GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 8828

PURSUANT to regulation 21 of Environmental (Impact Assessment and Audit) Regulations, the National Environment Management Authority, (NEMA) has received an environmental impact assessment study report for the implementation of the proposed increase of stevia counties. The proposed development entails establishment of stevia farming in the counties of Nandi, Laikipia, Bungoma, Uasin-Gishu, Narok and Meru. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impact Mitigation measures Diversification on Income Generating Activities Periodic on-site training to maintain the tempo for sustainability. Ensure all inputs are applied for optimum production. Mismanagement of the Analysis of Labour profiles for all enterprise due to increased workload possible enterprise mixes, including examining the daily gender calendar for the target community. Youth to be included as they form the bulk of the rural labour force. Suitability of leaf threshing for the older folk. Technical knowledge Proponent to engage own specialized extension personnel and continuous induction of Ministry of Agriculture extension staff on the Stevia husbandry. Training of extension officers in Stevia production will be necessary. Food security Insist on appropriate enterprise mix, including livestock, food crops and cash crops. Crop–Water demand Contour planting with the correct spacing to increase water infiltration. Swallow irrigation in case of dry conditions. Need to determine the crop-water demand at varying conditions. Loss of soil fertility Contour tillage operations on areas that have slopes and incorporating leaves into the soil. Use of compost manure to be encouraged. Planting to be in rolling terrain for adequate erosion control. Waste disposal system Improve the disposal system through composting. Monocrop Allow a corridor of sesbania sesban along the pathway and at the boundarie. This shall provide wind break and other affiliated eco-functions of trees. Infrastructure development Improve the rural roads network. Proponent and local leaders team up in improving the road network. The full report of the proposed project is available for inspection during working hours at: (a) Director-General, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Popo Road, off Mombasa Road, P.O. Box 67839–00200, Nairobi. (b) Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, N.H.I.F. Building, Community, P.O. Box 30521, Nairobi. 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 approval process of the project. B. M. LANGWENI, for Director-General, MR7363829 National Environment Management Authority.