appraisal drilling of geothermal wells in olkaria domes - Orkustofnun

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Ogola 302 Report 135.4 Risk to wildlife and biodiversityThe Hells Gate and Longonot National Parks were gazetted in 1984, three years after commissioningOlkaria I Power Station. This imposes constraints on operation management of the power station andpark. An environmental impact (EIA) study was made according to World Bank operational directive4.0 for proposed development in Olkaria II, which concluded that geothermal development is feasiblewithin Hell's Gate Park.KenGen and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 1994which outlines the harmonious operations of the two parties for the mutual benefit of the country.Envisaged environmental impacts and mitigating measures to be undertaken, and areas that requirecollaboration between KenGen and KWS to ensure that no conflicts arise during operations, areclearly stated in the agreement. The chairmanship of MoU meetings is rotational between KenGenand KWS divisional heads depending on the venue of the meeting. The MoU document is alwaysattached to the tender document issued by KenGen for geothermal projects in order to informcontractors of environmental obligations within the Park. KWS is currently reviewing the MoUdocument especially with regard to incoming IPPs such as Or Power in Olkaria III.Though the current project is outside the park, KenGen will uphold the conservation and protectionvalue of both flora and fauna. The proposed well locations are within a general area which provideshabitat for a variety of wildlife species including birds, mammals and fish. The cliffs provide nestinggrounds for birds and especially for vultures.The primary impacts that could result from the proposed action are direct loss and alteration ofapproximately 1.5-9 acres per well and the displacement of wildlife due to increased human activityand noise. Impacts would last from 3 to 5 years (time required for re-vegetation), if a well was drilledand then abandoned. The duration of impacts for producing wells could be 20 years.Habitat disturbance would result in direct loss of smaller, less-mobile species such as small mammalsand reptiles. More mobile species such as Kongoni, Zebra, Thompson’s Gazelle, Giraffe, Eland,Reedbuck, Warthog, Impala, Dik dik, Stein buck, Klipspringer, buffalo, wildebeest, waterbuck wouldbe displaced. Because of the high fecundity of small mammals and reptiles, their populations wouldbe expected to recover quickly following reclamation.A settlement pond will be constructed on each drill pad for storage and disposal of drill fluids. It ispossible that birds and wildlife might consume the water or drown in it. At the end of drillingoperations and prior to reclamation of the reserve pit, the pit should be fenced and the top of the pitcovered or fenced to prevent access to birds and other wildlife.There are no listed endangered species of plants or animals in the area.5.5 Occupational health and safety risksThe most probable occupational heath and safety risks associated with geothermal drilling includesmall accidents, accidental gas emissions, induced seismicity, hydrothermal eruptions or landslides. Inorder to prevent these, the site contractor will adhere to local and international safety drillingregulations. Blowout prevention equipment will be used on-site and adequate emergency plans put inplace. This will be included in the bid document as a prequalification. Other risks include subsidence.
Report 13 303 Ogola6. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PLANDue to the small magnitude of the project and its minimal implications on the socioeconomic status ofthe area, most socioeconomic variables like population, labour force demand, education, services andinfrastructure will be monitored. KenGen expects to be ISO 9001:2000 certified by December 2004.All ISO requirements in regard to quality management will be effected. Procedures on environmentalmonitoring have been developed. An environmental monitoring plan includes the following:Pre-project monitoring: Stakeholder consultations and disclosure. Ambient air quality monitoring,wildlife movements and soil erosion monitoring is on-going in the entire Greater Olkaria geothermalfield and in the Olkaria Domes.Project implementation monitoring: Monitoring of environmental variables during drilling and testingto determine changes which may have occurred as a result of the project. These will include trafficmovement, community complains, soil erosion and management strategies, labour force requirements,accident cases, impact on wildlife resources, water use, solid and liquid waste management, and airquality.Post project monitoring: This will involve continuous monitoring and measurements to ensure that therequired legal requirements and standards are met and strictly adhered to. Environmental audits willbe carried out as part of the KenGen routine audits in accordance to the National EnvironmentalManagement Authority Regulations and will be submitted to the authorities for scrutiny.7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS7.1 ConclusionsGeothermal projects do not cause adverse socioeconomic negative impacts. Therefore the OlkariaDomes (IV) drilling project will not cause any long term negative impacts. KenGen, through Olkaria Iand II, has adequately met the key socioeconomic responsibilities and any benefits from the currentproject will be an added bonus to the region. A full EIA will be conducted upon completion ofproduction drilling in preparation for the steam field development and power plant construction.The study area has undergone tremendous social and economic revolution in the last two decades.The rate of economic development does not match the land and natural resource carrying capacity northe rate of infrastructural development. The lake water is the most critical attraction for economicactivities. Fishing has been exploited beyond sustainable means; population has increased beyondinfrastructural development and services; and agricultural expansion has gone beyond land capacity.Stakeholders have formed associations to manage and conserve the resources in the area and have amutual coexistence/relationship with each other. The success of these associations will obviouslydepend on the determination of the stakeholders to conserve and save the area. Most of the inhabitantsare not indigenous. Sustainable development of the area should be reinforced by all stakeholders andwell-wishers. Mutual coexistence should be based on moral principles, values and environmentalethics. The stakeholders should not just be recipients of the project benefits but should also beaccountable and accommodate interests and needs of each other including the project proponent’s inthis case KenGen. The degree of involvement and responsibility of each and every stakeholder shouldbe very clear, not mere rhetoric. Benefits accrued should be obvious and of value to the region orrecipients. The government should also intervene to ensure sustainable use of resources.Further recommendations are discussed below.
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appraisal drilling of geothermal wells in olkaria domes - Orkustofnun

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