GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 494

Pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Environmental Management and Coordination (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, National Irrigation Board is proposing the Model Farm at Galana - Kulalu in Tana River and Kilifi counties. It is to be implemented in three phases; a 10,000 acres Model Farm in the first phase which is to be developed into 100,000 acres pilot farm in the second phase, and later up-scaled to the larger 1.75 million acres Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project in the third phase. This is the first phase of the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project; 10,000 acres Model Farm which is proposed to mirror the greater Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project. The Model Farm is located in Kilifi County within the land delineated as the Pilot Farm in the larger proposed Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project which is located in the existing Galana-Kulalu Ranches which are on Government (GOK) land. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigation Measures Workers' accidents • All workers will be sensitized before construction begins, on how to control accidents related to construction. •A comprehensive contingency plan will be prepared before construction begins, on accident response. •Accordingly, adherence to safety procedures will be enforced. •All workers to wear protective gear during construction, including helmets. •Construction work should be limited to daytime only •All personnel working on the project will be trained prior to starting construction on methods for minimizing air quality impacts during construction. •Construction heavy earth moving vehicle drivers will be under strict instructions to minimize unnecessary trips, refill petrol fuel tanks in the afternoon and minimize idling of engines. •Careful screening of construction site to contain and arrest construction-related dust. •Exposed stockpiles of e.g. dust and sand, will be enclosed, covered, and watered daily, or treated with non-toxic soil binders. •All workers will be required to wear protective gear. •Ensure construction machinery and equipment are well maintained to reduce exhaust gas emission. •Stop all excavation work if wind threshold velocity has been exceeded. •Use of equipment designed with noise control elements will be adopted where necessary. •Trucks used at construction site shall be routed away from noise sensitive areas where feasible. •Idling time for pick-up trucks and other small equipment will be minimized to limited time. •All workers operating in noisy areas or operating noisy equipment will be Air pollution Noise and vibration 20th January, 2017 THE KENYA GAZETTE 515 provided with earpieces to protect against extreme noise. •Comply with L.N. 25: Noise Prevention and Control Rules, 2005 Generation of solid waste • Wastes to be collected regularly to control air pollution and vermin/insects etc. •Receptacles will be provided for waste storage prior to collection. •Resource recovery will be encouraged once the project takes off so as to shrink waste stream and recover non- recyclables. •Refuse collection vehicles will be covered to prevent scatter of wastes by wind. •Wastes will be collected by a licensed operator to avoid illegal final dumping at unauthorized sites. •All persons involved in refuse collection shall be in full protective attire. Pollution from hazardous • Handling of the materials using the waste material safety data provided by the manufacturers. •Appoint a safety officer to ensure that proper disposal guideline are observed. •In case of spillage emergency spillage control measures to be instituted. •Containerization of any wastes and disposal through a licensed waste handler. Loss of natural • Ensure proper demarcation and vegetation cover delineation of the project area to be affected by construction works. •Introduction of vegetation (trees and grass) on within the green and recreational areas within the project and their maintenance. •Design and implement an appropriate landscaping programme to help in re- vegetation of parts of the project area after construction. Disturbance of soil • Sensitization to the project workers on structure proper soil conservation and management measures. •Excavations on unintended areas should be avoided. Increase in STI infections • Sensitization of local communities and and other related staff working on the project on dangers diseases of free lifestyle. •HIV/AIDS awareness training for all employees and subcontractors. •Sensitization of the locals and the project staff on proper sanitation and hygiene. Labour issues • Project proponent should put in place a proper strategy to ensure fair recruitment of workers incorporating both locals and people from other areas. •Sensitization to the local communities on the expected population influx should be done. 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 Mineral Resources, NHIF Building, Community, P.O. Box 30126- 00100, Nairobi. (c)County Director of Environment, Kilifi 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 Director-General, NEMA, to assist the Authority in the decision making process of the plan. GEOFFREY WAHUNGU, Director-General, MR/2484413 National Environment Management Authority.