GAZETTE NOTICE NO. 3166

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, Athi Water Works Development Agency proposes to construct Kinale Dam along Gatamaiyu River spillway, comprising a capacity of four thousand cubic meter per day (4,000m /day) in Kiambu County. The following are the anticipated impacts and proposed mitigation measures: Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures Loss of vegetation  Compensate KFS for the loss of forest materials at the dam area and its associated infrastructure.  Provide sufficient budget for the restoration of the project sites that will be affected by the project.  Support rehabilitation of the 100ha of the degraded forest areas in Kijabe forest block. Soil loss  Excavated soil should be used to the extent possible within the site for rehabilitation of degraded areas, landscaping and/or reclamation as a soil loss avoidance action.  Provide a drainage plan for the site as part of the project implementation. Where alternative drains are required, ensure protection of soil therein.  Landscaping during construction and introduce ground cover including grass for soil protection. Siltation of water sources  Protect the low water holding wet areas from siltation by creating silt traps on the surface drains.  Do not interfere with the vegetation cover around the wet areas. Air pollution  Earth works to always be done under dump conditions to avoid dusty conditions.  Ensure construction equipment are maintained to avoid emission generation.  Burning of materials should be controlled.  Dry plant matter be composted. Surface drainage  Integrate local drainage with new natural slopes orientation to harmonize with upstream and downstream drains settings.  Any realignment should take into consideration downstream local land surface features to avoid soil erosion. Impacts on hydrology  Ensuring compliance with water resource regulations at all times.  Reactivating gauging stations around the dam and downstream to monitor effects of the dam to the river basin over time.  Ensure diversions of the river during construction has limited effects to the downstream river flow.  Appropriate silt control at the construction areas to avoid siltation of the river downstream.  Use of manual labor as compared to machinery along the riverbanks to the extent possible. Noise and vibration  Utilize low noise equipment to the extent possible.  Construction works to be undertaken by day time to the extent possible. Noisy work to be undertaken during the day.  Personal Protective Equipment be provided to all construction workers and application enforced. Waste management  Provide appropriate approvals and plans for spoil disposal where necessary. It would be preferred if the spoil is dumped on areas where it can be reclaimed. 1510 1510 Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures  Construction wastes (debris, scrap metals, timber and plastics) should be recycled to the extent possible.  External disposal of the solid wastes should be on approved sites. Ecological disruption  Removal of trees only where necessary to avoid disruption of birds nesting.  Protect to the extent possible the low lying wet areas from siltation and pollutant.  The integrity of the fence around the forest reserve must be maintained and relocated if possible in order to keep wild animals within the reserve.  Creation of awareness on the proper land cultivation practices to reduce soil erosion and biomass accumulation in the dam reservoir. Health and safety  All workers should be provided with appropriate safety gear and ensure application all times.  The contractor should ensure ―driver safety measures‖ at all times e.g., safety gear, good driving conduct and truck maintenance.  Provide good drinking water for the construction workers, acceptable sanitation and hygiene facilities and eating sheds.  All personnel accessing the site must adhere to the Corona Virus 2019 directives and screening for body temperature to be instituted.  Ensure safe and healthy work environment for the construction workers including noise level, dust level, safe movement corridors and access to medical services when required.  The public should be kept off the construction site for their safety.  Safety signage, information and barriers to be provided at appropriate locations.  Fully stocked first aid kits to be available on sites and first aid training provided to selected workers. Sanitation and hygiene  Provide mobile toilets and/or suitable pit latrines at the construction site and ensure maintenance and cleanliness.  Provide clean drinking water for the workers.  Ensure safe waste management during construction for the health of the workers. Potential cultural disruptions  The contractor should sensitize all staff on local cultures and discuss with local community on the same. Impacts on livestock farming  A safe and easy public access to the water should be provided for the community livestock.  Fence off the reservoir and dam area to alleviate livestock drowning in the reservoir. Impacts on plantation establishment and livelihood improvement scheme (pelis)  The farmers should be given notice to vacate once construction commences.  The farmers to be allocated alternative sections within the plantation forest. Impacts on downstream users  Ensure the compensation flows set for the dam are adhered to. Possible Impacts Mitigation Measures  Define and implement a monitoring plan for the Gatamaiyu River with respect to inflow rates, silt levels and water quality trends over a duration of time. Dam safety  Adequate diversion of the river and protection of the site during construction.  Prepare relevant plans (Plan for construction supervision and quality assurance, an instrumentation plan, an operation and maintenance plan.  Prepare an emergency preparedness plan.  Design and install metrological sensors and alarm during the construction to alert workers in case of risk of flood.  Ensure use of high quality standard materials during construction phase. Wastage of water  Ensure all taps are serviceable and water drawn on need basis.  Backwashing only on design and water quality specifications.  The integrity of the entire treatment should be ensured at all times.  Observe good water use practices at all times. 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, Kiambu county. A copy of EIA 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 plan. Comments can also be e-mailed to dgnema@nema.go.ke MAMO B. MAMO, Director-General, MR/1943816 National Environment Management Authority.