GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 6977

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, Mutara Orchards Limited proposes to establish an avocado plantation farm on a 2000 acres piece of land. The farm will also be used for cultivation of other vegetables such as kale, cabbage and spinach among others. The proposed project will also entail construction of a dam that will be used for water storage that will be collected from the surface run off, staff housing, parking are, medical clinic camp offices, storage area and associated facilities. The proposed project will be located on Plot L.R. No. 17510, Laikipia West Sub-County, Laikipia County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Impacts Mitigations Measures During Construction/Set up Phase of the Farm Plantation and Dams Loss of vegetation/deforestation • Avoid cutting mature tree and select areas of less vegetation for plantation activities. • Re-vegetation of exposed areas around the site to mitigate against the erosion of soil through surface water runoff and wind erosion. Soil compaction • Machinery needs to be operated on the existing roads or tracks. • Unnecessary vehicle movement should be avoided. Dust emission • Excavation, handling and transport of erodible materials shall be avoided under high wind conditions or when a visible dust plume is present and or covered by tarpaulin while on transit. • Vehicle speeds are limited to a maximum of 30km/h. Pollution of rivers • Apply sediment control procedures to prevent sediment returning into the rivers including but not limited to the retention ponds, among others appropriate to the site. • Plant vegetation cover, the grass around the reservoir and all affected areas not under cultivation. Occupational health and safety risk • Provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). • Keep agrochemical (pesticide and herbicide among others) in their original package away from reach by children and mature people as well. • Store chemicals as recommended in the MSDS. Labour Influx • Develop and implement the Labour Management Plan. • Hire labour from the local community unless otherwise. Soil erosion • Soil erosion control measures (retention ponds) should be undertaken to avoid erosion in sensitive areas and those prone to erosion. • The levelling and disturbance of the soil should be limited to the Impacts Mitigations Measures During Construction/Set up Phase of the Farm Plantation and Dams designated cultivation site. Increased traffic • The contractor should ensure there is regular watering of dusty roads and maintenance during this stage. • Damaged roads as a result of heavy vehicles should be repaired adequately and without delay. Introduction of invasive/alien flora to the site • Re-vegetate affected areas with the vegetation from the site. • No introduction of invasive/alien vegetation to the site. • Continuous monitoring of the vegetation within the proposed project site to ensure no incidences of alien species spreading. • Hire a biodiversity expert to periodically monitor the vegetation growth at the site. Pests and crop diseases • Workers should be trained on pest and disease control and management, especially integrated pest management. • There should be increased pest and disease surveillance to monitor the prevalence of existing pests and diseases. Human–Livestock Conflict • The sensitization should involve all community members in the area and should be holistic. • To minimize the conflicts between man- livestock and wildlife, the farms should be adequately fenced off with the use of the appropriate materials. Water quality degradation • The right amounts of fertilizer application should be used to prevent potential for excess quantities getting washed into the surface waters and from infiltrating into the groundwater resources. • Waste management should be adequately streamlined to prevent the release of effluents into the environment. Dam operation and maintenance • Monitor the crest to ensure that the edges do not erode and the crest width does not deteriorate. If required, additional material should be placed on the crest and a good grass cover maintained. • Monitor the crest and slopes for cracks. The location, alignment and depth of crack should be reported and cracks should be in-filled by compacting similar soil into the cracks. Soil erosion/surface runoff • Adequate drainage should be designed and engineered to prevent excessive runoff of sediments into the environment. • No cultivation of slopes of more than 35%; construct water velocity checks; safe water disposal to discharge points. • Plant grass strips and construct 2376 2376 Impacts Mitigations Measures During Construction/Set up Phase of the Farm Plantation and Dams terraces and safe disposal drainage lines, increase the ground plant cover in areas that are prone to erosion. Pollution from empty pesticide containers and paper cartons • All empty chemical containers to be disposed as hazardous waste by a NEMA licensed waste handler. Solid waste • Provision of bins, one for bio- degradable and another for non- degradable matter. • Waste shall be properly segregated to encourage re-cycling and re-use. • All the wastes shall be disposed appropriately as per the Laikipia County Government by-laws and Environmental Management and Co- ordination, (Waste Management) Regulations, 2006. • Ensure the workers follow the guidelines provided by pest control production board for on-farm disposal of pesticides wastes and containers. Downstream water use conflicts • Formation of community irrigation water users associations for water conflicts resolution and management. • Enforcement and adhering to the water management rules by all key stakeholders. • Rationing irrigation water supply during dry seasons. • Harvesting of rain water for use during the dry season. • The need to provide piped water supply for domestic users. Water borne diseases • Public awareness and campaigns on hygiene behaviour change. • Promotion of household water treatment methods. • Provision of safe water for domestic use to the local people. Leaching • Adoption of cover cropping where necessary. • Minimizing tillage through adoption of conservation agriculture. • Controlled application and application of fertilizer. Human wildlife conflicts. • The locals should not kill wild animals but instead call KWS to take them to conservation areas. • KWS in consultations with the local people to gazette conservation areas where need be. • Key stakeholders to enhance public awareness and participation in conservation activities. Social cultural changes • Synchronized celebration of cultural festive and agricultural production work related activities. • Preserve vegetative areas of cultural heritage. Impacts Mitigations Measures During Construction/Set up Phase of the Farm Plantation and Dams • Local people to adopt appropriate technology for crop and animal production. • The locals to adapt to social cultural changes through capacity building accepting change. Agrochemical pollution • Use of personal protection gears during spraying. • Adoption of integrated pest management practices. • Planting vegetation to act as wind- breakers. • Spraying of crops should be done on a calm day. • Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the impacts of agrochemical pollution. • Strict following of manufacturers conditions when using chemicals. • Adequate capacity building of farmers on agro-chemical use. Disturbance of soil structure • Sensitization to the project workers on proper soil conservation and management measures. • Excavations on unintended areas should be avoided. Monoculture • Plant variety of different crops to enhance or boost nutrients values of the land and even pollination process. Noise pollution • Workers shall be provided with PPE/materials such as earmuffs and earplugs when operating noisy machinery and when in a noisy environment. • Drivers/operators shall be sensitized to switch off vehicles and machinery engines when not in use. • Drivers shall avoid unnecessary hooting and revving of vehicles. Air pollution/ carbon foot print • Ensure proper repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment to minimize exhaust fumes. • Use of unleaded petrol and regular servicing of the company vehicles to reduce emissions. • Use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods. 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, Laikipia 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 26th May, 2023 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 regarding this project. Comments can also be emailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/5151111 National Environment Management.