Lake Natron Consultative Meeting Ash Factory

Minutes of the meeting conducted to share information on the findings of the
Environmental Social Impact Assessment for the Proposed Development of a
Soda Ash Facility at Lake Natron, Tanzania
Meeting venue – Dar es Salaam Conference Centre
Date – 12th July 2007
Presentation of the Project
Norconsult representatives (D. Parry and F. Ismail) gave a presentation on the background to the
project, baseline information gathered, summary of the impacts and proposed mitigations and
environmental and social management plan, ending with the Environmental Impact Statement.
The presentation was divided into sections with allowance for participants to seek clarification at
the end of each section.
1. Project Description
Query from Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
The power requirements are not clearly defined, from the description it appears the project
appears to have large electricity requirements and both diesel and grid power. Are both to be used
for pumping?
Response: Norconsult
The plant requires most of the power that will be generated and initially the design was to
have a coal or diesel power plant together with diesel pumps at the brine wells. The
power supply for pumping brine may change to electricity.
Response: TCL
The diesel powered pumps were to pump brine, but at this stage of the design it is not
clear whether the diesel pumps or the electrical pumps will be used for pumping the
brine; this will depend on the outcome of the ESIA
Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Which power option would be less noisy and thus provide the least disturbance?
Response: TCL
Pumps using electrical grid power will be less expensive.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
What is the size of the resource, for how many years will the soda ash facility be in operation?
Response: TCL
The quantification of the resource is yet to be determined but the initial figures suggest that the
facility can run for at least 50 years.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
The Lake Magadi soda ash facility in Kenya has been in operation for nearly a 100 years. Is the
resource there becoming depleted such that you are now looking at developing a new plant at
Lake Natron? If the resource there meets your market demands why open up another plant at
Natron?
Response: NDC
1. The current world demand of soda ash outstrips the current production;
2. Lake Natron soda deposit is a Tanzanian resource and we are looking for opportunities to
exploit it.
Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
If the resource in Kenya is big enough to meet requirements then why look in Tanzania?
TATA Chemicals Ltd
Stated he is not in a position to respond to that query and would forward the matter to
management.
Query: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
At which stage is the ESIA document?
Response: Norconsult
We are in the final process of input prior to submission to NEMC.
Query: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
It is important to see the TOR so that we know what questions to ask as we are not sure what the
Consultants were tasked to achieve.
Response: Norconsult
NEMC has the TOR which should be available to stakeholders; we have done a comprehensive
EIA and worked through the process from registration, through Scoping to the ESIA. From this
sitting. We would appreciate feedback on what you think based on what we have found.
Query: African Conservation Centre; Mr Petenya Yusuf
What is the land tenure system, is it government owned? We need clarification in this
presentation.
Response: Norconsult
Land tenure in the project area is based on the Village Land Act and inheritance laws. Tanzania is
in the process of surveying all its villages and this will give each village a land title deed.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
On site is there freshwater or is there a need to abstract from the rivers coming into the lake?
Response: Norconsult
Fresh water is an issue and a concern. The assumption in the EIA is that the water will come from
the eastern side of the lake.
Query: TAWIRI; Mr Thade Clamsen
Sulphuric acid is one of the waste products mentioned that will be going back into the lake, how
will this affect the ecosystem?
Norconsult
Only the depleted brine will go back into the lake; sulphuric acid is not one of the waste products
that will be channelled back into the lake.
2. ESIA Background and Findings
Query: LEAT; Mr Rugemeleza
Land ownership is a main concern, who owns the land in that area? Being a game reserve is does
not automatically mean that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism or Wildlife Division
owns the area and if that is the case what are the legal arrangements and how many villages
surround the area?
Response: Norconsult
The proposed project area is located within three villages of Magadi, Pinyinyi and Engare sero
that operate under the Village Land Act/ Customary law. These villages are yet to be surveyed.
(NOTE: is this correct? Natron has three villages, but the site falls within Gelai Bomba
sub-village of WosiWosi. This must be corrected)
Query: LEAT; Mr Rugemeleza
How have these villages been involved in the ESIA process as it has been the experience that
their concerns are not fully represented during these processes?
Response: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
Land in most areas of Tanzania is customarily owned.
Response: Norconsult
In Tanzania we have several land tenure systems, 1) Hereditary; 2) Village government land; 3)
Commercial purchase. When land has not yet been surveyed it is generally under traditional
ownership through inheritance and/ or under management of the village authority. The Masaai are
pastoralists who move around a lot and according to their customs and agreements at any one
time the land is available to anyone who needs to graze their cattle or utilise it for non permanent
cause.
Query: LEAT; Mr Rugemeleza
Customary land rights system is when you have general land then you have government and then
the villages own the land under customary law so the villagers have the final say over the land.
What is the kind of interaction between the proponent and the villagers and interested to know the
villages that have been represented at this workshop.
Response: Norconsult
The first workshop was held at Monduli with the ward, district authorities and the villagers
themselves, a report in Swahili on the workshop was then compiled and this has been sent to them
and a number of representatives were invited to this workshop but unfortunately they have been
unable to attend. The outputs from the earlier District workshop were used to prepare a
social mitigation plan.
Query: RAMSAR Convention Secretariat; Mr Paul Mafabi
What is the legal status of the Ramsar site in Lake Natron?
Response: Norconsult
Only the management authority of Lake Natron has changed but not the land tenure.
Query: RAMSAR Convention Secretariat; Mr Paul Mafabi
So its status is just on paper and has no legal bearing?
Response: Wildlife Division; Mr M. Kaita
Lake Natron being a Ramsar site does not change its status or the land tenure; all activities are
allowed to continue as long as it follows the wise use of the land. Under Tanzania law it is not a
protected area.
Comment: Norconsult
The government is currently carrying out surveys in all the villages in Tanzania. At
present Customary Law is used in managing the land therefore the village has authority to
allocate the land to whoever needs it.
Comment: WCST; Mr. Lota Melamari
In addition, as a Ramsar site, the designated land would require a management plan which will
define the activities that take place, it does not revoke but allows well planned/ordered activities.
Query: Norconsult
Is there a management plan? We could ask Wildlife Division in terms of the status of the
Management Plan.
Response: Wildlife Division; Mr M. Kaita
Funds have been set aside for manage planning; the process has to go through the tendering
system for procurement of a consultant following which a plan will be drafted.
Query: LEAT; Mr Rugemeleza
Are we saying the project will take place in the absence of a management plan, how will the
project fit into the plan? One would assume the villages would be involved.
Response: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
We should borrow the idea from Wildlife Department, Ramsar allows the wise use of land and
we shouldn’t wait for the management plans we know what wise use is and we should adhere to
that.
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
This forum has no mandate to wait or proceed without a management plan however the point can
be raised that the Ramsar site needs to have a management plan.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Within a thirty to forty year period there will be human demographic change which will result in
conflict over the resources such as water and land for agriculture. What has been observed for the
area in the ESIA?
Response: Norconsult
It has been noted for the villages of Engaruka, Selela and Engare Sero there has been an increase
in population but in Pinyinyi and Wosi Wosi there has been no or low increase. There was no
census data available and the apparent increase may be due to agriculture.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Why not move the site out to Longido which will have no impact on the Ramsar site?
Norconsult
Suggested the question should be moved to after lunch in the afternoon Q&A session.
Query: WCST; Mr L. Melamari
Did you get any information from TGT on wildlife species extracted from the area on other
animals apart from those mentioned such as the Oryx?
Response: Norconsult
We did receive data from TGT and have some information on animals not mentioned but not
much so would be grateful for any additional data available.
TGT; Ms K. Linnegar
We can provide information which the wildlife division should also have. The oryx is a hard
animal to survey and hope to gather more information in the future.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Flamingo life span is 16-25 years and might not breed for 5-6 years and a few times after that, I
therefore hope that TCL will allow for continuous monitoring.
Comment: Norconsult
Agree that monitoring is a crucial concern.
Comment: NEMC; Mr F. Rugiga
A lot more activities are happening now than in the past. We need to find out or assess if the
existing development has already affected the breeding of flamingo and whether the number of
flamingos has decreased.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Flamingos used to breed at Magadi in the past, this we know because we have found salt
anklets from chicks, but we are not sure it was successful breeding and we also cannot say that
this was/ is due to the presence of a factory.
Comment: TANROADS
There are a lot activities going in the area, so it is better to have the assessment for the time being.
Clarification: Norconsult
There are no activities at the selected site a present but within the basin there are a number of
developments.
Comment: WCST; Mr L. Melamari
From what you have presented water and agriculture may have an impact, and the dynamics are
not well known.
Clarification: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
The semi-fresh water springs that support the Flamingo are not used for agriculture and breeding
of flamingos is related to rainfall and not water from rivers.
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Has anyone measured the water flow into the proposed site?
Response: Norconsult
A hydrological study is being carried out, a monitoring station has been put on the
Peninyi River, this information is with TATA as part of a separate study. The river has been
shown to rise very rapidly and drop just as quickly. This shows that there is little
retention in the catchment and that the river responds almost immediately to rainfall
events.
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Is this information going to be included in the ESIA?
Response: Norconsult
It is our assumption that there will be no impacts on the flows into the Lake from the project. The
assessment was to establish availability of fresh water for the plant and this is very low.
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Has a model been developed to reflect what the extraction would imply in terms of the effect on
the environment?
Response: Norconsult
Not yet but information from previous reports was used
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
How far away from the lakeshore is the facility to be located?
Response: Norconsult
Right at the shore.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Why?
Response: Norconsult
This is due to cost of moving brine up the escarpment. In addition some plants have
evaporation basins/ponds on the pan surface. Let us ask TATA what they feel?
Response: TCL Ltd
Technically it is possible for the plant to be moved 3-4 kilometres from the shore, we
could look at this option
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
He has raised an important point; you may have to consider the location of the plant in your
proposal if the site will not be at the shore what would be the impacts do they remain the same?
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Where will you get fresh water to run the process?
Response: Norconsult
We are looking at groundwater option. Water is not available on the western side od eh
Lake unless a reservoir is put in, as part of the future (TANPOWER) hydropower plant
on the Peninyi River. This is just theoretical as there are no firm plans. Water may have
to come from further east from near Longido.
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
What about in the dry season?
Response: Norconsult
At present the assumption is to use surface flow from eastern side during the rainy season, but
this is not very optimistic. However the soda ash plant can work on sub-standard water so water
quality is not as serious an issue as quantity is.
Query: ACC
How many rivers are there in Pinyinyi area, what is the capacity, would people around the area
lose their activities?
Response: Norconsult
From our study we see no spare water, there only 3-4 months of perennial rains
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Extracting brine will lay a network of pipes across the surface of water like a web and will this be
in place or be moved on a regular basis?
TCL
The hydrogeological & resource survey are ongoing, then we will know what our options will be.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
All those scenarios have happened on other sites, how is it done in Botswana?
Norconsult
In Botswana it is a permanent network of pipes on the surface of the pan.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
The area is then completely off limits to flamingos!
Comment: WWF; Mr F. Mariki
In absence of critical information don’t you think the proposal is premature?
Norconsult
Project has to start somewhere.
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
This information is provisional and the conclusion is based what could change due to the final
results from the hydrogeological study. This is important as this EIA is what is going to
government to make an informed decision but what the actual activities would entail are not
established.
Response: Norconsult
This EIA is assessed on the project information as provided by TCL and following the process
given by NEMC. The ESIA has clearly defined assumptions and development activities
which are the basis of the assessment. If these change, then these will fall outside the
present ESIA activities.
Comment: East African Wildlife Society; Mr. H. Becha
To effectively contribute, to the assessment is to collect data that will enable decision makers
approve the project or not. This looks like an environmental evaluation and not an ESIA which is
to assist in final decision making, as the alternatives are not clearly outlined.
Response: Norconsult
We have looked at a series of alternatives during scoping and this is the impact assessment of the
selected alternative.
Query: WWF; Mr F. Mariki
Are you mandated to choose selection? I thought you provided us with all options so that we can
provide input into the process?
Response: Norconsult
We are presenting issues affecting the area that we conducted the ESIA and presenting what we
found and which will be presented in the submission to NEMC.
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Are you having difficulties conducting the assessment as TCL keep changing the plans?
Response: Norconsult
EIA and engineering is an iterative process. Changes in design is one of the best
approachs to effective mitigation.
Comment: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
It would be better if the plan was clearer at the start, it would have been more helpful. This
doesn’t describe what the project is.
Comment: ACC Kenya Wetland Forum– Mr. P. Odhiambo
We should be dealing with specific and real things, how effective will my input be without a
comprehensive assessment so that we know what the project is going to be so that we can propose
options.
Response: Norconsult
As indicated earlier, the assessment is based on clearly defined options as defined in the
Scoping Report to NEMC. For example the site location was identified during the
assessment of options and the access route was predetermined. The assessment is based
on these proposals
Query: WCST; Mr L. Melamari
The road from Mto wa Mbu is still being discussed, and is not public so we can not assume it will
be upgraded.
Response: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
The road is under feasibility study and the draft preliminary design study has been submitted
together with the ESIA to TANROADS.
Query: TGT; Ms K. Linnegac
Is there an EIS?
Comment: East African Wildlife Society; Mr. H. Becha
You have done an assessment but not an assessment on the institutional capacity of the proponent
to monitor the environment. If he doesn’t have the capacity, where will he get it and what
are the consequences?
Response: Norconsult
Whether the proponent has the capacity or not is critical to the project. At present we are
assuming and advising that LNRL will assume the same corporate responsibility in
implementation of the EMP as what TCL which is an ISO certified company advocates.
Query: LEAT; Mr Rugemeleza
How many pieces of legislatives were reviewed in this assignment? What are the benefits to
sharing proposed facility with the village government and to the district? Village governments are
empowered to come together to manage resources, do not see legal component in this document
(draft executive summary). What is being proposed to ensure that the villages benefit? It is a
violation of one’s rights if Tanzanians are restricted from going anywhere and also there are
economic restrictions.
Response: Norconsult
LNRL has been formed for this project and if it goes ahead then they will adopt TCL’s corporate
responsibility policy. NDC as a government body has a social responsibility. Work in the soda
ash facility is a specialised field and Masaai may not have the necessary skills but they should be
given priority instead of hiring people outside the village to do non-specialised work
Query: TWC/ACC
Interested to know how the proponent related to other communities in other areas where they
have factories?
Comment: Norconsult
The main problem is accessibility, together we have approached the villages and if it goes ahead
we will work together with the villages, the districts have a set mechanism and it is best to work
with an existing system rather than establishing a new one.
Query: ACC; Mr Petenya Yusuf
How much consideration has been given to mitigation of potential impacts on Kenya?
Response: Norconsult
The only impact appears to be the bird issue none of the other impacts cross into Kenya.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
And those impacts are related to economics and biodiversity threats pertinent to both countries.
Comment: African Conservation Centre; Mr Petenya Yusuf
An MSc has been done on wetland flamingo at Lake Natron and their impact on tourism incomes.
Do you have data on the value of these birds to tourism?
Response: Norconsult
Unfortunately we were not able to access data directly related to the Flamingoes and tourism and
what we have is generated from the tourist facilities around the Lake. Data from this thesis is
requested or a contact for the author.
Comment: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
It is specific areas and not all the Lake, according to the ESIA the flamingos are breeding in the
South side of the Lake where breeding occurs and the location for the site is away from the
sensitive breeding areas.
Comment: Norconsult
In addition buffers around the breeding areas have been included.
Comment: MoW; Eng. E. Nkini
Abstraction of water from the lake is different from the river, whereby the abstraction point may
affect the ecology of the lake.
3. EIS
Query: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Have you accessed information, such as scientific ecosystem research?
Response: Norconsult
There is a long list of references that we went through but there was no information on the basin
issues. A lot of information exists on flamingos, archaeological and geology on the western side
of Lake Natron.
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
It is curious that there is no data on cumulative impact so there is limited knowledge on the
parameters. Again the conclusion to link the environmental monitoring and the project operation
is wanting. How can we come to a conclusion on limited information, wouldn’t it be appropriate
to suggest data collection especially on the unknown? We need to get further information and
have ongoing monitoring.
Query: IUCN Tz; Dr. A.S. Issa
Have you undertaken an assessment of the cost of mitigation and how it will be built into the cost
of the project?
Response: Norconsult
We have prepared a budget for the mitigation costs relating to (1) the construction phase,
(2) the administration requirements that will be put in place before the project goes ahead
and, (3) costs relating to monitoring.
Question and Answer Session
Comment: East African Wildlife Society; Mr H. Becha
This is not a question, it is a comment. As an NGO/Civil Society we are not against projects
for development we just want procedures to be followed, no shortcuts, and good governance to
make decisions. There appears that there is a lot of Government push is this political project? As
a civil society we need to challenge the process. Lake Natron is a Tanzanian geographical
resource but due to its importance it is a trans-boundary resource Kenya should be involved.
Kenya was only consulted at the scoping stage. We would recommend that the consultants to give
the proponent assistance so that Transboundary issues are adequately addressed.
Furthermore, if this is a political project, is this meeting supposed to Rubber Stamp the process?
And lastly the ESIA should clearly feature benefits at national, regional and grass root levels.
Clarification: RAMSAR Convention Secretariat; Mr Paul Mafabi
Ramsar is an intergovernmental treaty signed February 1971. Ramsar is a city in Iran. There are
155 contracting parties including Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The main objective is to stem or
halt the loss of wetland resources. It is the oldest environmental treaty. The parties have 4
obligations
1. Designate wetland that meets criteria
2. Promote wise use of wetlands, develop a policy
3. Designate wetland reserves and effectively manage the reserves
4. Share information especially species and projects that may affect such sites and species
From this meeting, the issues raised will be taken to the administration authority and the
secretariat that deals with this body. I would like to draw your attention to Article 3.2, and
Resolution 8.9.
Article 3.2 requires Parties to be informed if the characteristics of a wetland is changing.
This of course has been communicated. Also resolution 8.9 urges contracting parties to
proceed in a precautionary manner and keep away from vulnerable sites.
That is why I asked what the legal status of the site is, because once the site is designated it
ceases to be a national site and becomes an international one. If you propose and if the area is to
reduce it is a long protracted procedure. Because the Ramsar site has been agreed upon by
convention of parties, itshould be tabled before the parties so, if what you are doing will reduce
the Ramsar site, it would become a legal case.
Wise use requires development of the management plan and the plan will allow certain
projects under the obligations of the convention. The proposed project should fit in with
the Natron Management Plan.
A specific comment on the EIA alternatives; this aspect was mentioned but not seen to be
important , alternatives need to be brought up for NEMC to make a decision as it should have
information on all options. In the presentation the impacts were based on agreed options.
Comment: Wildlife Division; Mr. Kaita
The comment on wise use and that the proposed development should be subject to the
management plan, is not correct. You do not stop activities that are not in the plan from
taking place unless it is environmentally unfriendly.
Comment: RAMSAR Convention Secretariat; Mr Paul Mafabi
What is proposed is a new activity, when designating the site the existing impacts and activities
were noted but anything new should be within the future management plan.
Comment: WCST; Mr L. Melamari
Nationally important bird areas such as Natron host endangered and threatened species and on
that basis advize and precaution on any development proposed has to take into account the
existing management of that area. It is a shared species we are hosting it, the breeding area is of
national concern that call for protecting the species.
Comments: African Conservation Centre; Mr Petenya Yusuf
1. The issue is Lake Natron is a shared resource as the only breeding site in East Africa and
the 3rd globally most important breeding site for Lesser Flamingo. It accounts for
35% of flamingos in the world
2. In 1993 the Kenya project to develop hydropower was opposed by Tanzania and
the project has been on hold ever since. The issues were trans-boundary and so
are the impacts. We shared the same concerns and so we agreed. Now our
counterparts have turned around.
3. In the presentation one of the benefits stated was that Masaai will be employed as
guards; that is a mindset we want to correct that in Kenya Masasi can only get
jobs as guards or casual labourers. Other jobs go to other people.
4. Issue of compensation, I don’t think government will give compensation, the
Masaai are not assured. There is the issue here of no jobs, no compensation and
no business.
5. We do ecological tourism in Shompole, the majority of the money goes to people
mostly investors and outsiders.
6. If the project impacts negatively on livestock and tourism that is not good for the
people as these are the only activities that are done.
7. There has been no representative from the local Masaai people at this workshop.
8. The EIA and the audit reports prepared by the Magadi Soda Ash facility in Kenya
are not public documents and have not been seen by people at Magadi. We hope
that the same situation will not happen again with development on Lake Natron.
9. I am not against the project but would like protocols to be followed.
Responses: Norconsult
1. This is the second stakeholder meeting of this nature the first one was in Monduli January
2007 and was with District and communities members for three days to deliberate and the
social mitigations we presented are an outcome of these deliberations.
2. Information and comments from the communities have incorporated into the ESIA.
3. The outcome of the Monduli workshop was sent it back to them and although
representation was requested and confirmed something happened that we will follow up.
4. In addition ESIA regulations require the executive summary to be in both English and
Swahili.
5. The Tanzanian Government has in recent cases compensated resettlement though there
have been in the past some concerns, the current practise is acknowledged by many.
Comment: TAWICO; J. Wolhuter
It would be more logical to have meeting in Arusha which will solve the problem of logistics for
locals to attend in future.
Comment: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
A number of regulations, policies and international agreement exist and need to be
outlined in a section on current obligations.
IUCN is completing an action plan on flamingos and migratory species such as the Lesser
Flamingo species which is in decline and we brought all the experts from South Africa,
East Africa and India to a workshop. The main issue affecting the Lessor Flamingo is
loss/degradation of habitats and disruption of breeding areas.
The lights and noise from the plant will degrade the habitat and creat disturbance. I think
you should also show photos of the structure that you intend to have.
There is also a need to make note of all international obligations your country has in a separate
section of the report
Norconsult
We have a legal section in the ESIA but we didn’t put it in this presentation because there was not
enough time.
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
We heard that a lot of information is still missing for the EIA to be complete. This information is
needed;
1. The hydrological data is critical,
2. Proper definition of the impact areas. Only the Lake Natron area impacts are mentionedin
the report but there is reference to the Tanga corridor what about those cumulative
impacts?
3. Transboundary impacts
4. Cumulative impact- of the kind of activities on human settlement and the implication of
resources such as land, water and energy apart from the industry, the energy of biomass
will have major implication on vegetation cover and ecosystem
5. Mitigation that is directly related to the impacts that are workable can be measured. Need
to be specific so that we can do monitoring
6. Weakness of district-should look at the Environmental Act and what NEMC says about
who is responsible.
7. The issue of waste management from the industry and human settlement should be
properly addressed.
Comment: TWC; J. Wolhuter
There will be an increase in poaching due to the construction of roads. Poor access is one of the
factors that limits poaching this will be aggravated with an upgraded road.
Comment:TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
1. Regarding Ramsar requirements take precaution to study. I think the objective/intention
is to make sure all precautionary measures should be taken into consideration and so that
all stakeholders can have an input
2. Regarding trans-boundary impacts (Ewaso Ngiro Hydropower project); Tanzania rejected
the project due to the likely impacts on Lake Natron and not because it was to benefit
Kenya. However, this ESIA should address the trans-boundary impacts if they are there
3. Conclusion (EIS) should be based on the available data
4. Limited data has been provided; it is not realistic to depend on hundred percent of the
data needed, the Consultants need to draw conclusions on the data available the ESIA
process has to be defined within a time frame. However, the hydrological data should be
included in the report
5. Indicate how you plan to dispose or return to the lake the mud and waste produced
6. TANROADS is designing the Mto-wa-Mbu to Loliondo road taking into account all
development and potential investments in the area and this project is one such
development.
Query: Fisheries; Ms M Mlolwa
Regarding location, have you consulted the Land Act which states that for an urban site 30 -60m
have to be left open for fishing activities? Looking at the map of the site the facility seems close
to the lake.
It is good that the consultants have noted some fish species but wondered on the limited
knowledge as the study will control the fish area.
Response: Norconsult
Lake Natron is not subject to the above as there is no commercial nor domestic fishing. If there is
no fishing does the 30-60m rule apply?
Response: Fisheries; Ms M Mlolwa
I will check into that.
Comments: African Conservation Centre; Mr Peter Odiambo
1. We do not consider ourselves opponents to development
2. We are interested in the 3 pillars of development, sustainability, environment and the
people
3. Lake Natron is the only breeding site for Lesser Flamingo in East Africa so any
interference with Lake Natron will affect the other five Ramsar lakes in Kenya
4. We don’t know what impacts building the facility will have
5. Economically we have made investment in Lake Nakuru and so have the people living
there and are supported by the tourism which is mainly Flamingoes bred in Natron.
6. Socially people in the area are dependant on the lake as a source of soda.
7. The Ewaso Ngero project was stopped due to concerns for Lake Natron
Response: Norconsult
The communities will not be affected and the communities supplement their income from sale of
the trona/crust.
Comment: IUCN Tz; Dr. A.S. Issa
Important to note that an ESIA is a planning tool that enables decision makers make good
decisions. For that matter, we should have a look at the industry vis a vie non extractive benefits
to this area such as the tourism to make adequate information available to decision makers.
We should get information from Botswana and Kenya find out the lessons learned and how they
have benefited and also the negative impacts and how they have been dealt with. Have any of the
team members visited Magadi or Botswana?
Response: Norconsult
We have information from Botswana as one of our team members has worked on a project there.
However in Kenya and Botswana the extraction processes are different. In Kenya it is the trona
that is extracted while in Botswana it is brine but using a different processing system.
The value of tourism is not easily discerned or compared to the extraction industry. In addition,
from our assessment the tourism will benefit some from the improved accessibility but there may
be lowered value of the wilderness.
Comment: NDC
1. Would like to assure the participants that there is no political push from the government.
NDC is working in collaboration with TCL.
2. Decisions are going to be based on the ESIA
3. The studies are ongoing and are not expected to end with the ESIA document
4. Assessing and monitoring is also ongoing
5. We are also developing the corridor along Tanga -Musoma and Port Bell in Uganda.
Development is going to occur. The project started in 1996 and we have been trying to
get this going since then
6. As long as an assessment is ongoing, stakeholders feelings will be continually included
Comment: East African Wildlife Society; Mr H. Becha
We are not sure if the consultants have gotten information from the East African community.
There are East African resource management guidelines on shared resources not only in terms of
biodiversity but in terms of impacts. It would be useful to contact the East Africa Secretariat.
Tanzania is part of the global community in sustainability (MKUKUTA) and should not be
domestic.What are national, regional, grassroots benefits if any.
There is a Rights based approach in the world now, how will you mitigate loss of human rights so
that the ESIA can stand the challenges otherwise the workshop was not engaged
Query: Norconsult
On what protocols, national or regional?
Response: East African Wildlife Society; Mr H. Becha
Have a draft, will send a copy.
Comment: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
Cannot base this ESIA on guidelines that have not been approved by the East African Community
Comment: Norconsult
The Tanzanian government has informed neighbouring governments about its plans to develop all
its shared water bodies. We are not the voice of the government and would recommend that a
request can be made from NEMA through NEMC as the proper protocol. However for the
transboundary concerns if the Flamingo concerns are properly mitigated there should be no transboundary
issues.
Comment: East African Wildlife Society; Mr H. Becha
I want the notion of lake Natron Natron as a Tanzanian Lake to be removed because it doesn’t
have underground water but is fed by Ewaso Ngiro river so what if Kenya would have
constructed a hydropower plant on the Ewaso Ngiro you would have realised that the Lake is a
shared resource?
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Need to know if there is freshwater available on site or not?
Is there a timeframe for this factory? Is there a project since you have been working on it for 11
years?
Response: NDC
The target is 2010 for it to be operational commercially and presently waiting for the studies to be
concluded.
Queryt: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
If the factory is build away from the lake it won’t affect the flamingos but I am concerned
about the brine extraction method; this needs to be defined I would also be concerned
about the northern Lesser Falmingo breeding site if the “area of resource” displayed
earlier is to be fully exploited. Some things haven’t been mentioned like how many
trucks will be used of what size? Will Soda Ash be trucked all the way to Arusha? The
mitigation that truck will adhere to speed limits is of concern as we know these will not
be adhered to. A road or rail link along the eastern shore would be unacceptable. Should
have made a decision by now on whether there will be a railway or road link.
Response: NDC; Mr. Mwakibolwa
There is an ongoing logistical study so we hope that the above questions will be answered.
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
The road will bring people which will bring disturbance to the breeding areas
Comment: NDC
It is important to note all alternatives
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Why coal? Where will it come from?
Response: NDC
Coal may come from the proposed Mchuchuma coal mine, which is being promoted by NDC
under the Mtwara Development Corridor in the southern part of Tanzania. Alternatively, coal
may come from South Africa or elsewhere. Coal will be off loaded at Tanga Port.
Query: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
Why not use diesel to generate power?
Response:NDC
Key is economics
Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
About the mitigation issues we can’t focus from the bird point of view, the issues have not been
specific.
Comment: IRA UDSM; Dr H. Sosovele
We don’t have enough information for the ESIA to be useful
Is the soda ash being extracted for export?
Response: NDC
It will be used by local industries in Tanzania and the rest exported. From the economies of scale
and downstream operations in Tanzania and Kenya, consumption is only 40% of what will be
produced
Comment: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
The development and the establishment of roads are different issues. The developer can’t
influence the decision to construct a road from Mto wa Mbu to Loliondo instead of the
rail. The developer has no mandate to build roads.They will need to be consultation with the
appropriate authority (TANROADS/ SUMATRA) to decide on the access logistics including
routing.
Comment: African Conservation Centre; Mr Petenya Yusuf
The whole debate needs mutual understanding.
The issue of ground water is not an option as it is saline
Norconsult
Can’t make that decision till the hydrological profile has been completed. It should be noted
that water for the plant does not need to be 100% fresh.
Comment: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
There is freshwater in the system.
Comment: NDC
The issue is quantity rather than quality.
Query: East African Wildlife Society; Mr H. Becha
Supposed the Tanzania Government doesn’t construct the railway and road? The developer is not
the decision maker and cannot decide? What happens then is the project abandoned?
Response: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
If the government constructs a railway to Musoma and a road link then there will be an
impact on Lake Natron, those are the scenarios that will be examined by TANROADS.
Comment: WCST; Mr L. Melamari
We feel more things are unknown than what we were expecting as participants. We cannot
downplay the importance of data and information as we need our contributions to be accurate.
I would suggest that the consultants need to build a stronger case as we feel we are not
adequately informed and can only provide a limited contribution.
Comment: Norconsult
We said this is an assessment of the best alternatives based on site selection and access from Mto
wa Mbu to the site assuming water on the east side. These are clearly defined criteria for the
assessment and in our TOR. If this scenario changes then there is need for another and separate
study. We could not assess the alignment around Gelai or from Longido as these are yet to be
decided on, but what we do know is that the track along the eastern shore should not be used. We
are assuming, though, that the road will be developed between Mto-wa-Mbu and
Loliondo regardless of the proposed project.
Comment: African Conservation Centre; Mr Petenya Yusuf
We were not properly consulted, not in Kenya (people from Shompole); it was not done in the
right way.
Response: Norconsult
Have received list of participants and minutes from our consultants in Kenya, but will go back
and confirm on what exactly was done to achieve these. However, we request that any concerns,
issues or information be forwarded to us.
NEMC; Mr F. Rugiga
Thanks for inviting us (NEMC) to the meeting to view the consultation process as it gives
us a good idea of concerns and outline of the project. It also gives us a good idea of who
should be involved. The approval office for ESIA is the Vice President’s Office. That is not a
consultative process. This has been a useful sitting as now the international and local concerns
have been aired.
Query: TGT; Ms K. Linnegac
What is the NEMC process from now?
Comment: NEMC; Mr F. Rugiga
All views from the stakeholder will be incorporated in the ESIA then submitted to NEMC and the
Technical Advisory Committee will review the document. They are given 60 days to submit
comments then it is returned to the consultant to compile the final documents. Before it is
submitted to us it is not our property. The public can view the document at NEMC, by
special request, after it has been submitted to us
Comment: TANROADS; Mr S. M. Mgeta
There may be a public hearing if the regulatory authority (NEMC) feels it would benefit the
ESIA.
Comment: RAMSAR Convention Secretariat; Mr Paul Mafabi
In Uganda during the 60 days the public is allowed to view the document
Comment: Flamingo Specialist group; Dr Brooks Childress
Suggest you put it on the internet.
Comment: NEMC; Mr F. Rugiga
The workshop is important to stakeholders, if you want to review the document come to NEMC
Query: UDSM Zoology Dept- KimHowell
How does someone know that the document has been submitted?
Comment: Tanzania Bird Atlas; Mr Neil Baker
The consultant should circulate an email to workshop participants.
Meeting End
Prior to closing the meeting the Consultants provided a two week time frame for additional
comments to be submitted to them. In addition it was agreed that the minutes of the meeting
would be circulated to all participants.
The meeting was closed at 16.30hrs.