gabions and planting Napier grass • Ensure that construction vehicles are restricted to use existing graded roads • Ensure that any compacted areas are ripped to reduce run-off. • Roof catchments will be used to collect the storm water for some farm uses • Construction of water pans to collect storm water for farm use, tree planting and landscaping. Fire safety • Conduct a fire risk assessment. • Ensure compliance with fire safety regulations and install all necessary fire safety equipment. • Conduct regular trainings and fire drills for employees. • Periodic maintenance to ensure that, there are;- no overloaded electrical systems; no incorrectly installed wiring; no live naked wires; and fuel store areas are continuously monitored. • Create fire breaks (ploughed strips) on strategic areas of the 2000 acre piece of land to prevent fire spreading to other pasture lands or from pasture lands to the farm. • Build capacity for community on fire related issues including fighting and vigilance. Increase in social vices including HIV/AIDS • Periodic sensitization forums for employees on ethics, morals; general good behaviour and the need for the project to co-exist with the neighbours. • Guidance and counselling on HIV/AIDS and other STDs to employees • Provision of condoms. • Proponent to have a strong policy on sexual harassment and abuse of office guided by proponent’s policy on the same. Conflict over agricultural land • Locals who are already farming in the swamp should be allowed to continue. Land allocated to the proponent should not include areas currently being farmed by the locals. Loss of source of water • Local population to be allowed to continue getting water from the Swamp. Loss of bio - filtration value of the swamp • Leave a buffer between the swamp and Lake Victoria to play the role of bio- filtration. 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) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. (c) County Director of Environment, Siaya County. The National Environment Management Authority invites members of the public to submit oral or written comments within 23rd September, 2016 THE KENYA GAZETTE 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 of the plan. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/9812397 National Environment Management Authority