GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 9936

THE DRAFT STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY REPORT FOR THE AMBOSELI ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN (AEMP) KAJIADO COUNTY INVITATION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS IN light of the provisions of section 57 A of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA), 1999, Regulations 42 and 43 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations Legal Notice No. 101 of 2003, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has received a Draft Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment report for the Amboseli Ecosystem Management plan in Kajiado County. The SESA findings are expected to integrate the existing sectoral plans and programs to establish sustainable development mechanisms. The Amboseli Ecosystem Management Trust is the Plan owner located in Loitoktok Sub-County, Kajiado County. The Management plan is a blue print for environment and natural resources management within a specific period of time. The Plan is being subjected to Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA). The SESA will reinforce the implementation of the Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan by integrating the agreed land use restrictions to address the potential negative environmental and social impacts. The integration will be undertaken through the gazettement of the Amboseli Ecosystem Management plan SEA and annexation of its recommendation in the umbrella Amboseli Ecosystem SEA controlled by the Amboseli Ecosystem Trust (AET). A summary of the proposed environmental management and monitoring plan for the Amboseli Ecosystem Management plan is highlighted below. The proposed mitigation strategies are aimed at minimizing the negative impacts while enhancing the positive ones as highlighted below. Key Environmental and Social Impacts and Mitigation Measures; Activities and Potential Impact Nature of Impact Proposed Mitigation Impact of establishing grass banks (Olopololi). Overharvesting and degradation in harvesting areas (-) Ensure controlled harvesting and carrying out EIA and follow up EA on potential Impacts. Impact of developing and implementing traditional grazing plans. Disagreements(-) Proper engagement of the community for ownership of the pro- gram. Carry out an EIA prior to implementation. Impact of rehabilitating degraded grazing areas. Lack of grazing plans Potential conflict with community on restricted grazing during rehabilitation. Develop grazing plans and adhere to them Carry out an EIA prior implementation Enlighten community on potential benefits of rehabilitation. Impact of increasing water supply for livestock. Soil erosion and removal of vegetation while laying pipes, potential in- crease in animal population due to increased water Availability. Carry out EIAs before laying water pipes and comply with the recommendations, Assign quotas to water use among the community. Impact of establishing a livestock Disease Free Zone. Community Disagreements. Ensure community meetings under com- patent leadership. Put in place proper dispute resolution. Impact of securing wildlife dispersal areas and corridors. Restriction of fencing by land owners and possibility of HWC, Increased loss of pasture for livestock and animals from Predators. Proper engagement of community for ownership of the process and adequate compensation in cases of injury and loss. Impact of ban on charcoal trade on poverty reduction. Loss of livelihood for traders, potential increase in insecurity due to loss of income stream. Establishment of alternative sources of livelihood by the project. Impact of restriction of quarrying activities. Loss of livelihood income by employees and revenue by quarry owners, Loss of supporting businesses due to loss of market. Training on environ- mental friendly quarrying and proposal for alternative sources of income for the employees. Impact of off road driving in the conservancies. Degradation of the ecosystem, In- creased dust and noise pollution and animal disturbance. Restriction of off road driving to specified areas. Establishment of rotational off road driving to allow for healing. Impact of development of pasture management and livestock grazing plans. Restriction of com- munity activities and movement within the AE, potential for increased conflicts due to restricted animal. Movement. Community sensitization on the importance of the pro- posed program for ownership and reducing conflicts with the project. Impact of promotion of alternative cooking methods and materials. Improved ecosystem tem due to reduced use of wood and charcoal, Loss of revenue stream among charcoal and firewood merchants. Provision of alternative sources of energy to community through subsidized purchase and alternative sources of revenue for affected traders. Impact of the establishment of an ecosystem wide consolation fund. Improved source of livelihood among the local community. Sourcing of resources from donors and other stakeholders for sustainability of the fund. Impact of creating awareness on HWC Reduced HWC Continued community engagement for 28th July, 2023 THE KENYA GAZETTE Activities and Potential Impact Nature of Impact Proposed Mitigation mitigation strategies among the community sustainable reduction in HWC. Impact of strengthening community wildlife scouts. Probability of harassment of the local community. Proper training of the scouts on civil engagement with the community and proper handling of those in the wrong. Impact of water allocation enforcement. Reduced availability of water for farming and likely water conflicts among users. Proper engagement and sensitization of the affected users prior to enforcement. Impact of establishment of a ground water monitoring network. better management of the ground water and reduced depletion rate. Education on sustainable ground water harvesting and storage. Impact of training on rainwater harvesting technologies. Increased availability of water for domestic use and reduced pressure on existing sources. Sustainable rain water harvesting and safe storage measures. Impact of securing critical water sources. Better management of the sources and reduced accidents. Establishment of Proper guidelines on management of critical water sources. Impact of implementation of water pollution control. Conflict with the farmers. Sensitization of the farmers and community in general on the advantages of reduced water pollution. The full Draft Strategic Environmental Assessment report for the Amboseli Ecosystem Management Plan 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, Kajiado 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/5150206 National Environment Management.